A brief overview of our cruise was disappointing. We waited so long to take this trip and I feel we didn't get the full experience of the last time we cruised. WE are looking at the ICON of the SEA and my boys would LOVE to go on that ship but I would need to read all the FINE print and make sure it is worth it to give it another try.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Getting on the ship was great, we were all excited to start our vacation.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
I last cruised Royal Caribbean 20 years ago and LOVED it! Told my boys about the midnight buffet and how they could eat all day and night and then we got there and they added specialty restaurants (not covered), I bought the deluxe drink package for my boys so they could get shakes that it showed Johnny Rockets had but wasn't on the ship. They had Ben and Jerry's and AGAIN had to pay extra for ice cream. The restaurants all closed at 9pm and there wasn't any place for us to get food except for the Park Lounge and the line was so long waiting for 8 inch pizzas that we all waiting to get our own pizza so we wouldn't have to wait on line again. When I last cruised they had burgers, pizza, french fries etc. the food was never ending! Our dinner reservation each night was at 5:15pm so we all were hungry again at 9 with no where to go. Very disappointed and won't be cruising anytime soon until they change it back.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
There wasn't enough for the teens to do, left them bored most days. They didn't really have anything to draw in the 13-18 group.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
We did enjoy deck 4 where they did games but if it weren't for the DJ and piano player at night there wasn't much for us to do either.
Children's Programs
My kids are teens, ages 13, 15, & 17
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
The staff was awesome from the bar tenders, waiters and waitresses to the housekeeping staff. They were all above and beyond and very helpful with all our needs.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
The ship was clean and for our kids first cruise it was ok, we weren't in New York but they weren't as impressed as I was 20 years ago and I know why! Too much has downsized and it takes away from the reason people take a cruise, everything you need in one place and you are never hungry but I didn't feel that way this time.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
The cabin was small, we had to get 2 rooms for 5 of us and with our suitcases, we were tripping over the suitcases every time we had to come into the room. The bed was comfortable, the air conditioning was mild and some nights I woke up very warm with nothing to do to cool off because my AC was on max.
Labadee was beautiful and we did the Dragon Fly zip line which was GREAT, we loved that but didn't love the market place. The Haitians were very aggressive and cornered my children forcing their goods on them. Thank GOD my credit card got declined or he would have been taken for $75 on choch-key stuff. I would not go back to Haiti even though it was beautiful and breathtaking because their people make it impossible to enjoy walking through the shops. Also, the food ended at 1:30 and the drinks ended at 2pm. We were on the Island until 4pm, again I feel we did not get our monies worth.
Please do some research before going on any vacation and cruises. You say that your last cruise was 20 years ago. Anything that you enjoyed at that time of your life will not be the same 20 years later. I always look at my information station before I go anywhere for any occasion. My information station is YouTube. YouTube has all videos on any and everywhere you want to visit. There videos on everything cruising, cruise ships, port of calls, tips to save you money, all inclusive resorts, etc. You mentioned Icon of the Seas. You can stay up to date with anything about Icon. Whether it’s the different neighborhoods, the new Aqua Dome, the number of Bars, entertainment, etc. YouTube is your source for everything you need to know before you plan your next cruise vacation. I hope you take my advice and give YouTube a try and I hope you have a better cruise in the near future. HAPPY CRUISING!!!
Oh, my! A lot has changed in 20 years. We remember fondly all the things you mentioned. I hope once you read about all the changes, you find cruising worth your time and money. Sorry this cruise didn’t meet your expectations.
Alot has changed in 20 yrs. No one has midnight buffets anymore. Too much waste, I believe. Gratuities are added on all ships. 20 yrs ago, tipping was at your discretion. Definitely research more. And as others have said, go with a big ship. Some activities will cost extra. So, research all you can.
Agree with missnotanlines - the larger ships have a lot more to offer for the kids to do and more options for late night snacks. One item I did not see listed in your review was room service. There is a charge for it but the charge is per delivery so it's not too bad if you have a large order. As for midnight buffets on Royal, they are extinct.
Maybe you should have researched a newer ship there's more bells and whistles for the kids to do on those ships the grander of the sea is an older ship cruising is not like it used to be it definitely has changed
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