We cruised with Icon of the Seas not too long ago, and let’s simply say — it was the perfect cruise of our lives! On this itinerary, we’ll stroll you thru how we spent our days right here — from adrenaline-pumping actions to surprising chill zones, plus the perfect spots to eat, drink, and simply stare on the ocean dramatically prefer it’s a music video.
Right here on Icon of the Seas, you’ll by no means run out of issues to do. I imply it’s the biggest ship on the earth for a cause. And on this article, we’ll share with you our full 7-day itinerary, together with our stops in Mexico, Honduras, and the Bahamas!
DAY 1: ARRIVAL & BOARDING
The Icon of the Seas is at the moment homeported in Miami. So step one, in fact, is making it to the US. We landed at Miami Worldwide Airport within the morning. Then we hopped into an Uber straight to the Port of Miami Terminal A, which is commonly (if not at all times) the terminal utilized by Icon ship. The drive solely took round 20 minutes and value round USD 29, however when Icon of the Seas got here into view, we gasped. It was huge! Undoubtedly greater than any ship we had laid eyes on.
You see it on-line, however nothing prepares you for the actual factor. It’s not only a ship — it’s a floating metropolis with water slides poking out like curler coasters and balconies stacked greater than our future objectives.
Embarkation
- Go to the Baggage Drop-off Space. On the baggage drop-off space, we had been greeted by porters who fortunately helped us load our baggage. Truly, loading wasn’t the one factor they helped us with as a result of we did not print out our baggage tags. However they’d further tags and took care of it. Porters anticipate a tip, so ensure you have smaller payments with you.
- Make your method to the terminal constructing. Upon coming into the terminal constructing, we seen the large ship propellers dangling and spinning within the air. The traces regarded scarily lengthy, however they really moved quick.
- Proceed to the check-in counter. Test-in and boarding processes had been a breeze. The workers regarded for less than three issues: passport, US visa, and SetSail Go, which we acquired after we accomplished the net check-in course of utilizing the app earlier than the journey. And though our stops or so-called ports of name for this cruise embrace Puerto Costa Maya in Mexico, Roatan in Honduras, and Good Day at CocoCay within the Bahamas, we weren’t requested to current a visa for any of those, even when we had been holding a Philippine passport. They solely checked our US visas’ validity and variety of entries.
Aboard Icon of the Seas
- Find your assigned muster station. After boarding, the very first thing we did was discover our muster level, which was the realm to go in case of an emergency. The assigned muster quantity was indicated on the SetSail Go.
- You can begin exploring. As soon as carried out with the method, we had been free to discover the ship, particularly since our cabin room wasn’t prepared but. We boarded sooner than scheduled.
By the way in which, the very first thing we noticed upon boarding was the staircase with a large, rounded, shiny cover referred to as The Pearl. There was a café referred to as Pearl Café, the place new cruisers might seize a fast chew or drink.
On the Royal Promenade, which is the frequent space on Deck 5, we additionally had a chat with the Filipino baristas on the onboard Starbucks! Shout out to Elsa, who hailed from Pampanga! Vins was so delighted to satisfy a fellow Kapampangan!
Settle within the Cabin
We then proceeded to our room! Fortunately, it was prepared. We grabbed our SetSail card on the door and used it to enter. Right here’s our room!
It had been an extended journey. We flew in from Seattle and linked in Las Vegas with an extended layover, so we had been in transit for nearly 24 hours. We desperately wanted a sizzling bathe and sleep. And we did simply that.
Dinner and Night Present
After a quite lengthy nap, we determined to stroll across the numerous neighborhoods a bit and have a giant meal on the Windjammer Café, the ship’s worldwide buffet. I can be discussing the neighborhoods and numerous eating choices later. Then we watched a present on the Royal Theater, that includes headliner Adam Kario, knowledgeable comedy juggler. After a brief stroll on the highest deck, we referred to as it an evening.
