sail three seas cruise reviews

Sail the Three Seas Marella Cruises Itinerary – REVIEW

View this post on Instagram Left my heart in #Montenegro 💖 The tiny cobbled city of #Kotor might just be my new favourite place! Town squares, winding streets and mountains surrounding the sea makes Kotor the most picture perfect place 😍🚢 #cruising #medcruise #thomson #marella #holiday A post shared by Jess Buck|JourneyswithJessica (@jessica16_x) on Aug 18, 2018 at 12:14am PDT

If you follow me on social media you’ll know that I recently went on my first ever cruise with 12 of my crazy family members to celebrate my mums 50 th and my granddad’s 80 th birthdays this year! I had no idea what to expect from my first cruise but was completely blown away and honestly loved every single minute of it! I am now a total cruise convert and am already looking to book my next one. We weren’t sure which cruise liner to go with when looking at booking our holiday, but some online research and some helpful pointers from family and friends told us that TUI’s Marella Cruises were a safe bet for newbie cruisers. We looked at the fleet of ships on offer with Marella and decided that we loved the look of their Celebration vessel, and their Sail the Three Seas itinerary definitely caught our eye. We were so taken with the itinerary, and the destinations that were on offer, that we booked almost immediately in the travel agents and were so excited to have made our final decision! Here’s what I got up to on board the Marella Celebration’s Sail the Three Seas itinerary during my 7 day cruise in August, and what you can expect from it too…

Day 1: Embarkation at Dubrovnik, Croatia

View this post on Instagram First day of my first ever cruise… #Dubrovnik you have been beautiful! 😍 Wish I had more time to spend in #Croatia, looking forward to our sail away party on board the ship later 🚢 Next stop #Montenegro! 🌍 #holiday #cruise #livingmybestlife A post shared by Jess Buck|JourneyswithJessica (@jessica16_x) on Aug 16, 2018 at 9:57am PDT

On our first day we flew from Manchester to Dubrovnik on the 5am flight out and arrived in the Croatian city just before 9am local time. Our flight onboard the new TUI Dreamliner was as smooth as you like with triple rows, TV screens on every chair and comfortable seating with decent leg room space. After arriving at the airport and going through security, we were taken straight to the coaches where we made the short 40 min journey from the airport to the cruise ship. By the way, as soon as you check your bags on to your flight back at your UK airport, you don’t see your luggage again until you arrive at your cabin onboard the ship which is something I LOVED! After reaching the ship and checking in at reception, we were allowed to access the on-board restaurants and were treated to a fantastic buffet lunch which was sooo needed. Our cases arrived shortly after, at around 1pm, and we then spent a little down time in our cabins before changing and heading out to explore Dubrovnik. By the time we got a taxi into Dubrovnik centre (it was a short distance and only 13EUR per car of 4) we had just a few hours to explore the city so spent time wandering around the tiny streets, admiring the beautiful harbour and gazing up at the city walls. We wanted to walk the walls but didn’t have time as it takes a good couple of hours, and I also wanted to do the cable car at the top of the hill  as the sights are meant to be stunning, but again we ran out of time. I have already earmarked Dubrovnik as somewhere to return to though, and this post has more details of what I would do if I went back and had more time there. We set sail at 10pm that evening so had to be back on board the ship by 9pm (we actually came back at 6 so we could shower and have dinner) but the sail-away that night was incredible and as we left the glowing skyline of Dubrovnik behind I had already fallen in love with the idea of cruising despite having only stepped foot on the ship less than 12 hours ago! Our first night was spent listening to fantastic live music and having a dance out on the Lido deck whilst enjoying one too many all-inclusive cocktails!

Day 2: A day in Kotor, Montenegro

View this post on Instagram Don't mind me, just posing in front of expensive boats like it's the most normal thing in the world 🙋 I'm currently writing up my #travel guide to #Kotor and can't wait to share it with you all! This pretty city is fast becoming the new go-to place for a European break in 2018, and with cute cobbled streets, an ancient old town and a glamorous waterfront like this, it's not hard to see why! 😍 I LOVED my time in #Montenegro when I visited as part of my recent #cruise and am already planning a return trip to explore more of this gorgeous country 🌍 Have you ever been to Kotor before? On this miserable windy day in England, I know where I'd rather be rn ✈️ #TBT #VisitKotor #VisitMontenegro #MarellaCruises #GoMontenegro #Insta_Montenegro #MontenegroWildBeauty #KotorMontenegro #KotorBay #CruiseLife #Europe #TravelGuide #TUI #ThrowbackThursday A post shared by Jess Buck|JourneyswithJessica (@jessica16_x) on Sep 20, 2018 at 2:09pm PDT

Kotor was the city I was most looking forward to visiting out of all the destinations on our itinerary, and mainly because Montenegro has been high up on my bucket-list since forever! I woke up at around 5am to get up on the deck and watch the sail in at 6am and it was hands down one of the most incredible travel experiences I’ve had to date. My parents and I got a great spot right on the top deck and we watched the sun rise over the mountains with the wind in our hair and the sea surrounding us everywhere we looked. As we entered the fjord we were treated to the most incredible views of the Bay of Kotor with a mountainous backdrop and as the sun started to warm our faces I had to stop and just take in the moment, put my phone away and just appreciate how awesome this place truly was – I fell in love with Kotor at that very moment, and all I had to do to experience that was wake up early! After we docked we had breakfast on board the ship before heading into the city and exploring everything that Kotor had to offer. We walked along the glamorous waterfront, which was lined with luxury yachts and other cruise ships, before meandering our way round the cobbled streets and ancient archways. The old town square is super cute and is filled with shops, bars, cafés and restaurants offering traditional Montenegrin cuisine at cheap prices. The city is home to tonnes of churches and we visited lots of these during our time there before climbing the fortress and part of the city walls – again we didn’t get the chance to do this fully as, like with Dubrovnik, it took a few hours to complete and we just didn’t have time. We had an early sail away (4pm) that day, and gliding away from Kotor was just as magical as sailing in to it, with even more incredible views of the picturesque landscape. if you have time to spare in Kotor, here’s what I recommend you do there during your visit. We spent our second evening having dinner in the a la carte restaurant before exploring some of other bars on board, including the Liberties, which hosted live music and entertainment, and the Hemingway bar which was a little more chilled with just the sound of the resident pianist for company.

Day 3: A day in Igoumenitsa, Greece

View this post on Instagram 🐚 On days like today I'd rather be a mermaid and live in the sea 🐚 #TBT #mermaidlife #greece #kefalonia #visitgreece #islandlife A post shared by Jess Buck|JourneyswithJessica (@jessica16_x) on Sep 6, 2018 at 1:47pm PDT

This day was super chilled and mainly consisted of sunbathing, swimming and more sunbathing as the tiny Greek port of Igoumenitsa was literally just a short stop and a chance for some beach action. We docked mid-morning and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and some free time at the Lido deck before hopping on the shuttle buses that were running from the port to the nearby Drepanos beach. The buses were only 7 EUR return for a 20 min bus ride each way (bookable at reception) and the gorgeous stretch of sandy beach and sparkling blue ocean that was waiting for us was welcomed with open arms. Our beach day gave us some time to catch some rays on the golden sand, as well as go swimming in the sea – despite being on a cruise there aren’t many swimming stops on most Med itineraries, unless you go to places where there are beach resorts! The on-site beach café served hot and cold drinks and food, at super cheap prices, plus when you bought an item from the café you got your sunbeds and parasols for free – bargain! We spent a few hours on the beach before catching the shuttle bus back and making our way on board the Celebration again. There really wasn’t anything to do in the town of Igoumenitsa, we just saw a handful of shops and bars but nothing more, and getting the bus back was the best option as we didn’t fancy the long walk in 33 degree heat! Later that afternoon we had some down time on the ship and joined in with the entertainment team’s bingo and trivia before having dinner and then drinks from the Liberty’s bar whilst sitting outside under the stars to end another wonderful night.

Day 4: A day in Argostoli, Greece

View this post on Instagram Keeping the beach theme on the grid this week but swapping Bournemouth for Kefalonia with a lil throwback to the time I explored this gorgeous corner of #Greece whilst on my cruise around the Med back in August ☀️Myrtos Beach is one of the most famous in #Kefalonia and is best known for its lush green terrain and its dazzling blue waters 🌊 This was only my second time visiting a #Greek island and I already can't wait to go back and explore more of this pretty place! 🇬🇷 #VisitGreece #LoveGreece #VisitKefalonia #IgersGreece #IgersKefalonia #MyrtosBeach #Greece_Travel #KefaloniaIsland #Greecestagram #KefaloniaToday #DiscoverGreece #TBT A post shared by Jess Buck|JourneyswithJessica (@jessica16_x) on Oct 18, 2018 at 2:16pm PDT

A short overnight journey saw us sail in to Argostoli at around 7am the following day, and we all had an early start as we needed to disembark the ship before 8am to head out on our pre-booked excursion. Half our group decided to wander round Argostoli itself, checking out the shops and bars and stopping off at the small cove for a swim – they saw turtles which I was sooo jealous of! – but there wasn’t much else to do in Argostoli itself. The other half of our group (myself included) opted for the pre booked excursion to some nearby caves and I was so glad to have taken this trip! Our coach took us to the Drogarati Caves, a natural rock formation which is over 150 million years old! These caves were seriously impressive, spookily dark and incredibly carved. The caves were discovered only 300  years ago, when an earthquake caused part of the rock to fall into itself and create an opening which lead to the caves – imagine the surprise on the local’s faces when they discovered those caves! In the early 1960s the caves were opened to the public as a tourist attraction and the big hall, decorated with stalactites and stalagmites, is even used as a venue for music concerts because of its exceptional base for acoustic sounds! After visiting Drogarati we hopped back on the coach towards our second stop, Melissani Lake. This place was gorgeous and one of the highlights of my entire cruise! After being excavated in 1963, archaeological artefacts including plates, figurines and lamps were found on site, all depicting the God of Pan. Legend has it that a Nymph named Melissanthe fell in love with Pan and then drowned in the Lake when he rejected her. I LOVE Greek mythology so this place was a real treat for me. We descended into the small caves in single file before jumping on a gondola (like the ones in Venice) and were then able to ride around the circular lake, taking in the impressive cave surrounding the lake, as well as the stunning turquoise waters. The lake is made up of a mixture of sea water and sweet water, creating the most amazing blue and green colours which glisten as the sun shines. Our third and final stop was a quick photo shoot at the pretty Myrtos Beach, one of the most popular on the island with spectacular views of the Ionian Sea. Lying at the foot of two mountains, the beach is shaped in a semi-circle and is surrounded by a dramatic rocky landscape topped with lush green terrain. I can imagine this place would be gorgeous to visit at any time of day, but particularly at sunset with incredible views of the horizon! We were at shore for approx. 4-5 hours on this excursion and I really enjoyed it. We spent the rest of the day on board the ship eating and drinking (you can tell this kind of holiday has a routine, doesn’t it ;)) before watching a fantastic theatre show from the entertainment team at the Broadway Lounge later that evening.

Day 5: A day in Messina, Italy

View this post on Instagram My second visit to #Italy this year but my first time in pretty #Sicily 🇮🇹 #marellacruise #messina #shiplife #mountetna #howsyourmonday A post shared by Jess Buck|JourneyswithJessica (@jessica16_x) on Aug 20, 2018 at 8:54am PDT

After a relaxing couple of beach days in Greece, it was time to head over to our fourth country of the trip so far, beautiful Italia. I’ve been to Italy twice but have never ticked Sicily off my list, so I was really excited about stopping off at Messina for the day and couldn’t wait to get off the boat once we had docked! Our sail in was nice and early, and cruising past the ancient monuments and harbour walls that lined Messina Port was a cultural experience to say the least. Once we had docked we headed towards the town centre (approx. 10 min walk) and found the Piazza Duomo (old town square) complete with the stunning Cathedral of Messina and it’s world famous clock tower. We wandered inside the impressive Cathedral and then hopped on a tourist bus for an hour long tour of the highlights of the old town. The bus was small enough to take a small group of 10-12 guests which was nice as I often find tourist buses ridiculously busy! Rather than hopping on and off we just stayed on the bus the whole time and admired the sights, including the Municipal Building, the Teatro Vittorio Emanuele and the Strait of Messina, all from our window. Our bus got back to the Piazza Duomo shortly before 12 noon, just in time for the daily showing of the carousel of the bell tower. Every day at 12 noon, the clock strikes and chimes to the soothing sounds of Ave Maria whilst each of the golden statues adorning the tower (lion, rooster, moon & planetarium) rotate in unison. The bell tower contains the biggest and most complex mechanical and astronomical clock in the world and was first opened to the public in 1933. The daily spectacle lasts 12 minutes and is a real sight to behold, where it remains the city’s main attraction. Unfortunately it starting thundering and lightning during our time in Messina, and started raining heavily during the show, so we missed the end of it as we darted into a nearby café to shelter from the storm, but I was really glad we got to see more than half of it. The main reason for stopping at Messina is to take an excursion to Mount Etna, but we opted not to do this as a) it was super expensive and b) the weather was terrible! Messina isn’t somewhere I would return to as it is super small and we saw pretty much all of it in the few hours we were ashore, but it was nice to see some of Sicily and both the sail in and sail out were pretty special. Later on that afternoon the weather brightened up and we enjoyed some sunbathing on the top deck of the ship and I swam in the pool whilst the rest of my family decided to take part in the afternoon entertainment. During the evening we enjoyed a buffet dinner on the Lido deck and then went to another show in the Broadway theatre lounge, this time to see comedian/musician Paul Daniels who was absolutely brilliant and had us in stitches!

Day 6: A day in Valletta, Malta

View this post on Instagram That feeling when you're in #Malta and you realise that you've just reached your 25th country! 🌍Couldn't think of a better place to spend it 🇲🇹 Have seen some amazing sights since I started travelling (and blogging) and I may not have much money or many assets like a house or a mortgage but I am rich in travel, culture and experiences and that all that matters to me 🚢✈️ Here's to many more countries to come 🌍 2️⃣5️⃣🌍 #travel #25countries #lovemylife A post shared by Jess Buck|JourneyswithJessica (@jessica16_x) on Aug 22, 2018 at 1:58am PDT

The last stop on our cruise was marvellous Malta, my first visit there and another new country to tick off – it just so happened to be my 25 th country so it was a real milestone for me! We docked early in Valletta and had the whole day to explore in 30 degree heat, which to be honest was absolutely EXHAUSTING! We started walking along the Grand Harbour front before taking the Barrakka Lift, a 58m high glass elevator installed in 2012, which connects the Grand Harbour to the pretty Upper Barrakka Gardens. We wandered around the both the Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens, which are home to flowers, fountains, monuments and memorials of famous British governors including Sir Winston Churchill. The gardens are the highest point of the city walls and it’s terrace offers stunning panoramic views over the 2000 year old Grand Harbour below. We then walked along the walls and through the ancient archways to discover other parts of the Gardens before moving on to the Parliament Square (we even saw the Maltese President who was in town during our visit!) We then made our way towards the fabulous Triton Fountain, which is a real landmark, and then headed towards some other nearby gardens and churches. We spent the afternoon heading back towards the city centre and into the new town, which was verrrrry British and was filled with shops, café’s and bars. A stroll past the Courts of Justice, Grandmasters Palace and St John’s Cathedral made for great sight-seeing stops, and we then ended up at Fort Saint Elmo which is an old waterfront fortress now home to the National War Museum. I really enjoyed Valletta and will shortly be putting together a full travel guide to the city – I already want to return to Malta as it was seriously stunning! We couldn’t cope with the Maltese heat and the many kilometres of walking much past 4pm so headed back to the ship late afternoon to unwind and enjoy some pool and ship time before changing into our evening clothes ready for another fun filled night of eating and drinking – and we tried out the casino and some new bars too! This was our last stop off before a full day at sea for our last day and I was sad not to have any more new destinations but definitely ready for a day of relaxation on board!

