What I Loved About the Icon of the Seas
By Stacey Johnston
As an avid cruiser, I was bouncing off the walls with excitement to board Royal Caribbean’s brand-new Icon of the Seas. The moment those itineraries were released, we snagged our spot for Spring Break. Would the largest cruise ship at sea live up to all the hype? Spoiler alert: It totally did!
First off, the Icon of the Seas boasts the largest waterpark at sea. Welcome to Category 6, home to six thrilling waterslides. Let’s talk about the Frightening Bolt – the tallest waterslide to ever set sail. Yes, I dared to take the plunge, and it was an absolute adrenaline rush! Then there’s the Pressure Drop, an open freefall waterslide. That one? All Nick!
Now, since our girls were not with us, it was just Nick and I tackling these watery giants. (Don’t feel too bad for them because they were off adventuring in Scotland!) What I discovered was that Nick needs a waterslide buddy for our next Icon trip. Why? So I can kick back in the adult-only Hideaway while he slides to his heart’s content!
Speaking of the Hideaway, picture this: a pool and bar floating eight stories up, with the first-ever suspended infinity pool at sea. This adult-only paradise had all the beach club vibes, complete with rentable sunbeds in the pool. Our sea days were a delightful mix of lounging in Thrill Island, sliding down waterslides, and chilling at the Hideaway.
We stayed in an Infinite Balcony room, a cruising innovation that’s a game-changer. The floor-to-ceiling window lowers to become a balcony, or stays up to create a stunning sunroom. I used this balcony more on this cruise than any other one before because it was a great place to work. (Yes, travel agents work while we are traveling to support our clients!) Stay tuned for my next adventure on a Disney Alaskan Cruise, though – I’m predicting heavy balcony usage there too!
Dining was another highlight. We treated ourselves to a specialty dinner at Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar. Nick devoured the “gigantic meatball” and spaghetti, while I savored my favorite, Chicken Parmesan. Side note: The best chicken parmesan at sea is still at Palo’s brunch on Disney Cruise Line, but that’s a tale for another day.
The main dining room staff was phenomenal! They catered to different dietary needs and even got to know us a bit. Our assistant server was an origami wizard, crafting a new paper animal for Nick every night. It was a highlight he eagerly anticipated each evening.
We dove into all the family-friendly activities too! From the Lost-Dunes themed mini-golf to the Surfside playground and arcade, plus all the incredible shows. A special shoutout to the Wizard of Oz – an amazing performance that’s a must-see for any Broadway or Oz fan.
This was a vacation for the memory books, and I can’t wait to set sail on the Icon again (or maybe the sister ship, the Star of the Seas)! Interested in more info or booking your next adventure? Shoot me a quote request!
