You'll need to be at least 18 years old now to go to one of the pools on the world's biggest cruise ship.

Guests sailing on Icon of the Seas spotted a change as of this week's sailing that the Swim & Tonic bar is now for adults only.

Situated in the Chill Island neighborhood, Royal Caribbean claims it's the largest swim‑up bar at sea.

Initially, Swim & Tonic was open to guests of all ages. Families with kids were free to splash in the shallow water and hang near the action.

An exclusive photo provided to Royal Caribbean Blog shows a sign posted at the entrance to the pool indicates all passengers going into the pool must be at least 18 in order to access it, which is the same rule as its other adults-only spaces.

Up until now, the Swim & Tonic pool was open to guests of all ages.

A change to maintain the vibe of the pool

In a statement from Royal Caribbean, the change is part of a test, "At Royal Caribbean, we're consistently listening to guest feedback and exploring opportunities to enhance our guests' vacations." 

"Currently, we are piloting an 18+ age requirement at Swim & Tonic pool onboard Icon of the Seas. This will only be tested onboard Icon."

It makes sense a pool that is all about offering an integrated bar experience would be for only adults.

Among the different pools you'll find on Icon, Swim & Tonic is designed to offer a swim-up bar, rather than a lounging option.

There is a bar on one end of the pool, along with in-pool tables to place your beverages.

Surrounding the pool are in-water loungers.

The experience seemed to be inspired by Oasis Lagoon and The Hideaway at Perfect Day at CocoCay, which both have swim-up bars and are quite popular.

Every Royal Caribbean ship has an adults-only pool area, with the Icon Class ships having The Hideaway at the very back of the ship.

Initially, the Cloud 17 pool was going to be adults-only, but the cruise line made a last-minute change right before the launch of Icon of the Seas in early 2024.

Families with younger children will need to use the other pools on board, including:

• The family-friendly Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay (in Surfside neighborhood)
• The Cove Pool, an infinity-style option
• Royal Bay Pool, one of the largest at sea
• Cloud 17

In short: there are still plenty of options. But Swim & Tonic is now off-limits to the under-18 crowd.

Response to a problem cruisers brought up

It's possible this policy shift to make Swim & Tonic adults-only is a response to guest feedback.

During a Q&A event with travel agents aboard a preview cruise on Utopia of the Seas, one travel agent specifically brought up kids being an issue at the Swim & Tonic bar.

The travel agent said, "Icon is fantastic, but (at) the swim-up bar, there’s kids splashing into your drinks."

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley, responded that the cruise line hears passengers' concerns and will look into it.

He also said they'd consider a revisit of curfew rules and bar policies, in general.

Why the Swim & Tonic pool is a must-do

The Swim & Tonic pool was one of the many innovations first introduced with Icon of the Seas.

The idea is simple: combine a pool with a bar that serves frozen cocktails and a fun atmosphere.

The space features:

• A spacious bar with submerged barstools
• A surrounding plunge pool with upbeat music and tropical theming
• Dozens of loungers around the deck area
• Access to nearby Chill Bar and Lime & Coconut for overflow service

A Royal Caribbean crew member violently attacked another worker before jumping off the world's largest cruise ship. 

The 35-year-old South African man stabbed a 28-year-old South African on Thursday, July 24, shortly before 7:30PM, the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) confirmed. 

Guests reported hearing "Oscar, Oscar, Oscar" (Royal Caribbean's secret code word for "man overboard") around 7:18PM. Icon then slowed down and returned to the location where the crew member had gone overboard. He was found dead by onboard medical staff less than an hour later. 

One passenger revealed that they saw the rescue mission from their port-side balcony cabin, where they witnessed crew members dropping life preservers into the ocean. They also saw a rescue boat deployed, which later returned with the crew member onboard. However, guests weren't made immediately aware of his condition and presumed the rescue mission was successful.  

Read more: Crew member dies after going overboard from Royal Caribbean cruise ship

Royal Caribbean initially shared that there was a man overboard incident on Icon of the Seas that resulted in the death of a crew member but withheld further details until authorities could investigate.

"Our crew immediately initiated a search and rescue operation, but unfortunately, the crew member passed away. We extend our condolences to the crew member’s family and loved ones," said Royal Caribbean in a brief statement issued to 7News Miami.

However, in a statement given to NBC News, police confirmed that the incident involved a dispute between two crew members and that the woman sustained multiple stab wounds to her upper body. She received treatment and is in stable condition. 

(Credit: CBS News Miami)

"One of the crew members was injured, was attended to by the onboard medical team, and she is now in stable condition," a Royal Caribbean spokesperson later said. 

"Unfortunately, the other crew member is deceased after he went overboard and was recovered in a search and rescue operation."

Icon of the Seas was sailing about 200 miles off the coast of Nassau, Bahamas, en route to Perfect Day at CocoCay when the crew member jumped overboard. The last day of the 7-night itinerary wasn't impacted by the incident, and Icon returned to Miami, Florida, on Saturday, July 26. 

An investigation into the attack is ongoing. Additionally, an autopsy will be conducted to determine the crew member's exact cause of death. There's no reason that the investigation should impact or delay cruise operations for future Icon sailings. 

The two crew members have not been identified out of respect for their families and their privacy. 

A crew member died after going overboard from Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean confirmed. 

According to online reports, the secret man overboard code ("Oscar, Oscar, Oscar") sounded at around 7:18PM on Thursday, July 24. The world's largest cruise ship then slowed down and returned to the location where the crew member had gone overboard. 

One passenger shared that they saw the rescue unfold from their port-side balcony stateroom, where they witnessed crew members dropping life preservers into the ocean. Not long after, a rescue boat was deployed and returned with someone onboard. 

Additionally, security closed the blinds in the Royal Promenade and discouraged cruisers from hanging out near the sides of the vessel during the incident. 

Although they were able to quickly locate the individual, the crew member, who supposedly worked at the Schooner Bar, succumbed to their injuries and passed away. 

Icon of the Seas was sailing about 200 miles off the coast of Nassau, Bahamas, en route to Perfect Day at CocoCay when the crew member went overboard. The remainder of the voyage will continue uninterrupted. Icon is expected to return to PortMiami on Sunday, wrapping up the 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise. 

"Our crew immediately initiated a search and rescue operation, but unfortunately, the crew member passed away. We extend our condolences to the crew member’s family and loved ones," said Royal Caribbean in a statement issued to 7News Miami. 

"To respect their privacy, we have no additional details to share."

The incident happened less than one month after a father jumped into the ocean after his child while sailing on a Disney cruise ship

Last month, a young child fell overboard from the Disney Dream en route to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, during a 4-night sailing to the Bahamas. Moments later, the kid's father leapt into the ocean. Both were successfully rescued by the crew, and the father was instantly called a hero. 

However, other rumors quickly started circulating on the internet, saying that her dad had held her on a railing when she fell into the water. Security footage dispelled the rumor, though, revealing that the young girl fell through a porthole after losing her balance. 

Detectives said the 37-year-old father was alerted about the harrowing situation by his wife. He then jumped into the water, found his daughter, and treaded water until they were rescued by Disney crew members. 

Read more: Child goes overboard from Disney cruise ship; father jumps in to save her, reports claim

The chances of falling overboard on a cruise ship are low

Deck railings on Royal Caribbean cruise ships are at least 42 inches high to comply with the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA) of 2010. Additionally, thick metal panels, Plexiglass panels, or metal bars are positioned under the railings to prevent guests from accidentally slipping through. 

As such, going overboard on a cruise ship is rare. A report shared by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) revealed that there were 212 confirmed overboard incidents from cruise ships between 2009 and 2019. 

