Matt is back from a brief preview of Icon of the Seas and what stands out about the ship and his initial thoughts.
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Far from buried treasure at sea, Royal Caribbean has a souvenir that will cost six figures.
Royal Caribbean has a store on the brand new Icon of the Seas that sells just cruise line branded jewelry, and it incudes the most expensive cup I've ever seen.
The new cruise ship is selling a single cup that costs $100,000 that has Royal Caribbean logos on each side and is available in just one store.
Appropriately named Royal Bling, it's located in the Aquadome neighborhood and sells Royal Caribbean branded rings, necklaces, and other keepsakes adorned with the cruise line logo.
Clearly, it appeals to the Royal Caribbean super fan that loves not only to cruise, but cruise with Royal Caribbean and they want the world to see it.
Among the treasures in this store is a chalice that costs $100,000 and looks like something you might find guarded by the Grail Knight in an Indiana Jones movie.
The cup is only available on Icon of the Seas and that price gets you not only a gold chalice adorned with jeweled bling, but it comes with an added benefit.
If you buy it, it comes with an unlimited Royal Caribbean drink package for life.
That means you'll never have to pay for another beverage package for yourself ever again.
The Deluxe Beverage Package includes cocktails, spirits, liquors, beers, wine by the glass, sodas, water, mocktails, premium coffee and tea, and fresh-squeezed juice. Basically almost any drink on the ship up to $14 in value.
If you're doing the math in your head, the Deluxe Beverage Package on the inaugural sailing of Icon of the Seas for one person across seven nights is $559.93 before gratuities. You can add another $100.73 with gratuities, to bring the price to $660.66.
Assuming that drink package price never changes and you only ever cruise 7-night cruises, it would take you about 151 cruises to "break even" on the goblet purchase.
It's not clear exactly what the goblet is made of to account for the value of the materials used in the cup.
The novelty goblet is one of several jewelry choices cruises can purchase on the ship. Most of the other jewelry comes in at a much lower price point.
During the President's Cruise earlier this year, President and CEO Michael Bayley was spotted wearing an over-the-top diamond encrusted Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor logo on a silver chain, and it clearly resonated with someone.
The store could be a follow-up to that, and also addresses a possible need among Royal Caribbean's elite fans.
Cruise line loyalists are a passionate bunch, and representing their favorite cruise line in their everyday life is just as important to some as going on the ships.
The Royal Bling store has Crown and Anchor bracelets, rings, earrings and more.
Icon is the first cruise ship to have a Royal Caribbean themed jewelry store, and there plenty of other firsts on the ship too.
You can find Royal Bling near the Aquatheater entrance.
Icon is the first of the Icon Class, with at least two more ships under construction to follow.
Icon is now the world's largest cruise ship and has more waterslides than any other ship, seven pools (including the first suspended infinity pool at sea), an entire neighborhood for families with young children, 40 different restaurants, bars and lounges.
At 250,800 tons, Icon of the Seas will sail from Miami and offer cruises to the eastern and western Caribbean.
Everything is bigger on Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, including a three-story suite that is bigger than many apartments.
On Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, the Ultimate Family Townhouse is the cruise line's most expensive and largest suite it has ever created. The ship has many new features that appeal directly to families, but this one cabin is aimed directly at a family willing to open their wallet for the very best room out there.
The 1,772-square-foot suite can cost over $80,000 on a seven-night cruise and it is already sold out for all of 2024.
With the new cruise ship ready to set sail with passengers, we have our first look inside the centerpiece elevated cabin.
Up to eight people can sleep in the Ultimate Family Townhouse.
The Ultimate Family Townhouse has an in-suite slide, movie-viewing room, karaoke machine and a "backyard" with a ping pong table, outdoor seating and a white picket fence leading directly to the Surfside area.
It spans three decks and includes one of the most jaw-dropping balcony views on the entire ship.
The Ultimate Family Townhouse is a follow-up to the The Ultimate Family Suites introduced on other Royal Caribbean ships. Those rooms were "only" two levels, so Royal Caribbean wanted to make it even bigger on Icon.
Located across decks 7, 8, and 9 of Icon of the Seas, the entrance is on deck 8.
The townhouse has two balconies and a backyard. The master bedroom balcony measures 90 feet, the primary balcony measures 410 square feet, and the backyard offers an additional 251 square feet of space.
Given the name, this suite is meant to evoke the most family-friendly cabin ever. It's colorful, has lots for children to enjoy, and offers more space for kids (and their parents) to spread out than ever before.
The living area includes a spacious living room and a dining room, which has an interactive gaming table.
There's a movie room that has a widescreen television, along with a popcorn machine and karaoke machine.
You can also slide into the monster-themed daybed in the cinema room.
The master bedroom has a king-size bed and its own master bathroom with twin vanity and double shower.
The kids room has bunk beds and its own TV and games, and its own bathroom.
