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.

Royal Caribbean added many new things it's never had on its cruise ships, including a dueling piano bar.

I'm someone that is very loyal to its English pub because I prefer bar songs that are typical of the '80s and '90s, but it's not exactly a place I can enjoy with my kids.

Children are allowed in any Royal Caribbean bar, but my kids simply don't care for this sort of music.  Plus, depending on the guitarist, it can be very un-interactive.

With Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean added a brand new concept that they never had on a ship before with Dueling Pianos.

It's located on the Royal Promenade, and I wanted to give it a few tries to see what it's all about.

How dueling pianos work

The idea is pretty easy to figure out. There are two pianists performing, and each plays off each other.

Unlike the Schooner Bar or pub where you yell out requests, guests fill out small slips of paper with their song request.

The song request has your name, song you're requesting, and any special occasion.

It's a way to let them know any significance of a song or why you're requesting it. It feeds into the schtick of the show.

It's a very interactive show, the each pianist taking turns playing to the bar.  Each side of the bar is divided up into one section for each player, and it's a bit of competition.

Another major difference from other cruise bars is the fact guests get called up a lot.

Someone might be needed to explain a dance, start a conga line, or perform a function like yelling out unofficial lyrics to a song.

Introverts might not love hearing this, but if you sit far enough back, the chances being picked on are quite slim.

Tipping gets your song heard first

Depending on your perspective, the role tips play is either a great idea or not.

The pianists give preference to anyone that tips with their song request. The more you tip, the better chance your song gets played.

Most tips are about $5-10 per request.  If you move up to $20 or more, you're going to get their attention real fast.

A $50 or $100 tip is essentially like a turbo option, where you could literally stop them mid-song with a request. 

The benefit of this system is if you have money to throw around, you can quickly get your songs played. But of course, the "pay to play" system puts other requests towards the back of the queue.

To be fair, the pianists do a great job of balancing paid and free requests. They're not only talented players, but they can read the room quite well.

I love how interactive the shows become

One thing that drew me back to Dueling Pianos was how fun the pianists made the whole show.

On our cruise, we had Sarah Angel and Roel, and they had a great relationship trying to one up each other.

Being a family cruise line, they also welcomed the kids into it all too.

Unofficially, they keep it PG-13 until 11pm.  The jokes are tamer and the music more varied.

After 11, they turn it more adult-focused with "dirty" drink cheersing and songs that might involve profanity.

Like any bar, it's going to be more adult focused than not, but I do appreciate it's inviting to all passengers.

It's really hard to get a seat most shows

If there's proof how popular Dueling Pianos is, it's in the fact seats go very, very quickly.

If you don't show up to the bar at least 30 minutes before the performance begins, you probably aren't getting a seat.

On this cruise, I knew to show up early, but this isn't the bar to walk by and stop in for a couple songs.  

Unlike the pub or Schooner Bar, not only does it make sense to plan around the show times, but it helps to be there at the start of the performance so you get in on the schtick and jokes.

Each show is unique, and the pianists play off the audience's energy.

I've added Dueling Pianos to my must-do list

If I'm sailing on Icon of the Seas (or the upcoming Star of the Seas), there's a good chance I'll be at Dueling Pianos in the evening.

While I still prefer the pub as my go-to spot, Dueling Pianos is a fun experience for groups. I'd love to go here with friends and grab a table for us all to enjoy the show.

There's a good mix of energy, talent, and showmanship that goes into this concept, and I'm glad Royal Caribbean has added it to the mix.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas has gotten so much praise as the new best cruise ship for families, that a lot of people are eager to give it a try.

I've taken my family on Icon and absolutely loved it.  In fact, it's my new favorite ship and I'll be back onboard for spring break.

A reddit user posted their thoughts on Icon, outlining exactly what they liked, didn't like, and tips for best enjoying this ship for anyone else going on.

Getting outside perspectives is a great way to learn about different ways a ship stands out, as well as get feedback on what worked and didn't work.

Here's the critiques and thoughts Ten_Horn_Sign shared about his recent Icon of the Seas sailing from last week.

Icon is well put together

Icon of the Seas is the biggest cruise ship in the world, and some people might think they'd never know where to go on a ship like that.

But Ten_Horn_Sign found the ship easy to navigate and the ideas incorporated into the ship design were fantastic, "the boat is super easy to navigate, there are ample plugs in the room for charging stuff, there is plenty of storage in the room for suitcases and clothes."

They pointed out was "lots of hand wringing" about how to maximize an inside cabin, but they didn't think it applied necessarily to rooms on Icon.

