We’ve just lately sailed aboard one other cruise ship. However this time, it’s not simply every other cruise ship. That is the Icon of the Seas. It’s the largest, boldest, and probably most further ship Royal Caribbean has ever constructed. On this article, we’ll share with you the whole expertise, together with the journey necessities, verify in course of, boarding process, shore excursions, and the way a lot this prices.
Welcome to the biggest cruise ship on this planet!
That is Royal Caribbean’s most formidable creation but. It’s not only a floating lodge — it’s a floating metropolis! It’s a resort, amusement park, waterpark, and shopping center, all rolled into one huge, jaw-dropping buoyant tropical paradise!
Understanding the Icon of the Seas
When Royal Caribbean says Icon, they imply it. Formally debuting in early 2024, this mega-ship didn’t simply break information — it smashed them with a piña colada in hand.
That is the world’s largest cruise ship, measuring a jaw-dropping 365 meters lengthy and weighing over 250,000 gross tons. It has seven swimming pools, together with the biggest one at sea and this suspended infinity pool. It additionally hosts the biggest waterpark at sea, with six record-breaking waterslides. We’ll focus on these options deeper later.
However this isn’t nearly dimension. The ship introduces Royal Caribbean’s brand-new Icon Class, which took over seven years of planning and constructing. Building started in 2021 on the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, and the hype machine by no means stopped rolling. In actual fact, when bookings opened, Icon of the Seas reportedly had the one greatest reserving day in Royal Caribbean’s historical past. Individuals have been that prepared.
Presently, this iconic ship sails principally within the Caribbean, often for seven (7) nights. In our case, our stops or ports of name have been Puerto Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, Roatan in Honduras, and Excellent Day at CocoCay within the Bahamas. All sailings depart from Miami. And sure, we needed to fly to Miami to expertise it. So which means, if you wish to expertise it, you’re going to want a US visa, amongst others. The subsequent part offers an inventory of among the issues it’s essential to put together.
Visa & Different Necessities
As of writing and through our journey, the Icon of the Seas’ homeport is Miami, the busiest cruise port on this planet. So, for many nationalities like us Filipinos, the very first thing you must work on is a US visa. There’s simply no different approach round it. We now have a separate step-by-step information on how one can get a US visa right here within the Philippines, which you’ll learn right here: US Visa Utility for Filipinos. However spoiler alert, you’re gonna have to schedule two appointments, one for biometrics assortment and the opposite for the precise interview.
Your US visa have to be multiple-entry or good for a minimum of two entries since you’ll be coming into the US twice. First, once you fly in to make it to Miami, and the opposite when the ship returns.
It’s extremely possible {that a} US visa is the one visa you’re gonna want. In our case, we shall be visiting three different nations: Mexico, Honduras, and the Bahamas.
Each Mexico and Honduras don’t require a visa for those who’re holding a sound US visa. The Bahamas is sort of complicated as a result of I couldn’t get details about whether or not or not an e-Visa is required for cruise-ship passengers. On-line sources say it’s required for Philippine-passport holders, however in response to Royal Caribbean Philippines, there is no such thing as a want for it.
In actuality, in our expertise, we weren’t requested for it at any level of our journey. On the Port of Miami, they solely checked our US visa and made positive it was legitimate. And in different ports of name, there have been no Immigration or visa checks AT ALL. You simply get off the ship and off you go.
Issues to Put together Earlier than the Cruise
Listed here are the opposite belongings you would possibly want to arrange previous to your crusing:
- US visa
- Royal Caribbean app, which shall be very helpful for on-line check-in and on board the ship
- Bank card, which is required when utilizing the app
- USD money, for tipping porters and tour guides, and as backup simply in case you run into issues together with your bank card (which occurs extra typically than you suppose)
- Baggage tags, which ought to be despatched to you by e-mail after reserving. It’s often within the final pages of the e-docs. Print them out, fill them out together with your particulars, and fix them to the deal with of your check-in bag.