One neat idea is there's a special entrance to the Surfside neighborhood from your suite. There's even a mailbox that you can use to pick up notes.
The Ultimate Family Townhouse is a Star Class suite, which means it enjoys the very best benefits Royal Caribbean has to offer, including a Royal Genie, free drink package, free WiFi and more.
While the suite has lots of features to admire, the Royal Genie service is not to be overlooked. It provides a mix of butler and "magic maker" to guests staying in the room, and it makes a big difference onboard your ship.
Your Genie gives you VIP treatment every step of the way. There isn't a set list of Royal Genie benefits, but they will make any dining or entertainment reservations you need and you won't need to wait in line for any of them either.
The Genie can get you to the front of line of pretty much anything on the ship. They will get you reserved seating in shows, have the ability to have specialty restaurant food delivered to your cabin, enjoy unlimited Starbucks beverages, and even organize a party in your suite.
Read more: A beginner's guide to sailing in Star Class
Other benefits of staying in the Ultimate Family Townhouse are gratuities included with the price, priority embarkation and disembarkation, and access to the Suite neighborhood.
It should come as no surprise that the Ultimate Family Townhouse is expensive. Very expensive.
The price of any cruise ship cabin varies from sailing to sailing, but the cruise line said the average price for the Ultimate Family Townhouse was around $78,000 - $80,000 per week.
Despite the massive price tag, demand has not been soft for this room. All of the 2024 sailings are sold out, according to Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley.
Is the Ultimate Family Townhouse worth it? Most people will scoff at the price tag because it is the very epitome of an over-the-top splurge.
However, there are families out there that want an epic family vacation. They do well for themselves and want to enjoy the fruit of their labors with an all-out cruise that they won't ever forget, and that's the purpose of a suite like this.
In general, suites are rarely a value, and the people that stay in them usually prioritize the extra space, enhanced service, and added benefits they provide.
With the Ultimate Family Townhouse, it's all about staying in an incredible room despite the price tag.
Royal Caribbean has made a last-minute change to which part of Icon of the Seas will be exclusively for adults.
Ever since Royal Caribbean revealed details on its newest cruise ship, Cloud 17 was to be the adults-only area. Icon does not have a Solarium, which has traditionally been the adults-only area on its cruise ships.
As first reported by Cruise Critic, the plan has changed.
Instead of Cloud 17 (located in Chill Island), The Hideaway neighborhood will become the adults-only area for guests 18 years old or older.
In speaking with Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider, the change was made in just the last week.
When passengers board Icon of the Seas for the first revenue sailing on January 27, they can find a kid-free zone at The Hideaway. Cloud 17 will be open to guests of all ages.
Making the swap of venue rules just weeks before the new cruise ship was to set sail had a few reasons for it.
First, Mr. Schneider indicated that since Hideaway Beach at Perfect Day at CocoCay was going to be an adults-only area, having a very similar named venue on Icon of the Seas made more logical sense to have the same policy.
In addition, Cruise Critic reported that Royal Caribbean felt Cloud 17 was in "prime real estate" and did not make sense to have the area closed off to families.
One of the new neighborhood ideas on Icon of the Seas is The Hideaway.
It's at the very back of the ship on deck 15, and it's Royal Caribbean's first ever pool at the back of a ship.
The pool is perched 135 feet above the ocean, offering 180 degree views.
From its conceptualization, The Hideaway was meant to have a Las Vegas pool party vibe. It has the first suspended infinity pool at sea, day beds, loungers, and an expansive bar area.
There's also a multilevel terrace, whirlpools, a variety of seating. The daybeds have an additional cost to them.
News of the change seems to be have been so far with favorable reaction.
Comments on Reddit showed cruisers think there's more logic to having The Hideaway be for only adults.
"That is a huge improvement, Cloud 17 looked like it would suck whenever it’s windy," wrote Kvalri.
shanham wrote, "I was surprised that hideaway wasn’t the adult area because I saw they were selling the hideaway “pool beds” for $500 on my sailing. I told my husband I couldn’t imagine paying $500 to be on a bed in a pool full of kids."
illuminated0ne thinks making The Hideaway adults-only is sensible, but not changing Cloud 17 as well, "I always assumed they would turn The Hideaway into adults only eventually because of the expensive day beds in the area, but I didn't think they'd take away the other adults-only place they've been advertising for a year."
"The Hideaway looks so much smaller. It's even more puzzling they're doing it before trying it out once."
If making Cloud 17 suddenly changes your pool deck plans, here's what to know about the area.
You'll find an infinity-edge pool at Cloud 17 (the same is true at the Cove Pool) that overlooks the ocean. There's also a whirlpool.
It also has its own Lime & Coconut Bar.
As mentioned, there is a bar in The Hideaway and it has a special menu.
The menu is simply a starting point, and you can order other cocktails, beers, or mixed drinks.
Here's a look at the drink menu.
We knew Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship was going to be impressive, but it's pretty darn incredible how they can push the boundaries of what we expect on a ship.