Everything flows well on Icon

Something else Royal Caribbean seemingly got right with Icon was the logistics of the ship.

"The ability of the cruise line to move people is really quite amazing," they wrote.

"On embarkation day we showed up at 1, strolled through the port with 0 lines, walked right onto the ship, and went straight to our cabin."

While some advocated they should arrive earlier than their assigned time, Ten_Horn_Sign felt rolling in at 1pm allowed for an effortless check-in and embarkation process.

"But boarding the ship at ports of call, going through security, moving luggage etc - this industry seems to have logistics nailed down. Shocked at how efficient they are, really amazed."

"The greatest customer service I've ever experienced"

Another thing that stood out about Icon was how good the crew members were in the Main Dining Room at dinner.

Specifically, it was the personalized service that stood out and how much they went above and beyond to cater to their family.

• On day one we went to the main dining room and our travel companion asked to order a cocktail, which they don't serve in the MDR. On day two when we were seated, they'd placed a cocktail menu there for him.
• One of the kids really liked a specific variety of the buns in the bread basket; at the kids' end of the table, they filled the basket with that specific bun.
• One of the kids just wanted mashed potatoes for dinner (not on the menu) - no problem, we will get you mashed potatoes

Ten_Horn_Sign summed it up, "the personalized service was like nothing I've ever experienced and was really truly memorable."

What it was like going to the medical facility

One of the kids had to go to Icon's medical facility.

Every cruise ship has a doctor, nurses, and medical bay onboard to handle minor issues. 

After their kid had an allergic reaction, the medical staff took care of the child and gave him steroids and antihistamines and made a follow up check up to see and re-dose the steroids.

The cost for the visit was $264.

Unfortunately, the same kid had to go back again for a second visit after accidentally slicing his toe on the cabin door.

"They cleaned it with a disinfectant and bandaged it, and the ship's safety officer contacted us to file a report, so I gather they take this quite seriously. I don't think I was charged for this, as injuries on the ship are treated for free (as they should be)."

Crew worked hard on ship upkeep

Something else Ten_Horn_Sign was impressed by on Icon of the Seas was how hard the crew worked to keep this new ship looking brand new.

"I saw with my own eyes workers on their knees scrubbing stains out of carpets, or using tiny paintbrushes to touch up scuffed or scratched walls. I watched them disinfect and hose down the Surfside grill. I watched them remove the ice cream machines from the Sprinkles cubicles and clean behind them."

"They deep clean daily and it shows."

Shows were amazing

Royal Caribbean's wheelhouse has traditionally been entertainment, and the shows on Icon did not disappoint.

" Why does nobody ever talk about Effectors? The story was childish but man, the show is great - synchronized drones? Lasers? That effect where Pixel is duplicating herself with copies appearing behind the moving screen? This show was GREAT!"

"We also saw Adam Kario. If you'd tried to get me to pay to see a juggler I'd have rolled my eyes. But that would be my loss - his show was brilliant and funny and the kids and I both loved it."

Too much technology

Onto the the things Ten_Horn_Sign didn't enjoy about Icon, starting with the tech onboard.

"Too much technology, too poorly implemented," is how they described it.

One issue they had was with touchless buttons to open doors, which was problematic with kids in public bathrooms.  

"I understand, post-Covid, why touchless everything sounds good. But honestly, the touchless systems on this ship are downright irritating."

They also were frustrated by the Wowbands onboard, where one kid's band didn't work at all on the arcades, even after two visits to customer service and one replacement bracelet. 

"Cabin door sensors are terrible"

Ten_Horn_Sign claims their stateroom door key worked "10% of the time".

"I don't mean that I was locked out, but I would scan my card and get "red" 9 times out of ten before finally being granted access to my room."

Hard to find quiet areas

Another complaint was there weren't many quiet spaces, lamenting the lack of a library.

Royal Caribbean experimented on Icon with no library on Icon. In general, however, their issue was finding areas to chill.

"A chill lounge would be nice."

Issue with spa billing

One other problem on Icon related to how they were billed for a spa treatment.

My wife and our cruise companion both went to the spa and both had the same treatments. Our cruise companion had won a $50 spa voucher on the ship. "Somehow" the same treatments resulted in a $70 bill for my wife and a $100 bill for our companion. 

So beware that if you think you've got a voucher for something discounted, the ship may just jack up the base charge to avoid giving you much at all.

Icon of the Seas tips and tricks

To round out their review, Ten_Horn_Sign shared some quick tips for anyone cruising on Icon of the Seas.