Day 7: Full day and night at sea

View this post on Instagram Doing the Titanic pose all by myself cos this Rose doesn't need a Jack in her life 😎 I've been home for just 24 hours and I'm already missing being at sea 🌊 Words can't describe the amazing experience I had on my first ever cruise 🚢 I was so nervous before going as I suffer so much with travel sickness (ironic as I'm a travel blogger) but luckily I was absolutely fine and kept well the entire time! It's only now that I'm home I'm suffering with motion sickness despite being back on land! What is THAT all about?! 😩I think it means I need to book another cruise asap, I'm a total convert now and loved waking up in a new place each day, but my favourite thing was spending hours looking out at the blue waters, with nothing but the ocean staring back at me 🐬 Can I go be a mermaid again please? #cruiselife #titanicpose #takemeback #marellacruises A post shared by Jess Buck|JourneyswithJessica (@jessica16_x) on Aug 24, 2018 at 1:19pm PDT

I was a little apprehensive of spending a whole day and a whole night at sea as I thought I would get a) bored and b) travel sick, but I actually got NEITHER and it was sooo nice to spend some time on the ship rather than rushing around on our shore days and trying to cram as much in as possible. There is so much to do on-board a cruise ship, particularly on the Marella fleets, and I’ll do a full ship review of the Celebration in a separate post, promise! It was nice to have our sea day as the last day of our cruise so we could really relax before flying home the next day, and actually a day at sea was the perfect way to end our holiday. We had a leisurely lie in rather than waking up at the crack of dawn to watch the sail in, and spent time enjoying breakfast and some sunbathing before taking part in the entertainment throughout the day. There was a morning trivia quiz, afternoon bingo and evening music with plenty of activities going on throughout the day. I treated my mum and I to a spa day for her birthday and we had a treatment each and used the sauna – I had no idea you could even get a spa on a ship and it was lovely to just have some proper relaxation time together. We also had a professional photo shoot booked in as there were 12 of us and we were celebrating a special occasion. The photographer got some amazing shots of us all and we loved them,  but the shoot and the choosing of the photos took around 2-3hrs in total so we felt we spent most of our last night stressing about this rather than actually enjoying our last evening together. Note to self – don’t do this again! We had our last meal in the a la carte restaurant and the social team did a special thankyou to all the kitchen staff including chefs, porters, waiters and waitresses so it was lovely to give a big round of applause and say thank you to everyone who had looked after us so well all week. After dinner we hung out at some of our favourite bars listening to live music, watching the stars one last time out on the deck and enjoying each other’s company before the sad realisation that tomorrow we would all be going home. I really loved our full day and night at sea and would welcome this with open arms next time I do a cruise, and would encourage people not to feel apprehensive of it at all!

As you can probably tell, I had the most incredible week on board my cruise and loved everything about my holiday, from the ship and it’s fantastic food and entertainment facilities, to the variety of different destinations we docked at each day. The Sail the Three Seas itinerary was perfect for first time cruisers like us as it had destinations to suit everyone, no matter what your travel style. I thought I would get fed up with being in one place for the entire week, but the ship was so busy and had so much to do that I didn’t get bored once, even on our full day at sea which I was really apprehensive about. The Marella Celebration is a big ship, but not nearly as big as other cruise ships we saw docked at each port, and I liked that you could make your way around without feeling lost, and that every staff member knew your name and offered such brilliant, personal service that I think you’d struggle to get on larger ships. Probably the only downside to cruising is that you don’t get to enjoy your evenings in each destination as the sail-away is usually between 4pm and 8pm, so you never really see the ports after dark. When I’m on holiday I love wandering into the town or the city centre during the evening as everything looks so pretty lit up at night, but I guess cruising is just a different type of holiday, and you do get used to it very quickly. I would highly recommend the Marella Celebration and their Sail the Three Seas itinerary to those of you who are looking for a fantastic Mediterranean cruise, and particularly for you first timers out there who may be anxious about setting sail for the first time. Have you been on a cruise before? Let me know as I would love to hear what you thought of it – I’ve totally fallen for them hook, line and sinker and am already planning my next one for 2019!

Love Jess x

View this post on Instagram 🌊 You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore 🌊 #TBT A post shared by Jess Buck|JourneyswithJessica (@jessica16_x) on Aug 30, 2018 at 11:11am PDT

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They Sold Everything to Go on a 3-Year Cruise. How It All Unraveled.

The Life at Sea cruise was supposed to be the ultimate bucket-list experience: 382 port calls worldwide over 1,095 days. The only thing missing was a trip-worthy ship.

By Ceylan Yeginsu

Kara and Joe Youssef sold their two apartments, withdrew their life savings, gave up most of their belongings and, in late October, set out for Istanbul for the trip of a lifetime: a three-year cruise around the world, scheduled to depart Nov. 1.

But in late November, after months of behind-the-scenes chaos, the Youssefs were stuck in Istanbul, with the cruise company canceling the trip. It did not have a ship that could handle the journey.

The Turkish company, Miray Cruises, had announced the cruise, called Life at Sea , in March. It claimed it would be the longest cruise ever — 382 port calls over 1,095 days — and a community at sea, with opportunities to explore the globe. Starlink internet and a business center would allow passengers to work remotely.

The cruise seemed ideal for a post-pandemic era, targeting people longing for an escape. With fares starting at $90,000 for an inside cabin and going up to $975,000 for a suite, the trip even seemed like a bargain to some prospective passengers, cheaper than living three years in many cities.

Within the first month of sales, more than half of the ship’s 400 cabins had been reserved. But putting together a cruise of this magnitude is a monumental task, requiring a ship large enough to carry hundreds of people, docking rights around the world and secure funding.

Like a high-seas version of the Fyre Festival, which promised a luxury music concert in the Bahamas and delivered cold sandwiches and makeshift tents, the cruise imploded. It has left people, like the Youssefs, frustrated and confused. Despite promised refunds, only a small portion of the money has been returned so far.

In an interview in December, Vedat Ugurlu, the owner of Miray, blamed a lack of financing and interest for the cruise’s cancellation.

“We tried everything to find a solution, but at the end of the day we couldn’t get the investors and we couldn’t sell enough cabins,” he said.

That has left Ms. Youssef, 36, a former humanitarian worker from Ohio, and her husband sitting in Istanbul with three suitcases and a carry-on, waiting for a refund of $80,000.

“They kept leading us on, making us hold out hope until the very last minute, just days before we were supposed to depart,” she said. “We sold everything we have to make this dream happen. We feel completely defeated.”

A big dream, but no ship to sail on

In June 2022, as the cruise industry was recovering from its pandemic shutdown, Mikael Petterson, an entrepreneur based in Miami, had an idea for a three-year cruise. Long-term cruises are not unheard-of, but they usually last a year at most, because of the logistics involved.

Mr. Petterson had plans to hit destinations all over the world. What he did not have was a ship. Through a broker, he was introduced to Miray International, which had been offering voyages and cruise-operation services since 1996.

Mr. Ugurlu, the owner of Miray, suggested the MV Gemini. He had acquired the 400-cabin, 1,074-passenger vessel in 2019, and had mainly used it for excursions between Turkey and the Greek islands.

Mr. Petterson couldn’t afford to buy the ship, so instead the two groups joined forces. He would do the marketing while Miray took care of operations.

In November 2022, Mr. Petterson signed a three-month contract to develop their new brand: Life at Sea Cruises. He had not seen the Gemini, but said that he trusted Miray’s nearly 30 years of experience.

Kendra Holmes, then vice president for business development strategy at Miray, said the company had not only the vessel but a budget of about $10 million to refurbish it for such a long cruise. It also had the experience and staff required, she said.

Mr. Petterson visited Turkey in December 2022 and saw the Gemini, but said his focus was on design and creating renderings for marketing. He planned to carry out a technical inspection later, he said.

“The cabin configuration was perfect for the pricings and affordability we were marketing,” he said.

On March 1, 2023, Life at Sea began selling space on the cruise, drawing millions of clicks to a newly created website. “It just blew up, and we could barely keep up,” Mr. Petterson recalled.

Many of the prospective passengers had never been on a cruise. Keri Witman, 56, a marketing executive from Cincinnati, was looking for a change, a new community and adventure.

She liked the ability to travel while continuing to work. “This seemed like the perfect opportunity,” she said.

Ms. Witman was one of the first to book in April. She asked a lawyer to look into the company and, after finding no red flags, placed a $5,000 deposit for her $185,120 cabin and put her house up for sale.

Refueling concerns: Is this the right ship?

When Mr. Petterson returned to the Gemini in April, questions were raised about the ship and its itinerary. Could it even hold enough fuel to sail between some of the more distant ports? In an audio note sent to his team, Robert Dixon, the itinerary planner, said he was denied access to the engine room and was told by an engineer that the vessel could not hold enough fuel to cross the Atlantic Ocean on schedule. He also raised concerns about a planned crossing in the South Pacific.

“Even if you spend another $10 million on that ship, I don’t think it is enough to do what we want to do,” Mr. Dixon said in the recording. He declined to be interviewed.

Beyond that, there were questions about Gemini’s size. If the cruise sold out its 1,074 capacity, would there be enough space for people to lounge or work, as many of them planned to do, for three years?

A pizza shop in Orlando

Amid questions about the Gemini, tensions started to build. Mr. Petterson’s team complained that it could not process credit card transactions and lacked an escrow account to secure deposits, as is common in the United States.

Miray had expected the sales team to collect the full fare upfront, but asking for hundreds of thousands of dollars at once was prohibitive. Mr. Petterson introduced an installment plan, which helped boost sales, but caught Miray unprepared. And there was no account in the United States for the sales team to use as it secured reservations.

The head of Miray, Mr. Ugurlu, owned a pizza parlor in Orlando, Fla., and Mr. Petterson said the company asked him to deposit the initial payments into the shop’s account. According to Ms. Holmes, that was suggested as a temporary solution.

Miray pursued other ways to accept payments, including the use of Square, the online payment platform, but after Miray had a dispute with Square, Mr. Petterson, concerned at the lack of secure ways to hold deposits, asked the company to refund all the clients’ deposits. Worried that the cruise was in jeopardy, passengers canceled reservations for at least 25 cabins.

‘We felt very nervous’

In May, amid the turmoil, the Youssefs attended a webinar for prospective passengers, but heard nothing about payment issues. The couple was assured, even on another ship, that the cruise would depart on Nov. 1. On May 6, they put down a $5,000 deposit and were told that a 25 percent payment was due on June 7.

By then, Mr. Petterson had left the company. The internal corporate squabbling became public on the app and Facebook page created for the cruise. Mr. Petterson told passengers that Life at Sea was dismantled, and that Miray was refusing to answer critical questions. He urged passengers to complain to U.S. maritime authorities.

Ms. Holmes, of Miray, portrays Mr. Petterson as the loser in a power struggle. “It got to the point where somebody can’t be the captain, so they try to sink the whole ship,” she said. She became chief executive of Life at Sea and began working to reassure passengers.

Confusion and panic set in among the passengers, many of whom had already started uprooting their lives. “We felt very nervous, first sitting through one webinar with the team that left, then with Kendra Holmes,” Ms. Youssef recalled.

But in the weeks that followed, Ms. Youssef said she felt more comfortable as Ms. Holmes and her team hosted daily webinars focusing on getting a new ship.

“Kendra was very convincing and dedicated,” Ms. Youssef said, noting that “she was very realistic, whereas Mikael had promised us the sun and the moon.”

In a webinar on May 31, Ms. Holmes said that the company had decided not to set up an escrow account. She said that it would use another method of protecting passenger deposits, a bond filed with the Federal Maritime Commission, a U.S. agency that helps to regulate ocean transportation. But the bond was never filed.

A new ship and the scramble for investors

In early July, Life at Sea announced that “due to unprecedented demand,” it had acquired a larger 627-cabin ship — to be named the MV Lara. In actuality, the company had put down a deposit and was negotiating to buy the Lara with the help of investors, at a cost Mr. Ugurlu later put at between $40 million and $50 million.

At that time, Mary Rader, 68, a retired social worker from Westchester County, N.Y., asked a travel agency to look into Miray Cruises and was told it was reputable. When a couple offered to transfer their cabin to her at a discounted rate, she took the opportunity, withdrawing $80,000 from her retirement savings.

Ms. Rader made two payments, $50,000 and $35,000, but said she never received a receipt and the couple never received a refund. She eventually got a boarding pass, but on the cruise app, she and the couple were listed in the same cabin.

“This is when I started to see all the red flags, but I was trapped because I had already made the payments,” she said.

In September, the Youssefs sold their apartment to keep up with their cruise payments; others started applying for visas, shipping belongings to Istanbul and making arrangements for their pets.

At that point, although only 111 of the ship’s 627 cabins had been sold, passengers who had signed up were assured that the ship would sail, even with as few as two passengers.

On Sept. 26, the day the payment was due to secure the Lara, Ms. Holmes received a call from Miray’s owner, Mr. Ugurlu, saying the lead investor had dropped out, but that he was working on other candidates. After receiving some cancellation requests, Ms. Holmes posted in the cruise app that, according to the contract’s terms, passengers who canceled now would only receive a 10 percent refund.

By Oct. 27, only days before the cruise’s scheduled departure — and with 30 passengers in Istanbul, ready to board — the company announced the trip had been delayed to Nov. 11 and would depart from Amsterdam. Days later, the departure was postponed again, to Nov. 30.

On Nov. 16, Ms. Youssef learned from a newspaper that the Lara had been acquired by another company. “We were frustrated and felt stuck in limbo, with no information to go on but what we discovered on our own,” she said. Ms. Holmes resigned from Miray the same day.

On Nov. 19, Mr. Ugurlu issued a statement saying that investors had pulled out because of the unrest in the Middle East; the next day Miray confirmed that the cruise was canceled.

Waiting for refunds

A day later, passengers were asked to sign an agreement with Miray, which would spread refund repayments over three months, from December to February. The first deadline passed on Dec. 22, with only some passengers getting any money. Miray said that the delay was caused by banks’ requesting extra documentation.

The Youssefs said on Dec. 28 that they had still not received their refund. For the past month they have been living in a hotel in Istanbul paid for by the cruise company.

“We could soon be homeless,” Ms. Youssef said.

Miray, Ms. Holmes and Mr. Petterson are now separately working on other three-year cruises, to launch next year.

