Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas: Largest cruise ship's first voyage

Table Of Content

• PERFECT DAY AT COCOCAY
• Specialty restaurants
• But let’s face it: The base fare alone isn’t ultra-affordable compared to other cruise ships.
• Odyssey of the Seas Size
• SYMPHONY OF THE SEAS
• Wonder of the Seas

One of the world’s biggest cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas®, the travel adventures are larger than life. From epic onboard thrills to revolutionary dining and entertainment, this ship will change how you vacation no matter what kind of experience you’re after. From endless onboard thrills to gourmet globetrotting and top-notch shows, Wonder of the Seas® surprises with thrills and wow-worthy experiences at every turn. Like The Perfect Storm℠ waterslide trio and a zip line 10 decks high. Or SplashawayBay℠ aqua park, where kids have gallons of fun.

PERFECT DAY AT COCOCAY

Like a new bride, it borrow the traditions of the past, while forging its own destiny. All new cruise ships build on the progress made by ships of the past, but it is clear to me that Icon of the Seas takes a jump ahead. If there's one thing apparent about Royal Caribbean's new ship, it's that it's anything but ordinary.

Specialty restaurants

The adult-only Hideaway — which flexes an infinity pool club with a DJ — is right behind Thrill Island, creating a clear separation between parents and their children without being too far from each other. Icon of the Seas' Surfside, designed for families with young children, felt like its closest dupe. Icon has a six-slide waterpark complete with rafting and racing options. For a 7 day cruise, Royal Caribbean makes an average of $ 300 per person after deducting expenses. Passengers spending an extra couple hundred dollars on a drink or photo package, a massage of playing blackjack, all help to improve margins, a significant impact on their bottom line. New ships like the Odyssey of the Seas and the Wonder of the Seas have all the newest bells and whistles, with the flexibility to operate in different regions such as the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia.

But let’s face it: The base fare alone isn’t ultra-affordable compared to other cruise ships.

It felt like a bigger space to me, and I just liked the flow a lot more. The casino on Icon really seems to more spread out and I like the flow a lot more than on other ships. I went with the grilled chicken sandwich ($9) and warm pretzel bites (complimentary).

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The 1,772-square-foot suite is comprised of three stories and has a private "backyard" that leads directly to Surfside. From the cruise line's first-ever swim-up bar to the largest pool at sea, infinity-edge Cove and Cloud 17 Pools, Chill Island is, undoubtedly, going to be the best pool deck at sea. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises.

From the theater in the middle, to the Overlook seating in front, to the food hall, I never thought I would want to spend as much time here as I did once I walked it. Another step up for Royal Caribbean is behind The Pearl with Pearl Cafe. The replacement to Cafe Promenade on other ships, Pearl Cafe has grab-and-go snacks for guests on the run, as well as specialty coffees. It reminds me a lot of Cafe al bacio in some ways, and I would love to sit and people watch from there. The smallest Royal Caribbean cruise ship is Grandeur of the Seas. Measuring just 73,817 tons, it's just a third the size of Icon of the Seas.

On the world’s largest cruise ships, bigger means bolder adventures. There isn’t a holiday in the world that packs more adventure into one week than Oasis Class ships – Harmony®, Allure®, Symphony®, Oasis®, Wonder® and Utopia of the Seas℠. Discover why the largest cruise ships sailing to Caribbean and Europe vacation destinations are consistently awarded Best Ship year after year by Travel Weekly readers. These engineering wonders take home awards every year for their cutting-edge design, first-of-their-kind attractions, world class dining and accommodations, and unforgettable experiences.

Royal Caribbean also has two more vessels similar to Icon of the Seas on order from shipyards for delivery in 2025 and 2026, respectively. Both ships are expected to be as big or bigger than Icon of the Seas. Icon of the Seas is the first in a new series of ships at Royal Caribbean that are bigger than anything seen before. To ensure you end up on the right Royal Caribbean ship for you, it pays to study which Royal Caribbean ships are the biggest and which are the smallest before booking.