Prohibited Objects
Now, let’s speak about prohibited gadgets.
- In fact, firearms, explosives, flammable gadgets, sharp gadgets or instruments, unlawful medicine, and different harmful substances are NOT allowed on board.
- Adapters for plugs and USB chargers are okay, however multi-plug retailers, extension cords, and energy strips are usually not. Samsung Galaxy Notice 7 just isn’t allowed both.
- And for alcohol, every visitor of authorized consuming age could deliver one (1) sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne, however beer, spirits, and different arduous liquor are usually not allowed.
- There are additionally sure restrictions per nation that you have to be conscious of. For instance, for those who’re crusing to Barbados, camouflage clothes and different navy attire are usually not allowed.
On-line Verify In
Earlier than your cruise date, you will need to verify in on-line both by way of the Royal Caribbean web site or the official cell app. Both approach, there shall be three fundamental steps:
- Full your journey info. For this primary step, you’ll scan or add the next: copy of your passport and your latest picture. You’ll additionally want to offer your private information together with your deal with within the Philippines, the deal with of your host or lodge within the US after the cruise, your emergency contact particulars, and bank card particulars.
- Choose an arrival time. In our case, there have been solely two selections: 1:30 PM and a couple of:00 PM. We selected the latter choice to be protected. After this second step, you’ll be introduced with an internet SetSail Go, which incorporates a barcode and all crucial details about your crusing, together with your reservation quantity, deck quantity, stateroom quantity, and your assigned muster quantity, which I’ll clarify in a bit.
- Submit well being declaration type. For the ultimate step, you’re gonna have to attend till the day earlier than the crusing date to finish it. We tried doing it a lot earlier, however it solely grew to become accessible the day earlier than.
Attending to Miami Cruise Port
On the Port of Miami, the Icon of the Seas often, if not all the time, makes use of Cruise Terminal A.
As a result of there are not any direct flights from Manila to Miami, we needed to join in one other US Metropolis. The Miami Airport is positioned roughly 10 miles from the cruise port. And it’s solely doable to take public transportation for those who’re watching your spending.
However it’s going to all the time contain a switch and more than likely a 17- to 20-minute stroll from the final bus cease to the terminal constructing, which may be fairly difficult if in case you have lots of baggage in tow. I’m assuming you’ll as a result of we’re speaking a couple of 7-night cruise right here.
So actually, essentially the most handy approach is by taxi, Lyft, or Uber, particularly for those who’re a gaggle. We opted with Uber, and it value us USD 29 (roughly PHP 1660). However a daily UberX can go as little as USD 23 to as excessive as USD 35.
Verify-in & Boarding Course of
Right here’s the embarkation course of on the day of the cruise:
Upon arrival at Cruise Terminal A, you’ll be dropped off at a chosen space on the precise terminal constructing.
- Search for the bag drop space. You’ll be greeted by porters who will deal with your check-in baggage for you. Ideally, you must have already got the baggage tags connected to your luggage. However for those who failed to take action, don’t fear, the porters often have further copies with them. Notice that porters often ask for ideas, so be sure you have money in small denominations. The standard tip is USD 1-5 per bag. You’ll be able to depart the baggage with the porters, who will then load them later.
- Then, enter the constructing, observe the indicators, and put together for the boarding course of. The queues can get lengthy, however they transfer quick.
- There shall be a safety verify after which a visa verify. As soon as clear, you’ll be requested to place your passport away for now since you received’t be needing it on board. They received’t be conserving your passport.
- Then, make your strategy to board the world’s largest cruise ship. Welcome aboard Icon of the Seas!
After Boarding Should-Dos
- Search for your Muster quantity. Keep in mind the muster quantity I discussed earlier, the one indicated in your SetSail Go? Simply search for that contained in the ship, most likely on Deck 5 or 6. That space is the place you’ll have to go in case of an emergency, so familiarize your self with it.
