Twenty2020 Posted January 15 #3776 Share Posted January 15 (edited) After watching Matt's video I'm not really that excited about going out and booking this ship. It looks like basically a glorified Oasis class ship. And to be honest Boardwalk looks better than Surfside and Central Park looks nicer on Oasis class ships. I also don't think the Solarium trade off for Aquadome is a positive. Only positive additions I see are the increased number of casual dining spots, such as the food hall. Which basically is copying ideas that have already shown up on other lines. The Pearl and Promenade area look really good. The rest of the place looks like a Margaritaville resort. Down to the fake palm trees. Edited January 15 by Twenty2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cr2000 Posted January 15 #3777 Share Posted January 15 10 hours ago, Twenty2020 said: After watching Matt's video I'm not really that excited about going out and booking this ship. It looks like basically a glorified Oasis class ship. And to be honest Boardwalk looks better than Surfside and Central Park looks nicer on Oasis class ships. I also don't think the Solarium trade off for Aquadome is a positive. Only positive additions I see are the increased number of casual dining spots, such as the food hall. Which basically is copying ideas that have already shown up on other lines. The Pearl and Promenade area look really good. The rest of the place looks like a Margaritaville resort. Down to the fake palm trees. Agree, I think there's a lot of disappointments on this ship compared to how it was portrayed in the renderings. We're already booked and will make the best of it. On multiple fronts they have issues, the adult only situation in Cloud17 was a royal (no pun intended) screw up. Lots of guests were promised a quiet secluded area and that was taken away from them. There's questions about overcrowding given how much of the deckspace is covered by stuff (furniture, decorations, etc.). Items people thought were included (basecamp) is not - you have to pay extra for a chicken sandwich by the pool, really? The main dining room looks like it's something out of a ship from 20 years ago with the color pallet (cranberry and mauve, seriously?). Meanwhile the suite area doesn't have a lounge (it's and afterthought inside coastal kitchen) with no views, and the suite pool deck has a small bath tub for it's pool, not sure why suite guests would pay a premium for that experience (compared to what's offered on Wonder). In time Royal may have to make some changes on this ship as reviews come out and bookings fall off, time will tell. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JemzRoo Posted January 15 #3778 Share Posted January 15 (edited) I booked Sky Jr Suite for access to the suite area thinking this will be Royal's first decently done suite concept. The more footage I see the more disappointed I am. I'm really, really annoyed about Cloud 17. I was annoyed when it was announced we'd get no Solarium, but figured Cloud 17 had the potential to be a decent replacement. I have absolutely zero excitement for Hideaway. None. The child free area is now 10 decks above the children screaming in the surfside neighborhood? Fun. Awesome. Edited January 15 by JemzRoo 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid in me Posted January 15 #3779 Share Posted January 15 I purchased the UDP and trying to see where I can use it besides Chops,Hooked, Givonii and Izummi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cr2000 Posted January 15 #3780 Share Posted January 15 26 minutes ago, JemzRoo said: I booked Sky Jr Suite for access to the suite area thinking this will be Royal's first decently done suite concept. The more footage I see the more disappointed I am. I'm really, really annoyed about Cloud 17. I was annoyed when it was announced we'd get no Solarium, but figured Cloud 17 had the potential to be a decent replacement. I have absolutely zero excitement for Hideaway. None. The child free area is now 10 decks above the children screaming in the surfside neighborhood? Fun. Awesome. The suite area is an absolute disaster given the premium they are charging. No view outside (actually looks very closed in) - the "lounge" is a glorified waiting area in Coastal Kitchen (interesting the lounge isn't even listed on the deck plans, almost like they forgot about it), the color/furnishings look about as cheap as you get both inside Coastal Kitchen and out on the sundeck. The "pool" isn't much bigger than a small jacuzzi. Have you noticed RC has been limiting photography up on that deck the past couple days? They know they've got a problem. Kinda late to change the furnishings, they could probably reconfigure the lounge space a bit. One way to address the abysmal suite deck pool would be to claim Cloud17 as the suite sky/star class pool (it's already doored access at the aft end). That would at least give suite guests an actual premium pool, but given the screw up with Hideaway they already have customers fuming. Pictures speak volumes, look at the space on Wonder (below), then go look at the limited pictures coming out of Icon. Wonder (below) looks like a premium experience, Icon looks like they ran out of budget and creativity by the time they hit the suite deck. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFerrington Posted January 15 #3781 Share Posted January 15 I think the furnishings in ALL of the Oasis class suite lounges/CK are cheap-looking. No idea why they picked those barrel chairs...both ugly and uncomfortable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd555 Posted January 15 Author #3782 Share Posted January 15 Wonder of the Seas & Icon of the Seas at CocoCay. 📷 Mercury Chester Jorge Carson 9 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madiaka Posted January 15 #3783 Share Posted January 15 42 minutes ago, Lloyd555 said: Wonder of the Seas & Icon of the Seas at CocoCay. 📷 Mercury Chester Jorge Carson Thanks for the comparison picture. I’m booked on Icon in one of the aft junior suites. I got it for a good price, but in looking at the ship beside Wonder, it doesn’t seem like it’ll be as nice of an experience as being in an aft suite on Wonder. The Surfside neighborhood seems closed in compared to the Boardwalk. I can ignore the screaming kids. That doesn’t bother me, but I still don’t like the top-heavy look that Icon has in comparison. The fact that there is a pool above my suite is something that I hadn’t thought about either. We’ll see how the reviews are after the inaugural sailing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Newcruiser215 Posted January 15 #3784 Share Posted January 15 1 hour ago, cr2000 said: The suite area is an absolute disaster given the premium they are charging. No view outside (actually looks very closed in) - the "lounge" is a glorified waiting area in Coastal Kitchen (interesting the lounge isn't even listed on the deck plans, almost like they forgot about it), the color/furnishings look about as cheap as you get both inside Coastal Kitchen and out on the sundeck. The "pool" isn't much bigger than a small jacuzzi. Have you noticed RC has been limiting photography up on that deck the past couple days? They know they've got a problem. Kinda late to change the furnishings, they could probably reconfigure the lounge space a bit. One way to address the abysmal suite deck pool would be to claim Cloud17 as the suite sky/star class pool (it's already doored access at the aft end). That would at least give suite guests an actual premium pool, but given the screw up with Hideaway they already have customers fuming. Pictures speak volumes, look at the space on Wonder (below), then go look at the limited pictures coming out of Icon. Wonder (below) looks like a premium experience, Icon looks like they ran out of budget and creativity by the time they hit the suite deck. You seem really passionate about this suite area. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairsky84 Posted January 15 #3785 Share Posted January 15 1 hour ago, Lloyd555 said: Wonder of the Seas & Icon of the Seas at CocoCay. 📷 Mercury Chester Jorge Carson Surprising how much darker the blue hull looks on Icon. I thought RCI would maintain the same livery color on all of their new ships. Or is the Wonder's hull just faded after a year in the sun. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessCatarina Posted January 15 #3786 Share Posted January 15 Regarding the "Suite Lounge," does anyone know if they will be offering a happy hour there with complimentary drinks and snacks? One of our favorite memories from the Allure is visiting the suite lounge during happy hour and enjoying the complimentary drinks, often during the sail away. Is this a thing of the past? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eekaksi7 Posted January 15 #3787 Share Posted January 15 https://www.instagram.com/pdeboer_photos 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Newcruiser215 Posted January 15 #3788 Share Posted January 15 7 minutes ago, Eekaksi7 said: https://www.instagram.com/pdeboer_photos From this angle, Wonder looks bigger to me. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BecciBoo Posted January 15 #3789 Share Posted January 15 16 hours ago, Jenna said: I feel like the shrieking of all the children on surfside will be audible from hideaway? You might hear something, but most of the sound will go out behind the ship down there. But I'm sure there are plenty who'd try real hard to.🙄 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BecciBoo Posted January 15 #3790 Share Posted January 15 54 minutes ago, Newcruiser215 said: You seem really passionate about this suite area. Nothing but negativity from certain posters if you get my drift. There are always some. Unfortunately, they make their own angst. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BecciBoo Posted January 15 #3791 Share Posted January 15 3 hours ago, JemzRoo said: I booked Sky Jr Suite for access to the suite area thinking this will be Royal's first decently done suite concept. The more footage I see the more disappointed I am. I'm really, really annoyed about Cloud 17. I was annoyed when it was announced we'd get no Solarium, but figured Cloud 17 had the potential to be a decent replacement. I have absolutely zero excitement for Hideaway. None. The child free area is now 10 decks above the children screaming in the surfside neighborhood? Fun. Awesome. Fortunately for you, there are lots of other ships....enjoy. We'll be on Icon thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BecciBoo Posted January 15 #3792 Share Posted January 15 14 hours ago, Twenty2020 said: I also don't think the Solarium trade off for Aquadome is a positive. Aquadome is a tradeoff for Surfside not a Solarium. The area behind Aquadome, the Overlook is more a tradeoff for Solarium, just no water, but then Harmony doesn't have that either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JemzRoo Posted January 15 #3793 Share Posted January 15 15 minutes ago, BecciBoo said: Fortunately for you, there are lots of other ships....enjoy. We'll be on Icon thank you. As I stated, I booked a Sky Jr Suite - so clearly I will also be on Icon. That doesn’t somehow negate my disappointment. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BecciBoo Posted January 15 #3794 Share Posted January 15 I would much rather have had Cloud 17 also, but they may still make changes and I'm not worried. I think the first few months of exit questionnaires will help them rethink things. I will certainly let them know my true sentiments. But the other features on this exceptional vessel are more than worth any disappointment I have about this latest development. I don't think Hideaway are is large enough to provide an adult only pool venue, but the bar and lounging areas are pretty appealing. That pool isn't any smaller than the average Oasis sister has in Solarium anyway. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cr2000 Posted January 15 #3795 Share Posted January 15 1 hour ago, BecciBoo said: Nothing but negativity from certain posters if you get my drift. There are always some. Unfortunately, they make their own angst. I think a lot of people try to justify what they spent and can't look objectively. They will sing Icon's praises regardless perhaps to soothe their wallet, I do think it's fair to be critical where appropriate. I think they really screwed up the suite neighborhood and I think the reviews will reflect that in the next few weeks (and pricing will plummet accordingly). The overall ship deck space looks very problematic, when they are at or near capacity. They messed up with the adults only situation, how's that fair to people who booked with an understanding of having a quiet relaxing area on the ship? The beverage package excludes milk shakes (they priced the drinks at the ice cream place just outside the $14 limit). Then they market basecamp as the place for kids to fuel up after the water slides, but up-charge for burgers and sandwiches? Of course they appear to have done things right as well, the rooms look great, they added some nice family suite concepts, the waterpark looks absolutely incredible and sure to be a big hit with kids. The venues along the promenade seem well thoughout too. I really like the Pearl Cafe and layout in that area, looks beautiful. Net-net, I don't think it'll be worth the premium they are trying to collect over sailing on Wonder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tree_skier Posted January 15 #3796 Share Posted January 15 On 1/12/2024 at 5:44 PM, cr2000 said: 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. They certainly enforced the no kids policy on Harmony in December. The ship was jammed with kids but the Solarium was great! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tall-Cruiser Posted January 15 #3797 Share Posted January 15 1 hour ago, Newcruiser215 said: From this angle, Wonder looks bigger to me. I was just thinking the same exact thing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare eroller Posted January 15 #3798 Share Posted January 15 Having watched ICON’s maiden arrival into Miami, she looked very impressive but not the biggest in the world to me. Both the Oasis Class and even Carnival’s Excel Class look bigger to me. It might be because ICON is so chopped up. Both the slab of balconies and the upper decks. Perception is sometimes deceiving. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidrlewis2302 Posted January 15 #3799 Share Posted January 15 (edited) 14 minutes ago, Tall-Cruiser said: I was just thinking the same exact thing. Wonder looks wider - I've thought all along Icon looked quite slim. But she's 0.9m wider at the top than Wonder and 1m wider at the waterline. She's 2m longer. I think she's just got a sleeker design that makes her not look as wide. Some humans are the same. Edited January 15 by davidrlewis2302 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray985 Posted January 15 #3800 Share Posted January 15 16 hours ago, erby2283 said: I’m actually not so sure about that. Here’s a comparison of the Hideaway to Cloud 17. I couldn’t even fit all of Cloud 17 in the screen shot. Look at the number of loungers compared to what’s in the Hideaway. Plus, (and I’m a non-smoker), the smoking section is adjacent to Cloud 17. There’s only one way into Cloud 17 (I think) from either end so it shouldn’t be that hard to limit access to children. As I said in an earlier post, as a woman sailing with 2 of her best friends, we really were looking forward to having the Cloud 17 area. We understand this ship is marketed to families but having this nice-sized adult only area was a nice selling point for us and I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t disappointing. But we’ll still make the best of it. While the deck plans are likely not to scale, based on what Royal Caribbean has provided, the Hideaway is roughly 33% smaller than Cloud 17 with 33% fewer loungers and 50% fewer bar stools. The pool is also likely smaller, but it's hard to tell because the hideaway pool has a large area with shallow water for loungers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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