DAY 2: SEA DAY – SEVEN NEIGHBORHOODS
It’s solely Day 2, however we had been already deep into cruise mode: no alarms, no duties, and no actual concept what day of the week it was. We gained’t be seeing our first cease in Mexico till Day 3, so we had one full day at sea. So let’s take this time to discover the ship. However critically, whenever you’re on board Icon of the Seas, you don’t even really feel such as you’re on a ship. It’s a floating metropolis with seven neighborhoods, each with its personal set of sights. Critically, how is that this even on a ship?!
Chill Island
Chill Island is the final word solar, sea, and pool combo. There are 4 huge swimming pools on this deck alone, together with Royal Bay Pool, one of many largest swimming pools, if not the biggest at sea. If you wish to take a dip or simply bathe within the solar, this can be a great place!
Location: Deck 15-17, Midship
Central Park
After an excessive amount of solar, we wandered via Central Park (sure, on a ship), full with dwell crops, peaceable benches, and generally, dwell music taking part in within the background. It’s like a zen backyard in the course of a cruise ship.
Location: Deck 8, Midship
Thrill Island
How a couple of dose of adrenaline? We headed to Class 6 Waterpark, the biggest waterpark at sea! Essentially the most exhilarating attraction right here is the Scary Bolt, a drop slide with 10/10 for thrill issue. There’s additionally Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, each much less terrifying however nonetheless heart-racing.
Location: Deck 16-20, Aft
Surfside
Whereas we’re not youngsters and we don’t have youngsters, we couldn’t resist testing Surfside, the family-friendly neighborhood full with a carousel, splash space, arcade, and eating places that really feel like they got here from a Pixar film. It’s cute overload. If we had nieces or nephews with us, they’d by no means wish to depart. However we’re simply right here at no cost hotdogs and free mushy serve ice cream.
Location: Deck 7, Aft
Royal Promenade
Mainly, Royal Promenade is a mall-meets-entertainment district. You’ll discover retailers, pizza by the slice at Sorrento’s, a couple of bars, and even a comedy membership. We window-shopped pre-loved luxurious items, and correctly shopped for memento objects.
Location: Deck 5, Midship
The Hideaway
For a late afternoon chill, we escaped to the Hideaway Pool, an adults-only infinity pool suspended off the again of the ship. The view? Unreal. The vibe? Straight out of a hiphop music video from the naughties. It’s additionally the place you’ll discover the FlowRider, which is a simulated browsing expertise.
Location: Deck 15, Aft
AquaDome
AquaDome was our favourite spot! This futuristic dome on the high entrance of the ship gave us panoramic ocean views, a loungy environment, and one other scenic bar — Overlook Bar — with glass spheres you may truly sit inside. That is additionally the place the AquaTheater exhibits occur — assume excessive dives, acrobatics, and Cirque du Soleil power, all whereas the ship is shifting.
Location: Deck 15, Ahead
With so many issues to do (and so many energy to burn off), we nonetheless one way or the other felt like we barely scratched the floor. There’s a minigolf course, mountaineering, ice skating exhibits, and even Escape Rooms onboard. Will we even must get off in Mexico? Not in case you don’t wish to, however in fact, we did.
DAY 3: PUERTO COSTA MAYA, MEXICO
We woke as much as blue skies above, bluer waters under, and — wait, are these Mayan-style constructions? Yup, from our balcony, we might already see loads. Little question about it — we had arrived in Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico’s playful little port city, the place the environment was very heat in additional methods than one.
However as a substitute of going full Dora the Explorer, we made a strategic (and barely lazy) determination: keep within the port space and save our power for the following two shore excursions. Calm down mode ON right this moment, tour mode TOMORROW.”
Getting off the ship was a breeze, and inside minutes, we had been off the ship and wandering across the very Instagrammable port complicated. And after we say “port complicated,” we don’t imply a boring parking zone. Costa Maya’s port is a mini vacation spot in itself — full with retailers, eating places, an enormous saltwater pool, and even a swim-up bar. There have been a whole lot of solar, a whole lot of sweat, and a whole lot of sweaty dancing within the solar.