Of those incidents, 48 individuals, or 28.2%, were successfully rescued. 

Icon of the Seas is advertised to deliver the "ultimate family vacation." With the largest waterpark at sea, dedicated neighborhoods, countless dining options, and around-the-clock entertainment, it's clearly built for families. However, my partner and I, both in our mid-20s, boarded without kids and still found it impressive. 

Typically, we prefer sailing with more adult-focused lines, including Celebrity and Princess. But despite being overwhelmingly family-focused, the world's largest cruise ship promised to offer plenty for child-free travelers like us. Plus, we're still young and don't mind the occasional ship-oriented cruise, compared to itinerary-driven sailings. 

Initially, I was worried that we'd regret spending over $7,000 on Icon of the Seas. That's not a small lump of change, and with the right planning, we could have toured Europe for two weeks, visiting culturally rich cities and trying new cuisine. 

However, as soon as we stepped on board, it was clear Icon wasn't another mega-ship. I've spent over 50 nights on Oasis Class ships and thought I knew what to expect, but Icon of the Seas raised the bar in every way — at least for Caribbean vacations. 

The adult-only spaces weren't boring

Take everything you know about the Solarium and throw it out the window. On Icon of the Seas, the Royal Caribbean staple was replaced with The Hideaway. 

It's far less about relaxing away from kids, as Thrill Waterpark is dangling above your head, and more about channeling the high-energy atmosphere of the ship in an adult-only setting. 

Think of it as chic beach club meets rooftop lounge. The DJ spins tunes all afternoon while bartenders keep the drinks flowing. Sometimes, it felt like a Las Vegas pool party but less overwhelming. 

Personally, I liked it best at sea, as the infinity pool gave way to the most mesmerizing wake views ever. However, if you're seeking a little more solitude, you may like it on a port day. 

One thing to note is that, unlike the Solarium, I found there weren't many shaded chairs. So, make sure you pack plenty of sunscreen, unless you plan on spending a lot of time at the bar. 

If you're seeking a moment of quiet, I'd recommend The Overlook. Though it lacks pools, you won't miss out on any views thanks to the AquaDome's floor-to-ceiling windows. 

We could still embrace our inner child

We couldn't resist some of the ship's attractions — particularly the one-of-a-kind Category 6 Waterpark. With six water slides, it's almost like Thrill Waterpark from CocoCay was brought onboard! 

Okay, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration (could you imagine if they logistically pulled off adding Daredevil's Peak to a ship?!), but the waterpark was seriously impressive. 

My favorite slide was the Storm Surge raft ride. Though we had to shimmy a bit to get going, it picked up speed as soon as we pushed off, splashing us around curves and boomeranging up the over-water "leaf." 

We took advantage of the complimentary waterpark first thing in the morning and when docked in CocoCay. As such, we never waited more than fifteen minutes for a slide. 

While on Icon, we also splurge on the Crown's Edge and Royal Escape Room. Crown's Edge tested my bravery, as I'm typically not a fan of trap door rides. 

However, Crown's Edge is unlike anything I've ever done on a cruise ship. Walking over the side of the ship on the obstacle course while watching the ship glide through the ocean was surreal (and still feels a bit like a fever dream). 

The Royal Escape Room was also more fun than I expected. The immersive space-themed puzzle required everyone to work together. It challenged our problem-solving skills and communication, especially at the beginning when we were divided into two groups and separated. 

Pro tip: Check on embarkation day to see if there's an ongoing deal for Crown's Edge. We paid $35 per person, but it was just $10 on the first day in Miami. 

Read more: 10 lessons learned after trying Icon of the Seas for the first time

The entertainment was top-tier

Last November, I sailed with Disney Cruise Line for the first time in nearly a decade and forgot how amazing their theater productions were. 

Though The Wizard of Oz still fell a little short compared to Tangled: The Musical, it was one of the best Broadway-style productions I've seen on a Royal Caribbean ship (Mamma Mia is still my favorite!). 

The set design was impressive, and I loved the costumes, particularly the colorful Munchkins in Munchkinland. 

Another obvious standout was the aqua show. When we first explored the AquaDome, we were a little disappointed to see how small the AquaTheater was. 

However, the intimate setting enhanced the experience because we felt closer to the action. I won't spoil much, but prepare for skateboarders and acrobatic tricks set against an indoor waterfall! 

Additionally, I thought the comedy show was on par with comedians I've seen on Carnival, which are arguably funnier than Royal's standard line-up. Simeon Kirkiles had the entire comedy club laughing for his entire set!

Thoughtful stateroom upgrades

Overall, I was impressed with the changes to Royal Caribbean's cabin experience. The bathroom, in particular, was a major upgrade compared to ships as new as Wonder of the Seas. I've never seen a standard shower that large and functional before!

I was also impressed with the storage. Though just two of us in the room, we had plenty of space leftover — and we're huge over-packers. The redesigned storage space felt more functional and helped us keep everything organized throughout the week. 

Next time, however, I think I'd opt for an ocean-view room, even if it didn't have a balcony. I had previously cruised in interior-facing cabins on Oasis and Allure of the Seas, but I didn't remember how much the lack of privacy bothered me. 

Because we kept the curtains closed so often when changing and sleeping, the cabin didn't get as much natural light as expected. 

That said, our travel agent quoted us over $6,000 for an ocean-view balcony, which seemed outrageous for a weeklong Caribbean cruise. Instead, we opted for the more affordable Neighborhood GTY fare, which cost around $3,800. We figured that we'd still have a balcony and wouldn't be in the room much to care. 

It was the right decision because the cheaper stateroom gave us a more flexible budget to splurge on add-ons like drink and dining packages, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, and onboard merchandise, bringing our total spend to over $7,400. 

Quality dining options, both complimentary and specialty

I'll be the first to admit that I think Royal Caribbean's complimentary dining has gone downhill in recent years. When we booked Icon, I wanted to minimize my time in the dining room, fearing that sailing on the largest cruise ship would mean rushed service and underwhelming food.

We booked the Unlimited Dining Package for $665, and phew, did we get our money’s worth. From juicy filets at Chops Grille to tasty shrimp tostadas at Pier 7 and tender lobster tails at Hooked, we never felt like we were eating on a cruise ship. 

By the fourth day, however, we realized our eyes were much larger than our stomachs. Though I don't think I'd get the Unlimited Dining Package again (three days is plenty!), Icon of the Seas should definitely be on any foodie's radar. 

There are also enough complimentary options to completely avoid extra-cost restaurants, ranging from the brand-new AquaDome Market to El Loco Fresh, the Pearl Café, Sorrento's, the Main Dining Room, the Windjammer, Basecamp, and Surfside Bites. 

Read more: There are 5 choices I'm really glad I made on my cruise on the world's largest ship — but one thing I'd skip next time for a better experience

Bottom line

Icon of the Seas is easily the best ship in the Caribbean right now. Even without kids, we were constantly entertained, whether listening to music in Lou's Jazz 'n Blues or staying up for the balloon drop in the Royal Promenade. 

For our first time on Icon, I think we experienced as much as we could, even overexerting ourselves at times. If we were to return, we'd take things at a slower pace, perhaps spending two days ashore instead of three. 

That said, Legend of the Seas in Europe is not on our radar. Between exploring Mediterranean cities and taking advantage of everything the ship has to offer, I think'd we quickly wear ourselves down. When it comes to port-intensive itineraries, we prefer smaller ships since the vessel is not our primary focus. 

Icon of the Seas is known for being the largest cruise ship in the world. Not only is her size record-breaking, but she's also the first cruise ship to have a dog living onboard full-time. 