Ms. Rader, the retired social worker, is not hopeful. “I have received nothing yet, but I did not expect to,” she said. “My guess is that the company will be shut down or restructured, and anything I put in cash will never get paid out.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2023 .

Ceylan Yeginsu is a travel reporter. She was previously a correspondent for the International desk in Britain and Turkey, covering politics; social justice; the migrant crisis; the Kurdish conflict, and the rise of Islamic State extremism in Syria and the region. More about Ceylan Yeginsu

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July 12, 2023

Navigator of the Seas Review! Is this the best ship sailing out of Los Angeles

West Coast cruises are much more sparse when compared to the thousands of sailings heading off the coast of Florida. That being said the options are increasing with a few ships heading to the west coast from companies like Disney Cruise and now Royal Caribbean.

We took sail on the newly amplified Navigator of the Seas for a 3 day journey down to Ensenada, here is our complete Navigator of the Seas Review.

Amplified Navigator of the Seas

The Navigator of the Seas is one of the latest ships from Royal Caribbean international to have been completely upgraded with the addition of water slides, a new fun deck area, revitalized rooms and so much more.

It has many of the fun aspects of some of the new Royal Caribbean ships like the Harmony and Symphony of the Seas .

Navigator of the Seas Dining

Dining has to be a top part of our Navigator of the Seas review and any cruise for that matter. There are several restaurants that the amplified Navigator of the Seas offers, however if you have not upgraded your dining the options are a bit limited. Let’s go over all the dining options included in your cruise fare.

Windjammer Buffet

The Windjammer Buffet is definitely one of the most popular places to grab food while onboard the Navigator of the seas. There you will find a wide selection of foods from ethnic dishes like Indian cuisine (my favorite) to burgers, pasta, ribs etc.. Breakfast offerings include everything you would expect, oatmeal, eggs, omelets, baked goods, cereal and more.

I have to say I was not a fan of breakfast as much, perhaps the healthy options I was looking for just didn’t satisfy my taste buds.

El Loco Fresh

El Loco Fresh is a great little stop on the pool deck where you can grab some tacos, burritos, nachos and more. The tacos and burritos were delicious, the nachos left a little to be desired…. that cheese sauce was not for me.

Cafe Promenade

Cafe promenade is where you will find pizza, sandwiches, baked goods, fresh fruit and more. It is located on Deck 5 across from Legends sports bar. This is your go to spot for grabbing a late night snack after a fun night onboard the ship

Main Dining Room

The Main Dining Room on the Navigator of the Seas occupies good real estate towards the ship’s back.

Passengers can enjoy a complimentary nightly supper on the three-deck venue, with the option of My Time Dining (where you can walk in and be seated whenever you want between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m.) or traditional dining (where you sit at the same table, with the same wait staff, at 6 or 8:30 p.m. every night). Those who choose My Time Dining must make a reservation.

Starters include beef carpaccio, French onion soup, escargot, and an iceberg wedge salad; main courses include almond-crusted cod, duck a l’orange, vegetable casserole, and the usual chicken breast and steak; and desserts include carrot cake and sugar-free peach shortcake, and creme brulee.

Upgraded Dining Options

We paid to upgrade our dining to the unlimited dining ($89 per person for the 3 night cruise) and were surprised to say it was definitely worth it. The unlimited dining includes dinner and lunch at 5 different specialty restaurants plus dining credit to the Legends Sports Bar and Johnny Rockets.

***Pro Tip*** Book the Unlimited Dining Online to Save Money & Also book reservations online at the upgraded restaurants as they do book up fast

Jamie’s Italian ( $39.99 for adults, $10 for kids )

Jamie’s Italian was our favorite dining experience. It is surprising the least booked and I think that is simply because it is the least expensive, so if you have the unlimited dining plan, people feel like they are not getting as good of a value.

The food at Jamie’s was top knotch from the amazing appetizers, the incredible short rib (a must) and the lemon meringue cheesecake is one of the best desserts I have ever had.

Izumi Sushi (A La Carte Pricing)

Located on deck 15, Izumi Sushi is a must stop if you enjoy sushi. Everything from the miso soup to the sushi rolls were incredible.

Also, don’t pass up on the ramen, it is very, very good. Our kids loved the experience so much they asked to have it for lunch on our day at sea. Unlimited dining plans receive one appetizer two entrees and one dessert per sitting.

Chop’s Grill ( $42.99 for adults, $10 for kids )

Chop’s grill was probably my least favorite of the dining experiences but one of the most booked up locations. It could be that I am not a big steak person, but the food overall was not as exceptional as I expected. You can enjoy several different cuts of steak along with an assortment of different sides.

Hooked Seafood Grill ( $42.99 for adults, $10 for kids )

We were unable to booked Hooked but it looked amazing. Raw oysters and other shellfish specialties are on the menu, as well as fresh fish prepared any way you like it.

Playmakers Bar & Grill (a la carte pricing)

Playmakers bar and grill offer classic bar fare from wings to burgers and delicious desserts. Get the s’mores brownie, it is incredible. The wings are pretty top notch too. The pricing is A La carte but if you have the unlimited dining you get $30 per person per sitting which is way more than you will ever need.

Johnny Rockets

Back on the pool deck is Johnny Rockets Express. Your classic burgers, shakes and fries are available at this location. The shakes are not included in the dining plan here, however you can get a soda if you have the dining plan even without the soda or drinks plan.

Room Service: $7.95

Room service is offered 24 hours a day, and all orders, with the exception of continental breakfast and those placed by passengers sleeping in Grand Suites or higher, the rate is $7.95.

Activities on Board the Navigator of the Seas

There are a ton of activities onboard the Navigator of the Seas. We had a blast exploring the ship. While it is not a mega ship like Harmony of the Seas or any of the Oasis Class ships, Royal Caribbean has done a great job packing in a ton of entertainment on this ship and it is the most modern of the voyager class ship.

Water Slides

There are two water slides onboard the Navigator of the Seas and both are some of the best slides I have been on for a cruise ship.

The Blaster Aqua Coaster

The Blaster Aqua Coaster is a two-person raft that propels riders through more than 800 feet of hills, drops, and straightaways, including extending over the side of the ship for a burst of ocean air. It is the cruise line’s first-ever aqua coaster and the longest waterslide at sea.

***Note*** The Blaster was only open on our day at sea, so make sure to jump on this ride during your day at sea. (2 people are required to ride the blaster)

Riptide allows you to take a headfirst plunge down the industry’s only headfirst mat racer and finish in a thrilling translucent tube with unlimited ocean vistas. This slide can go pretty fast if you want it to.

The pool deck has a very fun vibe to it with bright colors. There are three different Jacuzzis that got pretty filled up because it was a surprisingly cold weekend while onboard the ship. There are also several cabanas which look like they will be extra but are first come first serve. Some have amazing views.

During the day, the Lime & Coconut is a lively area where you can relax, enjoy some great music and have a delicious cocktail.

Mini golf onboard Navigator of the Seas is a ton of fun. Royal Caribbean had a family mini golf competition which we sadly missed but of course we created our own amongst are family which was a ridiculous amount of fun.

The rock climbing wall is located on Deck 14 above the sports deck. There are several different paths from easy to quite difficult. This made it fun as our kids kept trying to improve and try the rock wall again and again to see if they could accomplish the most difficult course.

Sports Court

The Sports Court is where you often found our boys. There are basketball competitions onboard from free throw to three point competitions. 7 day cruises have 3 on 3 tournaments. The court is also setup for soccer and pickle-ball games at times too. Next to the sports court are some ping pong tables to enjoy.

Flow Rider Surf Simulator

Located at the back of the ship is the flow rider. The flowrider surf simulator allows you a chance to test our your boogie boarding or surfing skills. There are certain times for the flow rider and they are designated for if you want to surf or boogie board so check your Royal Caribbean app for times.

Ice Skating

On Deck 3 you can actually Ice Skate onboard the Navigator of the Seas. This small Ice rink is a lot of fun, but times do book up fast so try to book with your app once you get onboard.

Legends Sports Bar

Legends Sports Bar is a great place to hang out. They have table shuffleboard, pool and foosball to play for free, plus they are playing many popular games on their numerous tv’s.

Escape Room & Lazer Tag

Both of these experiences were closed onboard our ship. I think they have not brought everything back fully yet and this is one of the few experiences that was not yet ope but soon will be.

To Dry For! New Blow Dry Bar

On board make sure that you check out the new To Dry For blow dry bar to get glammed up and look amazing the rest of your cruise!

Shows/Entertainment

There were several shows onboard the Navigator of the Seas. The first and 3rd night had an Ice Skating show which is the best show on the ship by far. There was also a comedian, a broadway style production and several of the pubs on the promenade have live music including the Bamboo Room which was a very lively venue.

The casino onboard the cruise ship is fun but they do allow smoking which makes it less fun. They have all the table games from craps, to blackjack to roulette.

There are several other types of games on the ship from Harry Potter Trivia to the most popular event Bingo.

Deluxe Family Suite

We stayed in the deluxe family suite which was the first time we stayed in a suite and it was a ton of fun to have all 8 of us in a room, although sometimes with teenage boys….less fun.

The suites have upgraded linens and bath products and an espresso maker. The deck off the back of the suite was massive. Also, with the suite you have access to FREE In room Dining (regular $7.95) and access to the suite lounge and concierge

Suite Lounge/ Concierge

The suite lounge is located on Deck 15 and was a nice place to stop by in the evening as they have appetizers and free cocktails from 5-7 pm each evening.

The concierge was by far the best part of having a suite. He contacted us before the cruise to help with bookings of restaurants and excursions (we should have taken him up on the excursions as the one we wanted was all booked by the time we got on board)

He also helped us get show and ice skating reservations when things were pretty booked.

Kids Club/Teen Club

The Kids Club was a definite highlight of the trip for Olivia. She loved it! The kids club (aka Adventure Ocean) would have activities the kids could take part in or they could do their own thing and play video games or do arts and crafts.

There were set times each day for the kids club, 9am -12 p.m. 2-5 p.m. and 7 -10 p.m. I actually enjoyed this as otherwise Olivia would just want to be in the kids club the whole time so it was a nice balance.

The teen area is located on the back of the ship in a hidden area and has a pretty cool vibe. Our kiddos did not visit because well there are so many of them they kind of have their own club, but it looked pretty awesome.

Navigator of the Seas Service

I think one of the highlights of my Navigator of the seas review was the service. The service onboard the ship was outstanding.

There weren’t the pushy waiters trying to get you to buy drinks everywhere you went like some other cruises I have been on. The staff from the waiters, to entertainment, to kids club to the pool staff was just there to make sure you had a great time.

Navigator of the Seas Booking Hack!

One of the hacks that we use when booking cruises is actually really simple. Expedia gets exclusive special offers and extras on cruises that smaller travel agencies don’t get plus they have a rewards program that gives you 4% money back for future vacations. You can book your Navigator of the Seas vacation here!

Overall – Navigator of the Seas Review

Overall, the ship was great, normally your amazing cruise ships are sailing Caribbean cruises, but this one is unbelievable. The staff was great and the food was for the most part phenomenal. They pack a ton of activities onboard this ship. I think the only thing lacking was more dining options during the daytime on the pool deck.

There are definitely plenty of activities for the whole family. Whether it was us the parents, or our teens, or even our 8 year there was constant entertainment even though it was a surprisingly cold weekend when we sailed. You can can book or learn more at Royal Caribbeans’s official website

If you enjoyed reading about our Navigator of The Seas Review, you might also enjoy:

SYMPHONY OF THE SEAS REVIEW! WHY THIS IS OUR FAVORITE ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE SHIP!

HOW MUCH DOES A DISNEY CRUISE COST? + MONEY SAVING TIPS

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ROYAL CARIBBEAN VS NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE [ULTIMATE FACE OFF!]

Frequently Asked Questions about the Navigator of the Seas Review

When was navigator of the seas last refurbished.

The Navigator of the Seas underwent a major refurbishment in 2019. During the refurbishment, the ship received a number of upgrades and new features, including new waterslides, a redesigned pool area, and new restaurants and bars.

Is Navigator of the Seas a small ship?

No, the Navigator of the Seas is not considered a small ship. It is a large cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean International, with a length of 311 meters (1,020 feet) and a capacity of up to 3,686 passengers (based on double occupancy).

The ship features a wide variety of amenities, including multiple restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, sports facilities, and more.

Pin for Later: Navigator of the Seas Review! Is this the best ship sailing out of Los Angeles

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Reader Interactions

May 14, 2022 at 9:28 pm

We were on the ship from May 9-13 and had a great time. I wanted to learn more about the cruise director, Mey, but can’t find anything on her. She was a fabulous singer, dancer, and all around host. The Set Sail party and live shows on the Promenade deck were so enjoyable. Please send me info on this fantastic cruise director! Was she a substitute? If so, she is worthy of a full time position!

October 9, 2022 at 1:05 pm

When was the trip the article was based on? We have this trip booked for February 21, 2023 and have found conflicts on what the weather could be like then.

October 11, 2022 at 8:09 am

We sailed in early March. Weather in February is typically cooler than normal.

October 22, 2022 at 10:24 am

We are sailing last week of November this year. Our first cruise. should we do the unlimited dining, the cost seems high for a 7 day cruise. we are used to all inclusive vacations and accustomed to eating when we want. should we purchase excursions before hand or are they offered on the cruise. Very nervous since we are new to all this

October 23, 2022 at 7:21 am

You can just upgrade a few nights of dining to make it more affordable. That would be my recommendation. Book all excursions beforehand as they do sell out. Let me know if you have any other questions.

December 2, 2022 at 2:45 pm

I just want to say thank you for all the Crew and to the captain because I have a good time here in Navigator of the Seas Royal Caribbean and all the crew members are helpful and very good to all of us and I’m going to invite my friends to have an experience also. Food are all good 👍 and the service is super good. See you all next time.thank you again

December 17, 2022 at 11:17 am

We are going out 12/23/22 on the Navigator for 7 nights to Mexico. It will be our 5th cruise on RCCL, after having three postponed/canceled since 2020. Our last was on Navigator in 2019, and looking forward to the changes made to it. I recommend not buying the unlimited Dining package or the Deluxe (alcoholic) drink package. Both are very expensive, even with pre-cruise discounts. You really do have to eat, and drink A LOT to make it worthwhile, and it really isn’t necessary, as the food in the MDR and the Windjammer are very good. If you are new to cruising, just pick one or two of the specialty restaurants – Jaime’s Italian is excellent btw, our sons(then 6 & 11) loved it. I have the experience of staff drastically discounting specialty dining during the cruise & you may get a deal. Pro Tip: Book a suite. That way you’ll get access to the Concierge Lounge, where complimentary adult beverages are served before dinner, along with small plates. Excursions- we are not big on the fondling the Dolphins or petting the tame stingrays, but do book the port/city tour and the beach brake pre-cruise.

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Home » Cruise » Royal Caribbean » Icon of the Seas » We Share Our Day-By-Day Icon of the Seas Cruise Review

We Share Our Day-By-Day Icon of the Seas Cruise Review

We share our detailed day-by-day Icon of the Seas cruise review from the inaugural sailing on this largest cruise ship in the world.

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Ship overview.

