I wish Icon had a Solarium

[Caleb Ultimo]

I just sailed on the Icon of the seas last week. The ship is very nice but I really missed the solarium and the hot tub 

[PRMLVM]

Does it have  a "solarium-like" space instead?  It has an adults-only pool/hot tub area.  Was it the indoor space you missed?

[rjac]

45 minutes ago, PRMLVM said:

Does it have  a "solarium-like" space instead?  It has an adults-only pool/hot tub area.  Was it the indoor space you missed?

We were on the Icon last month. We, too, missed the Solarium like on all the other RC ships we have been on and I let Royal know about our disappointment in the post cruise survey. As far as the "adult-only pool/hot tub area, it was a joke. A sign (as in 1) that said "18 years and older only" which was not enforced. Located on the aft end of the ship with practically no shade at all a small crowded bar and loud blaring music. The pool (small) and hot tub were filled with teenagers who looked well u der 18 years old. 

We will not be back on the Icon on future cruises. 

 

15 hours ago, Caleb Ultimo said:

I just sailed on the Icon of the seas last week. The ship is very nice but I really missed the solarium and the hot tub 

Us too! 

[OCSC Mike]

1 hour ago, rjac said:

practically no shade at all

This is one of my big concerns (although we won't be trying Icon class for a while). I can live without a Solarium (Wonder's can get very warm as it did this past week when we were onboard) but we have a nice shady spot with a breeze just outside of the Solarium that's not very loud that we enjoy. I haven't done extensive research since it's a ways off but I'll be trying to find some shade for relaxing when the time comes for our Star cruise.

[mom2mybugs]

We are planning on an icon cruise next April.  I decided to embrace the loud one day and booked one of the daybeds.  I have a feeling we will spend a lot of time in the dome area... Just not in a swimsuit.  Hoping overall icon won't feel overwhelmingly crowded.  Jane

[Jolly Ogre]

17 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

This is one of my big concerns (although we won't be trying Icon class for a while). I can live without a Solarium (Wonder's can get very warm as it did this past week when we were onboard) but we have a nice shady spot with a breeze just outside of the Solarium that's not very loud that we enjoy. I haven't done extensive research since it's a ways off but I'll be trying to find some shade for relaxing when the time comes for our Star cruise.

On Wonder and Utopia they totally enclosed the Solarium so no fresh breezes. Big fail I think. The other Solariums on Oasis and Freedom class ships have open air and let the fresh air in. They are much more enjoyable to me anyway.

[OCSC Mike]

7 minutes ago, Jolly Ogre said:

On Wonder and Utopia they totally enclosed the Solarium so no fresh breezes. Big fail I think. The other Solariums on Oasis and Freedom class ships have open air and let the fresh air in. They are much more enjoyable to me anyway.

If they cranked the a/c on Wonder/Utopia when it's hot in there, I'd be OK with the lack of breeze. They call them "climate controlled" but I don't think that's the climate most human cruisers were expecting. I love the space itself and it's comfortable to me in the early morning or when it's not too hot and sunny out (unfortunately we're largely limited to spring/summer cruising).

But in general, I agree. That's one aspect I prefer on older Oasis class class as much as I love all the other changes/additions to Wonder.

[Matt]

17 minutes ago, Jolly Ogre said:

On Wonder and Utopia they totally enclosed the Solarium so no fresh breezes. Big fail I think.

In the Caribbean, I'd much rather have full enclosed so it can be climate controlled.  It's not so much the issue of heat or a breeze, but the humidity.  Being enclosed means it's not super sticky.

Makes the Solarium enjoyable even if you aren't in the pool

[OCSC Mike]

6 minutes ago, Matt said:

it can be climate controlled

Can be and doing a good job of it are two different things.

[Jolly Ogre]

3 hours ago, Matt said:

In the Caribbean, I'd much rather have full enclosed so it can be climate controlled.  It's not so much the issue of heat or a breeze, but the humidity.  Being enclosed means it's not super sticky.

Makes the Solarium enjoyable even if you aren't in the pool

If they can do it. I don't want to freeze my butt off getting out of a pool. 

We had "climate controlled" pool rooms in high school and they were more humid and sticky than SWFL in the summer.

I live here in SWFL and ride a motorcycle as my everyday driver and even on the hottest most humid day, once you get going and have wind it feels much better.

In all my sailings I have never thought it humid or sticky in the Solarium on Allure, Ossis or Symphony.

[MdFormula350]

yeah even though the adult area is wide open for icon, going to give it a try in feb. funny because doing star in oct. which is the same setup i believe for the adult area. either way all good to me.

in terms of completely enclosed solariums, the positives outway the negatives hands down.  wind and weather doesnt matter and to me i rather not being getting my stuff blown around or rained on.