ICON of the seas - what are your first thoughts

[sdrocks]

We prefer Oasis class ships, with Quantum class second.  That being said, don't think we will sail

ICON until we bring our kids and grands, if we can afford it. We don't find it very exciting to travel on it by ourselves, so will do the other ships.  We've been to the Caribbean untold times and cruise for the ship

not the same repetitious itineraries. We do like Canada and New England, but don't like the old small

ships going there.  We like Alaska and will probably go back some day.  Right now will cruise on

Wonder in January and then see what appeals after that.  Retirement is great. No work schedule to get in the way.  For those who like it, have a great time.  Variety is the spice of life.

[taglovestocruise]

7 hours ago, WheresWalter said:

 

Disney is FANTASTIC for adults. Excellent food, great bars and the adult only sections of the ship are fun. Plus there is something so fun about seeing the characters on the ship that makes it a little more magical. Seeing Donald Duck in a tuxedo for formal night was my favorite. And to this day, still the best mixology class I've taken on any ship. We actually got in and made seven, yes seven, cocktails. They were half cocktails but still packed a punch for a 45 minute class. 🙂 

Just got off Disney, once and done for us.  Went with our son, daughter in law and two grandkids.  Extras that you mentioned like Mixology, Martini Class and Palo were all sold out months before we sailed. Did not like the rotational dining, thought two dining rooms were overly noisy, Tritons was just ok.  Way to many characters running around. Cocktails in Cadillac bar were double the price of any other bar on the ship. I am also not a fan of Disneyland as it has become a just wait in line event.  On the other hand our kids and grandkids loved every minute of it.  One thing I did love was that there were no idiots with their obtrusive cameras in the showrooms. 

[PolicromaSol]

It's big.

 

What? What'd you want me to say?

[topanga49er]

We are late 50's w College age and HS kids and I cannot WAIT for Icon!  There is something for everything and I think they did it smart to keep the little ones on Boardwalk!  Looking forward to swim up bar and the suspended infinity pool among others!  And yes, you may just get me on a waterslide or two!

 

[crewsweeper]

21 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

Gonna be super crowded during holidays, spring break, and summer with all the quad cabins

Agree,  so stay away in peak seasons.👍

19 hours ago, goldfish65 said:

and with the mass migration to FL.

Not sure if migrants from other states are moving here to cruise.🤔

[John&LaLa]

4 minutes ago, crewsweeper said:

Agree,  so stay away in peak seasons.👍

Not sure if migrants from other states are moving here to cruise.🤔

 

We kinda did, thought it would just be a second home, but decided to stay full time a couple years later

[Cruise a holic]

15 hours ago, taglovestocruise said:

Just got off Disney, once and done for us.  Went with our son, daughter in law and two grandkids.  Extras that you mentioned like Mixology, Martini Class and Palo were all sold out months before we sailed. Did not like the rotational dining, thought two dining rooms were overly noisy, Tritons was just ok.  Way to many characters running around. Cocktails in Cadillac bar were double the price of any other bar on the ship. I am also not a fan of Disneyland as it has become a just wait in line event.  On the other hand our kids and grandkids loved every minute of it.  One thing I did love was that there were no idiots with their obtrusive cameras in the showrooms. 

I agree.  Will not sail on Disney again.  The pricing for the cruise and also in the parks is obscene  When we are sailing on Royal, if our budget is an issue for the sailing, we find the central park view cabins work great for us.  

Edited November 28, 2022 by Cruise a holic

[goldfish65]

10 hours ago, crewsweeper said:

 

Not sure if migrants from other states are moving here to cruise.🤔

I don't think cruising is the reason, but when they find themselves within a short drive, they will be. 

[CruisingWalter]

8 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

I agree.  Will not sail on Disney again.  The pricing for the cruise and also in the parks is obscene  When we are sailing on Royal, if our budget is an issue for the sailing, we find the central park view cabins work great for us.  

 

In the case of Icon vs. Disney, Disney Fantasy is cheaper. Both ships out of Miami on a non holiday week, Ocean View Balconies for comparison because Disney does not have an equivalent to Central Park Balcony. This is the full balcony for about $100 less than Icon and you can get a Porthole Balcony for about $400 less on the Fantasy. And your soft drinks are included with the Disney price.

 

Disney's pricing can be high compared to older ships, but as this is a thread about the Icon, RCCL's pricing on this ship is much higher than the rest of their fleet. 

 

[John&LaLa]

22 minutes ago, WheresWalter said:

 

In the case of Icon vs. Disney, Disney Fantasy is cheaper. Both ships out of Miami on a non holiday week, Ocean View Balconies for comparison because Disney does not have an equivalent to Central Park Balcony. This is the full balcony for about $100 less than Icon and you can get a Porthole Balcony for about $400 less on the Fantasy. And your soft drinks are included with the Disney price.

 

Disney's pricing can be high compared to older ships, but as this is a thread about the Icon, RCCL's pricing on this ship is much higher than the rest of their fleet. 

 

 

Seriously, comparing a medium sized 10 year old ship to Icon

[RandomUser123]

As someone who has kids I think ICON looks great. Honestly other than Coco Cay or Labadee I would see no reason to get off this ship at a Caribbean port and have to shlep the family to the beach which may not be walking distance when ICON would have everything right there and if you get the drink package then why bother getting off the ship at a random Caribbean stop other than Coco Cay or Labadee. I get the feeling this would be the ultimate ship for a cruise to nowhere if they still existed. 

[Tree_skier]

We’re empty nesters and are stoked to get on Icon. You are only as old as you feel. We booked as soon as itineraries ere released. 
 

I can’t wait to get on board. 
 