Royal Caribbean does it again with Icon of the Seas! Another record-breaking, game-changing vessel from the cruise line has just set sail from Miami. We were lucky enough to sail on a 3-day preview cruise, followed by the first revenue sailing on this brand-new ship. With 10 days onboard, we covered every square inch, testing out all the dining, bars, entertainment, sports deck attractions, and more. And all we can say is WOW!

Admittedly, Icon of the Seas is probably not for everyone but we certainly think that Royal Caribbean has fulfilled its promise of delivering “the first-of-its-kind combination of the best of every vacation”.

NOW LIVE: OUR COMPLETE ICON OF THE SEAS SHIP REVIEW

At 250,800 GT, Icon of the Seas has 20 total decks, 2805 staterooms, 2350 crew, 7 pools, 9 whirlpools, 6 record-breaking waterslides, 8 neighborhoods, and over 40 restaurants, bars, and lounges. At double occupancy, the ship accommodates 5,610 guests. Icon of the Seas is also Royal Caribbean’s most sustainable cruise ship yet.

However, to say that Icon of the Seas is just an evolution of the Oasis Class would be underselling this new class of ships. While there are some similarities, there are also quite a few differences. The decor, layout, and design have all been taken to the next level.

Icon of the Seas boasts completely new neighborhoods like the family-centric Surfside, the adults-only The Hideaway, and the AquaDome; a completely refigured pool deck now referred to as Chill Island; an elevated, first-in-the-fleet 2-story Royal Promenade; the massive Thrill Island for all the adventure seekers; and the enhanced Central Park and Suite Neighborhood.

Chill Island features a pool for every mood including Royal Caribbean’s first swim-up bar at sea, while Thrill Island features the largest waterpark at sea, Category 6, and the new Crown’s Edge attraction. The Hideaway features the first suspend infinity pool at sea, and the AquaDome houses the reimagined AquaTheater.

Further, the list of new dining, bars, and nightlife are endless. Royal Caribbean has really stepped up its game when it comes to casual eats with additions like the AquaDome Market, Basecamp, Pearl Cafe, and Surfside Bites. There’s also new additions to the specialty restaurants including the Empire Supper Club and Pier 7, along with a new Izumi in the Park take-out window.

When it comes to bar, we love the 1400 Lobby Bar which opens the promenade to the outdoors for the first time, the Bubbles walk-up champagne window in Central Park, the Dueling Pianos, the Rye & Bean coffee bar, and The Lemon Post featuring all drinks made with lemonade. There’s also a new Desserted Milkshake bar, Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues, an all-frozen Lime and Coconut bar, and The Grove for suite guests.

Icon of the Seas also introduces the Overlook, a posh relaxation space at the front of Deck 15, along with several new cabin categories like infinite balconies and Surfside family staterooms.

Of course, there’s also new entertainment across four signature stages, including the not-to-be-missed Aqua Action and The Wizard of Oz.

With all that being said, a massive ship calls for our longest cruise review to date. So, dive into our detailed day-by-day Icon of the Seas cruise review below. Let us know in the comments section if you have plans to sail on this new Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Or, if you’ve already sailed too, let us know your opinions of Icon.

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Icon of the Seas Cruise Review – Day 1

Getting back onboard icon of the seas.

Since we were invited by Royal Caribbean on one of the preview sailings prior to this inaugural cruise, we opted to spend the few days in between in Florida as opposed to traveling back home.

Requesting an Uber from our Fort Lauderdale hotel, we arrived at Terminal A in Miami around 10:30 AM. While we did have a much later boarding time, we were allowed to enter the Express Lane (for those who have uploaded all necessary documents ahead of time) and proceed through the check-in and security process.

After making our way upstairs, there was no waiting at all, and we were able to directly board the ship. Now, this is not always the case as boarding doesn’t usually begin until around 11 to 11:30 AM. But we happily boarded as soon as we could.

Entering the Royal Promenade on Deck 5, cruisers are first greeted with The Pearl. This large kinetic structure is certainly the focal point of this newly redesigned two-story neighborhood. It makes for a great photo op too.

However, our first order of business was reservations. While one of our pro cruise tips is to always make dining and entertainment reservations prior to the cruise, we forgot to do so amidst all our other travels. When we did try to book via the Cruise Planner closer to the sail date, everything was already sold out. Thankfully, Royal Caribbean does reserve additional times for those who want to make reservations once onboard the ship.

We proceeded straight to the Box Office upon boarding, which was in the Attic on Deck 6 of the Royal Promenade. We were able to secure reservations for all the entertainment with the exception of the comedy show. These included The Wizard of Oz in the Royal Theater, Aqua Action in the AquaTheater, Starburst: Elemental Beauty in Absolute Zero, and three headliner acts. The headliner entertainers on this Icon of the Seas cruise were Mo5aic, Pete Matthews, and Earl Turner.

Next up was securing some My Time Dining reservations.

On all ships in the fleet, Royal Caribbean offers traditional dining times with an early and late seating and My Time Dining. With My Time Dining, you can dine whenever you’d like during set hours, but you won’t have the same table and waitstaff each evening. We have been opting for this more recently as the early seating is usually too early for us and the late seating is too late.

However, given the size of this new ship, Icon actually offers more than that just two set dinner times (which we didn’t realize ahead of time). The traditional dining times are 5 PM, 6:45 PM, 8 PM, and 8:30 PM which are staggered across the three floors of the MDR.

Nonetheless, we booked a 6:45 PM reservation each evening with the exception of tonight because we had a pre-reserved specialty dinner.

A More Relaxing Embarkation Day

Having already sailed three days on the ship, our traditional embarkation day routine was a little more relaxed. One step ahead of everyone else, we did stroll around collecting some additional photos and videos of venues we missed on the preview cruise.

We eventually made our way to Park Cafe for lunch around 1:30 PM. There are so many dining options on Icon of the Seas, but a Royal kummelweck sandwich is always a go-to for Don. The lunch offerings at Park Cafe are pretty similar to other ships in the fleet with items like sandwiches and a custom salad bar.

After lunch, we began our drink around the ship at The Lemon Post. After all, there are more than 40 ways to dine and drink , so we needed to get started. The Lemon Post is a new bar in the family-centric Surfside neighborhood (think replacement for the Boardwalk). This bar has a menu for the grown-ups along with one for the kids, with all drinks featuring lemonade of course.

Settling into Our Balcony Cabin

Next up, it was time to unpack and get settled in for this special voyage. We had a standard oceanview balcony cabin on Deck 14, 14258. While Icon of the Seas has introduced a new cabin category, the infinite balcony , the ship does still have traditional balconies.

While the rest of the ship has really been elevated when compared to other ships in the fleet, the cabins are not much different. In fact, we were expecting a bit more after sailing in the spacious balcony cabins on Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Prima Class of ships.

The cabin does have many more power outlets, including USB and USB-C. It also has a remodeled bathroom featuring a shower with a glass door. Though, when it comes to space and storage, this balcony cabin felt pretty average.

Time to Sail Away

With all these logistics out of the way, it was time to enjoy the ship and sail away. We headed up to The Hideaway, the adults-only area at the aft of the ship. Here, we ordered some drinks off the signature menu and watched the send off fireworks…even if it was still too light to actually see most of them.

The Hideaway is 18+ and has a beach club vibe. It has a suspended infinity pool, whirlpools, terraced seating options, a DJ, and even in-pool daybeds for rent. This turned out to be one of the busier spots on the ship during our cruise. The only downfall of this area is that it does not have its own dedicated food venue.

Following our sail away from Miami, it was time to change up and get ready for dinner. Tonight, we were dining in Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen with some fellow Royal Caribbean friends at 7 PM. But first, we had to make a pitstop to purchase some great Icon of the Seas-branded Vineyard Vines shirts. How could we pass these up?

On Icon of the Seas, Giovanni’s is found in a new location on the upper deck of the Royal Promenade. With a casual vibe, this venue is more open and has an adjacent wine bar which also serves a small food menu. This is one of our favorite Royal Caribbean specialty restaurants. And with more people, it meant more food to share.

The restaurant was a bit busy, so it took a few minutes to get seated and about two hours to complete our entire dinner.

For appetizers, our table ordered the Meatball Gigante, Italian Stromboli, Calamari & Polenta, and a Margherita Pizza. For entrees, I went with the Chicken Parmigiana, and Don ordered the Osso Buco. We then finished off the night with a cannoli and Go Bananas, along with our complimentary shots of limoncello.

We did enjoy our meal, even if it wasn’t our best Giovanni’s dining experience.

Rounding Out Our First Evening on Icon of the Seas

Tonight was the only evening of the cruise that we did not have a show reservation. Thus, we decided to check out Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues for a drink and some tunes. One thing we love about Icon is that the bar menus have been refreshed and several venues feature specialty drinks.

Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues is a new venue on Icon of the Seas, located in Central Park. It has a similar feel to the Jazz on 4 clubs previously found on Oasis Class ships. Except, this venue is more open to the outdoors allowing guests to enjoy music and drinks inside or outside. If you are looking for a place to escape the crowds, this is a good spot as it was never busy on our sailing.

After about an hour here, it was time to move on. We made our way to the Royal Promenade where we grabbed two espresso martinis from the Schooner Bar while awaiting the Midnight Balloon Drop.

Exhausted at this point, the espresso martinis did nothing to keep us awake. So, as the clock struck twelve and the balloons fell, we made the decision to call it a night. Day 2 of this Icon of the Seas cruise was a sea day , and we had plenty more to do, eat, drink, and experience.

Icon of the Seas Cruise Review – Day 2

A relaxing sea day.

This Icon of the Seas cruise had two initial sea days before making our way to St. Kitts.

Given we had been going non-stop recently, we decided to relax a bit today. While I got ready, Don grabbed us our usual morning coffees from Pearl Cafe.

Heading out to the pool deck around 9:30 AM, we were surprised that it didn’t seem all that busy. While we initially thought the more sectioned off pool deck would create crowds, it was quite the opposite. Spread out over Decks 15-17, there are four pools, several whirlpools, and 4 Lime and Coconut bars.

Deck 15 is what we would consider the main pool deck, with the Cove Pool on the portside and the Royal Bay pool on the starboard side. Both these pool areas still had plenty of available seating when we arrived. But we decided on some of the fun new seating options–a hammock net near El Loco Fresh.

We relaxed here while soaking up the sun until lunch time. If you are looking for shade, the Cove Pool area is your best bet. While the Royal Bay Pool is the largest pool on the ship and features plenty of in-pool loungers and surrounding seat options.

Up on Deck 16 is the Swim & Tonic pool bar and nearby casitas which are available to rent. Then, there’s the Cloud 17 pool on Deck 17. While this pool is the smallest, there’s plenty of upgraded seating, and is the most elevated area of the pool deck. In fact, it was supposed to be the adults-only area until a last minute switch by Royal Caribbean made The Hideaway the 18+ neighborhood.

The Hideaway is the 5th pool on Icon of the Seas, located aft on Deck 15 near Thrill Island. This adults-only space features a suspended infinity pool, plenty of tiered seating, and its own bar with a signature drink menu.

We found The Hideaway and the Swim & Tonic were frequently the busiest.

Time for Some Lunch

During our preview cruise, we tested out some of the upcharge items on the Basecamp menu (located in Thrill Island). These included the shrimp bao buns, waffle chicken nuggets, and cheese curds. These were all quite good, but we really aren’t sure that they are worth the a la carte prices given there are so many other complimentary food choices.

So, today we decided to try some free items. We started with the pretzel bites and a hot dog with tater tots. Personally, Don preferred the dog options from the Boardwalk Doghouse on Oasis Class ships. From here, we moved on to the nearby El Loco Fresh (located in Chill Island).

This Mexican eatery is now on several ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, and the version on Icon of the Seas was pretty standard. The venue features quesadillas, burritos, nachos, build your own tacos, and a custom salsa bar. None of the menu items disappointed, and we still recommend this venue as a great complimentary lunch option.

A Formal Affair on Icon of the Seas

After lunch, we got some steps in walking around this massive ship before grabbing our afternoon coffees and heading back to our cabin for a little work and to eventually get ready for the first formal night of the cruise.

We were actually surprised how many people were dressed for the occasion. A bit atypical from other recent cruises, there were a number of tuxes and gowns darting the promenade this evening. We made sure to stop at one of the portrait studios near The Pearl before heading to dinner this evening.

Tonight was the first day we would be dining in the Main Dining Room. With a My Time Dining reservation, we were quickly checked in and escorted to a table near the back of the restaurant on Deck 3. Our waitress Lyna was attentive and got us in and out of dinner in just about 75 minutes.

Given this was the inaugural cruise, there was a special menu this evening, Dine Like an Icon, which featured many of the options from the typical Taste of France menu.

For appetizers, we had a Caesar salad, cheese plate, and calamari. Don actually thought the calamari was better than the version he had in Giovanni’s last night. For entrees, Don enjoyed a Maine lobster tail and roasted beef tenderloin, while I ordered the chicken cordon bleu.

The lobster tail and beef tenderloin were both well-prepared; though unfortunately, the waitstaff are not allowed to deliver both options to the table at the same time anymore. So, Don had to enjoy his “surf and turf” separately.

We then rounded out the meal with creme brulee and apple cobbler for dessert.

An Evening of Iconic Entertainment

With some time to spare before our reservation for The Wizard of Oz in the main theater, we continued our “drink around the ship” in Spotlight Karaoke. This menu is the same as the Music Hall menu with one exclusive drink, Lavender Haze.

When teen karaoke began in this venue, we exited stage left and slowly made our way to the Royal Theater for our 9:30 PM showing of The Wizard of Oz. This 90-minute production requires reservations and should not be missed during your Icon of the Seas cruise.

This re-telling of the classic movie features all your favorite characters as Dorothy ventures over the rainbow.

Travel along the Yellow Brick road with Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion in their quest for the great and powerful Oz, destroying the Wicked Witch of the West’s beautiful wickedness along the way.

The performers, set pieces, and technical effects were top notch! I enjoyed it so much that we watched it twice.

Following the performance, we popped into the Music Hall to catch a bit of Phoenix’s rock show. This two-story venue is more reminiscent of the one found on Quantum Class ships. With a stage, dance floor, and two bars, this tribute band had the room up on their feet rocking out to the likes of Aerosmith, Journey, Bon Jovi, and more.

While we do enjoy this band, we’ve seen them several times now, so we decided to move on after about a half hour. Our final stop of the evening was the 1400 Bar. This new bar located on Deck 5 of the Royal Promenade features nods to shipbuilding and the cruise line’s history with a specialty drink menu like no other. It’s also the first time the promenade has ever been open to the outdoors.

Be sure to try the Fourteen Hundred with its signature citrus bubble. Yes, this drink as well as most of the other specialty drinks on the ship are all included in the Deluxe Drink Package .

Finishing our “nightcap”, it was time to call it a night. Day 3 of this Icon of the Seas cruise was another sea day.

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Icon of the Seas Cruise Review – Day 3

Experiencing the new surfside neighborhood.

In prep for our visit to St. Kitts tomorrow, we had to turn the clocks one hour ahead last evening. This meant we lost an hour of sleep. Taking our time to get ready, enjoy our morning coffee, and get a little work done, we finally headed off around noon time to enjoy more of this great ship.