- In case your room just isn’t but prepared, use this idle time to discover the ship! It’s so huge that seven days received’t be sufficient to expertise all the pieces it has to supply, so use each second it’s important to maximize your keep.
- However whether it is prepared, you’ll discover your SeaPass Card connected to your door. This card will function your identification card and bank card on board. You should use it to pay for issues as a result of it is going to be linked to the bank card you entered utilizing the app. It additionally serves as your room key, so don’t lose it!
Anyway, now that we’re on the subject of rooms…
Lodging On Board
The Icon of the Seas has a staggering 2,805 staterooms — sure, nearly 3000 rooms — unfold throughout 28 completely different cabin sorts!
I received’t be discussing every of the 28 room sorts, however they are often categorised into 4 fundamental classes:
- Inside Cabins. They’ve 535 inside rooms with no pure gentle. I didn’t get to see one, however I’ve stayed in sufficient inside rooms in different cruise ships to know that having no home windows doesn’t trouble me as a result of I used to be all the time out and about anyway. For those who’re on a finances, this can be a nice alternative!
- Ocean-View Cabins. Roughly 276 with window views however no balcony. It is a good center floor between an inside room and a balcony room.
- Balcony Cabins. The ship has about 1,405 that includes both conventional balconies or the modern Infinite Balcony. Conventional balconies have a sliding door you can step out of, after which you’ll be able to lounge outdoors. Infinite balcony is mainly an enormous window — like half of the glass wall — you can shut and open on the press of a button.
- Suites. 179 upscale staterooms throughout 13 classes — together with two-level lofts, panorama suites, and the ultra-luxe Final Household Townhouse designed for as much as eight company. It spans three decks and even features a slide, a private patio, and in-cabin leisure.
Greater than 80% of the staterooms can host three or extra individuals — good for households and barkadas. Particularly the balcony rooms, which may often accommodate as much as 4 (4) company.
We stayed at an ocean-view balcony room!
You may be questioning, why does it have lots of balcony rooms? 1405 rooms, that’s over 70% of all cabins. How is that doable?
That’s as a result of on prime of the normal ocean view balcony rooms and the infinite balcony rooms, a few of these rooms are dealing with not the ocean however the widespread zones or neighborhoods just like the kiddie-themed Surfside and the stress-free Central Park, which has greater than 20,000 actual crops!
Eating Choices
Icon of the Seas isn’t only a cruise ship — it’s a floating meals pageant with over 20 eating venues, and sure, your stretchy pants shall be examined. From fancy fantastic eating to informal grab-and-go bites, there’s one thing for each type of foodie, choosy eater, or midnight snacker.
Right here’s a breakdown of the eating expertise on board:
Included Eating
These complimentary spots are a part of your cruise fare. Which means, you received’t have to pay something for those who select to eat at any of those.
- Foremost Eating Room. Basic, multi-course meals with rotating menus. Fancy-ish however completely complimentary.
- Windjammer Café. Royal Caribbean’s iconic worldwide buffet. You’ll most likely find yourself right here quite a bit.
- AquaDome Market. RCI’s first meals corridor. It’s a brand new idea with 5 completely different stalls, together with crepes, Mediterranean eats, and Asian-inspired bowls. There’s additionally a stall serving solely various kinds of macaroni and cheese.
- Surfside Eatery. A child-friendly buffet within the Surfside household neighborhood (suppose mac & cheese, nuggets, scorching canine, and stress-free meals).
- Sorrento’s Pizza. Open late, good for post-activity snack assaults. The pizza choice consists of Margherita, pepperoni, cheese, and my favourite, rooster BBQ.
- Park Café. Mild bites like sandwiches and salads in Central Park. In addition they have chips and ice cream!
- El Loco Recent. Tacos, quesadillas, and a salsa station — ¡muy bien! This was our go-to after a shore tour as a result of it’s not as crowded because the Windjammer Café. And tacos are simply so satisfying after a day of exploring!