The words, "wow", "I can't believe it", and "amazing" were swirling through my head as I had a brief day visit tour of the biggest cruise ship in the world, Icon of the Seas.
The 20-deck high ship comes in at 250,800 tons, winning the title of biggest cruise ship in the world from sister vessel, Wonder of the Seas. In fact, it will be the first time in about 5 years that an Oasis Class ship hasn't been the biggest in the world.
The ship appeals to a wide range of cruisers, with a growing focus on the family cruise market. Like a new bride, it borrow the traditions of the past, while forging its own destiny. All new cruise ships build on the progress made by ships of the past, but it is clear to me that Icon of the Seas takes a jump ahead. If there's one thing apparent about Royal Caribbean's new ship, it's that it's anything but ordinary.
With just weeks to go until the first paying passengers board the ship, I had a day to run around and explore as much of Icon of the Seas as I could squeeze in and share with you what this new ship is all about.
Icon is a brand new class of ship, so that means Royal Caribbean started from scratch. They incorporated ideas from existing ships while creating new ideas and reworking others. Don't be surprised when you see something that is similar to an existing ship. While they may have borrowed the concept, they've also built upon it and iterated it as well.
A great example is when you walk onboard the Royal Promenade. Icon is not the first ship to have a Royal Promenade, but it is the first one to have a wide-open Royal Promenade that has windows, shops, and certain venues.
There's sunlight, new restaurants and The Pearl. Much was made of The Pearl at a time when we knew next to nothing about Icon, and it might have been overinflated in terms of significance, but it delivers on making your jaw drop when you first walk onto the ship and that's the first thing you see.
It's three decks high, has a beautiful interior made up of kinetic tiles, and I'm told there will be certain events that occur in there related to sound and sight. You might not want to visit The Pearl every day, but I challenge you not to go there at least once and marvel at it.
Another step up for Royal Caribbean is behind The Pearl with Pearl Cafe. The replacement to Cafe Promenade on other ships, Pearl Cafe has grab-and-go snacks for guests on the run, as well as specialty coffees. Best of all, it has many tables and large windows. It reminds me a lot of Cafe al bacio in some ways, and I would love to sit and people watch from there.
Throughout the Promenade you'll find familiar places with fresh looks. Giovanni's Table has a home here, while Schooner Bar has a beautiful nautical motif.
The new Dueling Pianos bar has the potential to be one of the top nightlife locations, and I really like the seating arrangements in the Point & Feather pub.
I wasn't sure where to go first once I boarded, but I really wanted to the AquaDome neighborhood.
The AquaDome is one of those staggering places that you can't help but revel in the magnitude of the space. From the theater in the middle, to the Overlook seating in front, to the food hall, I never thought I would want to spend as much time here as I did once I walked it.
If you've been on the Oasis Class ships, then you know how cool the shows are and I didn't see any of them. Even without its signature attraction on the day I visited, I loved being in this space more than I thought I would.
The giant glass dome encompasses places to chill, eat, and be entertained. Plus, there are cabins within this neighborhood too.
When I get back onboard, I'll look forward to the shows that are performed in the AquaDome. "Aqua Nation!" and "Pirates vs Mermaids" are the two shows you can see.
The Overlook is a sleeper hit of the ship because it has fantastic seating, especially in the pods. It's first-come, first-seated, and I think a lot of people will love to hang out here on a sea day, especially with bar service.
My favorite spot for a bite to eat is easily the AquaDome Market. Royal Caribbean incorporated its first food hall concept, and I want to eat here every day.
Greek, Asian, French, and... whatever Mac and Cheese constitutes is found here. It's complimentary, freshly made, and I could eat it every day. I'm curious to see how it handles rush hour at lunch, but I love the concept.
There's still plenty of work to do on Icon of the Seas before the first revenue sailing, and that was the case with the pool deck.
Not to worry, Royal Caribbean says it will all be good to by the time paying guests get onboard. On the day I visited, there was work being done to set everything up. No construction, just finishing touches and deliveries and set up of furnishings.
Even with some areas inaccessible, I think this pool deck is going to be a real winner for the line.
The Swim & Tonic pool is easily going to be the most popular pool on the ship with its swim-up bar and in-pool seating.
Royal Bay Pool is slated to be the largest pool at sea, and all the hot tubs strewn around the deck should find plenty of customers. Royal Bay is enormous and looks like it takes up half the length of the deck.
But the Category 6 looks like it will deliver a true waterpark experience on a cruise ship. There's so many slides, and I know it's where my kids will want to go on a sea day.
It will have a drop slide, the tallest drop slide at sea, family raft slides and two mat-racing slides.
I used to think three slides was a big deal, but six seems to be what I always needed but never knew I did.
The weather was overcast and slightly drizzly and hardly worthy of a Miami television commercial, but the one place I really regretted not bringing my bathing suit was The Hideaway.