The Vue Bar

Additionally, there's an aft pool, carousel, arcade, and kids splash zone. Fortunately, Icon of the Seas' nighttime entertainment is also a great equalizer. Its ice skating performance, rendition of the Broadway hit "Wizard of Oz," and multi-disciplinary dance, swim, and dive show are complimentary to all guests. But it is possible to vacation on the mega-ship without giving into any of its upcharged restaurants and activities.

New onboard activities like a skydiving simulator, virtual reality bungee experience, and the SeaPlex activity center all keep kids and parents busy. With each new ship being bigger than the last, anticipation is heightened. Facebook groups monitor the construction progress posting pictures and providing updates on sea trials. A key aspect to a successful marketing strategy is a great product, and bigger cruise ships are just that.

The same goes for its seven pools and nine hot tubs — save for one of each exclusive to guests who've booked a suite. In search of variety, grab a Mediterranean-style wrap or crepe at the five-stall food hall instead. A budget vacation on Royal Caribbean's new wildly popular Icon of the Seas is possible.

The Best Time to Cruise Alaska 2024: A Month-by-Month Guide

Table Of Content

• July and August
• The Ultimate​ Guide to Cruise Ship Dining
• Alaska Cruise Weather in June
• So, Which Is the Best Time to Cruise Alaska?
• FAQ: Cruising Alaska 2024

The best time to see the Northern Lights is between late August and April, typically peaking in March. If bear viewing is high on your bucket list and you are traveling on a bigger cruise ship, look for a float plane excursion that will take you to where the bears feed. May is a practical choice for Alaskan cruisers who are on a limited budget but want to have slightly warmer and drier weather and more chances to see wildlife. Your views will likely include snowy mountains, but they are gorgeous nonetheless.

July and August

Stephanie Yrungaray grew up in gorgeous Eagle River, Alaska and now calls Utah her beUtahful home. She enjoys traveling and exploring with her husband and five kids any way she can, from cruising to RV camping and everything in-between! When she’s not out exploring, you’ll find her writing about travel, finances and parenting as well as gift ideas on her website,

The Ultimate​ Guide to Cruise Ship Dining

A downside to visiting Alaska in May is that the interior National Parks are still closed, along with many of the land-based attractions and shops that later cruisers will get to enjoy. Although the weather will likely include more rain, you have a better chance of viewing the Northern Lights, which might outweigh this drawback. Cruising in September will give you the highest chance of viewing the Aurora Borealis on an Alaskan cruise.

Alaska Cruise Weather in June

Other adventurous activities, such as hiking trails, open up in the summer months. Hatcher Pass typically opens up in July, depending on the specific Hatcher Pass weather conditions. Mt. Denali is another option for cruisers, but be sure to check on the Mt. Denali weather with your cruise line. If you prefer to get off-the-beaten-track and travel with smaller groups, a wide array of small ship cruise companies offer more intimate cruises catering to adventure and luxury travelers.

May can be one of the finest months across Alaska, as daylight reaches near-summer heights, while June is even nicer, with the last chill of the arctic winter departing for the season. Alaska has humpback whales, gray whales, killer whales, and a small population of belugas. Though it’s species-dependent, the best time to go whale watching in Alaska is in high summer, when the days are long and the feeding is plentiful.

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In fact, it's the gateway to the Klondike and Dawson mining district in Canada's Yukon territory, where prospectors searched for gold in the late 1890s. The historic district still has a Wild West feel, though that's been a bit commercialized for the modern era. This port can get crowded in summer when several ships can call on the same day. For a view of the city and cruise port, take a ride in the sky on the Mount Roberts Tramway. Various wildlife-viewing trips (whale, bears and more) and visits to dog-sled camps and salmon bakes leave from Juneau.

