The Boarding Icon of the Seas in PortMiami, Miami, Florida, is an incredible cruise terminal that’s designed to handle these massive cruise ships like a pro! When I checked in for my grand suite, everything went smoothly. There were dedicated queues and a cozy lounge to relax before we set sail.
Exciting design to welcome you onboard
The first thing you’ll see when you board is the giant pearl structure (pictured below), and to the right a Starbucks ☕️ which was my first stop before exploring every inch of the ship.
The Pearl onboard Icon of the Seas
Infinite Grand Suite Stateroom
It’s 1pm, and the staterooms are open! As soon as the announcement was over, I headed straight to check out where I’ll be staying for the next 7 nights.
The Infinite Grand Suite Stateroom 9224 still smelled fresh, and it was even bigger than I imagined! The photos I found online didn’t do it justice. It was a bit odd that the toilet and shower were in two separate rooms, one on each side of the room when you enter near the stateroom door. I’ve never seen this on a cruise ship before.
I had this stateroom all to myself, and it was massive! I had more space than I could ever need. Compared to other cruise ships I’ve been on, this one had a ton of storage, USB ports, and power outlets everywhere. It was a breeze to plug in all my devices.
The infinite balcony wasn’t my thing. It had big windows, but it was like an indoor/outdoor area that didn’t really serve a purpose. So, I wouldn’t pick an infinite balcony room for any other cruises that offer it. But hey, it was still a fun experiment to try it out on this cruise!
Crowns Edge
I was super excited to try this new activity on the cruise ship. We waited until we were on the ship to book it, because it was cheaper than the price they had listed in the cruise planner. I was a little worried that it might sell out, but I was surprised to find that there was still plenty of spots available, even for a brand-new ship that launched only a few months prior so it was still very new to a lot of people.
The experience was great as a once off, but not worth the cost. You’re told to not stop during your time following the course of obstacles and no time to take in the sight of standing that high, above the water on the side of the ship. Royal Caribbean includes a digital video and photo with your cruise, but it’s not very exciting. It’s mostly just renders and doesn’t show much of what you did during the walk.
Photos, photos and more photos!
I absolutely love taking pictures of the ship itself, and this morning, it was super quiet, even with all those thousands of people on board. It was around 7 am, and 95% of people were still asleep, which gave me a chance to take some really cool photos of this huge ship.
The Ship
Some photos of the ship pools, Aquadome and the new restaurant Empire Supper Club.
Surfside
I was traveling with kids who absolutely adored the Surfside area of the ship. The best part? All the kids’ facilities are conveniently located right there, including food, a play area, and even a pool! There was no need to wander around the massive ship (it does take some time) to find the facilities you need for them.
Central Park
Central Park is a great way to get around the lower decks of the ship, but I think there aren’t many spots to chill out. It’s mostly restaurants and shops, and it’s super convenient for getting around.
The Overlook
The overlook area on this ship is a hidden gem. It’s the perfect spot to relax and soak in the breathtaking views without any distractions like loud music or kids running around. We spent hours here during the day, always making sure to snag one of the raised pods. They offer privacy and plenty of seating, making it the ideal spot to unwind.
Suite Neighbourhood
I love cruising in a suite for the twice-daily stateroom cleaning and the suite neighbourhood to relax from the crowds. But, the suite neighbourhood on Icon of the Seas could use more covered seating and more pools/spas for the number of people who could also be cruising in a suite and using this area.
Pools at Night
I was a bit taken aback when I spotted that one of the pools on this massive family-friendly ship was completely empty. The lifeguard standing at the pool meant that it was open, and it was quite an unusual sight during the day where it’s usually packed.
Tech Issues
As someone who’s been in IT for their adult life, dealing with all sorts of computers and servers, I find it really interesting when software doesn’t play nicely. There is a lot of tech on this cruise ship, such as the new destination elevators that are 100% better than the old type where you’d choose the floor after entering, now you choose where you want to go prior to stepping foot inside.
There were occasions when some screens weren’t working as expected, and also at a time after a show where the elevators were crowded and it rejected my deck choice.
Icon of the Seas docked along side the smaller Mariner of the Seas
March 30, 2024 - April 6, 2024