LIVE!!! ICON OF THE SEAS INAUGURAL

[Ourusualbeach]

On 2/3/2024 at 3:49 PM, Tree_skier said:

I hope Vicki is on the March trip.  I’d fear for your marriage if not.

 

🙃

She is definitely coming in March.  My May cruise on Explora from Vancouver to LAX she has to work so I'm taking my daughter on that one.

[cruisinghawg]

24 minutes ago, LobsterStalker said:

And was RC time dining chaotic or did it run smoothly ?

Well let me put it this way, we have rarely (and I am being kind) got the times they approved before hand. We rarely had to wait for long but if one signs up for say 6 but they cannot seat you until 6:30 then this becomes irritating. We did not have MTD so cannot answer for sure but let me give our story. We signed up for early dining and all paperwork said 5:30. But when we get onboard the time was 5 which for us is early but we could make 5:30 work. So from that experience and past experience I would say probably not so smooth. 

Edited February 4 by cruisinghawg

[cruisinghawg]

Cruise compasses

 

 

[cruisinghawg]

Day one

 

 

 

 

[cruisinghawg]

 

 

 

[cruisinghawg]

Day Three

 

 

 

 

[cruisinghawg]

Day four

 

 

 

 

[cruisinghawg]

Day 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cruisinghawg]

Day six

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cruisinghawg]

Day seven

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Luckynana]

9 hours ago, cruisinghawg said:

You mean RC time dining yes? 

Yes.  Did it run smoothly?

[Luckynana]

3 minutes ago, Luckynana said:

Yes.  Did it run smoothly?

@cruisinghawg  Ahh..I see that you answered my question. Thank you!

[#55worktoplay]

Great review. The ship certainly does look amazing.  
 

Thanks to all the contributors. 
 

@Ourusualbeach  Fantastic for Toby. Big Congratulations goes out to him.  I’m sure he is still smiling. Very likely bad for you as I’m sure he will want to now do many more cruises. 

Edited February 5 by #55worktoplay

[HBE4]

Adding in my thank you to all who contributed to this most enjoyable

thread @Ozark_Kid @FromSea2ShiningSea @ReneeFLL and @Ourusualbeach

 

And a special shout out to @cruisinghawg for starting this thread & the amazing videos he shared. It gave a nice feel to being in the ship.

 

Now I have to brush-up on my new neighborhood & pool names.

 

[hollon]

On 2/4/2024 at 5:26 PM, cruisinghawg said:

Day seven

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On 2/4/2024 at 4:44 PM, cruisinghawg said:

Day one

 

 

 

 

Can someone email these  - askforgiveness@aol.com - Please

 

[LATTELOVE]

On 2/4/2024 at 5:26 PM, cruisinghawg said:

Day seven

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much for posting these.

Very helpful!!

[cruisinghawg]

In Closing, my final thoughts,

Much has been said and written about the Icon before paying customers went aboard. RC really poured on the build up prior to the inaugural as we all witnessed so it doesn't need revisiting. There are some misconceptions about this ship and I can attest to being a skeptic myself so let look at this marvelous ship and what it has to offer.

First let me tell you who I am. I am a retired school teacher with 39 years of experience and DW is a retired cardiac RN with 44 years experience. We both are diamond + but have sailed on most of the other lines from time to time so we are not complete RC snobs (no offense to RC snobs, LOL). I am 70 and very active, in other words I am an explorer and DW is a sedentary reader and studier of many subjects. So in short we are what I call "seasoned citizens". I am not trying to sell this ship or keep you away just making observations. 

As I stated in response to another poster this is a multigenerational ship. It has everything for everyone of us, maybe that is to much for some and that is fine but do not assume it is strictly for kids. As one enters the ship upon embarkation they are are faced with an 21st century cruise ship elegance that totally unique. There is nothing that compares to the pearl in cruising that I am aware of. The promenade is like nothing I have ever seen on a ship. The promenade its self is wider that any on Oasis class almost like walking down main street in small towns or boulevards in cities. Oasis just prepared us for this Promenade. One of the first impressions I got was the lack of retail here as there was one purse boutique, RC logo shop and of course Starbucks. Regalia was placed on deck 8 but there was a kiosk on both deck 5 and 6 just before the forward elevators with display windows and one sales person on each deck.

