Tall-Cruiser

@Eremita85 @Lloyd555

Finally made it onto Icon. Thank you both very much for all the photos and info you shared during the Icon build process. Some of the questions that some of us had including me was, how is the balcony shade of some of the suites on deck 17? Well I got first hand info finally. The Sky JS is nice. But I think I prefer the layout of the JS on Oasis, Freedom and Voyager class better. This Sky JS feels cramped. Or maybe I need a few more days to get use to it. The closest is no way better than the the ones on Oasis, Freedom or Voyager in my opinion.

10 hours ago, mafig said:

After you respond with your requests, does the SL Concierge then confirm or do you just assume that all is OK?

Just yesterday I sent an email (response to their earlier email) to request reservations for CK. They responded this morning very promptly, and it said “We will take care of the reservation for you”

With that I am assuming we are good. 

4 hours ago, topanga49er said:

I'm eager to learn what the differences will be between Icon and Star...

 

How was your cruise and suite on Icon?

@steamboats As always, fantastic photos. Thanks for sharing here with us.

23 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Just saw a post on FB that this week's guests are getting the same fabulous seafood lunch that we did in the WJ.

Maybe they will still offer it in April 😀

6 hours ago, steamboats said:

Thanks, yes it was only 3 nights onboard for us. The whole ship is absolutely amazing! A real evolution of the Oasis Class ships.

Of course there are things which I don't really appreciate - like that you have to walk through Playmakers to leave the ice show. BTW it's really tricky to find the Teens 'n Club. Sort of ... Go to Absolute Zero, pass the door and turn left to the bathroom... No signage at all.

The Royal Promenade is huge and the open feeling of the two decks is really nice. Ww didn't have enough time to check whether the open concept doesn't lead to a mix of all the sounds from the different venues.

As for the Central Park I feel more comfy on the Oasis Class. But maybe that changes when the plants are growing a bit more. On Oasis Class there are nice little areas with benches to sit. On the Icon it's more like "hurry and walk through".

A lot of nice areas in Chill Island but the pool space might get cramped with a full load of passengers. The Hideaway has almost no shade at all.

Thrill Island is nice (o.k., I don't really need it). Crown's Edge is not really worth the money (whatever it is... 19, 49 or 89.99 USD).

I'd love to do a full cruise to get the real feeling. But I'm pretty sure that as well AS on Oasis Class you won't feel cramped even with a full load.

 

steamboats 

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and impressions of Icon.  I am surprised they don’t have extra seating in Central Park given the additional eating places, bars and jazz set up they have out there. All of the photos I have seen of the Promenade look great. I’m glad they removed those expensive jewelry stores from Icon’s promenade compared to other ships. I think a lot of people with agree with you about paying for Crown’s Edge 😀.

Hopefully, you guys will get to sail on her again and for a full 7 days. We have been following the building of Icon and are looking forward to our sailing on her this coming  spring. 

2 hours ago, steamboats said:

BTW, here´s my DH´s video about the Icon of the Seas (no need to understand the German talking ;-))

As always, those are great video’s by your DH. Thanks for sharing.
I realize it was a short cruise for you guys, but what are your general impressions of Icon if I may ask? 

1 hour ago, Newcruiser215 said:

From this angle, Wonder looks bigger to me. 

I was just thinking the same exact thing.

Time to start an Icon 3 thread. 
 

Steel cutting started. Photo courtesy- Royal Caribbean Blog

Nice video with some closeups of the top decks.
Courtesy- Jorge Rodriguez

Another good video with some closeups shots. Courtesy- The travel guy
 

6 minutes ago, SE fla said:

Check out the life boats on the other side?

From which photo?

12 hours ago, Mikew0805 said:

Wonder has cabins on 17 & 18 as well,

Yes you are correct. Although Icon has the deck 19 space above the suites as a suite deck. Still, I get the point that both of you and @Newcruiser215 have made that Oasis class appears to look bigger. It will be interesting to see them side by side.

22 minutes ago, Newcruiser215 said:

Maybe it’s me, but I don’t see “World’s Largest Cruise Ship” like I do with Wonder. I don’t doubt that Icon is larger in size. It just doesn’t appear that way to me. 

I think one of the things that makes it “appear” not as large is, the view from the sides with the lifeboats on deck 5 and no ocean facing balconies on deck 6 of Icon compared to Wonder. The side profile with the ocean facing balcony cabins seem higher on Wonder but Icon has cabins as high as deck 17/18.

New video from Chris

1 hour ago, jfromoz said:

Superb footage from the Pilot boat.

She looks golden with all the cabin lights on throughout the sides. Very cool. 

3 minutes ago, Eremita85 said:

Today was apparently a keel laying ceremony, but I was late to the party, people had already left Also note the flying block with part of the bow windows which will be located below the bridge.

Thanks for the update and photos. They are not wasting any time. She may be completed faster than Icon.

She is already in drydock
 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0nATLarSFq/

Another video of Icon at Cadiz with some closeups

Courtesy - Los viajes de Teli

3 hours ago, Lloyd555 said:

Star of the Seas Blocks inside the small building Hall at Meyer Werft.

That's cool. Didn't realize that they were assembling some parts there. Since it all under Meyer Werft, it does make sense though.

On 11/26/2023 at 8:08 AM, Ourusualbeach said:

Do not hold your breath hoping...

I tried but it didn’t work 😀. Just checked out the website OMG 😀! Wow on all the pricing through April 2026. 

9 minutes ago, davidrlewis2302 said:

Making good progress.

Just about clear of the English channel and into the Bay of Biscay.

She sure is moving very fast. At one point she was doing 24knt

1 hour ago, Eremita85 said:

Icon of the Seas' last night at the Meyer Turku shipyard.

Very cool photo with the snow flakes.