First on the agenda was trying brunch at Pier 7. Pier 7 is a new casual, beachside eatery found in the Surfside neighborhood. This specialty restaurant is an up-charge with a menu of a la carte items. The good news for families is that kids eat free off the menu here.

There are two different menus at Pier 7, one for brunch and one for dinner. While most of the starters and desserts are the same, the entree selections do vary. Thus, we would subsequently end up testing out dinner here later in the cruise.

For brunch, we ordered the buttermilk pancake board to split, then the fish tacos and chicken tenders for our meals. The fish tacos were good, but the chicken tender meal was extremely salty. We also don’t think the pancakes were worth the $11 fee. While good, it was reminiscent of something you could get for free on other cruise lines.

Following brunch, we took some time to stroll the new Surfside neighborhood. While this area is specifically designed for families with young children, it’s still worth a visit even if you don’t have kids. Think The Lemon Post bar, Pier 7 specialty restaurant, additional casual dining options, and familiar favorites like the seaside carousel, an arcade, and Sugar Beach with cotton candy.

There’s also the Water’s Edge Pool adjacent to Splashaway Bay so the adults can relax while the kids play.

Dinner and a Show on Icon of the Seas

Afterwards, we also checked out the new laser tag, the Rise of Poseidon, in the Absolute Zero ice rink. This ice rink is the largest at sea, and the laser tag course looked massive as well. This activity is complimentary, but guests must be 5 years old and at least 40 inches to participate. We were surprised at how dead this activity was as it’s usually pretty busy on other ships.

We didn’t have time to try the new course as Don had a few work meetings this afternoon. Instead, we headed back to the room for a few hours, eventually changing up for dinner and another evening around Icon of the Seas. But first, how could we pass up admiring the beautiful sunset from the pool deck.

Dinner tonight was back in the main dining room at 6:45 PM. Tonight was Italian Night. I ordered the arancini, chicken parm, and lemon curd tartlet. Don ordered the mushroom risotto, NY strip steak, and tiramisu. These selections were on par with a typical Royal Caribbean main dining room experience.

Service was quick again this evening, taking just about 75 minutes. Out of dinner around 8 PM, we decided to slowly make our way up to the AquaDome as we had a 9:15 PM reservation for Aqua Action.

I grabbed some seats in the venue while Don ordered us some espresso martinis from the nearby Rye & Bean Bar. A pro tip is that you CAN arrive to the AquaTheater early to get seats as long as you have a reservation. About 45 minutes before showtime, staff will scan your keycard to ensure that you do have a reservation.

A One-of-a-Kind Aqua Show

Unfortunately, this new show is not yet complete. We saw about 30 minutes of the production, and what we did see was amazing. This one-of-a-kind interpretation of a live action movie features revolutionary technology, highly skilled acrobatics, and familiar songs from popular movies like Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean.

The talented cast includes aerial acts, synchronized swimmers, and Olympic level high divers, alongside a 55 foot water curtain, projection mapping, and robotic arms. The show is even billed as having skateboarders as part of the cast. Though, this part was not ready yet. The second show, Pirates vs. Mermaids, won’t be ready for a while either.

Following the show, we met up with some friends at the Point & Feather Pub. This Royal Caribbean staple still features live acoustic guitar music and a wide selection of beers, along with some new cocktails on the menu.

Listening to music and chatting for about an hour and a half, we decided to call it a night around 11:30 PM as we had an early excursion in St. Kitts tomorrow.

Icon of the Seas Cruise Review – Day 4

A morning in scenic st. kitts.

Day 4 of this Icon of the Seas cruise was our first port of call in St. Kitts. Given we hadn’t been to this Caribbean island in quite a while, we booked a shore excursion with the cruise line. The Scenic Rail and Sail tour had a meeting time of 8 AM in the Royal Theater.

We set an alarm for 6 AM, so we could take our time getting ready and have some morning coffee and continental breakfast items from the Pearl Cafe before heading ashore. The Pearl Cafe is certainly an upgrade to the traditional Cafe Promenade found on other ships in the fleet.

This Cafe serves Starbucks brewed coffee which IS included in the Deluxe Beverage Package and the Cafe Select Coffee card . However, the licensed Starbucks location one deck down IS NOT included. The Pearl Cafe also offers an upgraded selection of food items throughout the day, including new grab-and-go options.

Meeting in the theater as scheduled, our group was one of the first numbers called. Heading ashore, it wasn’t long before we were escorted to a catamaran to begin the first portion of the tour. This approximately 90-minute scenic sail was just that. We passed remnants of sugar mills, historic estates, and Brimstone Hill Fortress along the southwest coast with Mount Liamuiga visible in the distance as well.

We then took a short bus ride to the boarding location for the scenic train ride. This portion of the tour was also approximately 90 minutes. These custom rail cars are two-levels, with the top level being open-air. This railway was built over a century ago to carry sugar cane from plantations to factories. Both portions of the tour did include complimentary drinks.

While the shore excursion was indeed “scenic”, I guess we were expecting a bit more. We arrived back to the port around 1:30 PM, where we quickly browsed a few shops on the way back to the ship.

More Firsts on Royal Caribbean

Back onboard, it was time to enjoy some lunch at the new AquaDome Market. This is yet another new complimentary dining spot on Icon of the Seas. Royal Caribbean has definitely stepped up its game when it comes to casual dining options. Though, we have to admit that Carnival’s newer ships still win with options like Guy’s Burgers, Shaq’s Big Chicken, and BlueIguana Cantina.

Still, the AquaDome Market is Royal Caribbean’s first food hall, taking nods from Virgin Voyages’ The Galley or Norwegian Prima/Viva’s Indulge Food Hall. This market features five food stalls including: Creme de la Crepe, GNGR, Toast and Garden, Mac’s, and Feta Mediterranean. These stalls serve up quick service items like crepes, small Asian dishes, sandwiches, and mac ‘n cheese.

We tested out the crepe station on our preview cruise, and it was a hit. Today, Don ordered a gyro from Feta, while I did some chicken teriyaki from GNGR and mac ‘n cheese. All of these selections were great. While everyone raved about the Monte Cristo sandwich from Toast and Garden, we thought this was the weakest of the food stalls.

Now, it was time to burn a few calories. We walked around the ship for a bit and also tested out the new Lost Dunes mini-golf course in Thrill Island. Having our fill of the Caribbean sun, we retreated to our cabin with our afternoon coffees in hand to cool off, relax, and shower up for dinner.

A Return Visit to Pier 7

Tonight, we were meeting a friend at Pier 7 for dinner. After having sampled brunch at this venue, we were hoping for a more favorable meal as we really wanted to like this new specialty restaurant. Luckily, our menu selections delivered. We definitely enjoyed this meal much more than brunch, and the options were more on par with what we would consider worthy of the upcharge.

All menu selections at Pier 7 are a la carte, so the bill can add up quickly though. We started with the chicken lettuce cups. Then, I ordered the Surfer’s Club for my meal, and Don did a Buddha Bowl. For dessert, we split the Caramel Waffles. Our friend ordered the Ahi Tuna and Korean Fried Chicken. The consensus at the table was that everything was great.

Following dinner, we continued our “drink around the ship” at Boleros. Even this Latin-themed bar has a new spruced up cocktail menu and decor. It’s also in a new location on Deck 6 of the Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas.

Another Evening on Icon of the Seas

After spending about an hour here enjoying our drinks and people-watching, we made our way to the theater for the 9:30 PM headliner show, Mo5aic. If you’ve cruised with Royal Caribbean before, you’ve likely seen this act. This a cappella group is unlike any other as all of the sounds heard are produced by the quintet’s voices. There are no instruments, even though it might sound like it. I am a fan of this group so was glad to see them on the entertainment lineup.

Following this show, we darted over to The Attic for Royal Caribbean’s version of the Liar’s Club. This game show is usually a hit, but this one wasn’t as funny as usual. So, we stayed for about a half hour and then decided to call it a night.

Tomorrow was another port of call in St. Thomas.

Icon of the Seas Cruise Review – Day 5

A daring morning on icon of the seas.

Day 5 of this Icon of the Seas cruise was our second port of call in St. Thomas. Given it was a rather short stop and we still had so much to cover on the ship, we made the decision to stay onboard today.

Up around 7:30 AM, Don set off for our morning coffee and breakfast from Pearl Cafe. We had a 9:30 AM reservation for Crown’s Edge. This one-of-a-kind attraction is part ropes course, part zipline, and all thrill ride perched 154 feet above the ocean.

Unlike similar experiences like the plank on some NCL ships or the ropes courses on some Carnival ships, this attraction is an up-charge. For our sailing, it was $39 on a port day and $49 on a sea day. This price does include a short video of the experience for cruisers to share on social media. Still, given the entire experience is only about 90 seconds, we don’t really think it’s worth that up-charge.

On the flipside, it does take a while to gear up with a jumpsuit, helmet, and harness, then watch the safety video. So, if this attraction were free, cruisers would likely get frustrated by the lines or inability to experience it. Thus, maybe a smaller price tag or a reservation system would be a good compromise.

Nonetheless, we can now say that we’ve conquered the Crown’s Edge and have video to prove it.

Next on the agenda was finally testing out the Category 6 waterslides. Of course, I would be capturing the videos of Don riding these slides and NOT partaking myself.

This largest waterpark at sea features 6 record-breaking slides. One tower consists of Frightening Bolt and Storm Chasers. Frightening Bolt is the tallest drop slide at sea. At 46 feet tall and 282 feet long, you’ll propel through a 360’ loop once the floor drops out from beneath you. And Storm Chasers is the first mat-racing duo at sea.

The other tower consists of Pressure Drop, Hurricane Hunter, and Storm Surge. Pressure Drop is the first open free-fall slide at sea with a 66’ incline. Hurricane Hunter is a raft slide with two water curtains, and Storm Surge is the first suspended family raft slide at sea.

Guests need to be at least 48 inches to ride any of these slides and there are weight restrictions as well.

Of all the slides, Don’s favorite was Frightening Bolt.

A More Relaxing Afternoon

With all the thrills out of the way, it was time to head back to our cabin to get some work done. One of the benefits of having a “real” balcony is that we can take our laptops outside to work and enjoy the fresh air, while still keeping our room cool with the air conditioning. Unfortunately, the AC will shut off when the window is open in an infinite balcony cabin.

Taking a break around 2 PM for a late lunch, we headed down to Central Park. Our plan was to test out Izumi in the Park and the bar bites at Trellis Bar. But, contradictory to what the app said, we were told that the bar bites were only available in the evenings. So, Don grabbed some sushi from the Izumi takeout window (a la carte prices), and I got a sandwich from Park Cafe. We couldn’t help trying a bubble cone for dessert too.

Izumi in the Park is a great addition to the quick service dining options.

While here, we FINALLY met Rover!

Now, it was time to continue our “drink around the ship”, checking the Trellis Bar off our list then heading up to the Lime and Coconut on the pool deck. The Lime and Coconut on the starboard side of Deck 15 has some great seating options around the corner (heading towards the AquaDome Market). It was quite windy today, so seating was plentiful.

Grabbing our afternoon coffees, we caught a bit of the parade on the Royal Promenade before heading back to our cabin.

A Low Key Dinner

In lieu of the main dining room, we decided to try more of the casual options around the ship for dinner this evening.

First, we started with some tapas at the Trellis Bar. While the drink menu remains the same at this venue, there are now a la carte food items. We opted for the mac & cheese poppers and the crab cake fritters. Similar to what we’ve been saying about many of the other “bites” around the ship, they were really good, but not sure that we’d pay these prices again.

Next up was a return visit to the Surfside Eatery. We sampled this family buffet during our preview cruise and were not impressed. Since we heard so many people raving about the selections here, including the taquitos and lasagna bites, we wanted to give the venue a second chance.

There are some unique items that kids will likely enjoy, and there is an ice cream bar here. But given the venue is never too busy, we think the food is just sitting under the heat lamps too long. None of our selections were fresh or even that warm.

While it is a nice option for families chilling in this neighborhood, the Windjammer is definitely the better buffet choice for those looking for a casual dinner.

While in the neighborhood, we popped into Sugar Beach. This candy store no longer has an ice cream sundae selection but rather serves cotton candy. With a reasonable price, how could I resist?

More Drinks and Shows

Still with some time before our 9 PM headliner reservation, we headed up to the Overlook. This forward-facing area of the AquaDome is perhaps the most beautiful on the ship. It features 220’ ocean views from floor-to-ceiling windows, plenty of comfy furniture, a bar, and the first of their kind pods at sea.

This bar has the standard drink menu with one signature cocktail, the Overlook Spritz, which was quite tasty.

While the AquaDome is best known for the AquaTheater shows, the rest of this neighborhood should not be overlooked. The Overlook, Rye & Bean bar, and AquaDome Market are great additions to Royal Caribbean.

Around 8:30 PM, we made our way to the Royal Theater for tonight’s headliner show with Pete Matthews. We’ve likely seen this comedian juggler on another Royal Caribbean ship before but couldn’t remember. Now, we’ll remember that he is high energy, but there isn’t a whole lot of juggling worked into the show.

After the show, we grabbed another drink at the 1400 Lobby Bar. We really liked the vibe at this bar and think it’s a great addition to the fleet. From here, we just so happened to catch the Ships Ahoy parade once again.

While we did see the Dueling Pianos during our preview cruise, we had yet to see them this trip. But to no avail, the venue was packed again tonight so we called it a night instead. The Dueling Pianos is a great addition, but it’s the one spot where we really felt the crowds on Icon of the Seas. If you want to see the show, plan to arrive early to get seats.

Icon of the Seas Cruise Review – Day 6

A work day on icon of the seas.

Day 6 of this Icon of the Seas cruise was our last sea day, and Don pretty much had work meetings all day today. The good news was that we also gained an hour of sleep, turning our clocks back one hour to get back onto ET time.

Up around 7 AM, we got ready for the day and grabbed some breakfast in the Windjammer. In fact, this was the first time I had stepped foot in the Windjammer in the 9 total days that we had been on the ship. For someone who hates buffets, Icon offers so many alternatives, both quick service and sit-down, that you really can go the whole cruise without having to eat here.

The selections were pretty typical, and there was an omelet station which is always a pro for me. Also, it was not very crowded at all, and there were plenty of empty tables.

While Don worked his full time job in the cabin, I sat on the balcony organizing and editing our thousands of photos and videos from the trip.

We took a midday break to get some steps in around the pool deck and grab lunch. We headed back to the Surfside neighborhood, this time for Surfside Bites. Surfside Bites is a complimentary takeout window serving items like popcorn chicken, burgers, and churros. These got a thumbs up from us. Our pro tip is to add the churros to a bowl of soft serve from the nearby Sprinkles.

Back to the cabin, Don re-joined work meetings while I wrote some more for our blog. This was our agenda for the rest of the afternoon. Thankfully, it was rather windy and cool so we didn’t feel like we were missing out on too much.

Enjoying More of the Onboard Entertainment and Dining

Around 4 PM, I signed off for the day to check out the second ice show in Absolute Zero. This largest ice arena at sea got a makeover on Icon of the Seas. Now circular, there are better sight lines, and the space just feels more open.