Located on the back of the ship, it's the first suspended infinity pool at sea and I wanted to go right in. I had a great plan to tell all of you my camera "died" and I had no other way to capture content as an excuse to go spend the afternoon in the infinity pool. Alas, my sense of responsibility (and the fact I didn't pack a bathing suit) won out.
I like variety in my cruise ships, because one day I might prefer one pool and another day a different one. There's plenty of choices with the pools on Icon.
Central Park isn't a new concept at all, but it's amazing what a few tweaks, additions, and restructuring can do to dramatically improve an area.
I was ready to walk through Central Park and write off the place as a copy of the Oasis Class, but I found it beautiful and the changes the perfect blend of old and new.
I've always been a big fan of Izumi, and what Royal Caribbean has done with this specialty restaurant on Icon is astonishing. It's been given the necessary space to house all of Royal Caribbean's best ideas in one. There are lots of hibachi tables, sushi tables, a VIP hibachi table, and even a walk-up window where you can get sushi as late as 10pm.
Walking around the park, the colors of the balcony shutters above you combined with the flora and color choices of the park really stood out as a lovely area to be in.
The new champagne window, Bubbles, wasn't open on my visit, but I think it will be popular with the mimosa and Bellini crowd.
I couldn't believe how much attention the family dog Royal Caribbean is introducing on Icon of the Seas received when it was announced, but it makes total sense once you see Rover in action.
I was on Icon for about 7 hours, and I relegated myself to the fact I wouldn't see Rover until I saw her on the Royal Promenade playing fetch.
Alison is Rover's Chief of Staff and it's her job to take care of Rover while onboard.
If you're wondering if Rover can be as cute as the photos show, you'd be correct. She is adorable and you will wish there was a sign up program to have the dog sleep in your cabin for just one night.
Rover is a symbol for the fun and family-centric nature Icon of the Seas was designed to deliver. Obviously no one is booking a cruise just to see a dog, but it's a really nice touch.
In case you're wondering, no, Rover serves no other function. She's not a drug sniffing dog and she's not a service animal either. So Rover isn't allowed in the restaurants.
I've always thought of Royal Caribbean as the best family cruise line already, but I wish we had Surfside when my kids were under the age of 10.
Imagine the Boardwalk neighborhood layout from the Oasis Class ships completely re-designed to provide family fun for the six and under crowd, along with their parents. Royal Caribbean says 6 and under is the ideal age, but I could see 8 and 9 year olds enjoying some of the spaces too.
Splashaway Bay, Baby Bay, and the adults pool look great and I think parents will appreciate having a place to bring the kids that's more contained than the pool deck without compromising on what there is for the parents.
I was blown away by how many dining venues there are: Lemon Post, Pier 7, Sugar Beach, and Surfside Eatery provide plenty of choices and they're all right there in one area.
Good luck convincing those kids it's time to leave when there's pools, a carousel, mac and cheese, and Shirley Temples all around you.
The really smart choice here was putting Adventure Ocean just one staircase away. On every other Royal Caribbean ship, the kids club is on a top deck and feels like diametrically opposed from everything else going on onboard. Having Adventure Ocean adjacent to Surfside is brilliant.
As usual, I was envious of the teen club because of how chill this place looks. There's lots of space to spread out and enjoy TV, games, and more.
Royal Caribbean has always said they wanted to embrace their past while forging ahead to the future, and that is definitely the case with its dining.
There's a good array of specialty and complimentary food on Icon, with new restaurants mixed in with returning favorites. But don't overlook the restaurants you may have dined at on other ships, because many of them have new looks.
Starting with Izumi, Royal Caribbean has outdone itself with the revamp of this Japanese specialty restaurant. It's expansive and beautiful.
The new Empire Supper Club is a high-end dinner experience where the phrase, "going out" really has a new meaning. It's not cheap ($200 per person), but Royal Caribbean wants to offer a truly elevated and distinguished meal for those seeking more than just another specialty restaurant.
I was equally impressed by how many dining venues there are in Surfside. Surfside Eatery, Pier 7, and Surfside Bites all look good and I think it's going to be a boon for families to have so many family-friendly (read: picky eater) choices in close proximity.
The restaurant I was most excited to try while on Icon was the AquaDome Market. When lunch came around, this was the restaurant I wanted to try first.
The food hall delivered exactly what I hoped for: quick and casual food from a variety of cuisines. I'll be curious to see how it works with a full guest load onboard, but the food quality won't be a problem.
Speaking of grab and go, I managed to stop by Basecamp in Thrill Island for an early dinner before disembarking the ship.
Basecamp has a mix of complimentary and extra-cost food. I went with the grilled chicken sandwich ($9) and warm pretzel bites (complimentary).
I think the idea here is to have something convenient when you're riding water slides and don't want to go all the way back to the Windjammer for something to eat. Convenience is king on cruise ships.
