My Honest Review of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas: What Guests Should Really Expect

paigelandrum
2 days ago
8 min read

Contributed by Crystal Weiser

Sailing on Icon of the Seas was unlike any Royal Caribbean cruise I’ve experienced. From the moment we stepped onboard—lobster at the Windjammer on day one included—it was clear this ship plays in an entirely different league. I’m breaking down the highlights, surprises, and a few things guests should know before booking their own Icon adventure.

Boarding Day: Surprisingly Smooth for a Ship This Size

We were assigned a 12:00–12:30 p.m. boarding window, the second group of the day. I expected a slower process because of the ship’s size, but that was not the case. Boarding began around 10:30 a.m., just like other Royal Caribbean ships.

We arrived at 11:00 a.m. and were onboard within 20 minutes—one of the fastest embarkations I’ve ever experienced.

A few takeaways for clients:

You can arrive early, but you may wait until boarding officially opens.
Miami’s Cruise Terminal is massive, efficient, and incredibly easy to navigate.
Disembarkation was just as smooth; we were off the ship by 6:30 am, allowing us plenty of time to make our 10am flight—another win!

Stepping onto Deck 5, we were greeted by The Pearl, one of Icon’s signature features. It’s visually stunning and sets the tone for the ship’s modern, innovative design. After a quick stop at our muster station, we were ready to explore.

OUR CABIN: Surfside Balcony Cabin: Spacious, fun, and family friendly

Once cabins opened, we dropped off our carry-ons and checked out our Surfside balcony stateroom. Size-wise, it matched a traditional Oceanview balcony and worked well for our family of four.

A few notes for families:

The Trundle Bed vs. Pull-Down Bunks

Our room had a trundle bed instead of the pull-down bunks. While the trundle was fine, the beds were not the normal twin size.

With once-a-day room service, we had to reset the beds ourselves.
Pull-down bunks would’ve given our teens their own space instead of everyone piling onto the king bed.
The trundle felt smaller—something to consider if you’re traveling with teens.
The Surfside neighborhood is adorable and lively, but that also means noise. If you’re sensitive to sound, I highly recommend bringing a sound machine for interior-facing balconies.

THE FOOD & Dining: Endless Options and Surprisingly Short Lines

After settling in, we grabbed pizza at Sorrento’s and then wandered to the Windjammer for lunch. Icon offers an impressive lineup of included dining options:

Aquadome Market
Pearl Café
Park Café
Surfside Bites & Eats
El Loco Fresh
Basecamp
Sorrento’s Pizza
Windjammer Marketplace

Suite guests also have access to Coastal Kitchen, a fantastic sit-down option.

What I loved most was how spread out all the venues were. Even with a full sailing, lines were minimal. We never felt like we were fighting crowds to eat.

Specialty Dining

Like all Royal Caribbean ships, guests can experience upgraded dining options. Icon offers:

Hooked Seafood
Chops Grill
Giovanni’s
Izumi
Pier 7

These come with an additional fee but deliver elevated meals for guests who want something special.

Main Dining Room

Our group of eight ate in the main dining room nightly, and every meal was excellent. Our server, Vanzyl, was phenomenal—fast, attentive, and incredibly accommodating. On one night, we had a show rescheduled an hour after dinner, and he made sure we were served quickly so we didn’t miss it.

Soft-Serve Heaven

Icon has two soft-serve stations, which meant no long lines and unlimited ice cream joy. It’s a small detail, but honestly, one of my favorite parts of the ship. We ate ice cream daily, the kids ate it several times a day.

Entertainment & Activities on Icon of the Seas: A Full Review of What to Expect

If there’s one area where Icon of the Seas absolutely blew me away, it was the entertainment. Royal Caribbean has always delivered strong performances, but Icon takes things to an entirely new level. From Broadway-caliber productions to jaw-dropping aqua shows, every performance exceeded my expectations.

Showtime on Icon: Broadway, Aqua Theater, Ice Shows & More

The Wizard of Oz: A Must-See

The standout of the entire week was The Wizard of Oz. The performers were phenomenal, the staging was immersive, and the stunts were next-level. Dorothy flew over the audience during the tornado scene, and the Wicked Witch soared as well—creating a truly interactive, cinematic experience. It felt like a Broadway show at sea.

Aqua Action at the Aquadome

The Aqua Action show was another highlight. The Aquadome Theater is small, so planning ahead is essential. Our first show was rescheduled due to technical issues, and because seating is limited, I strongly recommend arriving at least 40 minutes early to get a good spot. This high-flying stunt show was by far our favorite. Watching divers jump from such high platforms was so exhilarating.

Starburst: Elemental Beauty (Ice Show)

Performed in the Absolute Zero ice arena, this show was visually stunning. This was an eclectic ice-skating show that highlighted the elements of the earth. It was such an interesting and unique experience. The theater was similar in size to the aqua domo, which makes the performance feel close and personal—but again, seats fill quickly.

Other Entertainment Highlights

Pirates Mermaid Parade on the Promenade: a fun, pop-up style performance anyone can enjoy. This performance was on a port day, but guests had two opportunities to experience this show.
Adult Comedy in The Attic: hilarious and well-done, though my teens wished there were family-friendly comedy options too.

Overall, the entertainment onboard wasn’t just good—it was exceptional.

Activities Onboard: Endless Options for Every Age

Where do I even begin with a ship this massive? Icon is packed with activities, and we barely scratched the surface.