Rover is an adorable golden retriever who has been sailing the high seas since she was a puppy. Known as the "Chief Dog Officer," Rover's duties include meeting passengers, strolling through Central Park, and making visits to the Bridge. 

On a recent cruise aboard Icon of the Seas, two families bid for a private session with Rover during the Make-A-Wish auction. 

"We got to have the private session [with Rover] by winning the Make a Wish Auction on the second day of the cruise. In case you aren't aware, Royal Caribbean has a partnership with Make a Wish and does special auctions on each cruise for a variety of experiences / perks," Chalker explained on a Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum.  

"On Icon of the Seas, a private session with Rover is usually one of the items. We got into a small bidding war with another family, but stopped bidding at $300. The cruise director then offered both our families sessions with Rover if we both made a $300 donation. We quickly agreed."

On Day 6, the family met Rover's handler outside of Spotlight Karaoke, where they were escorted to a private room for 25 minutes. 

"Rover had a ton of energy and was sniffing all over the place and loved rolling around and being petted. We got to spend about 25 minutes total with them, asking lots of questions and getting pictures and videos taken with Rover," they continued. 

Afterward, Chalker decided to share what they learned about Rover. Here are 19 facts about the cutest dog at sea!

1. Rover is almost two years old

Icon of the Seas' crew went all out for Rover's first birthday party. According to an Instagram reel shared to Rover's official account, she was groomed before her celebration, sporting a party hat and a colorful bandana.

The crew-only area was decorated with balloons and plenty of sweet treats. Rover even got her own dog-friendly cake! Of course, she also received tons of pets and brand-new toys. 

Her second birthday is quickly approaching! It's an exciting one because she'll finally be allowed to have plush toys. 

2. She joined the ship when she was 6 months old

Rover has been living on Icon of the Seas for most of her life. While she wasn't part of the overseas action in Finland or Spain, she joined the crew in Puerto Rico ahead of the official christening ceremonies in January 2024. 

Before boarding Icon, Rover spent time aboard Freedom of the Seas. She needed some experience at sea before joining the world's largest cruise ship! 

Thankfully, she has great sea legs and has hardly had any issues during rough weather.

3. Rover's handler has the best job in the world

"Rover's Chief of Staff" is responsible for taking care of her. When Chalker met Rover, her handler had been onboard since Sept. 2024 and was preparing for vacation. Rover's first Chief of Staff was Alison Hubble, who had been with Royal Caribbean for six years before joining Rover's team. 

"Another crew member was ‘in-training’ to take over and would be moving into the cabin in the near future," Chalker explains, "This position is highly competitive due to the perks that come with it (i.e. the cabin, the duties, and schedule). It only goes to staff [who] have spent a significant amount of time on Icon and already know and interact with Rover a lot." 

Read more: I take care of a dog on the world's largest cruise ship. Being the Chief Dog Officer is a dream job

4. Royal Caribbean has a partnership with the American Humane Society

Rover's role as Chief Dog Officer was created in consultation with animal welfare experts at the American Humane Society. 

Today, the American Humane Society conducts regular visits and inspections to ensure Rover's health and well-being. 

5. As such, Rover can only "work" for a set number of hours daily

The guidelines mandate that she can only work a maximum of two to three hours per day in 20-minute shifts. 

These measures ensure Rover has time to relax, enjoy playtime, and receive proper care at sea. "The rest of her day is doing normal 'dog' stuff," Chalker says. 

6. She doesn't like big crowds

Measuring over 248,000 gross registered tons with a passenger capacity of 7,600, one might assume that Rover is a social puppy who doesn't mind large crowds. 

However, according to Chalker, Rover is quite the opposite. As such, she typically makes unscheduled appearances in quieter areas, like Central Park and the Overlook. 

7. Rover is a 3 Stripe Officer 

Because of her rank, she gets to live in a special suite with enough space to play and sleep — in one of three different beds! Rover also has plenty of toys and activities available to keep her entertained.

The cabin itself has windows, a spacious living area, a large desk for her handler, a separate bedroom, and a specially designed crate. 

8. She spends a lot of time in the crew areas

While one of her primary duties is to bring joy to guests, the crew loves her just as much!

"She regularly visits the bridge and the captain loves her. The crew in general love[s] interacting with her through the day, such as in the crew café area," says Chalker.

"There are certain areas she can also run around, such as the helipad, where she regularly plays fetch."

9. Rover gets off the ship in Miami

Icon of the Seas sails 7-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, returning to Miami every Saturday. 

When Icon is docked in Florida, Rover disembarks for regular vet visits and to see her groomer. Not only that, but she loves going to the beach, outdoor parks, and even the mall!

"She’s sometimes recognized as Rover by people walking around Miami," Chalker adds. 

10. She has a few costumes

While Rover doesn't dress up often, she has a Captain's hat, pirate costume, reindeer costume, and various bandanas. 

Additionally, when Chalker met Rover, she was wearing a cute skirt that was designed to look like a mermaid tail. 

11. Rover loves fetch and tug-of-war

In fact, she loves playing so much that crew members can't say "ball" or "tug" in front of her! Whenever the crew is talking about fetch or tug-of-war, they have the spell the words out. 

She gets so excited that she thinks it's time to play and will wait by certain doors since the games are only allowed in specific areas, such as the helipad. 

12. She has a special life vest

Cruise ships have enough life vests for all passengers (and dogs)! 

Similarly, like all guests, Rover has a muster station to report to in case there's an emergency. According to Chalker, "Her muster station is by the giant dog statue on the Royal Promenade."

13. There's a dedicated pet relief area onboard Icon of the Seas

The area is on Deck 5 along the walking track near the front of the ship and is a comfortable space for Rover to take care of her needs at sea. 

Chalker explains that, "It’s got what looks like a raised bed garden planter in it with what looks like wood chips or similar that is a dirt simulant."

14. She loves treats and is typically hand-fed

Rover's Chief of Staff always has a fanny pack on them filled with Rover's food, which is why you might see her nibbling throughout the day. However, she does get other treats, including carrots and bananas. 

In fact, she's quite the fan of carrots. One day, her Chief of Staff asked the Galley crew if Rover could have a spare carrot on the floor. They said no and disappeared into the cooler, returning with a clean, full-sized carrot for the pup! 

"Rover thought this was the most amazing thing and was strutting around with the carrot in her mouth like a stick or bone for a while (they clearly didn’t want Rover to have to settle for a ‘scrap of carrot’)," explains Chalker. 

15. She's smart and responds to hand signals 

Before Rover joined Icon of the Seas, she underwent extensive training. For example, not only does she know how to sit on command, but she loves posing and waving for the camera!

During their private session, Chalker got a short video of their family and Rover waving to the camera at the same time. 

16. Royal Caribbean allows service animals onboard

Whenever there's a service dog onboard, the Chief of Staff is notified because Rover isn't a fan of smaller dogs, as they're usually aggressive around her. 

She's been introduced to the Toto puppet for the onboard production of The Wizard of Oz and was confused because, though it looks like a small dog, it didn't smell, sound, or move like one. 

17. Rover has a traditional dog collar

Crew members have special ID tags that are different from standard guest SeaPass cards. Rover, however, wears a traditional dog collar with a tag revealing her name and phone number. 

Her Chief of Staff said they want Rover to have a unique crew ID but haven't been able to get one yet. 

19. Star of the Seas will also have a Chief Dog Officer 

Sailor was born in February and is growing up fast! She's opened her eyes, taken her first steps, learned to play with her friends, and had her teeth start growing in! 

While Sailor still must undergo training before she can assume her role as Chief Dog Officer aboard Star of the Seas, she's proving to be just as adorable as Rover!