• There's a black plastic tab on the shower temperature lever you have to depress that lets you go hotter than the child-safe limit.
• Buy champagne by the glass, not the bottle.
• You can control the cabin's light, temperature, and even television with the Royal Caribbean app.
• Surfside restaurant serves a typical "American" breakfast without the lines of the Windjammer.
• Refreshment package is a waste for kids: "In hindsight, strongly wish I'd passed on the drink package; I'd have saved a few hundred bucks and had the exact same experience."

Be sure to check out our own list of ways to master your time on Icon of the Seas.

This adorable dog has been living on the world's largest cruise ship ever since Icon of the Seas launched one year ago.

Royal Caribbean awarded Rover the coveted title of “Chief Dog Officer” aboard Icon of the Seas. Joining the ship at just six months old, the golden retriever puppy has been living onboard ever since. As one of the most beloved residents on Icon of the Seas, Rover has a very important role: to bring happiness, joy, and love to all guests and crew members onboard.

Icon of the Seas, the biggest ship in the world, accommodates up to 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members - keeping Rover quite busy! Of course, Rover does not have free rein onboard the vessel. She is meticulously cared for by her handler, Alison Hubble. 

Known as Rover’s Chief of Staff, Hubble's only job is caring, training, and handling Rover aboard the ship. The dynamic duo meets many guests both onboard and ashore, as Rover is able to explore some ports of call while living aboard Icon of the Seas.

Even still, having a dog live on a cruise ship is unprecedented. According to USA Today, Royal Caribbean first consulted with animal welfare experts at the American Humane Society before bringing her on the ship. This helped ensure Rover is safe, comfortable, and happy onboard Icon of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean even designed a special cabin onboard for Rover and Alison to live together comfortably. The spacious stateroom includes a built-in crate to maintain Rover's safety. Toys and fluffy beds are available around the cabin for Rover to play and nap - what a sweet life!

In a recent video on social media, Royal Caribbean shared a glimpse into Rover’s busy life on Icon of the Seas, including how she continues to capture the hearts of passengers and crew members alike.

First, Rover shares her favorite spot onboard the world’s largest cruise ship

In her exclusive interview on social media, Rover first shares that her favorite place to hang out onboard Icon of the Seas is Central Park. 

Throughout the clips, Rover can be seen sniffing the many different real plants and trees located in Central Park. Dogs have a strong sense of smell, so Rover likely appreciates discovering the real-life greenery in Central Park and taking in the fresh air.

In her day-in-the-life video, Rover shares, “Central Park is my favorite spot. I call it ‘Central Bark.' I love sniffing all the trees, plants, and fresh air. I get to wag hello to everyone as they walk - and relax in the shade!”

Central Park has become a guest favorite and is a standout venue on Royal Caribbean's biggest cruise ships. Originally debuting on Oasis-class vessels, Icon of the Seas also features the serene neighborhood. Renowned for its open-air design, Central Park is considered one of the most innovative spaces on Royal Caribbean’s biggest cruise ships.

To keep the plants alive aboard the vessel, Central Park utilizes a sophisticated irrigation and fertilization system to keep the foliage green and lusciously beautiful. For Rover, this offers many exciting opportunities for new smells and lots of sniffing!

Next, the Chief Dog Officer explains some of her key duties while living on Icon of the Seas

Embracing their vision of creating the ultimate family vacation, Royal Caribbean saw the perfect opportunity to introduce a family dog to live at sea.

Having a dog live full-time onboard a cruise ship was an unprecedented move by Royal Caribbean; however, the marketing strategy was extremely well received. Rover has become synonymous with Icon of the Seas, as many passengers eagerly look for her presence.

In her interview, Rover explains, “It’s literally my job to bring positive vibes, have tons of fun, and make people smile!”

Guests are welcome - and encouraged - to playfully pet and interact with Rover during their vacation. She will never turn down a quick belly rub from happy guests onboard! Both passengers and crew find great joy in her furry presence - and Rover takes her job very seriously. 

Rover is also known for playing fetch and exercising around the ship in venues that aren’t in use, including the helipad! With busy days onboard, Rover tries to spend time with both guests and crew members to keep everyone in high spirits. However, Rover often won’t be seen in crowded areas or food areas for her well-being. 

Rover also has exclusive access to the ship’s bridge, where she loves to take naps!

All that playing and exploring can be quite tiring, especially for Rover! The friendly pup has a busy schedule of socializing and napping between interactions. In particular, Rover shares how she loves to take naps while visiting the captain on the ship's bridge. 

