cr2000

Indeed, also (and I think RC/Jason will never say it publicly), this change and the proximity of Cloud 17 to the suites on 16/17 gives suite guests/families an additional (semi-exclusive) pool. This helps address the shameful size pool/bathtub they put up on the suite deck - frankly a huge miss on the part of RC.

I think if you're traveling outside of Holidays (Thanksgiving/Christmas), school vacation weeks (Feb/April) or over the summer (May-August), you'll be fine. Otherwise, the way the ship is designed and marketed makes it very much a family oriented cruise (lots and lots of kids - think Disney), which is not ideal to couples or honeymoon travelers. I know it's unpopular to say, but when the majority of kids on the cruise equals or exceeds the number of adults (i.e. mostly families) couple/singles travelers are going to be hard pressed to have any "adult-only" rules enforced. Just have to roll with it...

Looks like the switch is official: https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/royal-caribbean-icon-of-the-seas-news

There's video around of the chief information officer noting the change that cloud 17 will no longer be adults only, that has shifted to hideaway. And logically that makes more sense, as the suite area on 17 is just outside cloud 17. No doubt you'll have kids in that area as they make their way back to their room from the sports court. Regardless, the vast majority of travelers on Icon will be families - school vacation weeks and summer time, so enforcement of adults only areas is simply not going to happen. Icon was never designed for couples/single travelers, it's a family cruise ship (hence the largest waterpark at sea). If you're expecting a relaxing adult only experience, you've selected the wrong RC ship imo.

The reality is that here will NOT be an adult only pool on Icon, who's going to enforce that? The ship was designed with families and kids in mind, if you're traveling as a couple during any period when school is out, you're going to be out numbered with kids. Families are going to want to be together on the ship, that means kids stopping in and out of whatever pool their parents might be using.

The suite deck and Coastal Kitchen lounge look uninspiring compared to Wonder of the Seas. It really looks like RC cut corners both in furnishings along with the venue size and layout. Take for instance the lounge, it's like an afterthought - a sitting area attached to the bar with no ocean views, even the furniture looks cheap. The suite sundeck has a very small pool (compared to in water loungers on Wonder) again with cheap looking furniture. The only argument you might make is that the proximity of the suites to Swim and Tonic and Cloud 17, would suggest that RC assumes suite guests will claim these spaces as their own "suite space" before the rest of the guests on the ship make their way up to those decks, and therefore put little effort into a dedicated suite space. The Coastal Kitchen itself looks pretty decent, almost like a mini-main dining room, I guess if you time it right you can catch the aqua dome show while having dinner. Maybe I'm missing something, but I wouldn't pay the premium for a suite, least not on Icon. Very disappointing how they cut so many corners here.

Anyone traveling without Sky or Star class on the first few sailings are going to have a real issue accessing amenities, shows, dining, venues, etc. Way too many people competing for two few resources, this cancellation of The Key is RC acknowledging that they are over committed. Maybe look into upgrading to a suite or reschedule your cruise to a later date? Wouldn't surprise me if RC has a wave of customers rescheduling after the first reviews come out. Sort of a shame they didn't limit bookings for the first couple months to ensure a positive customer experience and build some momentum.

Does anyone know if the Grand Suite has a curtain/separator between the King sleeping area and the sofabed/sitting area? It looks like there is one in the Infinite Grand Suite, but I can't tell if that's also the case for the Grand Suite. Thanks.

Is it me, or does the suite deck on Icon appear small? The pool up there looks even smaller (more like a kiddie pool). Anyone seen it in person that can comment? Seems like a real miss by Icon designers.