19. Rover won't stay on Icon forever

While Rover enjoys living her life aboard Icon of the Seas, she's only expected to remain onboard until she's 5 or 6 years old. 

Then, she'll be adopted by a loving family to live out the rest of her life in a "normal home environment," rather than at sea visiting ports in the Caribbean. 

According to Chalker, there's already a long list of interested adoptees eager to welcome Rover into their homes when she retires.

When I sailed on the biggest cruise ship in the world, I wasn't expecting a space meant to provide sweeping views to act as a de facto zen spot.

One change Royal Caribbean made with Icon of the Seas was not to offer a Solarium, which is the traditional adults-only enclave on other ships.

Instead, they went with the Hideaway neighborhood.  This offers adults-only space, but with a pool party atmosphere.

It's clear some cruisers prefer to have a view of the ocean along with peace and quiet.

The more I've cruised on the world's largest cruise ship, the more I've realized an area within the Aquadome neighborhood has become the go-to spot for reading, napping, and enjoying a calming day.

The quietest spot is at the front of the ship

At the very front of the Aquadome neighborhood, which is effectively "behind" the Aquatheater", is arguably the quietest spot.

Known as the Overlook, it's an open seating area that faces the front of the ship.

Royal Caribbean describes it as "With two levels of floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows, the ocean views from inside the awe-inspiring AquaDome are unmatched."

With all the light coming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, it's easily one of the most relaxing indoor spaces on the ship.

In fact, the pods are one of the most popular spots on the ship.

Ever since Icon debuted, word got out quickly that snagging a pod is perfect for reading, doing work, or just getting some privacy.

The pods are elevated and enclosed, which makes them semi-exclusive.  

I've used them to do work, and it helps there are outlets within each one.  

Even if you don't have a pod, there are all sorts of comfortable loungers and chairs that face the ocean.

Best yet, there's no music or party atmosphere here. And it's all indoors, so the air conditioning makes it always comfortable. The Hideaway is in direct sunlight with little to no shade.

The only time it gets loud is when there's an Aquatheater show being performed or rehearsed. However, going here in the morning is almost always guaranteed to be quiet.

It speaks to a need some cruisers have about having a quiet place with a view.

It's also become the de facto teen club at night

If you walk through the Overlook after dinner, I've noticed the teens come out in force to hang out here too.

Despite having their own club, teens on cruises seem to prefer to hang out on their own terms. This usually comes in the form of hanging out in stairwells.

In the case of Icon, I noticed the teens gravitated towards the Overlook at night because the area is pretty much empty.

Before you shake your fist angrily at "those young people", there's really nothing for adults to do here after dark.  The bar shuts down and there's no entertainment.  Without the teens, the Overlook empties out considerably.

The best coffee bar on the ship is nearby

If you're going to Pearl Cafe to get your coffee on Icon of the Seas, you're doing it wrong.

Adjacent to the Overlook is the Rye & Bean bar. It has its own espresso machine and can make most coffees you can get elsewhere.

But it's also where you can some fabulous coffee-based cocktails.

It transitions from coffee bar in the morning to cocktail bar at night, and with those views you have from the Overlook, it makes it so enjoyable to sit and watch as you sip.

Image created by PG Cruiser

Two cocktails to try here are the Coffee Boulevardier and the Hibiscus Tea Punch.

The tea is refreshing and flavorful, while the Boulevardier has a really bold taste that makes it not taste like every other cocktail.

The quiet spot to hide on other ships

If you're not sailing on an Icon Class ship, there are other refuges to discover.

The Solarium is usually fairly quiet on other ships, although it is a pool. So there can be loud conversations in the pool, hot tub, or bar.

Ships that have a Library or Card Room tend to be your best bet for a quiet escape, as they aren't nearly as rowdy as any pool would be.

My personal favorite for a quiet retreat is the outside promenade deck that faces the ocean.

It's usually on deck 4 or 5 of most ships, and it offers chairs that face the ocean.  

I'll grab a chair in the shade, and prop my feet up on the stools they usually come with, and then prop my laptop up to do some work.

In January 2024, Royal Caribbean introduced the world’s biggest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas. Years of planning, designing, and constructing finally came to fruition when Icon of the Seas sailed on her inaugural itinerary from Miami, Florida. It won’t be long until her sister ship, Star of the Seas, debuts later this year.

While Icon of the Seas made huge waves in the cruise industry in 2024, she was met with plenty of pomp and circumstance. Few modern cruise ships have garnered as much attention as Icon did.

However, Icon of the Seas was in the works long before her inaugural sailing. The cruise line said more than seven years of dreaming are behind the inception of its newest ship class. In October 2016, Royal Caribbean and the Meyer Turku shipyard announced the order of a brand-new ship class under the project name “Icon.”

The cruise line also registered a trademark for the name “Icon of the Seas” that same year. The cruise line announced the order of a third Icon class ship in 2019, which we know now will be named Legend of the Seas.

The first steel for Icon of the Seas was cut in June 2021, and construction took place over 900 days in Turku, Finland - or approximately 2.5 years of construction. The ship was delivered to Royal Caribbean in November 2023 before setting sail on her inaugural voyage on January 27, 2024.

As the world’s biggest cruise ship, you can imagine the cost to build Icon of the Seas isn’t cheap. In short, the construction of Icon of the Seas cost an estimated $2 billion USD to build. This makes it one of the most expensive ships ever constructed!

For comparison, Royal Caribbean spent an estimated $1.4 billion USB to build Allure of the Seas, while Celebrity Cruises spent $900 million on Celebrity Beyond. Similarly, Carnival Celebration cost around $1 billion, and Norwegian Cruise Line paid around $850 million for Norwegian Prima.

Royal Caribbean’s investment in the Icon class was monumental. The massive investment reflects the cruise line’s bold vision for Icon of the Seas, including her cutting-edge design and state-of-the-art amenities. Not to mention, the sheer size of the ship clocks in at 250,800 gross tons!

Here’s a deeper look at the design and construction of one of the most groundbreaking cruise ships ever built.

Design and Project Initiative for Icon of the Seas

When Royal Caribbean began designing Icon of the Seas, the cruise line wanted to make history. Between Royal Caribbean’s in-house teams and trusted partners in supply chain, the cruise line was determined to push boundaries with Icon of the Seas.

As a new ship class, Royal Caribbean had a complex journey for the first vessel in its Icon class. The new vessel needed to be the first of its kind, incorporating new elements of innovation that other cruise lines had yet to attempt. Royal Caribbean utilizes an in-house design lab for research, which incorporates virtual reality into the design element.

For instance, the new ship design aimed to incorporate more ocean views, allowing passengers to see the sea while cruising aboard the massive ship.

The cruise line envisioned expansive, multi-deck glass windows to highlight the sea. However, this required reengineering the ship’s structural support to accommodate the weight distribution.

This is how the Pearl - a standout feature in the Royal Promenade - came to life. The steel sphere is at the ship’s center and replaces the bulky port and starboard support beams.

Jay Schneider, the chief product innovation officer for Royal Caribbean Group, states how the Pearl has three different purposes. He explained, “To pull off the full glass façade, that superstructure pressure had to go somewhere. So the Pearl really does three jobs.”

“Yes, it’s an arrival moment. Yes, we think it’s going to be an amazing, awe-inspiring experience for people. And the heavy beams for the superstructure of the ship essentially run through the Pearl. And the Pearl takes on the weight at this point of the ship,” continued Schneider.

However, the purpose of the Pearl is supporting the stress of the ship: “Everybody else creates the same old cruise ships that follow the normal structure.”