Then there's Giovanni's, Chops, Hooked, and other grab-and-go restaurants. I'm excited to try these when I sail on Icon, but suffice to say, there's no shortage of dining.
Cruise ship casinos tend to be an afterthought in terms of design. Cram as many tables and slot machines into a space and you're done, right?
The casino on Icon really seems to more spread out and I like the flow a lot more than on other ships.
In speaking with the casino hosts onboard (Hi Chris), they indicated Icon's casino is about the same square footage as Wonder of the Seas, but the layout is more rectangular than square.
It felt like a bigger space to me, and I just liked the flow a lot more.
I can't encapsulate everything Royal Caribbean has up its sleeve in just one post. Heck, I didn't have enough time to experience it all either. But I'm more excited than ever to get back onboard.
My father's favorite movie might be "Family Man" starring Nicholas Cage, where the central figure is magically transported to a new life that he falls in love with and pleads with the angel at the end of the film not to return him back to his regular life. I kind of felt that way when my time on Icon came to a close, because I didn't want to get off the ship yet.
There's plenty of takeaways from Icon, but one I really think is just how much there is to do to keep guests moving. When you hear there as many as 7,000 guests onboard, it can sound like that's a lot, but when I think about all the activities on the pool deck, Surfside, Royal Promenade, and AquaDome, I think crowd management won't be a problem for this ship.
When you're onboard, the scale of Royal Caribbean's ambitions becomes apparent, and I think there's lots of space to handle all the people Royal Caribbean hopes will sail with them every week.
With every neighborhood I walked through, I thought "This is where I want to spend my day". Until I got to the next neighborhood, and then thought the same thing.
I think part of the design process for Icon was to create compelling spaces that draw guests to them for different reasons. I'm certainly not suggesting there won't be lines or a crowd on Icon, but I do think there's enough happening around the ship to keep everyone from congregating in one area.
In my brief day visit to Icon, I saw as much as I could. I can summarize it best by paraphrasing Anthony Bourdain: I write, I walked all over Icon, and I'm hungry for more.
At the heart of Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas remains one of its signature neighborhoods.
The Royal Promenade is a hub of activity and a place you'll probably spend a lot of time onboard the ship.
On Icon, the Royal Promenade has evolved with more space, light, and options.
You will find a combination of more than 15 new and reimagined restaurants, bars and lounges, and floor-to-ceiling ocean views, a first for Royal Caribbean.
Here's a sneak peak at the Promenade on Icon of the Seas.
Read more: Icon of the Seas guide
You'll notice two distinguishing factors to the Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas when comparing this neighborhood to other ships.
First are the ocean views, something other ships never had.
Royal Caribbean sought to make the Royal Promenade more connected to the ocean. On Icon, the Royal Promenade has full glass views of the ocean for the first time ever.
The two-deck Royal Promenade makes getting around easier too.
This version of the Promenade has what Royal Caribbean calls "seamless connectivity" to make it easier to get around. This means you can easily get between Deck 5 and Deck 6 or head upstairs to Central Park on Deck 8.
Plus, there's an escalator from the Promenade to get you down to the casino and gangway on port days.
As guests walk aboard Icon of the Seas, they'll first be drawn to The Pearl, which Royal Caribbean calls an "arrival moment."
The Pearl is an interactive, multi-sensory experience made with kinetic tiles.
The Pearl encompasses four things:
Read more: First look at The Pearl on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas
In touring the Royal Promenade, you'll find shopping, dining, and bars to keep you busy every day.
When you walk onto Icon of the Seas, you'll pass through the 1400 Lobby Bar.
Royal Caribbean intends for the 1400 Bar to be a focal point. It sets the stage for The Pearl, is adjacent to the escalators going down to the casino, and is at the heart of the ship.
Walking past the Pearl is Pearl Cafe, which is the next generation of Cafe Promenade.
Below the beautiful whale art sculpture is a new grab-and-go venue for elevated bistro food. Most of it is complimentary, but there are some extra-cost options in addition to the food included.
As an example, there will be Starbucks brewed beverages that you can order but are also covered by a Royal Caribbean drink package or Diamond drink voucher.
Something else that has evolved here are the drinks you can get on your own. The complimentary coffee and water station will look different from other ships.
Starbucks is located on one side of the 1400 bar.
The Point & Feather pub is on the other side of 1400 as you walk onto the ship.
NextCruise is where you can go to book a new Royal Caribbean cruise. It's also where the loyalty ambassador is located.
Something else new to any Royal Caribbean cruise ship is the destination elevators.
There are no classic elevators on Icon. Instead, it has destination elevators, where you go to a panel and pick which deck you want to go to.
It tells you what elevator you should go to instead of waiting for a free-for-all elevator that's crammed with passengers going to different places.
Near The Pearl is Royal Caribbean's well-known pizza shop, Sorrentos.
If you like singing along to your favorite songs, then Spotlight Karaoke is the spot for you.
Moving up to Deck 6 is the new Dueling Pianos bar.
