Icon of the Seas Inaugural Cruise Review [PODCAST]

Doug talks with Chris about his seven-night voyage on the Icon of the Seas, currently the largest cruise ship in the world. Chris talks to us about how he went by booking the inaugural sailing and pre-cruise thoughts.

He described the seamless embarkation, his awe upon boarding, and the stateroom’s design despite a cramped bathroom.

During the cruise, Chris thoroughly enjoyed the dining experience, praising the excellent quality and variety of food at both the buffet and specialty restaurants. Chris also found the entertainment on board to be quite impressive, comparing it to theme parks and Broadway shows. The ship’s amenities were also a highlight, and Chris was more interested in enjoying these than exploring the ports of call.

Resources Mentioned

• Icon of the Seas video Ordinary
• Ordinary Adventures YouTube Channel
• Chris’ Instagram

Timestamps:

• Pre-cruise thoughts (00:00:51) Chris’s decision to book the maiden voyage of the Icon of the Seas and his friends’ influence.
• Embarkation process (00:03:33): An efficient embarkation process at Royal Caribbean’s terminal in Port Miami.
• First impressions of the ship (00:04:24): Chris’s initial reactions upon boarding the Icon of the Seas and the design of the Royal Promenade.
• Stateroom experience (00:07:59) Chris’s review of the family infinite ocean view balcony stateroom, including the bunk beds and bathroom design.
• Infinite veranda experience (00:10:42) The practicality and limitations of using the infinite veranda feature in the Caribbean.
• Dining options on board (00:12:21) Chris’s overview of the Windjammer, grab-and-go places, and the new Aqua Dome Market on the ship.
• Main Dining Room (00:15:11) Chris discusses his experience dining in the main dining room, including the rotating menu and Italian night.
• Specialty Restaurants (00:16:00) Chris talks about various dining options, including Base Camp, Pier Seven, Azumi, Trellis Bar, and Giovanni’s, focusing on the Empire Supper Club.
• Dining Packages and Sea Day (00:20:36) Chris explains his dining and drink package choices and shares his experience of the sea day, emphasizing the ship’s spaciousness.
• Entertainment (00:24:20) Chris details various entertainment options, including shows like Aqua Action, ice skating, and the Wizard of Oz performance.
• Ports of Call (00:29:57) Chris briefly discusses the ports of call, focusing on Saint Thomas, Saint Kitts, and Royal Caribbean’s private island, CocoCay.
• The Cabana Experience on Perfect Day at CocoCay (00:31:04) Chris talks about his experience in the hideout cabanas, including the service, amenities, and pricing.
• Casino and smoking policies (00:33:32) Chris discusses the casino experience, including the smoking and non-smoking areas and the ventilation system.
• Disembarkation process in Miami (00:35:18) Chris describes the organized and seamless disembarkation process at the port of Miami, including baggage handling and departure times.
• Tips for sailing on Icon of the Seas (00:37:04) Chris shares tips for making the most of the amenities and activities on the ship, including dining options, elevator efficiency, and booking activities in advance.
• Highlights and final thoughts (00:39:47) Chris reflects on the highlights of his seven-night cruise on Icon of the Seas and shares his overall recommendation for booking a cruise on the ship.