Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

The Icon of the Seas truly has it all. Every detail of the ship has been carefully considered, with an impressive focus on design and layout. The sheer size of the ship can be overwhelming at first, but it’s a wonderful feeling to explore. Upon boarding, the stunning "pearl" on the main promenade immediately catches your eye, and it’s hard not to be in awe. We spent the first few hours wandering around, getting familiar with the ship. When we went up to the buffet, we were amazed by the expansive spread of food. For seafood lovers, particularly those who enjoy shrimp and lobster, the first day’s offerings are absolutely fantastic. This ship even has a resident Golden Retriever, Rover!

At 1 pm, we grabbed our hand luggage and headed to our cabin. I was thrilled with our room — it had plenty of space for everything, and the bed was incredibly comfortable. The bathroom was spacious and had ample storage, which made it easy to unpack. We also had an extended balcony that added even more enjoyment to our experience. To top it off, we were fortunate enough to receive a complimentary cabin upgrade after booking a GTY fare. Sometimes you just get lucky! On our first day, we attended the sail-away party and spent the rest of the day exploring the ship. My favorite place was the walking track, which we often visited, especially after indulging in big meals.

Dining on the ship was another major highlight. Almost every night, we dined in the main dining room, where the service was exceptional. Our waitstaff was friendly, attentive, and always remembered our preferences, making us feel like we were truly being taken care of. The food was consistently delicious, and the service was always prompt and warm, creating a memorable experience at every meal.

For my birthday, we treated ourselves to a special dinner at Chops, the ship’s steakhouse. I had the New York Strip, and it was by far the best steak I’ve ever had. The service was flawless, and the entire dining experience was superb. I can’t recommend Chops enough — it’s a must-visit for anyone who loves a great steak.

The cruise took us to Sint Maarten, St. Thomas and Perfect Day at Coco Cay, each offering unique and exciting experiences. As an aviation enthusiast, one of the highlights was visiting Maho Beach in Sint Maarten to watch planes take off and land. We had lunch at Sunset Beach at SXM, where both the food and drinks were fantastic. We were lucky enough to get a table facing the runway, which was a dream come true. After lunch, we spent time on the beach, watching planes land, and I even got to see the Air France A340, which made my day. Later, we relaxed at The Morgan Resort, renting a cabana by the pool with stunning ocean views.

St. Thomas was equally enjoyable. We took a taxi to the Skyride to Paradise Point, where the views were spectacular, and we even had a clear view of the ship. The food was great, and the drinks were amazing. This was my third visit to Paradise Point, and I can confidently say that it’s always worth the trip.

Coco Cay was another fantastic stop. We opted for the adults-only pool area, which featured a swim-up bar and comfy loungers. The bartenders kept the drinks flowing, and it was a lot of fun. On my way back to the ship, I took a nap in a hammock near the pier and enjoyed a peaceful moment in paradise. It was the perfect way to end a day on such a beautiful island.

Back on board, the Broadway-quality shows were a major highlight of the trip. We saw The Wizard of Oz, and it was outstanding. We also enjoyed Absolute Zero, the ice-skating show (yes, the ship has an ice rink!). The amount of preparation and effort the staff must put into these performances is truly impressive, and every show we attended was stunning and enjoyable.

On our last night, we attended the comedy show, which was a great way to end the trip. The comedians were excellent, and I found myself laughing so hard my stomach hurt.

When it was time to disembark, the process was smooth and easy. The Port of Miami is very efficient, and both embarkation and disembarkation went off without a hitch. We never had to wait, which made the experience even better.

Leaving the ship was bittersweet. The crew had taken such great care of us, and it was hard to say goodbye. This cruise ship is truly world-class, and I would highly recommend it to anyone. It offers something for everyone, making it the perfect vacation for all types of travelers.

If you love cruising, the Icon is truly the best in class. Every detail is well-thought out. I did not have anything I did not like on board. The staff was wonderful, and so was the food and activities.

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