This is Royal Caribbean's first double-pianist bar where the two performers take requests and involve guests in the musical fun.
Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar has been moved to the Royal Promenade on Icon. The menu will highlight Old World classics, such as veal meatballs.
Of course, no Royal Caribbean ship is complete without the Schooner Bar.
The nautical-themed bar is back on Icon, and it's on the upper level of the Royal Promenade.
There's also Boleros, which is the Latin music bar and another fan-favorite place for music and drinks.
The Attic is the comedy club venue onboard.
The loyalty lounge for top-tier Crown and Anchor Society members is located at the forward end of the Royal Promenade on Deck 6.
This is where Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club guests can go to enjoy a private enclave just for them.
Leading away from the Royal Promenade is where kids and their parents can seek refuge in Adventure Ocean, the teen club, and Playmakers sports bar.
And of course, there are places to shop around the Royal Promenade.
There are various shops that sell Royal Caribbean souvenirs, along with designer and name-brand clothing, jewelry, and accessories.
The most anticipated cruise ship in over a decade has arrived home.
Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas sailed into Miami in the early hours of Wednesday morning ahead of her inaugural sailing in just two weeks.
The new 1,198-foot cruise ship will begin offering cruises from Miami, Florida on January 27, 2024.
The marvel of engineering took 900 days to build and has a capacity for up to 5,610 guests and 2,350 crew members.
Here's a look at the celebration tied to Icon's arrival.
Icon of the Seas sailed into PortMiami right at 7am to a fanfare celebration.
Royal Caribbean welcomed the ship by shuttling over employees from its Miami headquarters to celebrate the Icon's entrance.
Entrance is the right word, as the new ship came into the turning basin to spin around for onlookers.
Clearly visible are so many of the ship's signature features, from the AquaDome to Surfside neighborhood to the Category 6 water park.
Onlookers waved ribbons and shouted with excitement for the new ship. Icon had her own deck party going, with music blasted from the ship to match the music heard from the party.
Royal Caribbean's event included a DJ, mini-golf course, snacks, and lots of photo opportunities.
So many employees on the beach shared their collective euphoria for the new ship's homecoming.
New cruise ship launches are always a big deal, but Icon represents more to the cruise industry. She's the first of a new class of ship, and she ushers in the post-Covid era of cruising with an industry experiencing unprecedented demand.
Icon of the Seas has not only more to do onboard than other ships, but its Royal Caribbean's play at positioning itself as the preeminent family vacation choice.
Being on the shore of the waterway, you could sense there was a level of excitement for this ship that was different than when Wonder of the Seas or Odyssey of the Seas launched just a couple years ago.
As Icon finished her turn, she headed to Terminal A. The new ship will conduct a series of shakedown cruises, which is a sort of "dress rehearsal" for the new ship.
Along the way, there will be opportunity for the media and travel agents to get onboard too. There will be a lot of pomp and circumstance leading up to her maiden voyage at the end of the month.
The arrival of Icon of the Seas represents a historical moment for Royal Caribbean, and it ushers in a new kind of cruise ship experience.
The 250,800-ton ship will have eight neighborhoods and never-before-seen advancements, such as a swim-up bar, a new adults-only retreat, and an expanded Royal Promenade. The Promenade has more than 15 restaurants, bars and lounges and floor-to-ceiling ocean views.
The Promenade will feature an interactive, multi-sensory experience made with kinetic tiles called The Pearl.
Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean Chief Product Innovation Officer called it “a bit art, a bit sculpture, a bit experience, a bit wow."
There are 28 different types of rooms, including Royal Caribbean’s first cabins that can turn the balcony space into an extended indoor living space. They're called infinite balconies, and it's a concept first implemented on sister-brand Celebrity Cruises.
You won't overlook the three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse, which measures 2,523 sq. ft.
Icon's arrival coincides with months of excitement leading up to this moment.
Royal Caribbean revealed plans for Icon of the Seas in October 2022, and the hype surrounding the ship has never stopped. Icon of the Seas’ bookings so far have performed better than any other cruise ship launch.
"I know it's a brand new product and it's stunning, but it's really driving a huge amount of demand and great rate," Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said.
Over 6 million people took a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2023. With the launch of Icon of the Seas and other innovations from the cruise line, these numbers will only grow.
Ready to eat on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship but want to know where you can find restaurant menus? You're not alone, with the decision of which restaurant to eat dependent on what they'll serve.
Royal Caribbean ships have a variety of included and specialty dining. Each has its own menu, with some menus the same every day and other menus changing daily. Moreover, sometimes the menu varies from ship to ship.
To prepare you for where to eat, we accumulated as many menus as possible to share with you an idea of what you can expect.
Some menus may change before you get onboard. Some restaurants don't have a fixed menu, and there's far more variety. Nonetheless, I've tried my best to provide the most complete look at what we have, and hope for the best.