The only odd feature is getting to the venue. You need to walk through a shop and Playmakers on Deck 6 then descend a flight of stairs to enter Absolute Zero.

The signature production here is Starburst: Elemental Beauty which we would be seeing on Day 7. But today, there was a second show which did not require reservations, Once Upon a Time: The King’s Royal Ball.

This family-friendly show featured many of your favorite fairy tale characters. Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter, Little Red Riding Hood, the Big Bad Wolf, Hansel and Gretel, Humpty Dumpty, and more all take the stage is this whimsical skating performance. While a bit cheesy, it was still a good time.

Meeting back up with Don who had finally finished his work day, it was time for our 5:30 PM dinner at Izumi. This specialty restaurant is a Royal Caribbean staple but has been relocated to Central Park on Icon of the Seas. The venue also feels bigger and has more hibachi tables. While we love hibachi, tonight we were meeting a friend for dinner in the sushi part of the restaurant.

Luckily, Izumi does offer more than just sushi. You can also purchase items a la carte or as a prix fixe menu which includes one small plate, two large plates, and a dessert. I ordered the fried rice and yaki udon with grilled chicken. Don ordered the pork dumplings and spicy crispy tuna rolls. This experience lived up to our previous visits and everything was flavorful.

Then More Drinks and Laughs

Following our 2-hour dinner, we strolled around the ship watching some free skate in Absolute Zero and grabbing a drink in Playmakers. Seeing that the standby line for the comedy show wasn’t too long, we decided to hop in. We saw the comedians on the preview cruise, but this was the one show we were unable to secure a reservation for on this cruise.

Luckily, we made it in right before they cut off the line. This cruise featured three comedians, all of which we’ve seen multiple times before. Simeon Kirkiles is a Royal Caribbean fan-favorite. The other two comedians were Paul Ogata and Al Romas; of the two, we definitely find Paul Ogata funnier. It seems like Al Romas hasn’t changed up his set in years.

Exiting the comedy show, we ran into friends at Giovanni’s Wine Bar. Thus, we grabbed a drink here then eventually made our way to the Schooner Bar for another round alongside some live piano music before calling it a night.

Tomorrow was our final day of the cruise and a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

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Icon of the Seas Cruise Review – Day 7

A perfect day in cococay.

Day 7 of this Icon of the Seas cruise was our final port of call in Perfect Day at CocoCay. We had originally purchased tickets to Hideaway Beach, the new adults-only area on the island. However, our friend informed us that he had a Hideout Cabana which we were welcome to join. We were easily able to cancel our tickets at Guest Services a few days prior.

With an arrival of 9 AM, it was a bit of a struggle getting out of bed this morning. Though, we managed to get ready, grab some coffee and breakfast at Park Cafe, and make our way onto the island around 9:15 AM.

We walked around this private space taking photos and videos of the beach, infinity pool, dining spots, and bars before settling in at the cabana.

Coco Beach Club and Hideaway Beach both have very different vibes, and it was a mixed opinion among us which we liked better. Though, when comparing prices, Hideaway Beach appears cheaper than Coco Beach Club.

Enjoying Our Hideout Cabana

Hideaway Beach feels bigger and is definitely more lively…think Oasis Lagoon pool area minus the kids. There are also two food huts, one serving items similar to the Snack Shacks around the island and the other serving pizza and empanadas. We were able to enjoy many of these selections from the privacy of our cabana.

Hideaway Beach also has two different cabana options. The Hideout Cabanas can accommodate 8 guests and have exclusive access to a private infinity pool. The Hideaway Cabanas are the cheaper option. They can still accommodate 8 guests but are located beachside. While they don’t have their own private infinity pool, these guests can still enjoy the area’s larger infinity pool with the nearby DJ.

Personally, we LOVED the Hideout cabana; though, they are pricey. It was also the perfect weather, so we stayed here until almost 3 PM.

Let’s Get It All Done

Making our way back to the ship, we had a few more items to check off our to-do list. Surprisingly, we had not stepped foot in the Swim & Tonic pool all week. So, now was the time. We were already in bathing suits, and it wasn’t busy at all. We enjoyed some signature cocktails in the in-pool loungers before moving on to our next order of business.

In the name of research, we had to test out the new Desserted Milkshake Bar. These milkshakes are pretty pricey and are NOT included in the beverage package or dining package. We tried the Stranded Burro and Oreoasis. While the Stranded Burro is the more crazy, over-the-top option complete with a mini pinata (and the more expensive option), we thought it was rather bland. The Oreoasis won as our favorite…but yet again, probably not worth the $14 upcharge.

With our bar crawl almost finished, we decided to grab a margarita from Cantina Fresca while still outside. After all, it would just help to drown our sorrows before the next task at hand…packing!

Since we had been traveling for two weeks now, we had quite a bit of luggage. While we typically complete self-assist disembarkation, we decided to put some of our luggage out tonight so we had less to carry off the ship tomorrow morning.

This meant packing and showering up for the evening took us right to dinner time.

Our Final Evening on Icon of the Seas

Tonight was our final evening in the MDR. I enjoy this Bon Voyage menu as it features the turkey dinner. I surrounded this entree with a cheese plate to start and the chocolate brownie for dessert. Don ordered the shrimp cocktail, braised lamb, and apple cobbler.

Once again, all the selections live up to our previous MDR expectations. The food was served warm, and the service was quick. We like that the cheese plate is permanently back on the menu as well.

Out of dinner by 8 PM, the last bar on our list was Dueling Pianos. While the musicians weren’t playing yet, we were able to scoot in to at least order a drink. Although, they did not have the ingredients to make the signature cocktail here– the Snap, Crackle, Pop. So, I went with the Metalliquor and Don did the Jack and Diane.

From here, it was on to Absolute Zero to see the 9:15 PM showing of Starburst: Elemental Beauty. With a story line paying tribute to elements of the periodic table, great use of projection mapping and lighting, and talented performers, I really enjoyed the show. Though, Don preferred some of the ice shows on other ships over this one.

To round out a fantastic 10 days on Icon of the Seas, we ended the evening with the late night comedy in the main theater. Too tired to grab a final drink of the cruise, we called it a night when the show ended.

Icon of the Seas Cruise Review – Disembarkation

Time to go home.

Disembarkation day, the saddest day of this Icon of the Seas cruise!

With our luggage tags scheduled to be called at 7:15 AM, we set a 5:30 AM alarm so we could shower, finish packing, and get some breakfast.

Ready and fueled for our day of travel, we exited our cabin around 7:30 AM. With the new smart elevator design, we weren’t sure what to expect. While we hadn’t had any issues all week, disembarkation day is always a test of the elevators. And to our surprise, the first elevator allocated for us indeed had room for us and our carry on bags.

From here, it was down to the promenade to get scanned off the ship, through the terminal to pick up our luggage, and through the CBP facial recognition in no time. Securing an Uber did take a little while, and the chaos at the airport really made us appreciate Royal Caribbean’s smooth disembarkation process.

While some cruise lines haven’t figured it out, Royal Caribbean typically does a great job…even disembarking passengers on the largest cruise ship in the world!

Checking our bags and getting through the TSA pre-check line at the Fort Lauderdale airport took over an hour. Thankfully, it was smooth sailing from there. Our flight took off without any delays and we were back home by mid afternoon.

Now, it’s time to organize and continue sharing everything about our time onboard this Icon of the Seas cruise. We are home for about 3 weeks before we set off on our next series of travels. Coming soon is Carnival Jubilee, Sun Princess, and a Viking Seine River cruise. So, stay tuned!

Did you enjoy our Icon of the Seas cruise review? Do you have plans to sail on this largest cruise ship in the world? Drop us an anchor below to share your thoughts on Royal Caribbean’s newest mega-ship.

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It Was a wonderful report . I Liked all the details . I am looking forward to reading your Viking ship review . I wonder how they will compare .

I always enjoy your reviews as they are very honest and cover everything of importance to your readers. I will be sailing on Icon in May looking forward to this ship, I was one of the first to book this cruise at midnight. I did not want to book the first few months to make sure it was ready. looking forward to this one especially the Suite Neiborhood.

DB & The Princess

Welcome Aboard! We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Are you ready to embark on your journey to “sea the world, one port at a time”?

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Cruise lines scramble to find home port alternatives after Baltimore bridge collapse

Following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, two cruise lines have to find alternate ports where their ships can dock when their current voyages conclude.

What happened

In the early hours of March 26, a cargo ship leaving the port of Baltimore hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing a total collapse, Baltimore City Fire Department chief James Wallace said during a press conference Tuesday morning .

Several people are confirmed to have fallen into the water. Two were rescued, and the search continues for others. Mayor Brandon M. Scott has declared a state of emergency in the city .

Because the debris from the fallen bridge and the search-and-rescue efforts block the path to the docking area, the Port of Baltimore has suspended vessel traffic into and out of the port until further notice. It is not yet known how long it will be closed to cruise ships or how long cleanup and rebuilding are expected to take.

Which ships are affected

Two cruise ships — Carnival Cruise Line 's Carnival Legend and Royal Caribbean 's Vision of the Seas — currently depart from Baltimore, prompting both cruise lines to search for alternative port options.

Carnival Legend is on a seven-night Bahamas voyage that was set to end in Baltimore on March 31. Vision of the Seas is in the early part of a 12-night sailing, also round trip from Baltimore, that's due to finish April 4. Additionally, Carnival Pride is scheduled to move from its current home port of Tampa to begin offering round-trip voyages from Baltimore starting April 15.

American Cruise Lines also has two ships — American Glory and American Constitution — in the area, but they remain largely unaffected, as both vessels are scheduled to home port in Washington, D.C., this year. (The line has other voyages that are set to sail from Baltimore later in the year. It plans to monitor conditions there and make adjustments as necessary.)

What the lines are saying about itinerary changes

Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean will temporarily relocate their Baltimore-based vessels to Norfolk, Virginia, until further notice. In a statement, Carnival said passengers on its current Carnival Legend sailing will be bused, at no cost to them, back to Baltimore after disembarking on March 31. The ship's next sailings will now sail round-trip from Norfolk.

"We will update our future cruise guests on when we will return home to Baltimore, but in the meantime, we appreciate the quick response and support from officials in Norfolk," Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy said.

Additionally, the current Vision of the Seas sailing will conclude in Norfolk instead of Baltimore. In a statement, Royal Caribbean said it will provide passengers on that voyage, scheduled to conclude on April 4, with compensation and free shuttle transportation back to Baltimore. They are also being provided with free Wi-Fi and phone calls on board in order to adjust their travel arrangements.

As for Vision of the Seas' future cruises, the line said the ship will sail its planned April 4 and April 12 itineraries from Norfolk. "Our guests booked to sail with us will receive compensation due to the necessary adjustments made to their vacations. After returning from the April 12 cruise, Vision will head to The Bahamas for its previously scheduled maintenance."

TPG also contacted the Cruise Lines International Association, which serves as an advocate for the cruise industry as a whole. In an emailed statement, CLIA provided port statistics.

"Cruise activity at the port of Baltimore based on 2024 published itineraries includes 12 ships making a total of 115 ship calls during calendar year 2024," CLIA said. "It is the 29th-largest cruise port in the U.S. with 378,000 passenger movements scheduled through the port."

Have more cruise questions? TPG has answers:

• Banned items: What not to pack for a cruise
• Man overboard: Why do people fall off cruise ships?
• What is baked Alaska, and why is it paraded around cruise ships?
• What are the largest cruise ships in the world?
• What is a gentleman host on a cruise?
• What is the Jones Act and how does it affect cruise ships?
• What is a lido deck on a cruise ship?
• What's a cruise cabin guarantee and will it save you money?
• What's the difference between a cruise concierge and a butler?

The 9 best Bahamas cruises for every type of traveler

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Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with the latest information.

The best Bahamas cru ises take you away from the daily grind, transporting you to theme park-like private islands and beach-lined paradises. Cruise choices include new and jazzed-up ships sailing an array of short and weeklong Bahamas itineraries. Cruising to the Bahamas is so easy you may even be able to go without a passport .

Family-friendly lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line, offer cruises focused on the Bahamas all year. So do newcomers Virgin Voyages, with its adults-only sailings, and Margaritaville at Sea, offering short two-night hops and longer cruise-and-stay packages. The winter and early spring seasons bring a handful of itineraries on premium lines like Celebrity Cruises and Holland America.

The only cruise lines that don’t regularly offer Bahamas cruises are the luxury lines. But don’t worry, luxe lovers: Many of the ships we included on our list of the best Bahamas cruises offer suites that come with concierge services, private enclaves or special spa privileges. If a luxury cruise to the Bahamas is your goal, look at the top suite options on a mainstream or premium line.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

Whether you’re looking for a quick and cheap getaway or a week at the beach, here are the best Bahamas cruise itineraries to start your search, in order from shortest to longest.

2-night cruises on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise from Palm Beach, Florida

Though cruising is relatively new to the Margaritaville travel and hospitality franchise, cruise line Margaritaville at Sea is essentially a rebranding of the old Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. Its refurbished ship, Paradise, originally debuted in the 1990s for Costa Cruises.

One Jimmy Buffett-themed makeover later, the ship is a perfect fit for the laid-back vibe of the Bahamas. Grab a drink or a bite to eat from the 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill, try your luck at the Par-A-Dice Casino and enjoy plenty of entertainment, including the musical production, “Tales from Margaritaville: Jimmy’s Ship Show.” There’s a kids club, a teen club, a spa and two pools stocked with beach balls and inflatable parrots.

The two-night cruise itinerary includes one day in Freeport, where you can shop, hit the casino, enjoy water sports or chill on the beach. The ship offers shore excursions, or you can explore independently. Margaritaville at Sea also offers cruise-and-stay itineraries of either four or six nights (including the two nights onboard the ship). These packages let you choose between two partner hotels in Freeport, where you’ll stay two or four nights on land, then hop back on the ship for your return night at sea.

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise carries around 1,300 passengers in an assortment of inside and ocean-view cabins, all around 176 square feet, which is larger than the average for those categories on most mainstream ships. Ten suites with balconies are also available, with 524 square feet of space.

Who should go? Obviously, Parrotheads are gonna want to try this ship, with all its Jimmy Buffett-inspired themes and decor, but it’s also a good trial run for anyone on the fence about cruising. Pricing makes this a great cruise to enjoy an escape without spending a fortune. We found weekday sailings that begin at $99 per person based on double occupancy for an inside cabin.

Related: Best Bahamas cruise tips for first-timers and repeat visitors alike

3- or 4-night cruises on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas from Miami

This itinerary may be the best overall short Bahamas cruise. Both the three- and four-night cruises have stops at Nassau and Royal Caribbean ‘s massive private island — Perfect Day at CocoCay . Those two stops combined give cruisers the opportunity to enjoy water sports, spend some time at the beach and experience a bit of Bahamian culture.

Freedom of the Seas has plenty of onboard fun to occupy travelers of all ages on sea days. It’s loaded with top-deck slides and water features, specialty restaurant choices and more entertainment options than you can take in on a short cruise. Carrying around 4,000 cruise guests, Freedom of the Seas is big enough to impress without being overwhelming.

