tonyfsu21

Total opposite. It felt the least crowded of any RC ship I’ve been on. Very good flow throughout the ship.

Scan a suite level sea pass card and then press deck 17 and see what happens. My kids showed me this trick on Wonder and it did work sometimes (people got a bit hissy though).

Totally agree, pretty much anything would be better than an interior room. The whole AC shutting off thing seems like it would get annoying though.

margaritaville is much easier to get to and a fun day for the kids. The service is typical Bahamas “slow” so if the kids are hungry at a certain time you will need to plan ahead. The bar service is actually slower than slow (like reverse) so grab a couple while you are already at the bar because it’s a hike from the pool area. Despite the service issues, the pool area is very nice and well maintained. I recommend it for sure.

this was booked through RC. Hold off a couple days for the site to populate the excursions after itinerary change.

I agree with this. The check in times are no longer a thing. I don’t care what time it says to show up and never have. Vacation starts at 11am on Day # 1.

Spice Mill is very nice….

We really enjoy Odyssey! That’s a great ship.

I live in Fort Lauderdale so we probably see things differently. I don’t really care much about the beach and prefer the abundance of things to do on Oasis class/Icon and others while visiting some nice Caribbean islands at the same time. I am not a fan of spending too much time in one place so cruising satisfies that need pretty well. We have certainly tried all inclusive resorts in many exotic (and some local) destinations and find them to be more of a hassle than a relaxing vacation. Also important to note, close proximity to the 3 major cruise ports & D+ crown and anchor plays a major role in the decisions we make for vacations as well. Maybe one day when the kids get a bit older we will do Europe again but it will 100% be on a cruise ship.

100% true.

Carnival ships new and old were designed by a blind engineer. Horrible aesthetic and overall design regarding the routing of large groups of people across the ship. I find the Oasis class to be the opposite and have really never felt crowded. As far as other vacation options…. Hard NO WAY for us. We have recently tried some land based vacations that were horrible regarding the lines and crowds of people all fighting to get a spot at the pool. There’s so much more to see and do in a cruise which offers a higher overall value for my family.

I only know because my wife is a big fan. Happy wife, happy life…..

Yes it is albeit an expensive one. I believe it’s the start up power load/fire hazard that red flags it. Any hair dryer brought on the ship should be scrutinized so I don’t necessarily think it’s just the Dyson.

Here’s relaxing for you:

I wouldn’t outright dismiss Icon based on all the poppycock above. Despite the comments, there are PLENTY of areas for adults to relax on Icon. The Aquadome is pretty incredible and the hideaway is actually relaxing (maybe not during spring break). The noise level from the slides has been exaggerated. IMHO, the Icon is the best ship in the fleet for anyone! There are so many options for dining/drinks with live music venues all over the ship.

^^^^^^ Hmmmmmm??????? You heard it here first.

I believe I exposed the collaboration on March 23rd when I witnessed the RC executive team and Hard Rock leadership meeting at Base Camp on Icon while in Miami. Something was certainly brewing!

# 2: I wouldn’t want to find out. They may drown and then get gobbled up by Nessie the 17’ great white who is looking for an easy snack. Either way, not a good outcome.

Carry on only. If you pack in a suitcase it will get flagged and force you to pay a visit to the security office to get bag back.

I noticed it’s a bit rocky at Turks by the port but if you venture up the beach a bit it is probably up there with the best white sand beaches in the Caribbean (no rocks).

It’s actually a great itinerary change. Grand Turk beaches are amazing. My wife & I were there a couple days ago and it’s perfection! There are public beaches adjacent to the ship and a stretch of white sand beaches (pictured) that rivals some of the nicest I’ve ever seen. This was our 4th or 5th time here and it never gets old.

I have done this tour quite a few years ago. Basically it’s a kayak ride through absolutely frigid water to see a giant blowhole. IMHO it’s not impressive enough to warrant the bus ride or the kayak trip. I do not recommend.

We had a great time on this excursion with the exception of the snorkeling which was not great. The experience was sub par and required a guided tour which is very beginner level. The guide brought you to the wall where it drops off to 7000’. Literally you see a few fish and the abyss which was less then desirable. The remainder of the excursion was exceptional. The beach break was absolute perfection with crystal clear water and lots of rum punch. Overall I would recommend this excursion for the time at the beach alone.

I would wholly disagree with this assessment. The Icon is certainly “adult friendly” and quite possibly more adult friendly than the rest of the fleet. I think it’s possible the surfside neighborhood may be a sticking point for some people because of the kid craziness but this neighborhood does an excellent job of containing the chaos. My parents (both seniors) were on the ship in February and can’t wait to go back with us all in November for Thanksgiving. They both agree it’s the best ship in the fleet with so many dining/drink and entertainment options that you can’t possibly see and do it all in a week.