A man knelt down and kissed the carpet with the ship’s logo. Another picked up his wife and spun her around, ecstatic to be among the approximately 5,000 passengers to board the inaugural voyage of the world’s largest cruise ship, the Icon of the Seas.
For months, the 250,800-tonne ship, which can carry nearly 8,000 people, has made headlines – including some who criticized its size and potential to damage the environment. But passengers who plunked down $1,800 to $100,000 and boarded the ship in Port Miami, Florida on Jan. 27 said nothing could have prepared them for the sheer scale of the ship.
“It’s amazing,” said Christina Carvalho, a 43-year-old accountant from Oakland, California, as she stood on the ship’s Royal Promenade facing “The Pearl,” a giant kinetic art installation. “It feels even bigger than I expected.”
While Royal Caribbean has packed the ship with amenities to create “the ultimate family vacation,” the company’s design team tried to defy negative stereotypes like crowded decks and long lines. Instead of steel walls, the interior is open and airy, with floor-to-ceiling windows to bring passengers closer to the water and make Main Street feel less like a mall.
“Over the years our customers have told us that despite being in the ocean, they didn’t feel connected to it, so with Icon we wanted to bring water everywhere,” said Jennifer Goswami, director of product development at Royal Caribbean International.
I was on Icon of the Seas for five days of her seven-night opening to the eastern Caribbean. Here are some of my side dishes:
Boarding
Boarding begins via the Royal Caribbean app. After some hiccups, it took me 10 minutes to scan ID documents, fill out a health form and pick a time slot for boarding.
On the day of the cruise, I headed to Port Miami expecting chaos, but as I got out of the taxi, I was greeted by a porter who took my bag and led me to the terminal. I scanned my application, showed my passport and went through security in less than 10 minutes. I was delayed, waiting to see if others had as smooth an experience as I had, but there was just a steady stream of passengers making their way up the aisle.
Space
The ship has the feel of a city, with eight distinct “neighborhoods”. My favorite, Central Park, was filled with 20,000 species of plants. it was the perfect place to walk or read on a bench. The Royal Promenade, with a karaoke and piano bar, could be crowded and noisy at peak times.
The seven pools are designed for different vibes and demographics: Hideaway is an adults-only infinity pool, with DJ sets and cocktails; another adult pool has an adjacent children’s pool. Empty sunbeds were plentiful for sunbathers throughout the ship.
On our first day at sea, I was so surprised by the relative lack of crowds that I walked the ship trying to find them. But with so many venues, including 40 restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, passengers were constantly on the move.
Looking for a quiet space one afternoon, I found the Aquadome, a tranquil lounging area with roll-up windows. Passengers slept there.
Entertainment and activities
From a sunrise surf simulator lesson to late night dancing at the nightclub, the ship seems to offer something for everyone, most of it for free. The water park with six slides was a big draw. One ride, Crown’s Edge, isn’t free: Starting at $49, it flings you (on a harness) over the sea, leaving you dangling.
There is a gym, jogging track, basketball and soccer field, soccer field, pickleball, climbing and dancing. A spa and wellness center offers treatments at an additional cost. Everything can be saved in the app. for popular attractions such as Crown’s Edge, it is useful to book in advance as places fill up quickly.
For nighttime entertainment, “Aqua Action” was a standout, with aquatic entertainers performing under a 55-foot waterfall, as was the comedy club.
Not surprisingly, some passengers felt overscheduled. “There’s almost too much to do,” said Nancy Carter, 54, a nurse from Brighton, England. “It’s hard to plan your day, and even when you’re busy with something, you feel like you’re missing out on something else.”
Family
In the Surfside neighborhood, there are pools and restaurants for both adults and children so families can spend time together. For parents who want some alone time, Adventure Ocean babysitting has play areas and programs for ages 6 months to 12 years included in the fare.
There is also a social center for teenagers, with games and music. “It’s a great place to meet new people and make friends,” said Madison Foxx, 14, of Morrisville, N.C. Her mother, Ashley, a 38-year-old federal prosecutor, said the cruise entertained her two children and he allowed her both. alone time and quality family time.
“I can relax and the kids are happy and busy all day,” she said. “Then we have many special moments together.”
Food
One of the biggest surprises was the variety of food options.
The Windjammer Cafe and main dining room were the busiest all-inclusive options. My daily go-to was the Aquadome food hall, with made-to-order crepes and a Greek food stand. Another favorite of mine was Pier 7, a Surfside restaurant that served raw tuna Buddha bowls, mango-lime shrimp tostadas, and other dishes.
Meals at specialty restaurants, such as Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and Hooked Seafood, are available for an additional cost or are included in certain food and beverage packages ranging from $9.99 to $115 per day. Reservations are recommended.
The Empire Supper Club offers an eight-course meal paired with cocktails. At $200, the tasting menu included Wagyu rib-eye, rabbit and sea bass topped with parsnip and beetroot.
Cabins
Cabin prices — which have recently increased due to high demand — range from $2,699 per person for an inside cabin to more than $100,000 for a three-story townhouse with an indoor slide and courtyard. Some family accommodations have connecting rooms and large terraces.
Although only 204 square feet, my oceanfront balcony room didn’t feel cramped thanks to the minimalist design and view.
environment
Royal Caribbean says it has set a new standard for sustainability with this ship, installing advanced water and waste treatment systems, among other features. But some environmental groups say building a vessel of this size is incompatible with the cruise industry’s long-term sustainability goals.
On the ship, I saw staff sorting through trash to remove items that had been misplaced for recycling, and single-use plastic seemed to be minimal. passengers were given reusable cups at beverage stations.
That the water slides stayed on, even after they were closed to passengers, blew me away. It seemed like an unnecessary waste of energy. (Royal Caribbean did not respond to a request for comment.)
Passengers I spoke to didn’t seem too concerned about the ship’s potential for harming the environment, with some arguing that land and air travel aren’t climate-friendly either.
Excursions
Our seven-day itinerary started with two days at sea. The first stop was on Day 4 in Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts and Nevis. Tours ranged from a hike up Mount Liamuiga to a food and rum tour, with prices ranging from $39 to $249. I opted for a sailing and snorkeling excursion ($155) and enjoyed the secluded bay, but the beach was crowded and touristy.
An anticipated excursion for Ms. Fox, the federal prosecutor, and others was Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean’s private island. When I asked about her visit – I called later, I had to disembark before the excursion – Ms. Fox said her children loved the slides and snorkelling.
And would he sail again on Icon of the Seas?
“Yes, but I might wait a little,” she replied. “I want everyone to have a chance to try it.”