- Basecamp. A brand new informal eatery close to the fun zone (and it’s FREE for some snacks, however fees for specialty bites too). However crowd favorites like most burgers and hotdogs are complimentary.
- Pearl Café. Positioned simply above the grand staircase. They serve snacks like sandwiches and desserts like cookies, tarts, and muffins.
- Vitality Café. Smoothies and wholesome choices close to the spa.
Specialty Eating
Other than the complimentary meals spots, there are additionally the so-called specialty eating places. Eating right here entails a further payment. Consider them as your deal with yo’self spots.
For many of those, you’ll be paying a set value per particular person. Dinner is often dearer than lunch. However you’ll be able to rating a reduction for those who guide earlier than your crusing date or simply method a workers member in the event that they know the place they’ll get specialty eating reductions. Head waiters can often supply that. In our case, the pinnacle waiter on the Foremost Eating, who was additionally Filipino gave us 50% OFF, if I bear in mind accurately.
Anyway, listed below are the specialty eating choices:
-
Chef’s Desk. the ship’s most upscale eating expertise — a multi-course, wine-paired gourmand dinner hosted by the chef in an intimate, elegant setting. With simply round 12 company per evening, it’s like a personal foodie present at sea. It’s a splurge, however superb for particular events or for those who simply wish to eat like royalty.
- Chops Grille. A Royal Caribbean staple for steak and carnivorous cravings. We’ve tried this on Spectrum of the Seas, so we skipped it this time.
- Empire Supper Membership. A swanky, 8-course fantastic eating expertise with dwell jazz. Suppose Gatsby at sea.
- Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar. Pizza, pasta, and wine-fueled bliss in a brand new open-air setting.
- Izumi Hibachi & Sushi. Positioned at Central Park. You are able to do the à la carte sushi bar or order a full hibachi. We’ve loved this on one other ship, too.
- Pier 7. Informal all-day eating in Surfside, serving breakfast burritos, coconut shrimp, and extra.
- Hooked Seafood. That is the one spot that the crew members continually advisable to us! New England-style seafood restaurant.
This one, we tried and we liked it! Protected to say, we have been hooked! For appetizers, I had a bowl of creamy chowder whereas Vins had shrimp cocktails. For mains, Vins opted for surf and turf composed of tender steak and Maine lobster tail grilled to order and served with greens and melted butter.
I had their signature Captain’s Platter, with 4 oz. lobster tail, contemporary fish filet, and 4 medium-sized shrimps, served with heat melted butter and a aspect of lobster mac and cheese. We additionally ordered Drunken mussels, steamed in garlic white wine. For dessert, the choices have been coconut cream pie, cherry pie, lemon tart, and decadent chocolate brownie.
Different Specialty Meals Spots
- Celebration Desk. A personal eating room for particular events — birthday? proposal? post-buffet nap celebration?
- Playmakers Sports activities Bar & Arcade. Wings, sliders, beer, and game-day vitality. That is positioned close to Surfside.
- Starbucks. Sure, they’ve a Starbucks on board. They even promote its personal memento collectible mugs.
Specialty eating is nice for those who’re celebrating an important day and also you simply wish to get away from the gang.
Bars & Lounges
Other than correct eating places, there are additionally bars and lounges on board, together with:
- The Overlook. Futuristic cocktails with panoramic views within the AquaDome.
- Swim & Tonic. The cruise line’s first swim-up bar!
- The Lime & Coconut. Poolside tropical cocktails.
- Rye & Bean. A espresso store that transforms right into a cocktail bar.
- Bubbles. The brand new champagne bar in Central Park.
- Trellis Bar. Chill out within the backyard with a glass of wine or your favourite cocktail drink.
Drink Packages
Okay, since we’re already within the subject of drinks: let’s speak about drink bundle.