Pools & Relaxation

My first stop was The Hideaway, the adults-only pool. The vibe was great, but the pool itself felt small for the number of guests. Thankfully, Royal Caribbean is addressing this on Hero of the Seas with two adult pools.

Shade was surprisingly easy to find—something I really appreciated.

Other great pool options for the entire family included:

Royal Bay Pool
The Cove Pool
Swim & Tonic (adult swim-up bar)

Thrill Waterpark

Our teens made a beeline for the onboard waterpark, which features:

Six slides split between two staircases
Float slides
A straight-shot speed slide
Mat-racing slides
A drop-floor slide

They loved every minute of it. The lines did get long on cruising days, but they were able to experience all the slides several times.

EVEN MORE: Surfside Neighborhood

Designed for younger families, Surfside includes:

Splash areas
A small obstacle course
Arcade
Carousel
Adventure Ocean kids clubs (this area was divided by age)
Social 2020 teen club near Playmakers

More Activities Around the Ship

Icon is a playground for all ages, with activities which included:

Mini golf
Ping pong
FlowRider surf simulator
A massive rock wall with five climbing tracks
Sports court
Crown’s Edge (a paid aerial ropes-and-zipline experience hanging over the ocean)
A huge fitness center
We also booked the Escape Room, which was a blast. We teamed up with another family and placed third fastest to escape for the day.

Tips for Guests: What You Should Know Before Sailing

Here are some practical insights I would take into consideration before you set sail on an Icon Class ship:

1. Get Your Pool Chairs Early

Chairs fill up fast. Crew members place towels out early, but guests still claim seats. Plan to head out around 6:30–7:00 a.m. if you want prime spots in shade or near the pool you prefer.

2. Hands-Free Doors Require Attention

Public restrooms have motion-activated doors. This is great to help prevent the spread of germs.

Important: Family restrooms are single-stall—be sure to lock the door behind you, or someone may walk in.

3. Arrive Early for Shows

Even with reservations, arrive 35–40 minutes early for the best seats. If you don’t have a reservation, they open the venue 10 minutes before showtime for standby guests.

4. Reserve Shows Before You Sail

You can book each show once through your online account before boarding. This makes a huge difference and prevents worry about when you plan to see which show on which night. I would also recommend looking at show times at the later part of your sailing. There will be less guests and more availability than the shows on the first few days.

Final Thoughts: Who Is the Ideal Sailor for Icon of the Seas?

Icon is currently the world's largest ship at sea—far bigger than I expected. I thought I would be ready for this enormous ship, but I was truly overwhelmed by its vastness. Once I had time to explore, it felt similar to an Oasis-class ship in terms of flow.

This ship is ideal for:

Families with kids of any age
Multi-generational groups
Travelers who love variety
Guests who want nonstop entertainment

We traveled with grandparents, teens, and extended family, and every single person had an incredible time. My parents loved it just as much as we did and are already talking about going back.

Icon of the Seas delivers a cruise experience that feels fresh, exciting, and thoughtfully designed. From the smooth boarding process to the endless dining options, it’s clear Royal Caribbean built this ship with families and fun-seekers in mind.

If you’re considering a sailing, you’ll want to do some research before you set sail, but trust me, there’s a lot to love on this ship. As a travel advisor, one of my specialties is helping my clients choose the right cruise line and ship experience.

BONUS: PERFECT DAY AT COCO CAY

I love this island and have visited this tropical oasis on several occasions. Here are my takeaways for a smooth and enjoyable visit. If you don’t have a reserved area (Coco Beach Club, Thrill Waterpark, or Hideaway Beach), get off the ship early to claim chairs.- especially at Oasis Lagoon.

My top recommendation: Coco Beach Club—the food, service, and atmosphere are unmatched. This is by far the best area on the island. Everything is upscaled and because they have a cap on the capacity, it is never overcrowded.

Our teens visited Thrill Waterpark and found it crowded (spring break), but manageable. They did eventually find chairs and noted that a towel station does exist, even if it’s not obvious. Teens can go on their own as long as one of them is over the age of 14. So we handed them a walkie and told them to enjoy themselves.

Hideaway Beach

We decided to experience the all-new adults-only Hideaway Beach. It was a great option with:

Massive pool
Tons of chairs
Fun vibe
Not overcrowded during our visit

However, I wouldn’t pay more than $50 per person for this area—especially if traveling with family or friends. Oasis Lagoon is just as enjoyable for free. The swim-up bar was great, but the food options were less than desirable.

FREE experiences at Perfect Day

There are several great options for guests to enjoy for free at Perfect Day at Coco Cay such as:

Chill Island
South Beach-Great for snorkeling and fun games
Cove Beach- Great quiet spot
Harbor Beach- Excellent for little adventurers and families with calm sea water
Splash away bay- for kids
Captain Jill’s Galleon- water ship
Oasis Lagoon-The islands freshwater pool

Other great amenities on the island include beach towels, chairs, strollers, beach assessable wheelchairs, tram service, beach chairs, umbrellas, floats for young swimmers, and lockers for safe storage. Of course, there is food from 11 am -3 pm at the Skippers Grill and the other snack locations throughout the island.

Perfect Day is truly the perfect beach day for any traveler looking to enjoy the beautiful Caribbean islands.

If you are ready to plan your next cruising adventure, I would love to assist and help your family create those unforgettable magical moments together.

Crystal Weiser

AMAAB Travel Agent

@CrystalWeiser.travel