Royal Caribbean collaborated with many esteemed design firms to create Icon of the Seas, such as Wilson Butler Architects, 3Deluxe, RTKL, and Skylab Architecture. This includes the intricate deck layouts and integration of technological amenities. Other redesigned spaces on the new ship class included the addition of the AquaDome, Absolute Zero ice-skating arena, and a reimagined Royal Promenade.

Additionally, Royal Caribbean needed to incorporate new technologies aboard Icon of the Seas

With more ships on order, Royal Caribbean needed to act quickly for developmental solutions. However, this isn’t always a smooth process. Testing new technologies that work on land to operate efficiently and properly at sea is a long process. The cruise line is also heavily focused on sustainability.

Royal Caribbean stated in April 2023, “From large-scale systems, including the first waste-to-energy system at sea, to the smallest details like LED lightbulbs, every program and application will play a part in making the world’s best vacation the most sustainable Royal Caribbean International ship yet.”

In particular, the Icon class ships would incorporate new liquified natural gas (LNG) fuel technology to power the ship. Royal Caribbean says the ship has six multi-fuel Wärtsilä engines, which can be fueled by LNG and distillate fuel.

Read more: How much does a cruise ship cost to operate per day?

Icon of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s first ship powered by LNG. This type of flexible fuel does not use any sulfur, which contributes to acid rain and air pollution, and operates with lower carbon emissions and reduced nitrogen oxides. The cruise line has also introduced the use of fuel cell technology, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

"We believe fuel cells offer very interesting design possibilities," said Harri Kulovaara, Royal Caribbean’s Chief of Ship Design in a 2016 press release.

"As the technology becomes smaller and more efficient, fuel cells become more viable in a significant way to power the ship's hotel functions. We will begin testing those possibilities as soon as we can, and look to maximize their use when Icon class debuts,” explained Kulovaara.

When the Icon class was first announced, Royal Caribbean had already been eyeing the use of fuel cells for more than one decade. The cruise line felt the technology was in a stage of development to justify the investment, banking on future regulatory standards that needed to be developed for the technology to be utilized.

Kulovaara said at the time, ”There is a long lead time for Icon class, and we will use that time to work with Meyer Turku to adapt fuel cell technology for maritime use." Kulovaara said that additional regulatory standards would also need to be developed for the technology.

With Royal Caribbean’s commitment to sustainability, the cruise line needed to invest heavily in LNG technology for Icon class ships. The cruise line states that Icon of the Seas is 24% more energy efficient than required by international regulations. In fact, the cruise line is continuing to push towards its ambitious goal of introducing a net-zero ship by 2035.

Constructing Icon Class ships requires a significant workforce and substantial material expenses

A substantial part of Royal Caribbean’s investment went into the extensive labor required to build the Icon class ships. As mentioned, the construction for Icon of the Seas spanned over the course of 2.5 years.

The labor cost to actually build a cruise ship is always substantial, but even more so when you’re building a ship as large as Icon of the Seas. Hundreds of millions of dollars were likely poured into labor costs for building Icon of the Seas.

The entire construction process took place in the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, which has built many of Royal Caribbean’s other ships. Ships are built in blocks and assembled together like Legos. Thousands of workers were required to construct the new massive vessel, which took place almost entirely at the Meyer Turku shipyard.

The process of building Icon of the Seas was long and grueling, taking around 900 days for the ship to be built. For instance, the cruise line shared footage of the AquaDome being placed on the ship. At the time, the cruise line said the “unnamed, 175-metric-ton sphere” took four days of preparation and a day-long transfer by barge before being lifted onto the ship.

Many of the employees worked tirelessly around the clock to ensure the project was completed on time. Royal Caribbean stated that nearly 3,000 people were working every day for the construction of the new ship.

Read more: Royal Caribbean unveils changes to make Star of the Seas even better than Icon of the Seas

Examples of labor necessary included engineers, designers, safety officers, welders, electricians, and more to contribute to the construction of Royal Caribbean’s latest ship. Not to mention, Royal Caribbean dealt with the logistical nightmare of constructing its new ship during the pandemic throughout 2020 and 2021.

In November 2023, Royal Caribbean stated, “Thousands involved have since accomplished a series of milestones and never-before-seen feats, like the installation of the single largest glass and steel structure to be lifted onto a cruise ship and engineering more water on board than ever before across seven pools, six record-breaking waterslides and more.”

Materials are also expensive for building a ship, especially with rising costs in recent years.

With a ship as large as Icon of the Seas, there was a significant cost of materials for the cruise line. The shipyard partnered with Metalcolour Group to supply over 250,000 square meters of laminated steel for the construction of the ship. This included materials for wall panels, ceilings, doors, and wet units aboard the ship.

Other necessary materials included components of the six LNG-powered engines, the ship’s interior design, necessary furniture, stateroom amenities, and more. Unfortunately, a small fire broke out at the shipyard in February 2023 aboard Icon of the Seas that also damaged some materials.

Icon of the Seas is home to many different state-of-the-art amenities, which are costly

Just like building a house, outfitting a cruise ship requires an investment in furnishings, amenities, and décor to create a welcoming and immersive environment.

Given the immense size of Icon of the Seas, it’s no surprise that Royal Caribbean likely allocated a significant budget to equip the ship with high-end features and amenities.

Icon of the Seas offers unparalleled luxury with her eight distinct neighborhoods, including the innovative AquaDome. This is the first of its kind, acting as a multifunctional space encased in a striking glass and steel dome.

The Icon class is also packed with state-of-the-art amenities and exhilarating attractions. Each of these required substantial financial investment to bring Royal Caribbean’s vision to life. However, Royal Caribbean knew these enticing features of the ship would help increase demand for the new vessel.

For example, take a look at the ship’s impressive top deck. This is home to Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea and a first for Royal Caribbean. Designing, testing, and constructing such a groundbreaking feature was undoubtedly a costly endeavor, as it set a new industry benchmark.

Beyond the waterpark, Icon of the Seas also introduces several first-of-their-kind experiences, including the world’s first suspended infinity pool, the Crown’s Edge skywalk and obstacle course, and the ever-popular FlowRider surf simulator.

These cutting-edge additions highlight the cruise line’s commitment to innovation and delivering an unparalleled guest experience—an investment that undoubtedly comes with a hefty price tag.

Ultimately, Icon Class ships are some of the most expensive ships to build in the world!

Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship at sea, and Royal Caribbean’s massive investment has paid off. The cruise line has reported unprecedented demand for the new ship, with record-breaking bookings. Royal Caribbean invested an immense amount of resources, including time and money, to design Icon of the Seas.

The success cannot be understated. Royal Caribbean Group reported exceptional financial results in the third quarter of 2024, with total revenue reaching $4.9 billion and a net income of $1.1 billion. The cruise line attributes part of this financial success to the deployment of Icon of the Seas, which has been a key factor in the cruise line’s sky-high demand.

The Icon class has set new benchmarks in the cruise industry, and the sister ships of Icon of the Seas are likely to be just as successful - and expensive - for the cruise line.

There is no shortage of really good food on a cruise ship, but a bar on the world's biggest cruise ship has food options not available on any other ship.

The Trellis Bar is the focal point of Central Park on every ship with this neighborhood, but Royal Caribbean tweaked the offering a bit with Icon of the Seas.

While not technically a secret, it's not well known that there are food options you can order at the Trellis Bar on Icon.

In fact, very few bars on Royal Caribbean ships offer food at all.  You can't even get peanuts or pretzels to munch on as you drink.

I remember reading that there would be food at the Trellis Bar on Icon of the Seas, but I overlooked it with so many other options to consider.

Over the last few months, some readers alerted me to the fact that the food was really good here.