At many meals spots, water, iced tea, scorching tea, espresso, and a few juices are freed from cost. However sodas and different extra premium drinks would require an additional payment, until you availed of a drink bundle, which is out there in three sorts:
- Soda Bundle. USD 18 per particular person per day, limitless fountain gentle drinks — dozens of sorts — and also you additionally get a FREE Coca-Cola Memento cup.
- Refreshment Bundle. USD 42 per particular person per day. This offers you the identical Coca-Cola memento cup, limitless fountain sodas, plus premium espresso, tea, freshly squeezed orange juice, and non-alcoholic cocktails.
- Deluxe Bundle. USD 112 per particular person per day. This offers you all the pieces included within the earlier packages I discussed, plus limitless alcoholic cocktails, beers, spirits, wines by the glass, and different contemporary juices.
To be sincere, you’ll be able to completely get by and nonetheless benefit from the cruise with out availing of a drink bundle. However for those who really feel such as you’ll want having quite a lot of choices otherwise you’ll be consuming alcohol quite a bit, this could possibly be value it.
Facilities & Actions
Icon of the Seas just isn’t enjoying round on the subject of facilities. This ship is virtually a floating resort on steroids. Whether or not you’re after thrills, chill time, or simply wish to fake you’re in a luxurious rental with ocean views, this ship’s received all the pieces.
Right here’s a breakdown of the prime facilities you’ll discover on board:
Thrills & Splash Zones
- Thrill Island & Class 6 Waterpark. The most important waterpark at sea with six record-breaking slides, together with the primary open free-fall slide on a cruise ship.
- Crown’s Edge. A hybrid ropes course, impediment problem, and skywalk that ends in a shock drop (for the adrenaline junkies).
- FlowRider. Surf simulator for wiping out in model.
- Misplaced Dunes Mini Golf. A themed mini golf course with beachy vibes.
- Zip Line. Due to course. If they’ve it on different ships, Icon of the Seas positively has it too.
- Sports activities Courtroom & Pickleball. For cruisers who pack their aggressive aspect.
- Rock Climbing Wall
Swimming pools & Chill Spots
- Royal Bay Pool. The most important pool at sea, good for lazy lounging.
- Cove Pool. Infinity-edge pool with panoramic views.
- Cloud 17. An adults-only solar deck and pool space with a chill, upscale vibe.
- Vitality Spa. Full-service spa with massages, facials, thermal suite, and a magnificence salon.
- Health Heart. Loaded with machines, lessons, and ocean views (to distract you out of your cardio struggling).
- Central Park. With 20,000 actual crops. Whenever you’re right here, you received’t even really feel such as you’re at sea. The park can be surrounded by eating places, cafes, and outlets together with a watch store promoting luxurious manufacturers like Omega.
Household & Child Zones
- Surfside Neighborhood. A brand-new space only for households, with splash pads, a carousel, household eating, and kid-friendly actions.
- Journey Ocean. Children’ membership divided by age teams (infants to teenagers), with supervised play and studying.
- Social020. A cool teen hangout with video games, music, and 0 dad and mom allowed.
- The Hideaway. Adults-only infinity pool + DJ + cocktails = your child-free dream zone.
Leisure & Procuring
- AquaDome. A futuristic dome with acrobatic diving reveals, aerial performances, and a large waterfall backdrop.
- Absolute Zero. Ice skating rink by day, ice present venue by evening.
- Royal Theater. Full Broadway-style productions (count on singing, dancing, and all types of leisure).
- Music Corridor & Lounges. Stay bands, karaoke, and DJs for evening owls.
- Procuring Promenade. Designer manufacturers, duty-free items, and souvenirs can be found. They actually have a jewellery retailer and a watch retailer promoting each model new gadgets from Omega, and pre-loved Rolex items. You’ll additionally discover The Assortment, a retailer promoting pre-loved designer luggage principally from Louis Vuitton.
Other than the facilities, there are additionally numerous actions you’ll be able to be part of. Numerous events, get-togethers, raffles, and even sports activities competitions!
