Introducing Icon of the Seas
Beccy Miller
Last week, Royal Caribbean launched their newest ship, Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world. Let's find out what the fuss is about...
She's big...
Icon has 20 decks, holds up to 7,600 passengers and is longer than three football pitches. Put it another way, after walking from front to back and top to bottom a few times, we were comfortable giving the gym a miss!
Is there much to do?
How about six wild waterslides, seven pools, umpteen entertainment venues, a spa and so many bars, cafés and places to eat that you can spend a week on board and never go back to the same place. Asian, Mexican, steaks, Italian, seafood; you name it, Icon has it. You can imbibe cocktails in the pool at Swim & Tonic, bubbles in Central Park and craft beers in the pub-like Point and Feather.
What's the accommodation like?
There are a crazy number of categories to choose from – everything from the usual view over the ocean with or without a balcony to cabins with no windows and seriously swanky suites. There are even rooms that face inwards, overlooking Central Park, an area with real shrubs and trees, or Surfside, an outdoor funland with a pool and carousel for children aged six and under.
What about older kids?
There’s plenty to keep them busy, with clubs for children aged up to 12, a teen hangout for the 13-17s, arcade games, comedy shows, an ice-skating rink, laser tag and an escape room. They can even walk a plank on the side of the ship that ends with, well let’s just say it’s a surprise. And then there are all those waterslides. Let’s be honest, you’ll probably rarely see the kids!
What if we don't have kids?
No problem. Treat yourself to one of the gorgeous two–storey Loft Suites, escape to the adult-only Hideaway by day and treat yourself to evenings out at the upscale Empire Supper Club, Chops Grille and Hooked Seafood restaurants. You’ll have a blast.
What's the entertainment like?
In a word, spectacular, We loved the theatre production of The Wizard of Oz. The performers, the stage sets and the technology were incredible. Do not miss it. And as for ice-skaters and high-divers in the AquaDome. Just wow.
What is the AquaDome?
See that big glass bubble on the front of the ship? That’s the AquaDome and, again, just wow. The front has views out to sea and is our favourite area for a quiet escape by day. Come evening the dome transforms into an entertainment zone with a 55ft high curtain of water where those dare-devil divers do their stuff and two aerialists perform an amazing pas de deux.
Where is Icon of the Seas sailing?
Get ready for some Caribbean fun in the sun. Icon is sailing various seven-night Eastern and Western island-hopping cruises from Miami that call into St Maarten, St Thomas, St Kitts, Honduras, and Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico. All also call into Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, with beaches, waterslides and ziplines galore.
