First time on Icon class (Legend transatlantic) Help with room choice pls

[disneycjd]

Hello from England. My wife and I are recently forced retired and are Royal Caribbean diamond. We had thought about doing the celebrity XCEL transatlantic in October 27 but decided to move to the legend of the seas for October 2027 instead as there would be more to do on the ship for two weeks and we haven't been on icon class before.

We normally book either a junior suite or Ocean view balcony and the suites are unfortunately too expensive so we are looking at Oceanview balconies. We are wondering what deck would be the best deck. I have provisionally thought about deck 11 midship in a infinity ocean being balcony, but anybody who's been on class ships who could advise what is the best deck to be on and best position for Ocean view balconies we would really appreciate it

 

Thank you so much in advance

[disneycjd]

And as a follow-up question we would probably stay in Fort Lauderdale for a few days or maybe go up to Orlando (we used to live in Claremont Florida for 10 years) but I haven't been to Fort Lauderdale before we would like to do some grocery shopping and Christmas shopping, so is there an nice hotel like Hilton or anything around the Fort Lauderdale cruise Port area or Fort Lauderdale town that you would recommend that would be close to a mall and target, et cetera, and then we would fly out of Miami a few few days later

 

Or do we just get the bright line? To Orlando and travel out of there.

[disneycjd]

 

What do you think about 8736?  the balcony?  This is legend of the seas

[tonyfsu21]

12 hours ago, disneycjd said:

 

What do you think about 8736?  the balcony?  This is legend of the seas

8178 on Star was a good location on the port side of the ship and very close to the elevator banks. We enjoyed it.

[tonyfsu21]

13 hours ago, disneycjd said:

And as a follow-up question we would probably stay in Fort Lauderdale for a few days or maybe go up to Orlando (we used to live in Claremont Florida for 10 years) but I haven't been to Fort Lauderdale before we would like to do some grocery shopping and Christmas shopping, so is there an nice hotel like Hilton or anything around the Fort Lauderdale cruise Port area or Fort Lauderdale town that you would recommend that would be close to a mall and target, et cetera, and then we would fly out of Miami a few few days later

 

Or do we just get the bright line? To Orlando and travel out of there.

There are many hiltons in close proximity to port Everglades. As far as Target and malls go, they are not far. I can help you more if you have more details you want to dial in on (what kind of mall, what kind of Hilton property?). 

[WAAAYTOOO]

@disneycjd, you do realize that 8736 is a connecting room ?  Of course, with the new design for connecting rooms they aren’t nearly the concern that they used to be.  
 

We recently cruised on Icon for the first time in an infinite balcony room and really enjoyed it very much.  I actually think we prefer the IB to the OV balcony as the infinite balcony adds much-needed interior space and provides (in my opinion) a much better actual ocean view than does the traditional balcony.  If you are someone who utilizes your balcony a great deal, then you might miss the outside seating.  We did not.

 

[Mike n Ky]

Depending on the price difference we have been booking OVB guarantees. On Icon we received an infinite and on Star a standard balcony. Both were excellent cabins albeit toward the back of the ship, but that just made me feel better about indulging in my root beer floats as made my way to the elevator.

[Mike n Ky]

1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

@disneycjd, you do realize that 8736 is a connecting room ?  Of course, with the new design for connecting rooms they aren’t nearly the concern that they used to be.  
 

We recently cruised on Icon for the first time in an infinite balcony room and really enjoyed it very much.  I actually think we prefer the IB to the OV balcony as the infinite balcony adds much-needed interior space and provides (in my opinion) a much better actual ocean view than does the traditional balcony.  If you are someone who utilizes your balcony a great deal, then you might miss the outside seating.  We did not.

 

I like the IB as well, came in very handy going around Iceland, but the big drawback for me was the ability to slip out onto the balcony while she continued to sleep.

[Ditchdoc]

I'm going to a little contrary but perhaps give you something to think about.

It pretty commonly known that mid ship has a bit less pitch movement that may be more important in trans oceanic voyages.

Next, the view in ocean does not change that much. Ocean, horizon, sky. You can always walk topside for sun rise and sun set.

Having said that, an infinite balcony over looking central park is a good choice. The balcony  'window' gives you extra room, does not compromise AC and provides privacy. You can people watch and at times a musician will play early evening. So its not a bad choice at all.

Just something to consider.

[disneycjd]

On 4/6/2026 at 1:36 AM, WAAAYTOOO said:

@disneycjd, you do realize that 8736 is a connecting room ?  Of course, with the new design for connecting rooms they aren’t nearly the concern that they used to be.  
 

We recently cruised on Icon for the first time in an infinite balcony room and really enjoyed it very much.  I actually think we prefer the IB to the OV balcony as the infinite balcony adds much-needed interior space and provides (in my opinion) a much better actual ocean view than does the traditional balcony.  If you are someone who utilizes your balcony a great deal, then you might miss the outside seating.  We did not.

 

On 4/6/2026 at 2:49 AM, Mike n Ky said:

Depending on the price difference we have been booking OVB guarantees. On Icon we received an infinite and on Star a standard balcony. Both were excellent cabins albeit toward the back of the ship, but that just made me feel better about indulging in my root beer floats as made my way to the elevator.

I did but was worried about getting obstructive. Also we booked a group rate so limited choice. . 

[disneycjd]

I will research what this new connecting room style is. I’ve only had them on the older ships like Indy and wonder and they were ok. 
 

thanks all.