Plus, logistics for cruising out of Miami are simple enough for even first-time cruisers. From flight choices to pre- or post-cruise hotels, it’s a city that caters to tourists, especially the cruising ones.

Who should go? From first-timers to veteran cruisers, anyone looking for a short but fun-filled hop to the Bahamas should give Freedom of the Seas a look. Families looking for a quick escape will find entertainment and activities for toddlers to teens. The ship is also ideal for family reunions, bachelorette parties and birthday cruises. Couples will love the adults-only Solarium with its extra-large hot tubs looking out over the sea.

Related: Bahamas cruise packing list: What to pack for the islands

3- or 4-night cruises on Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida

When Royal Caribbean’ s giant Utopia of the Seas debuts in July 2024, it will offer a bevy of short sailings, including three- and four-night sailings from Port Canaveral, Florida. The 236,860-ton, 5,669-passenger vessel will be the second-largest cruise ship in the world and offer more exciting amenities than any other cruise ship sailing short itineraries in North America.

Why? The newest, biggest ships in the world typically sail longer cruises. Offering short cruises on its humongous Oasis Class ships is new for Royal Caribbean; sister ship Allure of the Seas will test out the concept before Utopia launches.

Families with kids will definitely go bananas over the choices on board the new ship. The top deck alone will feature three separate pool areas, a surfing simulator, a kiddie splash zone, a basketball court, two rock walls, a miniature golf course and even a zip line.

The ship will also boast an extensive selection of restaurants, bars, lounges and shops. Additionally, there will be an indoor skating rink, a spa and a showroom with Broadway-style shows.

Utopia of the Seas’ inaugural voyage is set for July 22, 2024, and will be a four-night cruise to Nassau and the line’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. The second sailing will be a three-night cruise to the Bahamas that departs on July 26, 2024.

Who should go?  Short sailings on this new ship will appeal to all sorts of cruisers. Historically, new ships are reserved for longer itineraries, so this is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a snack-size sampling of a brand-new ship without spending the money on a longer sailing.

Families craving a quick getaway where the entire brood is satisfied will not be disappointed. In addition to seemingly endless kid-friendly amenities and top-notch children’s programming, Utopia of the Seas will feature a casino and adults-only spaces.

Related: These 2 cruise lines are building new private destinations in the Bahamas

3- or 4-night cruises on Disney Wish from Port Canaveral, Florida

Disney waited a decade to build its next new ship, but Disney dreamers had their wish granted in 2022. Even better, the new Disney Wish cruises to the Bahamas. Designed to be the perfect complement to a visit to Orlando’s Disney theme parks, these short cruises visit Nassau and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. The four-night itinerary adds a sea day to enjoy the ship.

Disney Wish is designed to immerse cruisers in the various Disney worlds through technology. An onboard augmented reality game turns the Disney Cruise Line Navigator smartphone app into a virtual spyglass that lets cruisers participate in a fantasy adventure with Disney and Pixar characters. The AquaMouse waterslide combines a splashy tube ride in a two-seater raft with a pre-adventure tale told through screens at the beginning of the ride. Diners at the Worlds of Marvel restaurant take part in an interactive Avengers-themed experience through videos and special effects.

Wish carries 4,000 passengers in cabins and suites designed to simplify cruising with kids. But never fear, adult Disney fans; you’ll also find your spot on board. From the “Star Wars”-themed Hyperspace Lounge to the Quiet Cove adults-only sun deck, Disney manages to cater to grownups as well as kids.

Who should go ? This is obviously the best Bahamas cruise for lovers of all things Disney, including “Star Wars” and Marvel fans.

Related: Best shore excursions for Bahamas cruises

3- or 4-night cruises on Celebrity Reflection from Fort Lauderdale

Beginning in April 2024, Celebrity Cruises will sail three- and four-night voyages round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, year-round.

The 3,046-passenger Celebrity Reflection will offer a consistent rotation of three-night weekend cruises (departing each Friday and returning each Monday morning) and four-night weekday sailings (departing each Monday and returning each Friday morning).

Itineraries will include stops at Key West in Florida and Nassau and Bimini in the Bahamas.

Celebrity appeals mostly to the 40-plus set sans small children. It’s light on the kid-centric attractions (such as waterslides, go-karts and laser tag) that other big-ship lines include. The line offers instead lots of quiet and relaxing pool and lounge areas. (If you do have kids in tow, you can take advantage of the extensive children’s program, Camp at Sea. It provides supervised activities daily for children ages 3-12 in dedicated spaces.)

Celebrity Reflection is the line’s last and largest Solstice Class cruise ship. The Solstice C lass ships feature some of the most stylish outdoor pool decks at sea, with indoor, adults-only pool areas that, notably, are topped with glass panels embedded with solar panels that contribute to the ship’s power grid. You’ll also find large spas, casinos, showrooms and a nice selection of restaurants on board.

This ship also boasts one of the most spectacular suites in the cruising world — the 1,646-square-foot Reflection Suite. It was the first two-bedroom suite on a Celebrity Cruises vessel.

Who should go? This an ideal cruise for older travelers who are new to cruising and want to sample one or frequent cruisers who might prefer a shorter time at sea. Although Celebrity doesn’t draw many families with young children, the shorter Bahamas itineraries are also perfect for multigenerational family groups seeking an affordable cruise that appeals to all ages.

4-night cruises on Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady from Miami

Virgin Voyages aimed to be a disrupter in the cruise market from the beginning — creating a product designed to please even those who claim they would never set foot on a cruise ship. Yet the itinerary for this four-night Bahamas cruise on Scarlet Lady is fairly ordinary. Ports of call include Key West and a private beach club on the Bahamian island of Bimini.

It’s the ship itself that sets this cruise apart from the pack. You’ll find unique cabins (with balcony hammocks), brash red livery and one-of-a-kind onboard activities, such as tattoo parlors, drag shows and ‘80s-themed fitness classes, to keep its 2,700 sailors (as Virgin calls its passengers) entertained.

Who should go ? This is the best Bahamas cruise for the non-cruiser who is either young at heart or young and eager to party aboard this glitzy ship. If you’re easily offended by loud music, round-the-clock partying or sexual innuendo, this is not your Bahamas cruise.

4-day cruises on Norwegian Jade from Miami

Norwegian Cruise Line offers four-day sailings from Miami aboard Norwegian Jade. Ports of call include Key West and Great Stirrup Cay, the line’s private island.

Port diversions consist of touring the Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum and the Key West Aquarium, shopping along Nassau’s Bay Street and exploring the white-sand beaches and pristine waters on Great Stirrup Cay.

The 2,402-passenger vessel is part of the line’s Jewel class of ships. Though the ship launched in 2006, it received a substantial refurbishment in 2017 that included a cabin remodel, new and expanded dining and a design overhaul.

Norwegian Jewel might not have the extensive top-deck attractions of newer ships, like Norwegian Prima, or as many restaurants and bars. However, passengers will find plenty to occupy their time onboard with scheduled activities, a casino, spa and pool areas.

Who should go? Families, couples and friend groups will appreciate the unstructured nature of a Norwegian cruise. The line’s “freestyle cruising” mantra — cruising without rigid dining schedules, dress codes and formal nights — is perfectly suited for short sailings. With a wide range of eateries and no assigned seating times, passengers have lots of flexibility for their limited time at sea.

Related: Best time to cruise to the Bahamas

5-night cruises on Carnival Sunshine from South Carolina

I am a huge lover of five-night sailings. They are long enough to scratch the cruise itch and short enough to account for travel time to and from the port without adding any extra vacation days. Plus, the slightly longer itineraries are less popular with hard partiers who can be disruptive on shorter Bahamas cruises.

Carnival Cruise Line offers 10 different five-night sailings from Charleston, South Carolina, aboard the 3,002-passenger Carnival Sunshine. It’s currently Carnival’s oldest ship (it debuted in 1996 under the name Carnival Destiny). However, in 2013, the line gave it a $200 million bow-to-stern glow-up and renamed it Carnival Sunshine. The overhaul produced a new top-deck WaterWorks water park, a comedy club and several bars, lounges and restaurants.

Depending on which itinerary you choose, you can chill out on the beaches of Bimini, shop Nassau’s iconic straw market or go horseback riding by the shore of Carnival’s private island, Half Moon Cay. Consider a pre- or post-cruise stay in Charleston to take in the city’s historic landmarks, epic dining and charming cobblestone streets.

Who should go? These cruises are the best Bahamas sailings for those who prefer the intimacy of an older ship and don’t care about flashy amenities and onboard attractions on newer vessels. Plus, they’re ideal for travelers who live north of Florida and are looking for a more convenient drive-to departure port.

8-night cruises on Carnival Venezia from New York City

The 4,090-passenger Carnival Venezia is a bit of an outlier in Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet. Originally built for Italy-based Costa Cruises and launched in 2019, it joined the Carnival family in May 2023. (Carnival Corporation is the parent company of both Costa and Carnival.)

The ship was renovated to add many of Carnival’s signature venues. However, many of its Costa-aligned, Italian-themed designs remain, including a real gondola “sailing” down the middle of its main dining room and a pool deck built to look like a Venetian boulevard.

Guests might feel like they’ve been whisked away to Italy thanks to regional touches like the handmade Italian gelato at JavaBlue Cafe and the Italian liqueur-infused concoctions found at many bars.

Two eight-night voyages out of New York City include stops at Freeport, Nassau and Half Moon Cay.

Who should go? This Bahamas cruise is ideal for anyone looking for a different Carnival experience during a weeklong cruise. It’s almost like traveling to Italy and the Bahamas in one trip.

Bottom line

The best Bahamas cruises offer something cruisers can’t quite get enough of — whether it’s beach time or party time. While short sailings are still the most popular Bahamas itineraries, you can find options for almost every cruising style. The key is identifying the cruise that fits your style, preferred activities and vacation budget.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

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I sailed on Royal Caribbean's 2 largest cruise ships. They were shockingly similar for the $1,000 difference

• Royal Caribbean operates many of the cruise industry's biggest ships.
• Icon of the Seas  launched in January, dethroning its predecessor, Wonder of the Seas, as the world's largest.
• Here's how the two mega-ships compare in size, neighborhoods, amenities, dining, cabins, and costs.

Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's new mega-cruise ship darling, was deemed a success before it was even built.

In January, the highly anticipated vessel — complete with more than 40 bars and restaurants, a six-slide waterpark, and a waterfall — set sail, dethroning its less than two-year-old precursor, the Wonder of the Seas , as the world's largest cruise ship.

Before its debut, Michael Bayley, the president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, had already repeatedly called Icon its "best-selling product" yet. The company experienced its largest booking day ever when reservations opened for Icon of the Seas more than a year before its launch, it said

Despite all of this fanfare, you might be surprised by how similar it is to its predecessor.

I've sailed on both ships. Let's see how Icon and Wonder compare in six categories: size, neighborhoods, amenities, dining, cabins, and costs.

Both ships stunt the size of their competitors.

Wonder of the Seas debuted in 2022 as the then-world's largest cruise liner, measuring 235,600 gross-tons, 1,188 feet-long, and 18 decks-tall. The ship can accommodate up to 9,288 people, including 2,204 crew.

Icon of the Seas is, comparatively, 13,063 gross-tons heavier, eight feet longer, and two decks taller. It can sail up to 9,950 people, including 2,350 crew, although it's 52 feet less wide than its predecessor.

Both vessels feel more like amusement parks than traditional cruise ships.

Royal Caribbean invited me on complimentary, non-revenue sailings on both ships: two nights on Wonder in late 2022 and three nights on Icon in January.

I spent most of my time lost, overwhelmed, and exhausted.

It's no surprise both ships are operating weeklong itineraries this year. Any less, and you might not have time to experience all the activities and restaurants on your list.

Like other Royal Caribbean ships, Wonder and Icon have eight 'neighborhoods' that serve separate purposes.

The new ship shares three of Wonder of the Seas' neighborhoods : Central Park, Royal Promenade, and Suite.

Icon's other five — Thrill Island , Surfside, Hideaway, Chill Island, and AquaDome — are a first for the cruise line.

Many of the ships' amenities overlap, but in differing quantities.

Wonder has three waterslides. Icon has a six-slide waterpark complete with rafting and racing options.

Both have increasingly popular cruise amenities like decks-long dry slides, mini-golf courses, rock climbing walls, and playgrounds.

But instead of Wonder of the Seas' zipline , Icon of the Seas has Crown's Edge, a thrilling agility course with a small zipline that leaves travelers dangling 154 feet above the ocean.

Wonder’s Boardwalk neighborhood was my go-to.

Boardwalk delivered exactly as it had promised: an open-air space grounded by wood-planked floors, a hot dog stand, a sweets store, and kitschy, colorful decor.

Icon of the Seas' Surfside , designed for families with young children, felt like its closest dupe.

Both neighborhoods had a carousel, an outdoor playground, and family-friendly dining. But Surfside was more toddler-friendly, as suggested by the children's water play area and nighttime story readings.

On to entertainment: Both mega-ships have ice skating performances and exciting multi-disciplinary shows at the AquaTheater.

But travelers who enjoy musicals at sea will want to stick to Icon.

Unlike its predecessor, the new ship shows a rendition of Broadway hit "The Wizard of Oz" — Munchkins, a puppet Toto, and a 16-piece live band included.

The layout of Icon's amenities were better than its cousin.

Some of Wonder of the Seas' enticing outdoor amenities — like the surf simulator, zipline, and mini-golf course — are clustered on the deck above and away from the pools and water slides.

This layout might be difficult for parents with children who bounce from one activity to the next. Wouldn't it be easier to have all of these outdoor extras near each other, or at least on the same deck, for parental supervision purposes?

This is where Icon of the Seas excelled: All its exciting open-air activities were adjacent.

The rows of pools flowed perfectly into Thrill Island's waterpark , rock climbing walls, mini-golf course, and Crown's Edge.

The best part? The adult-only Hideaway — which flexes an infinity pool club with a DJ — is right behind Thrill Island, creating a clear separation between parents and their children without being too far from each other.

'Free' options like the buffet and build-your-own tacos and burritos bar are available on both ships.

But you won't find the larger vessel's five-stall food hall or mini-golf-adjacent finger food stand on Wonder.

As expected, Icon of the Seas has more dining options than its predecessor, although there are some overlaps.

Wonder of the Seas has 11 bars and 21 dining venues (9 complimentary and 12 upcharged).

Icon of the Seas has eight more bars, four more complimentary restaurants, and three more specialty dining choices.

Nor will you find the new ship’s plush $200-a-person Empire Supper Club on any other cruise liner.

The multi-course dinner, paired with cocktails and live music, stunts the cost of either vessel's other dinner options.

But if you love Johnny Rockets, you’ll be disappointed by Icon of the Seas.

Restaurants like the popular burger chain and Southern comfort-inspired Mason Jar are only on Wonder of the Seas. Fine by me: My fried chicken at Mason Jar was as dry as a desert.

The younger ship doesn't have Wonder's robot bartender-armed bar either. It does, however, have new watering holes with dueling pianos and live jazz.

Surprisingly, Wonder of the Seas has 65 more cabins than its new cousin.

