Inside Icon of the Seas: My Honest Review After a Week Onboard

Our family of four—two adults, one tween, and one teen—spent seven nights aboard Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas sailing from Miami to St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Perfect Day at CocoCay. We flew in and out of Fort Lauderdale without any issues, making South Florida an easy embarkation point. Even after a full week onboard, we still hadn't explored every neighborhood, restaurant, or activity, which speaks to just how expansive this ship really is.

Sunrise

We stayed in connecting Infinite Balcony staterooms overlooking Central Park. The rooms were comfortable, thoughtfully laid out, and offered more interior living space than a traditional balcony cabin. Storage was excellent, with plenty of drawers, outlets, hooks, and closet space, making it easy to unpack for the week. While we appreciated being able to lower the panoramic window to enjoy fresh air and hear the evening music drifting up from Central Park, I would personally choose a traditional ocean-view balcony next time. We found ourselves missing a dedicated outdoor space to sit and watch the ocean, although families with younger children may appreciate the added peace of mind that comes with the enclosed design.

View into the Aquadome

Dining is where expectations matter most. I would describe the food overall as solid rather than exceptional, but that's almost beside the point. The true strength of Icon's dining program is the incredible variety. Whether we were grabbing smash burgers and pretzel bites from Basecamp, tacos from El Loco Fresh, breakfast at Windjammer, or dinner in the Main Dining Room, everyone in our family always found something they enjoyed. Specialty dining was a worthwhile splurge—Chops Grille served an excellent steak dinner, and Izumi's ramen was delicious (though the prix fixe menu is enormous). My biggest recommendation is to reserve hibachi well before sailing if it's on your wish list.

Day one welcome at the Windjammer

One of my favorite surprises wasn't the food itself—it was watching my children become adventurous eaters. Because there was no financial risk attached to ordering something unfamiliar, they happily sampled escargot, beef carpaccio, coconut shrimp, gyoza, and other dishes they would never have ordered in a traditional restaurant. Sometimes they loved them, sometimes they didn't, but the freedom to experiment without pressure turned dinner into part of the adventure. Our Main Dining Room servers also became one of the highlights of the trip. Seeing the same team every evening, who remembered our names and our favorite drinks and meals by the second night, made my children feel genuinely welcomed and looked after.

Thrill Waterpark at CocoCay

Entertainment exceeded my expectations across the board. The production of The Wizard of Oz featured Broadway-caliber vocals, impressive choreography, and surprisingly elaborate sets. The Aqua Action show, however, stole the week. The combination of diving, aerial acrobatics, synchronized swimming, and high-energy stunts made it one of the most memorable performances I've seen at sea. I strongly recommend making reservations for both shows as early as possible through the Royal Caribbean app.

Magen's Bay on St. Thomas

When it came to activities, our tween and teen stayed busy all week. The water slides, rock climbing wall, mini golf, and included attractions gave them the freedom to try new things without parents constantly pulling out a credit card. While some online reviews focus on occasional slide closures, we found that arriving shortly after opening or returning during port days kept waits minimal. The optional Crown's Edge experience was also a big hit and included a fun souvenir video. My one critique is the pool layout. During a summer sailing, the family pools filled quickly, while several of the most attractive pools were reserved for adults. If lounging poolside is your highest priority, arriving early is essential.

Onboard water slides

Aft view of the Hideaway Pool

Perhaps what impressed me most throughout the week was the service. From our stateroom attendants to our dining team, specialty restaurant staff, and Guest Services, every interaction felt warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. Royal Caribbean has also done an excellent job making the experience easy for larger groups, with features like linked reservations while allowing separate payment methods. Throughout the sailing, I saw multi-generational families, friend groups, and travelers with mobility needs all enjoying the ship comfortably. Icon of the Seas isn't trying to be an ultra-luxury cruise. Instead, it succeeds by removing stress from the vacation equation, giving families the freedom to spend a week simply enjoying time together.

Sunset on the final day

• Reserve entertainment (especially The Wizard of Oz, Aqua Action, and hibachi at Izumi) as soon as reservations open in the Royal Caribbean app.

• Traditional balcony cabins are worth considering if spending time watching the ocean is important to you. Infinite Balcony rooms offer more interior space but less outdoor living.

• Windjammer is busiest later in the morning. For a quieter breakfast on embarkation day or disembarkation morning, consider the Main Dining Room instead.

• Water slides are busiest later in the day. Early mornings and port days offer the shortest waits.

• The Deluxe Beverage Package can be a good value if you enjoy specialty coffees, bottled water, mocktails, cocktails, and fresh juices throughout the day—not just alcoholic drinks.

• Don't underestimate the value of the Main Dining Room. The consistency of having the same servers each evening became one of the most memorable parts of our cruise.

• Families visiting Magen's Bay in St. Thomas for sea turtle snorkeling should consider wearing long-sleeved rash guards or full-coverage swimwear. We encountered harmless jellyfish that didn't sting but made our kids understandably cautious.

• Icon is an excellent fit for first-time cruisers, multi-generational families, and anyone who wants a vacation where the logistics largely disappear. While it isn't a luxury product, it is exceptionally well organized, family-friendly, and thoughtfully designed.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our cruises page.