Don and Judy Goldstein are purveyors of the Trellis Bar on any ship they visit, and they recommended not only having a glass of wine at this bar, but trying the food.

On my recent sailing, I decided to give it a try.

A small menu, but it's to the point

If you look for the menu when you sit down at the bar, you'll need to spot one hidden among the bar menus.

Most people walk up to the bar, order a drink, and are then on their way.  Tables go quickly, especially in the evening.

There's just 7 items on the menu, but each one hits the important notes.  Better to do a few things well, than a lot of things mediocre.

We ordered five out of the seven items to try for lunch on a sea day.  In fact, I chose to eat here not only for research purposes, but because I lamented repeating other specialty restaurants because I think the ship needs another signature restaurant.

The chicken on the Caesar salad was incredibly moist

I started off with the Caesar salad and impulsively added the chicken on top of it.

What impressed me about this was how juicy the chicken was on this salad. I'm so used to chicken on salads being tough and cold, but this was freshly cooked and sliced right on top.

It was a good omen for the rest of the meal.

The steak bites blew me away

If you order one thing at the Trellis Bar, it should be the steak bites. Run, don't walk, and order them.

We ate a lot of steak at different restaurants around Icon, but the steak bites are next level tasty.

The reason they're so good is they are glazed with sweet Thai chili sauce.  Don't worry, it's not spicy at all.

I shared a plate with my wife, but I instantly regretted not ordering one just for me.  

This is now one of those must-order items every time I sail on Icon.

Mac and cheese bites are the perfect comfort snack

The mac and cheese poppers are the kind of food you don't seek out, but when you see it on the menu, you want it.

The name "poppers" is apt, as these are fried balls of mac and cheese you can easily toss in your mouth to eat.

It's a great sharing appetizer to have, and had we not indulged in every steak bite we could find, we would have eaten more of the poppers.

A really large burger patty made this burger stand out

Why is this burger different from all other burgers on Icon of the Seas?

You can get a burger at so many different places around the ship, including many being free.

At the Trellis Bar, this is dry-aged burger from Chops Grille. The process of dry aging meat is supposed to enhance the beefy flavor of the burger that result from the natural enzymes in the meat breaking down during the aging process.

I'm not an expert on dry aged food, but I can tell you it was a really good burger, and I was more impressed by how big the patty was than anything else.

While the Trellis Bar isn't a pub, I've always had an affinity for a burger and a beer for lunch.

Lunch at the Trellis Bar is an easy to miss treat

There are so many good restaurants on Icon of the Seas, including some fantastic included options.  

While I would never fault someone for eating at Aquadome Market instead, I think the food at Trellis Bar is fantastic too.

I ate here on day six of the sailing, and I think it's perfect for when you get well into the sailing and then start looking for some variety in the food choices.

It might be the perfect food to try to tide yourself over until a meal later, or sit down for a lunch like I did.

It's been over a year since Icon of the Seas arrived and set a new standard for giant cruise ships. 

I went on Icon in the first few months it entered service, but it's been a number of months since I sailed on her.  I had gone on other ships, including the newer Utopia of the Seas. So how would Icon feel a year later, and is would it feel as fresh and innovative as before?

Royal Caribbean introduced a number of firsts on Icon, and it made the ship stand out immediately.

Being the biggest cruise ship in the world will get plenty of attention, with a maximum capacity of 7,600 passengers. But there's much more that makes Icon special beyond her dimensions.

There's just about every bright idea, fun activity, and way to relax on Icon. Variety of things to do is something that's always attracted me to big ships, but it's incredible how much more Icon has than even the nearly as large Oasis Class ships.

I took my family back on Icon for a 7-night western Caribbean cruise over spring break. I wanted to see what had changed, how the experience is with a full sailing, and if Icon is still my favorite ship in the fleet.

Crowd management is still incredible

The one thing that struck me on Icon when she came out was how effective crowd management was on the ship, and it still holds up today.

Royal Caribbean knew it needed to distribute crowds well in order to keep this mega ship from feeling overstuffed and unenjoyable. They did a great job with the Oasis Class ships, but Icon is notably better.

With few exceptions crowds simply don't exist on the ship. Sure, when a show lets out or there's a party on the Royal Promenade, you'll see a crowd.  But those are engineered crowds.

Even on the pool deck, which traditionally suffers the worst crowding problems on sea days, is remarkably open.  Not only are there tons of chairs everywhere, but adding more pools than any other ship and spreading them out clearly worked.

I can't promise you'll find a chair in front of Royal Bay pool at noon, but there are going to be chairs nearby.

There's an art to how the activities are programmed, the venues spread out, and the different places you can go.

If there's any concern about going on a ship with 10,000 people feeling too crowded, I don't think you need to worry.

Dueling Pianos is my go to evening entertainment

Among the many new venues introduced on Icon, Dueling Pianos is one of the best.

I had tried Dueling Pianos on the inaugural sailing, and it stood out immediately.  I went back on a few evenings to see how it compared.

The idea is simple: two pianists take requests from the crowd and take turns playing as many as they can.  The thing that makes this more than on-demand piano music is the entertainment factor involved.

Each one adds personality, incorporates the audience, and just makes it really fun.

Roel and Sarah were a terrific duo, and I loved how they infused humor to songs we've all heard dozens of times.

It's also a really good bar to make friends because of how much audience participation there is. The bar regulars will become characters soon enough and you'll wave hello to people you know around the ship.

Great specialty dining, but whish there was one more really good option

I ate well on Icon and got around to as many restaurants as I could, but if there was one deficiency I found, it's that the ship lacks one more really good restaurant.

Specialty dining is a focus on pretty much every ship, and it's popular with guests too.  

For a 7-night cruise, I think it lacks another top level specialty restaurant.

Chops Grille, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, and Izumi are terrific and I ate at each one on the cruise, but it needs one more.

Anecdotally, Hooked seems to be not so popular and because it's so heavy on shellfish, it's also very polarizing. I like Pier 7, but it's almost empty every night and most guests seem to not know it even exists.

Other pay options are more casual, like Playmakers or Trellis Bar. Empire Supper Club is divine, but it's a niche restaurant with a hefty price tag.

Having a restaurant like 150 Central Park, Wonderland, or some new concept would go a long way.

I regret not going to the pool more

We had a lot of fun on Icon of the Seas, but I wish I had more time to enjoy the pools.

In a typical "first world problem", our itinerary was loaded with port stops: three in the western Caribbean, and a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

The downside to this schedule was it left us just two sea days, and with everything happening around Icon, I never got around to spending time in the pool.

In retrospect, I should have skipped a beach day in Cozumel and instead hung out on the ship.

I think Royal Caribbean did a great job with the pools, especially the Swim & Tonic and Cloud 17. But with Dueling Pianos, all the shows, great dining choices, and activities, the pools got left out.

Best comedy entertainment on any ship

I really enjoy the adult comedy shows on Royal Caribbean ships, but Icon has the best venue for it yet.

On other ships, the comedy shows are performed either in the Royal Theater or a multi-use venue.  Icon has a purpose-built comedy club, and it's perfect.

The venue has a great layout that is big enough to handle the rampant demand for shows, but also provide both comics and audience alike great angles to enjoy it all.

Plus, we had a fantastic lineup of comedians, including my all-time favorite, Simeon Kirkiles. 

I love how Royal Caribbean invests in live comedy, and the venue on Icon is superb.

Very few changes since last year

One thing I kept an eye out for were any changes Royal Caribbean made since last year, but it's fairly consistent.

I think the biggest change is to make all of Basecamp included in your cruise fare.