This post is a work in progress, as we try to keep it updated with the most up-to-date menus. If something is out of date, please email matt @ royalcaribbeanblog.com with a new copy you find!
Here's a look at the 2024 menus at Royal Caribbean restaurants.
Royal Caribbean revamped its Main Dining Room menus in 2023, and it continues to be offered in 2024.
Each night there is a different dinner theme to the menu, with a mix of cuisines you can choose.
Welcome aboard menu
All sailings will feature the Welcome Aboard menu on the first evening.
French night menu
Sailings six nights and longer will offer the French Night menu on the first formal night.
Caribbean night menu
On Caribbean sailings, the Caribbean Night menu comes out on the first evening at a Caribbean port.
Italian night menu
All sailings will feature the Italian Night menu on at least one night.
Royal Night menu
Sailings six nights and longer will offer The Royal Night menu on the second formal night.
Mexican night menu
Mediterranean night menu
British night menu
Taste of USA menu
Bon Voyage menu
This menu is served on the last night of the cruise when it's a longer sailing.
Asia night menu
Kids menu
The exact order will depend on your sailing.
One way to know which night will have which menu is to check the Royal Caribbean app in the days leading up to your cruise.
In the app, the menus will appear and in the correct order for you to reference.
Once on the ship, you can also find the dinner menu posted outside the Main Dining Room, as well as noted in the daily Cruise Compass.
There is no posted menu for the Windjammer buffet.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in the Windjammer, but there is no printed menu. Food stations will change daily for lunch and dinner. Breakfast is mostly the same every day.
Dinner will have a theme posted in the Royal Caribbean app and Cruise Compass, but it refers to a highlighted cuisine served that night, and not the entirety of the choices.
Essentially, you'll show up and see what they have to offer.
If you purchase The Key VIP package for your cruise, a welcome aboard lunch is included with the cost.
The Jamie's Italian menu was updated in mid 2023 onboard Symphony, Harmony, Mariner, Navigator, Quantum, Ovation, and Anthem of the Seas.
Lunch menu
Dinner menu
Breakfast
On Oasis class ships, Johnny Rockets is open for breakfast and it is free!
During breakfast, you will find classic American fare (just like the other meals), including pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, eggs, French toast and more.
Lunch and dinner
For lunch and dinner, Johnny Rockets costs extra.
Kids menu
From Spectrum of the Seas
Dinner menu
Brunch menu
Read more: I tried the Taste of Royal lunch experience
Available only on Icon of the Seas.
Read more: Royal Caribbean Chef's Table dinner review
Dinner menu
Kids menu
Read more: Wonderland restaurant review
Breakfast
All Day Menu
Read more: Royal Caribbean room service guide & tips
With Royal Caribbean replacing Ben & Jerry's with it's in-house menu of ice cream flavors, this is what you can expect.
Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship will arrive to her homeport this week, and there's going to be a giant celebration.
Icon of the Seas is on her way to Miami, which will be her homeport and where she will sail out of when cruises begin.
The new cruise ship is a big deal to Royal Caribbean, and they want a party to celebrate her arrival.
Read more: Everything you need to know about Icon of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley posted on social media an invitation to an early morning welcome party in Miami to celebrate Icon's arrival.
Icon of the Seas departed Ponce, Puerto Rico a few days ago, and will arrive in Miami on Wednesday, January 10.
The ship is scheduled to arrive around 7am eastern into the PortMiami area on Wednesday. The cruise line had originally planned to bring Icon in on Tuesday, but the forecast was not favorable, and pushed back her sail-in to Wednesday.
Mr. Bayley wants cruise fans that can be in the area to join in the festivities, "Come and join us!" he wrote on his Facebook post.
Anyone interested in attending should go to Perez Art Museum Miami for the ship's arrival.
If you go, you won't be alone. Mr. Bayley said many Royal Caribbean employees and cruise fans will be there to celebrate.
"Look for us waving from ICON as we arrive into Miami," he wrote as he implored fans to join in.
"Let’s wake up the whole city with our excitement for the Icon of Vacations’ arrival home."
He also said there's going to be games, breakfast bites, live music and giveaways every 15 minutes.
Before Icon heads to Miami, she will make a stop at the cruise line's private island and give the hard working crew members onboard an opportunity to rest and party before more the inaugural work starts.
Mr. Bayley posted a photo of the nearly complete new adults-only beach expansion, Hideaway Beach.
Hideaway Beach is an extra-cost area that will be only for guests visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay that are 18-years-old or older.
Read more: Perfect Day at CocoCay tips, secrets, and tricks
It's located on the western side of the private island, and will feature an infinity pool, cove pool, DJ, private cabanas, and a few included restaurants.
The cost to visit Hideaway Beach depends on your sailing, but the price has been around $30-$50 per person on many sailings.
The new beach won't open to the public until Icon of the Seas' first official visit with paying passengers early next month, but it will be ready for crew members on Monday.