We strolled round slowly, popping into memento retailers (sure, we purchased fridge magnets and T-shirts — and sure, we’re that type of vacationers), after which discovered a shady spot by the pool. The entire place had a relaxed, festive power — dwell music, and folks already drunk in margaritas earlier than lunch. Love that for them.
We had been so excited to get off the ship that morning that we skipped breakfast. Truly, we’re not likely breakfast individuals. So it didn’t take lengthy earlier than we heard our stomachs grumble. We ordered a quesadilla and a burrito at one of many informal eating places. We love Mexican meals, however we didn’t like what we had right here very a lot. We should always’ve simply had breakfast on the ship.
By early afternoon, we had been again onboard — no sunburns, no sore ft, only a chilled-out type of day. We took benefit of the empty ship to discover extra of its quieter corners.
DAY 4: ROATÁN, HONDURAS
If Day 3 was about enjoyable, Day 4 stated, “Let’s get wild.” We docked in Roatán, Honduras early within the morning, and from the second we stepped out onto our balcony, we had been greeted by lush inexperienced hills, dense jungle, and that unmistakable “one thing epic is about to occur” power.
And epic it was — we signed up for the Final Excessive Journey Combo, which appears like a online game, however is definitely a full-on jungle thrill expertise that includes 11 ziplines and seven hanging bridges. Sure, ELEVEN ZIPLINES.
After assembly up with our group, we had been shuttled into the Roatán hills the place our journey started. First up: ziplines. The primary one was fairly low and brief, not too thrilling. However they acquired increasingly more insane, sending us hovering above the treetops, gliding previous birds and our previous few rational ideas. Every line acquired sooner and better. The final two had been SUPERMAN-style. As an alternative of simply dangling upright, we had been zipping down parallel to the road. And by the tip of it, we had been feeling SUPER. Like superheroes. Tremendous exhausted, tremendous sticky superheroes with sweaty palms and barely crooked helmets.
Then got here the hanging bridges, which regarded peaceable at first look till we had been midway throughout, dozens of ft above the jungle flooring, clinging to ropes whereas the bridge wobbled prefer it had a private vendetta in opposition to us. Nonetheless, the views had been breathtaking — a full 360-degree panorama of Roatán’s tropical rainforests.
The entire expertise lasted roughly 4 to 5 hours, however the adrenaline rush stayed with us all day. By the point we returned to the port, we had been exhilarated, mildly dehydrated, and VERY prepared for meals. However earlier than that, memento time! And once more, we purchased ref magnets and t-shirts!
On board, nonetheless reeling from the terrible burrito and quesadilla from yesterday, we determined to attempt El Loco Contemporary, Icon’s outside taco bar. We went again to the room, showered, took a nap and went out for dinner and a night stroll.
DAY 5: COZUMEL & CHICHÉN ITZÁ
At this time’s journey? A giant one. We woke as much as this view of Cozumel, Mexico — a sunny, sea-breezy island paradise. However as a substitute of hanging across the seashores or sipping margaritas with cruise people, we went full Indiana Jones and joined a tour to the legendary Chichén Itzá ruins.
First, we alighted the ship, and once more, no Immigration checks right here, both. We then boarded a smaller WinJet ferry to Playa del Carmen on the mainland. Journey time was round 50 minutes. As soon as there, we met our tour group, led by our information Carlos, who welcomed us with a placard. After a 5-10-minute stroll to the terminal, we hopped right into a shuttle van for an hour-and-a-half lengthy (however very snug) experience inland to the ruins.
To maintain issues “fashionable,” this tour was alleged to function an augmented and digital actuality expertise. That sounded tremendous cool on paper — like we had been about to see the traditional metropolis stand up in entrance of us with the assistance of tech magic. In actuality? It was an iPad. Only a common ol’ pill with visuals and information overlays, which, below the scorching Yucatán solar, was mainly a mirror of our personal sweaty faces.
