Tuesday, April 2, 2024

My Favorite Amenities on Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas Cruise Ship

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At around 156,000 tons, it's about 30% smaller than Royal Caribbean's newer Oasis-class ships and has fewer venues, from bars and restaurants to entertainment spaces. Royal Caribbean is the world's biggest cruise line, and it has more ships than any other major line, including vessels in a wide range of sizes and with a wide range of amenities. While they all have a lot in common, they have some major differences, too, that make them more or less appealing to different types of travelers.

The Ultimate Guide to the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner site

One trick we’ve learned is not to hesitate to use the "Select Date” option to let the website show you the actual full price. Sometimes it’s the only way to know if you’re getting the deal you thought you were. Royal Caribbean is the world's largest cruise line, with a large fleet of ships that cater to a wide range of traveler types. In addition, Quantum of the Seas ships is particularly known for its unusual range of activities, from skydiving simulators to bumper cars that you can enjoy just fine as a solo traveler. If you're looking for the best Royal Caribbean ship for solo travelers, you'll want to start with Quantum of the Seas and its Quantum-class sisters. It's the class of ships where Royal Caribbean made the most effort to appeal to solo travelers. Called the Suite Neighborhood, the complex offers some of the biggest (and priciest) suites at sea, including the sprawling, two-deck-high Royal Loft suites that measure more than 1,500 square feet.

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Additional Indoor Features and Pursuits

Many ships also offer short-term babysitting services at the nursery for an extra charge. The Voyager, Freedom, and Oasis-class ships, numbering 13 in total, also have Royal Promenades. These indoor areas, akin to malls, host some of the most distinctive bars at sea, along with dining options and retail stores. These lavish accommodations are designed for affluent travelers who appreciate the mega-ship experience over a traditional luxury ship.

Who travels with Royal Caribbean?

Dating to 1997, Rhapsody of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean's oldest and smallest vessels, and it lacks nearly all the gee-whiz attractions for families found on newer Royal Caribbean ships. You won't find big water parks, kiddie splash zones, zip lines or bumper car pavilions on this ship. One of three ships in the line's Freedom class that date to the mid-2000s, Freedom of the Seas is no longer the creme-de-la-creme of the Royal Caribbean fleet (though it was when it debuted).

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Who sails Royal Caribbean?

There's an excursion for everyone, from adventure seekers to foodies, history buffs to animal lovers. This is your chance to get to the heart of the most exciting destinations of the world. As you might expect, pricing for all ships will generally be less during offseason periods such as September and October. Note that, unlike airline frequent flyer programs, cruise line loyalty programs do not require you to requalify for status every year.

These ships are also often less expensive for travelers on a per-day basis. Icon of the Seas has plenty of live music venues — including rowdy karaoke and dueling pianos bars, if that counts. But if you're a jazz fan or looking for a peaceful nightcap, none of these options will top the live music at Lou's Jazz 'n Blues. The 1,196-foot-long, 20-deck Icon of the Seas is packed with bars, restaurants, and things to do. Any shorter of an itinerary, and you might not have time to experience all it has to offer. For guests who plan to indulge in several specialty restaurants during their cruise, discounted meal packages are available.

In addition, every ship has a least one — and sometimes many — extra-charge eateries. The most common one found across the fleet is Chops Grille, the line's signature steakhouse. Many ships also have an Italian eatery, called either Giovanni's Table or Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver. There's also Hooked Seafood, a relatively new concept now on four vessels (Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas) that serves lobster rolls, fish sandwiches and the like. For those who enjoy the grandeur of large resorts, you’ll certainly find pleasure in Royal Caribbean’s biggest vessels, particularly the immense Oasis-class ships. On the contrary, if your preference leans towards the charm of small boutique hotels or if you simply enjoy less crowded spaces, this cruise line may not align with your tastes.

Night Tokyo To Singapore CruiseDetails

royal carribbean cruise

The Oasis Class and Icon Class ships are not the only biggies in the Royal Caribbean fleet. Five big Quantum Class ships and three big Freedom Class ships each have total capacities ranging from around 4,500 to 5,600 passengers. Five of the these six giant ships, all similar in design, are part of what's known as the Oasis Class — a hugely popular series of massive megaships that began debuting in 2009 and have changed the face of cruising. A sixth Oasis Class ship — Utopia of the Seas — is scheduled to join the fleet later this year, and the line recently ordered a seventh vessel in the series that'll be ready in 2028. Speaking of vibes, if you're looking for a secluded place to drink (as in, not the swim-up pool bar), few will top the Overlook Pods, perched just behind the AquaDome.