Previously, the menu had a lot of extra cost items and a few freebies. Now, it's all included.  Granted, they dropped two items from the menu (fare thee well, cheese curds. We hardly knew you).

The library within Pearl Cafe is also holding on for dear life.  There's only a few books, likely because books were taken without being returned, but it still exists.

I also noticed Rye & Bean doesn't open until 10am, which used to open at 8am a year ago.  It was one of my favorite Icon of the Seas secrets as a less crowded coffee alternative to Pearl Cafe.

The shows are still so good and must-sees

Royal Caribbean did such a good job producing each of the signature shows on Icon of the Seas.

Wizard of Oz, Aqua Action, and Starburst and excellent and worth your time.  I'll even go as far as to say Wizard of Oz is worthy of being put on a stage on land because of the high production value.

I was a bit put off by the shows after the ones on Utopia weren't nearly as good, but I came back for the shows on Icon and was not disappointed.

Disembarkation is the easiest process ever on Icon

It is amazing how smooth, efficient, and fast disembarkation is with a ship as large as Icon.

They got passengers and luggage off incredibly early, making the process so easy.

There were no lines to wait to disembark, and they had called most of the luggage numbers before 8am.

Considering how long it can take on other ships, disembarking Icon is such a breeze.

After Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas became the world's biggest cruise ship, she's earned a lot of praise and accolades, and they're all well-deserved.

I've sailed on Icon for three full cruises so far, along with a few shorter sailings leading up to her debut. Each time I've stepped onboard I've rediscovered why this ship is now my absolute favorite ship in the fleet.

You don't need to go on a big and new ship in order to have a great vacation, but Icon makes it so darn easy.

I've been sailing on Royal Caribbean's newest ships for years, and each one brought a little something different to one up the previous.  However, Icon takes a leap forward from the fleet and it's apparent quite quickly when you get onboard.

Innovations that go beyond any other ship

I can sum up Icon of the Seas in two words: truly innovative.

That phrase gets tossed around a lot, but Royal Caribbean set out to build the ultimate cruise ship and threw out everything they knew about ships prior to it.

They called it a "white paper cruise ship design", which means they started with a blank canvas to come up with the things its guests wanted, while improving on things that have already been a success.

If you've been on any other cruise ship, the improvements made to Icon soon stand out.  Some are massive and others subtle, but they all contribute to a better guest experience. 

If you haven't been on a cruise ship before, then Icon will feel more natural and not as jarring as a cruise can be for newbies.

What you can expect going on Icon of the Seas is a smooth process each step of the way, and it's a lot of the fixes and improvements made to Icon that make this ship so guest friendly.

You won't be bored with so many things to do on this ship

I'm amazed how much there is to do on a ship like Icon, and it's part of why I love going on it.

One of the most common reasons people use to avoid going on a cruise ship is they are afraid they'll be bored.  I don't see how that's possible on this ship.

Being the biggest cruise ship in the world, it can handle up to 7,600 passengers if every bed was sold out.  The standard double occupancy rate is 5,610 passengers.  Regardless of how many people are on this ship, good luck finding a crowd because the distribution of people is phenomenal.

It's so easy to be drawn to one area of the ship because of how many different activities and venues exist.  It's a boon for first time cruisers who I think will be astonished by the variety.

The highlight of this ship is what you can see as you drive up to the ship: the pool deck.

Icon was designed with a "water, water everywhere" approach.  You can see the water from so many places and be in the water too.

There are seven pools, including a suspended infinity pool just for adults.  There are many other pools for kids and families to enjoy together, and each has its own theme.  By offering more pools, it spreads people around and avoids the common cruise ship trope of a crowded and bustling pool.

Then there's the waterpark at the back of Icon, which has six slides.  Most cruise ships have maybe two or three slides, but Royal Caribbean pushed the limit with enough to have a true waterpark.

There's also a surf simulator, mini-golf course, rope/swing challenge, rock wall, and sports court.  There's enough to happening in the Thrill Island area that you probably could spend an entire day here without trying it all.

The ship has three theaters onboard, with unique shows in each venue: an indoor AquaTheater, traditional stage theater, and an ice skating rink.

On top of all of that, there's an entire section dedicated to young families.

If you have a kid under the age of 7, Surfside is going to be the best thing you never knew you needed on a family vacation.

This entire area was designed with young kids in mind, and the tone is set when there's a slide for them to go down into it, right next to the stairs.

Inside Surfside is a carousel, arcade, three different restaurants that serve kid-friendly food, a bar to sit at with your kids, and a giant aqua park.

What Royal Caribbean has done with Surfside is double down on what families want: lots for the young kids to do along with their parents. 

When my kids were growing up, more dedicated programming for them was sort of a new concept that was being explored by Royal Caribbean. But kids today have arguably the best in class offerings for this age group to ensure they will love it, without making their parents have to run around the ship between activities.

It's easy to find your way around the ship

I know you might be worried that the ship is a maze, but it couldn't be easier to get from point A to point B.

The ship is split up into 8 neighborhoods, which is an idea borrowed from the Oasis Class ships. Think of it like themed lands around the ship, where the look of the area instantly tells you where you are.

• AquaDome: An indoor space and theater capped by a large dome, offering immersive entertainment and dining experiences (Deck 15).
• Central Park: Open air park with real trees, shrubs, and flowers that has a variety of restaurants, shops, and bars (Deck 8).
• Thrill Island: All things fun and exciting, with a water park, mini-golf, sports court, and many more activities (Deck 16)
• Chill Island: Most of the pools, whirlpools, and bars for time spent enjoying being in or around the water (Decks 15, 16 & 17)
• Royal Promenade: Two deck high entertainment "street" that has restaurants, bars, and is home to The Pearl (Deck 5 & 6)
• The Hideaway: Adults only enclave for passengers at least 18 years old, with a suspended infinity pool, whirlpools, and a variety of seating options (Deck 16).
• Suite Neighborhood: Reserved area of the ship exclusively for guests booked in a suite.  There's two dedicated restaurants, bar, and sun deck (Deck 16, 17, & 18).
• Surfside: A family-friendly neighborhood with a kids' splash zone, arcade, carousel, and family-friendly restaurants (Deck 6).

The benefit of the neighborhoods is it makes it easy to guess what sort of activities or dining choices might be there.

Many dining choices, but a lot of restaurants cost extra

Royal Caribbean includes an astonishing amount of places you can eat on Icon of the Seas, with more than 40 different dining spots and bars to choose from.

There's a choice of places included in your cruise fare, and others that cost extra. You certainly won't go hungry limiting yourself to just the included spots, but it's quite tempting to pay more for the other ones.

While I indulge in the specialty restaurants, I have to admit the included food offered is superb and better than most other Royal Caribbean ships.

The Main Dining Room and Windjammer buffet are staples of any ship to provide most meals, but my favorite places to eat at no cost are the Aquadome Market and Pearl Cafe. Both are new concepts introduced for Icon and really up the free food game.

I also really like El Loco Fresh. It's quick service Mexican food and you can customize your food with a generous toppings bar. Following guest feedback, Basecamp was changed to be completely complimentary and it adds a convenient choice when you're feeling peckish around the waterpark.

If you're willing to spend more, there are a lot of great specialty dining options too.  Some are familiar favorites, such as Chops Grille or Giovanni's Italian Kitchen. Others are new ideas, like the three-hour $200 per person Empire Supper Club experience.

My favorite extra cost restaurants are Izumi, Giovanni's, and Empire Supper Club. Each offers a different experience, cuisine, and truly stands out with excellent food.

Anyone booked in a suite should be trying the food at Coastal Kitchen because it's feels like a specialty restaurant but without the price tag.