Fortunately, our information Carlos was superb. On the drive there, he walked us via all the key constructions — the Temple of Kukulcán, the Ball Court docket, the observatory, and even the acoustic tips utilized by the Mayans to make the sound of a chook. So by the point we arrived, we already had the context and will give attention to seeing quite than squinting at a smudgy display.
We had been additionally warned by Carlos that there was a 5-dollar payment for cameras apart from a cameraphone, and that microphones, selfie sticks, and tripods weren’t allowed inside. So we determined to depart our GoPro and mic within the van and simply use our telephones to shoot.
As soon as inside Chichén Itzá, it was jaw-dropping. The solar? Brutal. The distributors? Pushy. The pyramid? Completely majestic. We wandered across the web site, pretended we had been in a Nationwide Geographic or Historical past Channel particular, and tried to soak up as a lot as we might earlier than retreating to the van like dehydrated archaeologists.
The return journey was the identical — van to Playa, ferry again to Cozumel (however this time with extra leg cramps), sun-kissed shoulders, and a way of “wow, we truly simply visited one of many New Seven Wonders of the World.”
Was it an extended day? Yup. Was it value it? You guess. The actual magic was standing in entrance of a pyramid that’s been there for over a thousand years.
DAY 6: SEA DAY – ONBOARD DINING SPOTS
Ah, how we missed the bliss of a full day at sea — no ports, no alarms, no rush. We awoke someplace in the course of the Caribbean Sea, with nothing on the agenda besides doing nothing. Properly, nearly. As a result of we deliberate on catching an ice skating present at Absolute Zero, entitled As soon as Upon a Time: The King’s Royal Ball, that includes characters from the most-loved fairy tales like Hansel and Gretel, Humpty Dumpty, Cinderella, and lots of others!
After this, we simply wandered aimlessly. However perhaps, now is a good time for me to speak concerning the numerous eating choices right here on Icon of the Seas!
With over 20 eating venues, you’ll by no means go hungry on board, particularly that eleven of those are complimentary.
Included Eating
No further cost. Sure, complimentary as a result of any meal at these meals spots is already included in your cruise fare. Which means, you gained’t must pay something in case you select to eat at any of those.
- Major Eating Room. Basic, multi-course meals with rotating menus. Fancy-ish however completely complimentary. Location: Deck 3-5, Aft
- Windjammer Café. Royal Caribbean’s iconic worldwide buffet. You’ll in all probability find yourself right here loads. Location: Deck 15, Aft
- AquaDome Market. RCI’s first meals corridor. It’s a brand new idea with 5 totally different stalls, together with crepes, Mediterranean eats, and Asian-inspired bowls. There’s additionally a stall serving solely several types of macaroni and cheese. Location: Deck 15, Ahead
- Surfside Eatery. A child-friendly buffet within the Surfside household neighborhood (assume mac & cheese, nuggets, sizzling canines, and stress-free meals). Location: Deck 7, Aft
- Sorrento’s Pizza. Open late, excellent for post-activity snack assaults. The pizza choice consists of Margherita, pepperoni, cheese, and my favourite, hen BBQ. Location: Deck 5, Midship
- Park Café. Mild bites like sandwiches and salads in Central Park. In addition they have chips and ice cream! Location: Deck 8, Midship
- El Loco Contemporary. 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! Location: Deck 15, Midship
- Basecamp. A brand new informal eatery close to the fun zone (and it’s FREE for some snacks, however prices for specialty bites too). However crowd favorites like most burgers and hotdogs are complimentary. Location: Deck 16, Aft
- Pearl Café. Positioned simply above the grand staircase. They serve snacks like sandwiches and desserts like cookies, tarts, and muffins. Location: Deck 6, Midship
- Vitality Café. Smoothies and wholesome choices close to the spa. Location: Deck 14, Ahead
Specialty Eating
Except for the complimentary meals spots, there are additionally the so-called specialty eating places. Eating right here entails an extra payment. Consider them as your deal with yo’self spots.
For many of those, you’ll be paying a hard and fast worth per individual. Dinner is often costlier than lunch. However you may rating a reduction in case you e book 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 provide that. In our case, the pinnacle waiter on the Major Eating, who was additionally Filipino gave us 50% OFF, if I bear in mind appropriately.
