LIVE!!! ICON OF THE SEAS INAUGURAL

[Ourusualbeach]

A huge shout out to @cruisinghawg and @FromSea2ShiningSea and @Ozark_Kid for posting all the spectacular photos and sharing this amazing ship with the CC community.

 

My own personal impressions is that this ship definitely has elevated the cruising experience and even with the limited number of kids on board it is easy to see how Royal has done a fantastic job of separating the kids areas while still managing to leave a lot of space that will have  no or very few kids.  

 

I truly hope that the staffing levels remain as they are and do not fall victim to future cutbacks.  Little things like having a towel station by every pool go a long way in ensuring a great experience.  

 

It was so nice meeting many of you on board for the first time and I look forward to the day our paths cross again on another ship.

[Ourusualbeach]

Toby ended off the week on a high note by winning the Best of the Best competition on the Flowrider.  The first one to sign the board.  Thanks to his cheering squad of @Ozark_Kid (John and Sharon) and @FromSea2ShiningSea (Marty and Helen) ascwell as friends of mine who were also on this sailing along with a bunch of new friends he met on board.

[cruisinghawg]

As this cruise comes to a close I want to say a huge Thank You to some absolutely outstanding posters for without whom I could never have done this.

First @Ozark_Kid for guiding and coaching me on converting, uploading and downloading video. We practiced for a month leading up to this week. Who could have imagined that this has led to a life time friendship so Thank You John. 
Next would be @FromSea2ShiningSea what a wonderful person always with just the right amount of info or counsel she was always including us in activities. Thank you Helen. 
Then @ReneeFLL covered the food porn with the right amount of spice. Also gave us a glimpse into the suite life. Thank You Renee. 
Then of course much kudos to the man behind the curtain @Ourusualbeach without whom this would never had happened. The best TA we have ever had. Thanks Ken.

So as we sail to Miami I must also give thanks to all who commented, gave a thumbs up, or just loved what was posted Thank You. 
@cruisinghawg

[ReneeFLL]

Last dinner in CK.

 

 

Hamachi Crudo

 

Lobster fritters

 

Sesame crusted tuna

 

Grilled veal chop

 

Dessert menu, but no desserts 

 

 

[Mrs.Dukes]

Thank you all for this fabulous cruise report. Really enjoyed following along.

[ReneeFLL]

Foamy chocolate martini 

 

Living Garden cocktail 

 

 

 

 

 

[bonsai3s]

1 hour ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Toby ended off the week on a high note by winning the Best of the Best competition on the Flowrider.  The first one to sign the board.  Thanks to his cheering squad of @Ozark_Kid (John and Sharon) and @FromSea2ShiningSea (Marty and Helen) ascwell as friends of mine who were also on this sailing along with a bunch of new friends he met on board.

 

Way to go Toby! Congratulations! 

 

E.

[Morecruisesplz]

1 hour ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Toby ended off the week on a high note by winning the Best of the Best competition on the Flowrider.  The first one to sign the board.  Thanks to his cheering squad of @Ozark_Kid (John and Sharon) and @FromSea2ShiningSea (Marty and Helen) ascwell as friends of mine who were also on this sailing along with a bunch of new friends he met on board.

Congratulations!

[taznremmy]

1 hour ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Toby ended off the week on a high note by winning the Best of the Best competition on the Flowrider.  The first one to sign the board.

 

Woo Hoo!  Congratulations.  You’re famous  now

 

 

 

[jmh2006]

Thanks to all of the posters on this great thread!  It looks like you all had a wonderful cruise and I really enjoyed following along!  Safe travels home to those going home and Bon Voyage to those who are sailing again next week!  

[sgmn]

3 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Toby ended off the week on a high note by winning the Best of the Best competition on the Flowrider.  The first one to sign the board.  Thanks to his cheering squad of @Ozark_Kid (John and Sharon) and @FromSea2ShiningSea (Marty and Helen) ascwell as friends of mine who were also on this sailing along with a bunch of new friends he met on board.

Wow many congratulations,  how cool is that!

 

Thanks to all who contributed in giving us a glimpse of this new class. Very interesting review.