Onboard Web Packages
As a result of you’ll be able to’t ghost your group chat from the center of the ocean. On board, you’ll be able to keep linked with VOOM, the onboard Wi-Fi by way of Starlink. It prices USD 168 per particular person, good for one (1) gadget.
For those who’re a celebration of two, as a substitute of availing one gadget per particular person, which can value you a complete of USD 336 for the whole cruise, it is going to be less expensive to guide for one particular person, good for 2 gadgets. This may solely value USD 280, good for the whole seven-night crusing, or solely USD 140 per particular person.
It’s cheaper for those who guide prematurely. Pre-sailing value is often a lot decrease than for those who avail once you’re already on the ship.
Ports of Name
Most of Icon of the Seas sailings are for seven (7) nights or eight (8) days, together with disembarkation day. It often follows this itinerary:
- Day 1: Boarding
- Day 2: Cruising
- Day 3: Port of Name 1
- Day 4: Port of Name 2
- Day 5: Port of Name 3
- Day 6: Cruising
- Day 7: Excellent Day at CocoCay, Bahamas
- Day 8: Disembarkation
The ports of name or stops range, however a crusing often has 4 (4) stops. In our case, they have been:
- Day 1: Boarding
- Day 2: Cruising
- Day 3: Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico
- Day 4: Roatan, Honduras
- Day 5: Cozumel, Mexico
- Day 6: Cruising
- Day 7: Excellent Day at CocoCay (Bahamas)
- Day 8: Disembarkation
DIY vs Shorex
You’ll be able to discover a port of name in two methods. You’ll be able to be part of a Shore Tour (Shorex) or you’ll be able to discover independently or DIY model.
Pulling a DIY-style is less expensive. Some ports of name may be explored by yourself with out drawback. That is what we did with Puerto Costa Maya, as we determined to only keep within the port space and reserve our vitality for our two different stops. Simply be sure you get again on the ship earlier than the cutoff time so that you received’t get left behind. As a result of YES, individuals do get left behind generally.
Shore Excursions (Shorex) is the dearer however safer alternative. These are guided excursions organized by a Royal Caribbean companion operator, and they’ll be sure you return to the boat in time. That is what we did in Roatan, Honduras, the place we joined the Final Zipline Journey tour, and in Cozumel, Mexico, from the place we visited the Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Website and one of many New 7 Wonders of the World. Chichen Itza is much from Cozumel, roughly three (3) hours per approach, so to be on the protected aspect, we opted to hitch a Shorex as a substitute.
Keep in mind! For those who guide a Shorex, your tickets shall be ready for you on the desk in your room in your first day. These tickets point out the assembly spot and time. Don’t neglect to deliver this ticket and present up on time.
In our expertise, none of those ports have immigration or visa checks. You simply get off the ship and discover. And that is very true for CocoCay within the Bahamas.
The Excellent Day at CocoCay is a resort and theme park, privately owned by Royal Caribbean. It has two fundamental areas. For those who go left, you’ll attain Chill Island, the complimentary aspect, with seashores, memento outlets, and meals spots. For those who go proper, you’ll be greeted by Thrill Waterpark, which would require a paid ticket. That is house to Daredevil’s Peak, which has excessive waterslides, together with this, the tallest water slide in North America.
By the way in which, the meals right here at CocoCay can be complimentary and included in your reserving.
Methods to Disembark
- In your final evening, begin packing up your baggage and depart them simply outdoors your door. Crew members shall be choosing them up earlier than 10 PM. You may get them after you disembark the following day. Simply be certain to put aside some toiletries and what you’ll be carrying the following day.
- Make sure that to clear your steadiness. You don’t want to go to the Visitor Companies to settle your account, because the bank card you entered within the app shall be mechanically charged. Though Vins and I often nonetheless verify with Visitor Companies regardless, as our banks can generally block transactions overseas, and we all the time wish to be certain we’d be capable of disembark with none incident.