It's available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day for guests in a Grand Suite or above (Dinner only for Junior Suite guests).

My favorite cruise ship because it's better than every other ship

Why should you choose Icon of the Seas over any other Royal Caribbean ship? Because it's just that much better at everything it does.

I'm a fan of big cruise ships, and I've found the other ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet fantastic. The difference is Icon builds on all of them and solves a lot of issues that traditionally would have been pain points.

It's clear this ship has a two-pronged approach to its design: deliver amazing experiences and make everything easier than ever before.

The way crowds are managed on Icon is astounding to me because they are so well spread out.  

Unless there's a dance party, the Royal Promenade is rarely crowded at all.  On other ships, it feels like Times Square more often than not.

The pool deck has so much seating spread around the three decks that it's probably the best approach yet at solving the chair hog problem. Plus, I think having so many different pools helps too.

The best innovation on the ship is the use of destination elevators, where you tell the system which floor you want to go to, and are subsequently assigned an elevator.  It's incredibly efficient and faster than regular elevators.

Of course, the calling card of any Royal Caribbean ship is how good the entertainment is around the ship.  There are must-see shows at each venue, and I think the Wizard of Oz show is Broadway quality.

In short, Icon makes taking a cruise as easy as possible for new and veteran cruiser alike because of the the innovations this ship has.

What I loved to do on Icon of the Seas

The included restaurants are so good

Royal Caribbean invested a lot of time and effort to come up with dining options included in your cruise fare that you'll want to eat at a lot.

The addition of Aquadome Market has been incredible, as it adds a restaurant that provides a true alternative to the Main Dining Room and Windjammer.  It's fast, efficient, and the food is really good.

Pearl Cafe is an upgraded Cafe Promenade, and also has some amazing seating to go with it. 

Don't overlook the included food in Surfside, because it's vastly underrated.   Both Surfside Bites and Surfside Eatery have so many good family-friendly options. 

It may be labeled as for kids, but I am certain there are plenty of adults who would love to eat there too because of how good the food is.

I would never want to hang out in Cafe Promenade after finishing my coffee, but the Pearl Cafe space is beautiful. It's easily one of those popular places to hang out on the ship. Plus, the grab-and-go food options are really good.

Of course, the food in the Main Dining Room and Windjammer are both really good, and I appreciate how large the Windjammer is on Icon so that there's lots of seating and food selections.

Royal Caribbean also added Basecamp as a convenient option near the waterslides, and it's entire menu now comes at no extra cost.

The elevators are amazing

One pain point solved on Icon are the cruise ship elevators.

Instead of traditional elevators, destination elevators replace them and along with the extra cars added to handle the capacity, it works so much better.

The beauty of these elevators is you rarely wait more than a few seconds for one to arrive.

They're far more efficient in how they assign cars to each floor, and it gets you moving faster to where you want to go.

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised how well the elevators work as soon as you get onboard.

Wizard of Oz is the best show you never knew you wanted to see

While not a true musical, I'm very impressed by Royal Caribbean's Wizard of Oz show.

It's included in your fare, the production value is off the charts. From the set, to the costumes, to the special effects, this is no musical medley. It's on par with any stage show you might see in a city (and have to pay extra to see).

While I loved the movie as much as anyone, I was leery of the show being worth it. Any concerns I had were quickly unwarranted.

One factor that elevates this show is the imaginative use of aerial stunts, such as when Dorothy is in her bed in the tornado scene and flies over the audience.

I think even casual theater fans will like this performance.

Empire Supper Club is unlike any other restaurant

At $200 per person, I wasn't sure if the Empire Supper Club would be worth it to justify the cost and time involved.  Luckily, it totally is.

This is a curated meal experience with cocktails paired to each course, and a jazz band playing songs to match up with it all.

I especially love that Royal Caribbean made the space intimate without forcing everyone to sit with each other, like at Chef's Table. There's no awkward conversations to worry about here.

Plus, it has amazing food too. The Chilean Sea Bass was extraordinary, as were a few of the appetizers.

The food is high quality, and I thought it was simply unlike any other dining experience I've been to on a cruise ship. It's not "just another" specialty restaurant.

The ship feels so uncrowded

Up until I sailed on Icon of the Seas, I assumed all cruise ships were going to be crowded and there was nothing I could do about it.

By creating wide open spaces onboard, implementing better elevators, and redesigning venues, the ship almost feels strange being so uncrowded.

It's remarkable how uncrowded the ship has felt, especially where I usually expect to find a lot of people, such as the pool deck or Royal Promenade.

This was true on our spring break sailing that had 7,300 passengers onboard and I think you'll quickly notice it too when you board.

What I hated about Icon of the Seas

Adults only area has no shade

I like that Royal Caribbean came up with a new concept for the adults only area, but it's incredibly hot there with little shade.

The Hideaway is a great spot overall, and it has a pool party vibe.  I just wish there was more shade to enjoy.

Both the pool and loungers nearby are all directly in the sun, and the only shade is near the bar or underneath some metal "palm trees" close to the hot tubs.

During most months of the year, it gets very hot, very quickly.

Suite Lounge and Coastal Kitchen layout is too close together

I wish there was more space allocated for both the Suite Lounge and Coastal Kitchen so it didn't feel so smushed together.

It's not uncommon for both spaces to share the same overall room, but it feels quite cramped on Icon.

When the suite lounge is busy during happy hour in the evening, the conversations there can easily bleed into Coastal Kitchen (and vice versa). Some of the tables are pretty much right near each other.

Basket storage is questionable

Icon of the Seas has many innovations, but one I'd rethink was the choice of baskets instead of drawers.

The issue I have with the baskets is I don't want any clothes on display. Plus, they're more cumbersome than useful.

Because the baskets are fairly small, all you can really put in there are probably undergarments, and that's the last thing I want visible.

On top of that, it's clear there's overall less storage space in any of the rooms compared to the Oasis Class ships. 

Usually there's more storage space than we can use on new Royal Caribbean ships, but Icon feels like it's missing a few drawers here and there.

Who should book Icon of the Seas

I think Icon of the Seas is probably the best family cruise ship I've ever sailed on because of how much it offers for everyone, not just kids.

The ship leans heavily towards the multi-gen group, where parents, kids, and their grandparents can truly enjoy a vacation together and find different things each would enjoy.

This ship has the very best that Royal Caribbean, and the cruise industry, can offer. It's like going on the newest airliner or freshest hotel concept. There's something to be said about going on the latest and greatest.

Royal Caribbean wants this ship to be the perfect first ship for anyone, and it's well-suited for someone new to cruising.

The kids areas, including the kids club, are truly impressive. In fact, I think Royal Caribbean's kids club is overlooked, but the staff is so good at not only supervising them, but keeping them engaged with events, games, and activities.

For me, I love the sheer variety of activities offered. The casino is enormous, there are great shows, fantastic bars with live entertainment, and some of the best restaurants we could hope for on a cruise ship.

Itineraries and pricing

Icon of the Seas is sailing from Miami, offering 7-night cruises to both the eastern and western Caribbean. Each cruise includes a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

These weeklong cruises are the right amount of time to enjoy everything there is to do onboard.  You probably won't be able to do everything in one sailing, but should be able to knock out the major must-dos.

Plus, the variety of islands you visit is lovely, each with great beaches, food, and fun activities.

Prices for a 7-night Icon of the Seas cruise from Miami start at $1497 per person for an interior cabin, based on double occupancy. 

Cruise prices will depend on when you want to sail, as certain months are cheaper than others.  Nonetheless, you won't find cheap bargain basement prices for an Icon of the Seas cruise.

Being a new ship means you'll pay premium pricing to go on it.