Deck 6 was where bars where located the Schooner, Boleros and the new Dueling Piano bar along with the eating venue Giovanni's Kitchen. One draw back for us was no wine bar in Giovanni's. Also the art display is small but the gallery is rather large but behind a wall with windows showing images of people and animals shaded. 

But deck 6 is where the Pearl Café is located and this will be a go to area for early morning coffee drinkers and those wanting to read and peruse the internet (zoom desk is right there next to the café). It provides a floor to ceiling window and the ocean just passes by. It also boost the ability to plug your computer or phone in under the coral shaded bench seats, with 220 ,110 or USB as this is a great addition.

Deck 8 is Central Park and it is welllll Central Park!! The plants are not full yet but that is to be expected. It has Chops, Izumi's, Izumi's to go and Trellis Bar (snacks) are the eateries here. Empire club is on deck 8 but not in CP but forward of the elevators. Also this is where Regalia is located. Lou's Jazz club is here and more on that later.

Deck 7 is a children's deck or the young at heart. Be careful as there are bowling pins and throw rings laying everywhere. Had friends in our age bracket that ate here one night and thought is was good. Lots to do for the kids and saw all ages here, but the older ones were watching the kids. This deck can be reached by deck 6 and 8 via an outside stairway.

Deck 15 is home to the Windjammer and El loco Fresh along with the Aquadome Market Place. Hooked is here also with the Celebration Table located off Hooked. The Aquadome show is not quite complete yet as we saw what they have to this point and it was excellent. Still trying to work out the skateboard act I believe. The Overlook is located in the very front of the Aquadome and this is a remnant of the Solarium, small but light filled with comfortable seating and a bar. Also this is where the largest pool on a cruise ship the Royal Bay Pool. This pool is for all but mostly adults are here.

Deck 16 is a strange deck but not like you may think. The front half has the Swim and Tonic Bar with the Lime and Coconut frozen bar. In the rear is where the other kids hang out is located Thrill Water Park. As one walks through on the port side is the rock climbing wall then the Lost Dunes putt putt course with Basecamp next to that but as you walk through this you come to the Hideaway, the adults only area, sort of a strange place to put it but it is separated. More later. 

Deck 17 is where Cloud 17 is located and was the original location for the adults only hangout. 

So that is an overview of the common decks but gotta run and will have more of  mu opinion later.

  

 

[goldfish65]

@cruisinghawg Is there an outdoor space closer to the waterline? Like on smaller ships there's the promenade on deck 4?

[Ozark_Kid]

54 minutes ago, goldfish65 said:

@cruisinghawg Is there an outdoor space closer to the waterline? Like on smaller ships there's the promenade on deck 4?

My DW took a pic of this area on deck 5.

[cruisinghawg]

3 hours ago, goldfish65 said:

@cruisinghawg Is there an outdoor space closer to the waterline? Like on smaller ships there's the promenade on deck 4?

Not on deck 4 but on Deck 5 as you embark you will pass on the edge of the 1400 Bar's outdoor seating and it is very nice. There is also another seating area like it on the other side of deck 5.

Opppsss please look at Sharon's pic above.

Edited February 8 by cruisinghawg

[BecciBoo]

I know our main haunt will be that area, the Pearl Cafe and the Overlook! Oh and Cloud 17....or the Cove

Edited February 8 by BecciBoo

[cruisinghawg]

1 minute ago, BecciBoo said:

I know our main haunt will be that area, the Pearl Café and the Overlook! Oh and Cloud 17....or the Cove

Good choices.

[BecciBoo]

Thanks to you guys 😉

[The sea calls my name]

On 2/3/2024 at 1:23 PM, BecciBoo said:

Hey, did anybody have the 1400 Bars signature drink?  With big bubble on top?  Just wondered, looks interesting!

I did have the "Bubble Martini" It was really cool and very tasty. Kind of like a margarita but not the same.  I do recommend it .

[SUgwoz]

Don't recall if this was mentioned previously, is the suite lounge the same as Oasis class in terms of offering beer/wine from 11a-11p?