On 11/27/2022 at 5:39 AM, John&LaLa said:

Gonna be super crowded during holidays, spring break, and summer with all the quad cabins

 

we booked the first week of December. That’s usually a good time. 

[notscb]

2 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

Seriously, comparing a medium sized 10 year old ship to Icon

 

I think it's a fair comparison in some ways with the attention to detail and upkeep Disney prides itself on with its ships. Disney is also a much, much more personal experience compared to what Icon will be offering, and as @WheresWalter pointed out, the Disney fare includes soft drinks.

 

I think the point, ultimately, is that Royal is pricing out their own customer base with the Icon right now, and likely will be for some time.

[John&LaLa]

5 minutes ago, notscb said:

 

I think it's a fair comparison in some ways with the attention to detail and upkeep Disney prides itself on with its ships. Disney is also a much, much more personal experience compared to what Icon will be offering, and as @WheresWalter pointed out, the Disney fare includes soft drinks.

 

I think the point, ultimately, is that Royal is pricing out their own customer base with the Icon right now, and likely will be for some time.

 

Icon is all about bells and whistles, not a personal experience.  In in my opinion, all the upkeep in the world can't overcome the technological wizardry and experiences available on Icon. 

[PTC DAWG]

Pics I’ve seen look like Who Ville.

[notscb]

19 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

technological wizardry and experiences

 

In my opinion, sounds like smoke and mirrors to make you forget that you're on a ship with your family and 10,000 of your best friends and crew.

[Cruise a holic]

11 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Seriously, comparing a medium sized 10 year old ship to Icon

I agree.  When on Disney only one adult restaurant called Paulo.Perhaps the newer ships have more options.   Other restaurants fair.  But now Royal entertainment has Disney beat.  Also, for those who enjoy a casino, none on Disney.  We went without kids and never again.  We enjoy a quiet dinner.

Edited November 29, 2022 by Cruise a holic

[CruisingWalter]

12 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Seriously, comparing a medium sized 10 year old ship to Icon

 

Absolutely given the amount of attention to detail and the quality of the food and service that is Disney Cruise Line. My post was in response to someone saying how 'outrageous' Disney pricing is, and as you can see, ICON is priced above Disney prices in many categories. 

[CruisingWalter]

1 hour ago, Cruise a holic said:

I agree.  When on Disney only one adult restaurant called Paulo.Perhaps the newer ships have more options.   Other restaurants fair.  But now Royal entertainment has Disney beat.  Also, for those who enjoy a casino, none on Disney.  We went without kids and never again.  We enjoy a quiet dinner.

 

On the Disney Fantasy, which is the ship I mentioned, you have Palo and Remy as specialty restaurants, adult only. No casino on Disney is no problem for us because as someone who used to work in one of the largest casinos in the world, I can tell you the worst odds are in ship casinos. We never play in a ship casino. As for the quiet dinner, we have sailed Royal during the Holidays and will be doing so again in a few weeks. The MDR is not quiet when you have 1000+ children on the big ships. 🙂

[CruisingWalter]

10 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Icon is all about bells and whistles, not a personal experience.  In in my opinion, all the upkeep in the world can't overcome the technological wizardry and experiences available on Icon. 

 

EVERY cruise is about the personal experience. Doesn't matter which ship, which cruise line, no matter how many bells and whistles any ship has, it's all about the personal experience. If you don't personally have a good experience on a ship, you're not going back. The bells and whistles might lure you onto the ship, but if you don't enjoy it on a personal level, you're not going back. 

Edited November 29, 2022 by WheresWalter

[CruisingWalter]

11 hours ago, RandomUser123 said:

I get the feeling this would be the ultimate ship for a cruise to nowhere if they still existed. 

 

1000% agree. Although the ports are nice because the lines for the attractions should be shorter since some folks will leave the ship. 🙂 It's a shame U.S. based ports can't offer the cruise to nowhere though making a single stop at CocoCay would essentially be that for Icon if it did that. 

[John&LaLa]

1 hour ago, WheresWalter said:

 

Absolutely given the amount of attention to detail and the quality of the food and service that is Disney Cruise Line. My post was in response to someone saying how 'outrageous' Disney pricing is, and as you can see, ICON is priced above Disney prices in many categories. 

 

Price out the new Disney ship

[John&LaLa]

1 hour ago, WheresWalter said:

 

EVERY cruise is about the personal experience. Doesn't matter which ship, which cruise line, no matter how many bells and whistles any ship has, it's all about the personal experience. If you don't personally have a good experience on a ship, you're not going back. The bells and whistles might lure you onto the ship, but if you don't enjoy it on a personal level, you're not going back. 

 

That's not how @notscbused the term😉

[BillOh]

So far all posts are right, or have merit!   I'm reminded of the big  NEVER ON OASIS CLASS posts from 2009 or so.  My first impression of that class was that big enough that all the things I don't care about take people and crowds away from the things I do like. I never felt crowded on the Oasis class until getting off the ship, but they have improved that for most sailings.

 

That said as I retire, if I can still cruise, I might consider Celebrity.

 

[BecciBoo]

On 11/26/2022 at 8:38 PM, notscb said:

they've designed it for kids and families.

Not at all, they've just organized it better.  THere are plenty of venues for adults and the kids will all be elsewhere, Boardwalk and gaming.  The solarium is there, also a new  pool bar, in fact if you look at this photo, kids are pretty much relegated to the back third of the ship and deck ...we don't have to see them at all unless we go back there or to the slides.  All of the other pools on top deck are pretty much for adults with the occasional kid in the large pool maybe, they'll want to be down on Boardwalk.  I love how they designed it.  SOOOO many things for adults from the Aquadome to the Grove, from the Cloud 17 to Swim and Tonic to the cove pool.  Families are also bunched together in the aft.  I don't think we'll be seeing many families/kids in those parts.