It’s tempting to “wait it out” before purchasing cruise add-ons like drink packages and shore excursions. No one wants to pay more than necessary, but waiting to book add-ons on the Cruise Planner will, more often than not, end up costing you more money than booking right away. Once reservations are linked together, you can purchase and reserve cruise add-ons for those guests in other staterooms. This is helpful when trying to reserve a specific dining time with guests outside your cabin. Royal Caribbean’s Vitality Fitness Center is complimentary for guests, but fitness classes come at an extra charge.

Among these are the impressive Royal Loft Suites on Oasis-class ships, which cover two decks and provide sweeping views across the upper part of the ship. It offers guests perks like priority boarding, VIP seating at events, private meals, and special times at onboard activities. Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner is where you can book add-ons like shore excursions, drink packages, specialty restaurants, and internet packages. Seven-night and shorter cruises are also popular with families, especially during American school vacation periods, when the ships will often be at filled at well past double capacity and carrying more than a thousand kids. While its biggest focus of late has been on the family market, it has ships that will appeal to luxury travelers, budget travelers, solo travelers and retirees as well.

Royal Caribbean is the world's largest cruise line by passenger capacity, with 27 ships that together offer nearly 100,000 berths. There's a reason Royal Caribbean's new mega-cruise ship is only operating seven-night sailings. The company also owns five slightly smaller Voyager Class vessels, each with a capacity of around 3,800 passengers. In total, the 18 ships from the Oasis, Quantum, Freedom, and Voyager classes form Royal Caribbean’s large-ship category.

A passenger staying in suites can get to the Diamond Plus level with just 13 seven-night cruises. Take a few longer voyages, like a transatlantic sailing, and you can reach it even sooner. During the evenings, there is an official dress code, but it only applies to passengers entering the main dining room. On any given night, one of three dress codes will apply — casual, smart casual or formal.

On Oasis Class ships, there also are 735-seat outdoor "aqua theaters" that are home to dazzling aerial and water shows (Icon of the Seas has its own version of this under a glass dome called the AquaDome). Quantum Class ships have Two70, an extraordinary, high-tech theater space that offers multisensory shows combining singing, dancing and acrobatics. One of Royal Caribbean's great strengths is its theater entertainment, which can be mind-blowing at times — i.e., you won't believe you're seeing what you're seeing on a cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean’s arcades come at an additional cost, and you can purchase credits while onboard or beforehand in the Cruise Planner. Royal Caribbean cruise deals aren't hard to find, but sometimes they're hard to decipher. It usually takes a lot of digging and a little math to unearth real Royal Caribbean deals. But once you know what to look for -- and where and when to look -- spotting deals becomes easier.

Its short sailings and low pricing mean you're not out a lot in time or money if you don't have the time of your life. It caters heavily to first-time cruisers as well as Florida locals who can book on short notice and drive into the port for a quick escape. Select from the many cruise options Royal Caribbean offers and book your vacation now. Only one cruise line offers the thrilling opportunity to learn to surf, to feel the rush of skydiving right on the deck of the ship with Ripcord by iFly or to go on a behind-the-scenes ship tour. Royal Caribbean has grown into the world's biggest cruise line by passenger capacity for a reason. It has long dazzled customers with stunning, resort-like vessels full of every sort of amusement and activity you could imagine.

Jenna DeLaurentis enjoys exploring new ports of call around the world on a cruise ship, learning about new cultures, discovering beautiful landscapes, and trying diverse cuisine. She loves to get active while at port, whether cycling through mountains in the Caribbean or scuba diving under the sea. You can also reserve individual meals at specialty restaurants for lunch or dinner on the Cruise Planner. This add-on must be purchased before your cruise and is priced per person, per day. Depending on the sailing, you can find The Key priced anywhere from $20 to $35 per person, per day. The more you cruise and play over the course of the year, the better the perks become.

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