- On the day of disembarkation, acquire your baggage in your approach out of the terminal. Don’t neglect to assert your baggage within the designated space. Luggage are sorted by deck. You can even hail an Uber or Lyft or a cab to get out of the port.
Methods to E book
Royal Caribbean has a global web site: royalcaribbean.com. However for those who’re based mostly within the Philippines, it’s greatest to guide by way of www.cruising.com.ph, which is managed by Arpain Air, the official and licensed Royal Caribbean representatives right here within the Philippines. They’re legit as a result of we now have cruised with them a number of instances, and on some events, along with companions from Royal Caribbean Worldwide.
However why is it greatest to guide by way of cruising.com.ph? Let me rely the explanations.
Philippine-based buyer help.
First, cruises are extra sophisticated than the standard land journey as a result of there are lots of shifting elements! It’s very complicated, particularly for first timers. However right here’s the factor. Royal Caribbean Worldwide doesn’t have devoted buyer help within the Philippines. For those who guide by way of the worldwide web site, after finalizing your reserving, you’ll be by yourself. For those who make a mistake otherwise you wish to make amendments to your reserving, your solely possibility is to name their US hotline or e-mail them. I’ve tried that earlier than, and it took them some time to get again to me.
For those who guide with Cruising.com.ph, you’ll be able to simply attain them, and also you’ll be speaking to Filipinos who’ve entry to the identical system. They’ll help you and advise you each step of the way in which.
They may inform you precisely what visas are required and what different paperwork it’s essential to put together. Most of the time, worldwide workers members are usually not eager or conversant in the complexities of touring utilizing a Philippine passport. Cruising’s native workforce might help you with the up to date info.
Ease of reserving and aggressive costs.
Second, the costs on the worldwide web site and Cruising are the identical more often than not. I say more often than not as a result of generally, Cruising has promos, and the worldwide web site does too. If you wish to be sure you’re getting the perfect deal, it’s nonetheless greatest to match. However earlier than you do, maintain this in thoughts. The costs displayed on Cruising.com.ph look like greater as a result of for those who break it down, you’ll discover that they already added the automated gratuities within the computation. Within the worldwide web site, this will not be included within the printed charges, and you’ll nonetheless be mechanically charged on board regardless. I personally want settling this upon reserving so I received’t want to fret about it in a while.
These gratuities are shared among the many members of the crew, together with those that work behind the scenes. So we extremely encourage you to all the time settle the gratuities.
You’ll be able to guide on the web site: www.cruising.com.ph or name their landline quantity. For those who name, you could inform them the promo code WORTHIT for five% low cost on the cruise fare. You can even strive coming into this code when reserving on-line. Typically it really works, generally not. So for those who’re after the low cost, simply name them and have it utilized.
Icon of the Seas Charges
As of September 2025, the most cost effective Icon of The Seas crusing by way of cruising.com.ph prices USD 2682, good for two pax, sharing an inside room. That’s USD 1341 or roughly PHP 77,620 per particular person. Its itinerary consists of three ports of name: St. Marteen, St. Thomas, and Excellent Day at Coco Cay within the Bahamas.
However for those who’re wanting on the identical itinerary as we did, with stops in Puerto Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, Roatan in Honduras, and CocoCay within the Bahamas, the most cost effective I discovered was round USD 2755, once more good for two pax sharing an inside room. That’s USD 1377.5 per particular person or roughly PHP 79,730.
Not dangerous contemplating that each one meals onboard are included in addition to entry to many of the ship’s facilities, computerized gratuities or ideas, and also you additionally get to go to three extra nations alongside the way in which. Web connection is excluded.
Full Disclosure: Our cruise was made doable by Arpan Air, so we didn’t pay for our reserving. However these charges are essentially the most inexpensive I discovered for Icon after I did a mock reserving. We additionally booked one other cruise with them on our personal, which we shall be discussing in one other put up.
Updates Log
2025 10 21 – First uploaded