 

Safe travels home 

Edited February 3 by sgmn

[perfect match]

Thank you @cruisinghawg and everyone else who has contributed to this wonderful and very informative thread! I have really enjoyed cruising along with you! Congratulations to Toby for winning Best of the Best on the Icon Flowrider! 
 

I was not particularly interested in sailing on Icon before reading this thread along with a couple of others from both this sailing and the non revenue sailings that preceded it. You have won me over. I am now trying to figure out when I can fit an Icon or more likely a Star sailing out of Port Canaveral into our schedule. 🤩

[dani negreanu]

1 hour ago, perfect match said:

Thank you @cruisinghawg and everyone else who has contributed to this wonderful and very informative thread! I have really enjoyed cruising along with you! Congratulations to Toby for winning Best of the Best on the Icon Flow rider! 
 

I was not particularly interested in sailing on Icon before reading this thread ....

You have won me over. 

 

+ 1 😎

[Ozark_Kid]

About time yo get going  

[ReneeFLL]

On 2/2/2024 at 7:11 AM, bobmacliberty said:

 

Are they limiting the number of lobster tails that you can get?

As far as I know you have to pay for the second one.

[ReneeFLL]

We made it home in record time. From scanning our seapass card to getting home it took 40 minutes. We decided to come home first before getting on the Odyssey. We need to drop off all of our swag and purchases. We’ll mosey on over about 1:00 or so.

[SteelCityCruiser10]

I cannot believe the week is already over!  Fantastic job to everyone who contributed in this LIVE!  Thanks for taking us along & taking time out of your vacation to share with all of us.  Much Appreciated!!

 

Cheers 🍻 Mark

[AshleyDillo]

14 hours ago, Scoobydobe7 said:

Hi, I wondering if someone could verify if there was a "Mongolian grill" in the Windjammer...maybe it is just there for dinner...

Thanks

 

There was a pasta station up front and stir fry in the back.

[ReneeFLL]

15 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I think V/F class ships have a really nice look to them. Though that after market slide on Mariner detracts from her, once upon a time, symmetry.

The slide does make it look lopsided.

[ReneeFLL]

15 hours ago, Another_Critic said:

"ovi g this aft balcony."

 

Apparently loving the champagne too!.  😉

I thought I read over it before posting, but I guess I didn’t. 😑. It’s supposed to be “loving this aft balcony”.

[ReneeFLL]

13 hours ago, MVoelker said:

For anyone who has now sailed ICON, can you tell me how long it was to disembark when you returned to Miami?  Wondering what time to have a car arrive for pickup to the airport? Thank you!

It took us less than 10 minutes, but this was at 7:00 doing the self assist.

[jk04]

Many thanks to everyone who posted and commented during your time on board.  I know how time consuming it is and it is very much appreciated!!  Like others I had little interest in Icon (DH has always wanted to sail).  But, now that it appears there are areas that are more quiet, I would enjoy that.  And, the interior of the ship for the most part looks spectacular.

 

Congratulations, Toby, for being the first Best of the Best!  @Ourusualbeach you must be very proud 🥰

 

Thanks again everyone, this has been a fantastic live thread!  ☺️

[GimmeOcean]

15 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I think V/F class ships have a really nice look to them. Though that after market slide on Mariner detracts from her, once upon a time, symmetry.

At least that’s not as bad as that ugly SkyPad wart on Odyssey.

[Another_Critic]

4 minutes ago, ReneeFLL said:

I thought I read over it before posting, but I guess I didn’t. 😑. It’s supposed to be “loving this aft balcony”.

 

Yes, I know what it was.  You were TUI (typing under influence).  😄

[Ourusualbeach]

27 minutes ago, ReneeFLL said:

We made it home in record time. From scanning our seapass card to getting home it took 40 minutes. We decided to come home first before getting on the Odyssey. We need to drop off all of our swag and purchases. We’ll mosey on over about 1:00 or so.

Safe travels and enjoy leg 2.

 

We arrived at the elevator lobby on deck 12 at 7:40 and had cleared security at MIA by 8:30. There was also a 10 minute delay waiting for a taxi that wasn't one of the vans that have a 30% surcharge.