“Being Chief Dog Officer means I get to hang out on the bridge with the captain. I usually rest up on my bed in there - taking lots of naps with wag-worthy views,” explains Rover.

The captain can be seen giving Rover lots of love and attention in the clips, playfully petting her, and tossing the ball. Not many pups get to play fetch with sweeping views of the ocean. Rover is even allowed to sit in the most important seat on the ship: the captain’s chair!

Even better, it appears Rover has her own cozy napping spot on the bridge, complete with a big, fluffy pink bed. The wooden dog house is another example of Royal Caribbean’s commitment to Rover’s comfort and safety on Icon of the Seas, even on the ship’s bridge.

With so much love and attention, Rover loves making everyone happy onboard Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean made it clear that Rover is not a service dog, meaning she does not complete tasks for disability purposes. Instead, Rover’s only job onboard is to bring love, joy, and happiness to everyone onboard Icon of the Seas.

During Rover’s interview, she was asked what she loves most about being Icon of the Seas’ Chief Dog Officer. She replied, “Paws down, it’s the crew. I love how happy everyone is to see me. I get so many pets and love when they’re around. It’s a dream come true!”

During cruises, Rover is available for meet-and-greets with fellow passengers. She also takes her training sessions seriously, often followed by some well-deserved playtime around the ship.

As Royal Caribbean hoped, Rover is one of the most beloved attractions on Icon of the Seas. Many guests will wait several days for the opportunity to meet her - and some even bring gifts to share with Rover.

Fortunately, Rover isn’t limited to the cruise ship—she gets to explore some ports of call as well!

Even with an atypical life for a dog, Rover has plenty of opportunities to explore the world. She can often be seen running around Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Because this private destination is owned and operated by the cruise line, Rover is allowed to explore and play around the island.  Supposedly, Rover also has permission to go ashore in Miami, Florida - which is Icon of the Seas’ homeport.

During her interview, Rover was asked about her favorite activity on the island. She replied, “I love hitting the beach to run, swim, and roll around in the sand. Phew! Playing fetch is the best. My Chief of Staff throws the ball so far and I get to show everyone how fast I am.”

Rover’s handler shared that she absolutely loves running on the beach at CocoCay and highlighted her impressive swimming skills. For Rover, this is her special day of the week to let loose, run around, and burn off all her energy.

In the clip, Rover is seen enthusiastically playing fetch with her handler on the sandy beach of CocoCay. She is also seen playing in the sand, rolling around, and jumping in the water. After all that playtime in the sun and sand, Rover says she needs to clean off back in her cabin.

Rover explains, “Then, I cool off with a fresh bath before snuggling up for a well-deserved snooze on the ship.” Once she's all clean, Rover's handler says she always needs a nap after playing so much. 

Rover also shared a glimpse into her training schedule while onboard

Like any good canine, Rover loves to earn treats by perfecting her skillset. Along with her handler, Rover keeps busy with training while she’s not out and about on the ship. Rover says her favorite rewards include beef treats, which she earns while practicing some of her newest tricks with her Chief of Staff.

Each day consists of training for Rover, typically in the morning. After morning potty breaks, Rover enjoys playtime and training time to ensure she is up-to-date on her skills. Royal Caribbean needs to keep Rover well-behaved so she continues to be obedient while interacting with passengers and crew members.

In addition, maintaining Rover’s calm disposition is important, as she interacts with many children. This heightens the importance of Rover’s obedience, as she looks to her handler for instructions and commands in these situations.

“I love my yummy beef training treats. I earn them when I’m practicing new skills or keeping old ones sharp. I can do all kinds of commands - and I’m working on really cool tricks, like spinning, rolling over, and cleaning up my toys after I play,” says Rover. In the clip, Rover shows off some of her best tricks for the audience, including the impressive task of cleaning up toys!

Rover also encourages guests to wave to her when they see her onboard, as this is one of her latest skills. Rover exclaims, “If you see me around, give me a wave and I might wave back!”

Of course, Rover can’t wait to meet her new friend, Sailor, on the upcoming Star of the Seas

Although Rover was the first dog to live at sea for Royal Caribbean, she will soon have a new friend joining her. With the August 2025 debut of Star of the Seas - the latest Icon Class ship - Rover will be joined by a new pup, Sailor.

At the end of the interview, Rover shares how she can’t wait to meet her new friend later this year when the ship debuts. Rover states, “I’m super excited to meet my new friend! Sailor will be the Chief Dog Officer on Star of the Seas.”

Read more: Royal Caribbean will have a dog that lives on Star of the Seas