"Our amazing Icon crew will be the first to experience the biggest and best private island party at the new Hideaway Beach," Mr. Bayley posted on Facebook.
"This break is so well-deserved as they've been working hard to put the finishing details on Icon, making sure the ship is just right for our first guests."
"I am so grateful for this startup crew and the years of expertise and passion they bring to the World’s Best Family Vacation."
After the party on Monday, the crew members have a day off while at sea for, "crew recovery". There's also high winds and rain expected in Miami on Tuesday, so the cruise line will wait an extra day for Icon's arrival to avoid the front moving through South Florida on Tuesday.
Once Icon is in Miami, Royal Caribbean has plans to ready the ship for the first official sailing.
Icon of the Seas will remain in Miami for a couple of days, before a series of employee shakedown cruises.
Shakedown cruises are cruises with employees who act as guests to give the crew members onboard an opportunity to test and adjust their procedures. Think of it like a dress rehearsal.
The final shakedown cruises will occur on January 20 and January 23 when Royal Caribbean hosts members of the media and travel agents onboard for two 3-night cruises. The latter sailing will include the naming ceremony with the ship's Godfather, Lionel Messi.
Icon then takes one final break on January 26 before paying passengers will be able to board the ship for it's official maiden voyage on January 27.
The maiden voyage will be a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise that visits Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Kitts & Nevis.
I spent 5-nights on Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas and noticed some common cruise mistakes being committed that could have been easily avoided.
There are many mistakes to avoid on any cruise, and you don't have to be a cruise ship expert to know about them all.
Avoiding these mistakes will save you time, money, or sanity. No matter how big or small the savings, it all adds up.
After a day or two, I picked up on the mistakes I saw my fellow cruisers making, and I started to compile a list in my head. There may have been others, but these were the ones I observed.
Take this as a good reminder not to do any of these yourself when you set sail.
If you want to save a lot of money, be sure to pre-buy all the extras for your cruise in the weeks and months leading up to your sailing.
There were staggering price differences if you bought it onboard versus before the cruise began.
I saw on embarkation day the advertised rate for Royal Caribbean's unlimited drink package was priced at $100 per person, per day.
Had it been purchased before the cruise began, it was around $69.99 per person, per day. I think the higher price had it around $74.99 per day.
The floating cabanas at the Coco Beach Club had a big price drop before the cruise began to about $1800 for a rental for up to 8 guests. But onboard the ship, they were charging $4,000.
Royal Caribbean offers pre-cruise discounts on most of its popular cruise add-ons. You can always cancel and rebook it if there's a price drop.
Don't wait to book these onboard the ship, because you'll only pay more for it.
I'm not sure if it was because January isn't a very hot month in the Caribbean, but I saw so many people walking back onto the ship after a fun day in Cozumel, Mexico completely sunburned.
Forgetting to apply sunscreen or re-apply it is one of the quickest ways to a miserable day or two as your body heals.
During our visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay, we had clouds for some of the day, but the sun came out later. I think the clouds may have given some people the false sense of security that they couldn't get sunburned.
It's true that clouds do block some UV light. But more than 90% of the sun's UV radiation can still pass through clouds on lightly overcast days.
When you're at the beach, pool, or walking around outdoors in the Caribbean, you need to get into the habit of remembering to apply sunscreen every couple of hours. It's annoying to have to stop what you're doing to do it, but the discomfort from a bad sunburn is worth taking a couple of minutes to do it.
This mistake infuriates me for the sheer lack of respect, but some passengers seem to think the rules don't apply to them.
While in the Windjammer a guest was stopped by a crew member because he had come from the pool deck and was not wearing shoes.
The crew member told him he had to wear shoes in order to go into the restaurant. He responded that no one had told him that the other day when he did the same thing, and then proceeded to walk past the crew member and ignoring their instruction.
There are rules in place for a reason, but more importantly, you don't get to pick and choose when you want to adhere to instructions given to you by crew members.
The crew members work hard to ensure everyone has a great (and safe) cruise. Always be respectful to them.
As I was walking off Mariner of the Seas, I witnessed two different cruise mistakes within about 10 minutes.
The first was the family that held up the entire disembarkation process because they didn't bring their SeaPass cards with them to leave the ship.
When it's your time to disembark the ship, you'll need your SeaPass card to leave. It's how Royal Caribbean knows you've left the ship.
If you don't have it, then the ship's security team needs to look you up manually and that slows down everyone.
Be sure to also have your travel documents for later when you go through customs.
Royal Caribbean assigns each passenger a luggage tag number so that if you left your luggage on the ship to be delivered to the cruise terminal on the final morning, it's there waiting for you.
However, every cruise there's a handful of passengers I see standing around the luggage area waiting for their bags, because they disembarked too early.
For these people, they'll have to wait for all the bags in their number to be delivered and called for them to be able to grab their bags.
You're much better off waiting onboard the ship for your number to called so you can avoid standing around the terminal for no reason later.