Best Alaska Cruises from Seattle

We’ve reached the pinnacle of summer temperatures, and the rainier season has just begun. Small-ship Alaska cruise lines like American Queen Voyages and Uncruise can go further into narrow passages and get closer to shoreline wildlife like Dall sheep and bears. July and August are considered peak seasons to cruise to Alaska for good reason. These are the months when all good things combine to create the optimal Alaskan experience. Weather is a pretty big consideration when it comes to booking an Alaskan cruise. If you have a low tolerance for cold weather, cruising Alaska during the warmest months of July and August is a better choice.

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Attractions and shops will switch to peak-season hours at the end of the month; Denali National Park & Preserve switches into summer mode in May. You'll find those who work in tourism excited to be back in business, considering that many people in southeast Alaska earn their income from out-of-state visitors. Cruise lines will offer the opportunity to extend your cruise with land tours, which include accommodations, transportation and some meals. The best time to cruise Alaska isn't obvious—until you're quietly sailing along its calm waters under a cloudless, late-spring sky. It was on one such day that someone on board spotted a whale breaching.

The population of Haines remains less than 2,000, according to the United States Census Bureau, and it isn't yet as touristy as some of the other Alaskan ports, such as nearby Skagway. It's known for great fishing (salmon, halibut and trout) and an eagle preserve — because eagles know where the best fish can be found. Sitka is as much a working fishing town as it is a tourist destination.

Price variations also reflect the extent of onboard experiences, shore excursions, and dining choices. The warm weather and long hours of sunlight mean you’ll want to pack sunglasses and sunscreen. You should still wear layers when visiting the port, but if you’re planning active shore excursions like hikes or glacier walks, you’ll want to stick with lightweight clothing.

Most itineraries are seven nights, but you'll find a handful that are longer. Glacial ice carved this passageway long ago, and today, cruise ships and fishing vessels thread their way through the islets and channels to see some of the most spectacular natural sights in the world. Most sail along the Inside Passage, a maritime route along the state's southern coast (and into British Columbia and Washington state) that weaves around the area's thousand islands. Some venture farther north into the Gulf of Alaska; these are often one-way cruises that begin and end at the ports near Anchorage. We experienced 80-degree temperatures and sunshine in June and cold and rainy days in July.

Uncruise’s 12-night “Inside Passage” itinerary departs April 15 with rates starting at $6,300 per person, and Alaska Dream Cruises’ seven-night “Last Frontier Adventure” has starting rates from $3,995 per person. We sailed roundtrip from Juneau, and while I’ve visited the capital city during the busy summer months, I found the restaurants, bars, and shops much less crowded, reliably filled with locals for the most part. On the water, we rarely passed any other ships or boats, aside from fishermen out for their catches. Cruising to Alaska in September has many benefits of the peak season (milder weather and good wildlife viewing) with less expensive prices and fewer tourists.

Icy Strait Point is notable among Alaska cruise ports because the area and its attractions are all Native Alaskan-owned. Most port and tour staff hail from Hoonah, Alaska's largest Tlingit village. The port is set on Chichagof Island, which is known for its large bear population. Wildlife lovers have plenty of opportunities to search for whales and eagles here; adventure-seekers won't want to miss the ZipRider, with its course of six zip lines. Alaska cruises offer a wide range of activities in port, with options for active travelers, wildlife lovers, history buffs and shoppers. Whether you're traveling with young kids or require more sedentary recreation, the Alaska cruise ports won't disappoint.

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Running February through March, this is a great option for travelers looking to experience Alaska during the winter months. The Alaska cruise season begins in mid-May, but it doesn’t reach full swing until after Memorial Day. Sailings departing earlier in the season will less frequently be sharing berth space in port with numerous other ships, meaning that crowds in the ports will be somewhat lighter. The cruise season beefs up in June, with the number of ships growing and the season in full swing by the end of the month.

Smaller ships can reach ports of call and destinations that are inaccessible to larger cruise ships, allowing you to explore more remote settings and communities. For an even more customized experience, consider a private cruise on smaller ships like yachts and sailboats. Starting in 2024, Uncruise Adventures will be offering a winter cruise, where winter sports and northern lights viewings are all part of the package!