Anyway, listed below are the specialty eating choices:
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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 non-public foodie present at sea. It’s a splurge, however supreme for particular events or in case you 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. Location: Deck 8, Midship
- Empire Supper Membership. A swanky, 8-course wonderful eating expertise with dwell jazz. Suppose Gatsby at sea. Location: Deck 8, Ahead
- Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar. Pizza, pasta, and wine-fueled bliss in a brand new open-air setting. Location: Deck 6, Midship
- 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. Location: Deck 8, Midship
- Pier 7. Informal all-day eating in Surfside, serving breakfast burritos, coconut shrimp, and extra. Location: Deck 7, Aft
- Hooked Seafood. That is the one spot that the crew members consistently really useful to us! New England-style seafood restaurant. Location: Deck 15, Ahead
This one, we tried and we beloved it! Protected to say, we had 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, recent 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 had been coconut cream pie, cherry pie, lemon tart, and decadent chocolate brownie.
Different Specialty Meals Spots
- Celebration Desk. A non-public eating room for particular events — birthday? proposal? post-buffet nap celebration? Location: Deck 15, Ahead
- Playmakers Sports activities Bar & Arcade. Wings, sliders, beer, and game-day power. That is situated close to Surfside. Location: Deck 6, Aft
- Starbucks. Sure, they’ve a Starbucks on board. They even promote its personal memento collectible mugs. Location: Deck 5, Midship
Specialty eating is nice in case you’re celebrating a special day and also you simply wish to get away from the group.
Bars & Lounges
Except for correct eating places, there are additionally bars and lounges on board, together with:
- The Overlook. Futuristic cocktails with panoramic views within the AquaDome. Location: Deck 14, Ahead
- Swim & Tonic. The cruise line’s first swim-up bar! Location: Deck 16, Midship
- The Lime & Coconut. Poolside tropical cocktails. Location: Deck 15-16, Midship
- Rye & Bean. A espresso store that transforms right into a cocktail bar. Location: Deck 15, Ahead
- Bubbles. The brand new champagne bar in Central Park. Location: Deck 8, Midship
- Trellis Bar. Calm down within the backyard with a glass of wine or your favourite cocktail drink. Location: Deck 8, Midship
- The Hideaway Bar. Serving Hideaway Pool company. Location: Deck 15, Aft
- Cantina Fresca. One other bar at Chill Island. Location: Deck 15, Midship
- Basecamp Bar. Serving Thrill Island company. Location: Deck 16, Aft
- 1400. Foyer bar. Location: Deck 5, Midship
- Level & Feather. Location: Deck 5, Midship
- Schooner Bar. Location: Deck 6, Midship
- Boleros. Location: Deck 6, Midship
By the tip of the day, we had been full, floored, and floating into mattress like stuffed sea creatures
DAY 7: PERFECT DAY AT COCOCAY, BAHAMAS
Our closing port of name was Good Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s non-public island within the Bahamas. And let’s simply say, the identify stayed true to its promise. This place is a full-blown island playground, and we had been able to go wild once more.
We pre-booked tickets to the Thrill Waterpark. On the middle of all of it: Daredevil’s Peak, the tallest waterslide in North America. One search for, and our knees began negotiating. However in fact, we did it. We climbed what felt like 100 flooring, then took the slide whereas screaming the entire method down, and lived to inform the story. Sadly, cameras should not allowed at any of those slides.
Do that slide first as a result of the road right here will get longer and longer because the day progresses!
We additionally tackled the Dueling Demons, which had been two exhilarating slides that Vins and I did on the identical time. These slides begin with a nerve-wracking drop, however so, so enjoyable.
Thrill Waterpark additionally had wave swimming pools, racing slides, and tube slides for teams right here at Splash Summit. Once more, we prioritized the preferred slide right here, which was the Slingshot, and it was terrifyingly magnificent. I beloved how our positions flipped and the way excessive we acquired catapulted up this steep a part of the slide earlier than making a grand splash as we hit the pool.
The inexperienced slide referred to as Tailspin was a bit dizzying but additionally a bit underwhelming given how insane Slingshot was. Then we tried the Splash Speedway, the place you can use a mat and race three others swirl to the pool under. We spent hours hopping from one to the following like youngsters on trip (as a result of…we had been youngsters at coronary heart on trip).
But when adrenaline isn’t your factor, don’t fear — CocoCay has a chill aspect too. Actually. It’s referred to as Chill Island, and it’s open to everybody with no need any tickets or reservations. We strolled over after conquering the waterpark and located white sand seashores, calm blue waters, and loads of free loungers the place you are able to do completely nothing and really feel nice about it.
Among the finest issues about CocoCay? Meals are complimentary. No further prices, no difficult eating reservations — simply stroll up, seize your meals, and feast. We hit up Skipper’s Grill for burgers and tacos, adopted by method too many soft-serve cones. As a result of energy don’t depend on non-public islands. That’s the rule. Proper?
We headed again to Icon of the Seas, salty, drained, and grinning like fools. We showered, took a nap to recharge, and after we awoke, began packing up as a result of the workers could be choosing up our baggage later that evening. We left our suitcases exterior our door on our method out to see the present within the Aqua Theater. It was superb! Excessive dives, acrobatics, music, and dramatic lighting — all taking place whereas the ship’s actually shifting. HOW?
Undoubtedly the perfect present on board!
And naturally, it’s our final evening on board, so we shopped for extra souvenirs and different merchandise! We couldn’t consider a greater method to finish this excellent day! Good Day? Confirmed.
DAY 8: END OF CRUISE
Like all good issues, our cruise needed to come to an finish, and Day 8 was formally disembarkation day. We awoke docked again in Miami, blinking away the disbelief {that a} week had flown by that quick. (Critically, how is it already over?!)
Breakfast & Disembarkation
- We had an early breakfast at Windjammer Café, our trustworthy meals haven all cruise lengthy. The buffet was nonetheless in full swing, however the temper? Slightly quieter. Folks had been rolling in with suitcases, sleepy faces, and the common post-cruise unhappiness. Nonetheless, we stuffed our plates one final time — as a result of if we had been saying goodbye to limitless glazed ham, we had been doing it correctly.
- After breakfast, we headed off the ship. We had been pleasantly shocked at how briskly and seamless the entire course of was. There have been no handbook immigration counters and no infinite traces of individuals fumbling for passports. As an alternative, we went via automated gates outfitted with biometric and passport scanners. Only a fast scan, a brief stroll, and increase — we had been formally again on land, questioning how lengthy it could take earlier than we missed the ship’s rocking movement.
Icon of the Seas gave us unforgettable reminiscences — from adrenaline rushes and lazy sea days to historic ruins and epic eats. And whereas it damage a bit to say goodbye, we left with full hearts, full picture galleries, and plans to cruise once more very, very quickly. Bye, Icon…It’s Been Actual.
Off to Orlando!
Whereas most individuals headed straight to the airport after disembarking, we weren’t carried out but. Nope — our trip had a Half 2, and it concerned curler coasters, fort sightings, and method an excessive amount of theme park magic. Subsequent cease: Orlando.
We grabbed an Uber to Brightline’s Miami Central Station, which took about 10 minutes.
The station itself was smooth, fashionable, and actually type of felt like a flowery airport lounge, with espresso retailers, charging stations, and nil chaos. Brightline is aware of make prepare journey really feel bougie.
We boarded the prepare sure for Orlando, settled into our cozy seats (with Wi-Fi, retailers, and loads of legroom!), and watched because the Miami skyline light behind us. The experience was clean and scenic. It’s mainly the chillest method to transition from cruise life to theme park insanity.
Subsequent up: a full-blown Orlando theme park binge. Disney, Common, who is aware of — we’re going all in. As a result of when one trip ends, one other begins.
Updates Log
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