But several of Icon's 28 stateroom categories are a first for the cruise line.

This includes the new family infinite balcony cabin, which has a small bunk bed nook for children.

Royal Caribbean assigned me an ocean-view balcony stateroom on both ships.

My Wonder of the Seas' cabin was 20 square-feet smaller than the one on Icon. But my bathroom on the latter was so tiny, I accidentally elbowed the walls at almost every turn.

Sailing on the world's largest cruise ship doesn't mean you'll have the world's largest cabin after all.

Wonder and Icon are both operating seven-night roundtrip itineraries from Florida to the Caribbean.

In 2024, Wonder of the Seas is scheduled for year-round sailings from Port Canaveral to the Caribbean and Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay , starting at $700 per person.

Icon of the Seas is spending its first year in service operating nearly identical itineraries but from Miami instead. The cheapest 2024 option is $1,786 per person.

That's a difference of more than $125 per person per day.

"Bookings and pricing for Icon of the Seas can only be described as 'iconic,'" Naftali Holtz, the CFO of Royal Caribbean Group, told analysts in February.

Icon of the Seas’ name speaks for itself.

If your family is looking for a jam-packed kid-friendly cruise with enough amenities to stay entertained for a week, both ships are a great option.

But if you're a seasoned mega-ship-cruiser looking to experience something new, Icon of the Seas is your best bet.

They may be similar, but no other behemoth cruise liner has a waterpark for children and a pool club for adults just dozens of feet from each other.

• Main content

Are you a nudist? Knitter? Golden Girls fan? There’s a cruise for that.

Whether you’re a swinger or just want to practice your golf swing, theme cruises have something for everyone.

Kaity Talley saw the announcement and knew she had to get on board: A cruise exclusively for Hallmark Christmas movie fans? With cookie decorating, tree lighting, movie marathons and karaoke ?

“I got super lucky,” said Talley, 36, of Ontario, Calif. She landed a booking time that got her a spot on the cruise that turned out to be Taylor-Swift-concert- level popular. After it sold out quickly, organizers added a second voyage, which also sold out.

Talley, a Costco manager who also makes TikToks about cruises, expects to bring an entire Christmas wardrobe, ugly sweaters and all: “I’m going to be very corny on this cruise.”

The Hallmark cruise will make its maiden voyage in November, but it’s hardly the first event to gather an extremely niche community of fans and send them out to sea. Theme cruises have catered to groups as diverse as cat lovers , headbangers , Trekkies , conservative activists and zombie aficionados .

There are clothing-optional cruises, faith-based cruises, swingers cruises and cruises for people who want to practice their golf swing .

“If there’s something out there that people like to do, there’s probably a cruise about it,” said Chris Gray Faust, executive director of the news and review site Cruise Critic .

Theme cruises can take many forms, from a small group tucked into a larger sailing to a full-ship takeover. Some are put on by the cruise lines, but most are organized by a travel agency or production company that blocks rooms and venues or charters the entire ship. Those sailings must be purchased through that third party.

Trips are often scheduled during off-peak times, such as January through March or October and November. Prices are higher than a standard cruise, generally reflecting the extra programming or additional perks that passengers get.

Experts say specialty sailings have exploded in recent years as cruise lines have expanded and consumers have sought out more meaningful ways to travel.

“Overall, the travel industry is getting so much more experiential in a number of ways, and theme cruises are the ultimate experiential vacation,” said Chris Hearing, a partner and executive director at Entertainment Cruise Productions , a major organizer of theme cruises. “You get immersed, in our case, in week-long theme cruises where from the moment you walk on the ship, you are surrounded by people that are completely into Star Trek or Comic-Con or motorcycles or ’80s or ’90s music.”

Another producer, Sixthman , got its start in 2001 with a rock-themed event featuring Sister Hazel. This year, the group will pull off 23 cruise events, and the schedule calls for 27 next year, said CEO Jeff Cuellar.

A gateway for cruise newcomers

As the cruise industry builds more ships and tries to cultivate new audiences to fill them, Gray Faust said theme cruises often serve as an entry point.

“It brings a lot of first-time cruisers into the fold,” she said. “They’re fans of whatever the theme is. The fact that it’s on a cruise is almost secondary.”

Howard Moses, a travel adviser, created a site called themecruisefinder with a business partner several years ago and said there are more than 700 cruises listed at any given time, from small groups to full-ship charters.

“It has blossomed in the last I would say 10 to 12 years,” he said.

Talley, who booked the Hallmark Christmas cruise, said theme cruises got her hooked on sailing. She spoke to The Washington Post from Miami after departing a chef-focused cruise and right before boarding a regular sailing on another cruise line. She has been on the Sail Across the Sun cruise, featuring Train and several other acts, four times.

“There’s just concerts happening the entire time,” she said.

Swifties, Trekkies and crafters

Some event production companies sell the opportunity to be in close quarters with the objects of fan affection. Sixthman, which is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, pitches the events to singers, chefs and others as a way to interact with their die-hard fans who will follow and support them anywhere. And for those fans, it’s a tough chance to pass up.

“You’re not just spending an afternoon, you’re spending your vacation with them from breakfast to lunch to dinner to cocktails and activities,” Cuellar said.

Even though the Hallmark Christmas cruise — which is being put on by Sixthman — hasn’t named the stars who will sail, Cuellar said the event was the fastest sellout in the company history.

“Within like 48 hours of the first sellout, there were people already putting mugs on Etsy that said, ‘I survived the Hallmark presale,’” he said. “You talk about a passionate audience.”

Other cruises are entirely fan-driven, without the presence of any stars.

Jessica Malerman and two friends and fellow travel agents came up with the “In My Cruise Era” trip in October during another group cruise with their agency, Marvelous Mouse Travels . There’s no affiliation with the Taylor Swift empire, but the trip has already sold the maximum 199 staterooms it reserved on megaship Allure of the Seas in October 2024.

Events will include dance parties, trivia, cocktail parties, friendship bracelet swapping and karaoke.

“What people want is the connection and they want to make friends and they want to go on vacation and have a sense of community,” Malerman said.

Chad Kampe, the owner of Flip Phone Productions, put on the first — and second — Golden Fans at Sea cruises in early 2020 after organizing a “Golden Girls”-themed bar crawl several years before. The company produces drag shows across the country.

The sailings have included themed dances, costume contests, caftan welcome parties, scavenger hunts, performances from the Golden Gays drag troupe, appearances from people with ties to the show and some very competitive trivia sessions.

“The ‘Golden Girls’ trivia is the most intense trivia you’ve ever seen,” Kampe said.

The events take place on regular voyages, meaning passengers might end up surprised by the surplus of Blanches, Dorothys, Roses and Sophias. In year one, Kampe said a biker group was also on board.

“They loved us,” he said.

Many theme cruises are organized around hobbies or other special interests.

Melissa Gower, founder of Craft Cruises , organizes an average of 10 knitting cruises a year. The knitters and their needles don’t take over the whole ship, but the sailings include instructors, social gatherings and “private fiber-related tours,” she said.

“I have people who traveled with me in 1999,” Gower said. “They’ve been on 30-plus knitting cruises, and they’re still booking travel with us.”

How to find (or avoid) a niche cruise

The Theme Cruise Finder website allows people to search according to category for upcoming trips. Often, sales will open up during an event for the people on board, so it can be difficult to get a reservation on a popular repeating cruise.

Gray Faust said travelers will often comment on Cruise Critic forums about their surprise at being on the same ship as some kind of group. She said a friend ended up on a cruise with Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans “and she hates Tampa Bay.”

In 2016, more than 1,500 vacationers who thought they were taking a regular Bahamas cruise ended up sharing space with then-Patriots player Rob Gronkowski and fans on Gronk’s Party Ship.

Gary Bembridge, a cruise YouTuber who runs the site Tips for Travellers , recommends people search online for the name and date of a cruise they’re considering to see if a theme cruise shows up at the same time.

Moses, one of the founders of the theme cruise site, is co-president of a separate business, The Cruise & Vacation Authority , which organizes theme cruises as one of its services.

“In general, theme cruises are way more fun than a regular cruise because you’re traveling with like-minded people,” he said.

And if someone isn’t like-minded on a shared ship, he said the theme group tries to be understanding.

“We try to be very respectful of the other guests on board,” he said.

More cruise news

Living at sea: Travelers on a 9-month world cruise are going viral on social media. For some travelers, not even nine months was enough time on a ship; they sold cars, moved out of their homes and prepared to set sail for three years . That plan fell apart, but a 3.5-year version is waiting in the wings.

Passengers beware: It’s not all buffets and dance contests. Crime data reported by cruise lines show that the number of sex crimes has increased compared to previous years. And though man-overboard cases are rare, they are usually deadly .

The more you know: If you’re cruise-curious, here are six tips from a newcomer. Remember that in most cases, extra fees and add-ons will increase the seemingly cheap price of a sailing. And if you happen to get sick , know what to expect on board.

• Royal Caribbean International

Quick review & observations, including Adventure Ocean! Freedom of the Seas 3 Night Bahamas with Coco Cay: July 15, 2022

By danp2482 , July 22, 2022 in Royal Caribbean International

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Hi everyone! As I have already reviewed a 3 day cruise on Freedom of the Seas a few times, I thought I just give some brief observations from our 7/15/2022, 3 night Freedom of the Seas with Coco Cay sailing. I always start any of my reviews with some background about us as cruisers. If you’ve already followed along on another adventure, you can skip to the next post!

I have used many reviews here to gather information about certain ships, certain cruises and get excited for upcoming cruises of my own. I have written some other reviews and really enjoyed reliving my vacation here! I also really enjoyed the dialog with other forum members and being to provide information as well as help you all get excited for a cruise you might have coming up! The enjoyment I get from writing the reviews helped me decide to write reviews after as many cruises as I can.

If you haven't read any of the other reviews, let me give you a bit of background! DW (Nichole) and I have been really fortunate to have completed 16 cruises! We also have a 3 year old daughter and she completed her first sailing on Odyssey of the Seas in January of 2022. She came along on this 3 day adventure and had a blast! Nichole and I both work hard but love to vacation and try to do it as much as we can! (Always have to have something to look forward to!) Our vacation tastes range from numerous Vegas and Disney trips (both world and land) and multiple cruises. People frequently comment on the fact that we travel to repeat destinations or same style vacations but I guess when you know what you like, you just keep going back for more. I can imagine that I'm amongst like minded individuals here!

In 2014, we decided that we were going to give cruising a try. We had always been interested in trying it out and seeing all the new entertainment and offerings of modern ships continued to build our interest. Not knowing if we would enjoy it and both of us being worried that Nichole may have some some sea sickness issues, we chose a 4 day cruise. Not only did we love it, but 4 days was not long enough and we found ourselves booking another cruise. The rest is history and as I've mentioned, we've been fortunate enough to complete 16 cruises across 3 cruise lines. We've landed on Royal Caribbean for our last 11 and currently really enjoy RCI and their fleet of ships. We’re currently Emerald level in Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society.

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As I mentioned, I have previously reviewed a 2 separate 3 day sailings on Freedom of the Seas so instead of a full review, I figured I would post some basic observations and field any questions anyone may have! Having had our 3 year old daughter with us, I will also include info on the current state of Adventure Ocean as I have not seen many post about it recently.

The planning for this trip began on our previous Wonder of the Seas sailing in March. We always seem to have another sailing booked before we get off a previous cruise! Not really because you get that much better of a deal, for us it’s more of wanting something to look forward to!

The last day of the Wonder Cruise was at Coco Cay and as we walked past Splashaway Bay, we both decided that we would most likely add our daughter to the reservation. We had heard a rumor that Kids Sail Free was coming back and when it did, we jumped on the chance and added her. We managed to keep it a surprise, until we got to the port and she was pretty excited!

The cruise for the most part was great! Unfortunately some liquid sunshine on our Coco Cay day but we were early risers and managed to get about 4 hours on the island before the rain moved in.

Observations from Freedom of the Seas, 3 Day Bahamas with Coco Cay, 7/15/2022

Embarkation: Smooth as it could be. Our 3 year old is still unvaccinated and required testing at the port. We had a 10:30 embarkation time. We arrived at 10:15 and waited a short time before testing opened. Once we were let in, it was about 40 mins total time before we were on board and some of that was because embarkation had not started yet.

Passengers: Capacity limitations seem to be a thing of the past! The ship was packed! We sailed many times prior to covid and ships were always packed! Not complaining about it, I knew it would be back to normal eventually. Even though it was busy, loungers were still available and we never waited for service. The best way to put it is that the normal capacity, didn’t seem to overwhelm the crew or the ship.

That being said, another sad observation was that it appears the days of people feeling fortunate and being excited about being back on a ship also seem to be over. I observed many entitled guests acting rude, not only to crew but to other passengers. Blasting music from portable speakers, cutting in lines, rude tones and demeanor towards crew members, no please or thank you, etc… I know that’s everywhere but it seemed very prevalent on this particular sailing. Also, I know gratuities are prepaid on food and beverages if you have a package but I never saw anyone but me give anything extra the entire weekend!

Ship: The ship was in great shape! Its obviously not a brand new ship but recently amped and everything was in working order! The ship didn’t feel tired one bit! The ship was clean and I observed the crew taking great care of the ship to keep everything as pristine as possible.

No Compasses, Menus or Account Statement: It appears the ship is making an effort to go completely paperless. A cruise compass was not delivered to our room each night and they were not out on the shelves at guest services. You could get one from guest services if you asked but they weren’t just out for the taking. Menus in the restaurants still existed but bars all had QR codes to scan. I was really hoping they’d bring back hard menus at some point. We also only got our account statement emailed at the end of the cruise. It was not printed.

Food and Beverage: Food was up to the usual standards! We had booked the UDP prior to the price jump. We   dined in Giovani’s multiple times. All of our meals were great and we even had our best Chops meal ever. As far as beverage goes, I have a few observations. I am becoming less of a fan with how Royal basically has one beverage menu for the entire ship. With the exception of a few venues, all the bars function of the same menu. I have never sailed Carnival but I recently noticed that they have a lot of venue specific beverage menus and I think Royal needs to take a page from that playbook. You can usually find a bartender that will go off menu for you and make something different but that seemed to be lacking this sailing. (More on that)

Another thing I observed is that they’re having some supply chain issues. At least they were on this sailing. There were multiple times when ordered things that they did not have. The only Bourbon the ship had was Wild Turkey. After Coco Cay they were able to get some Makers onboard but that was it. Multiple instances they did not have Hendricks Gin. Nichole asked for a moscato one night and they didn’t have any between Chops or Giovani’s. I didn’t note any crown royal on the ship anywhere. There was no Cachaca in Boleros for Capprihina’s and they couldn’t make certain drinks throughout the ship due to lack of ingredients. I’ve only experienced supply issues one time at Sandals early on during the reopening from the pandemic. I actually joked with Nichole that this situation never happens on cruise ships!

Adventure Ocean: I don’t have much experience from Adventure Ocean other than our January Odyssey sailing and this one on freedom but I would say the experience this time was night and day! It appeared Adventure Ocean was operating business as usual. No longer required to make reservations. Open 8-10 first night, 2-5, 7-10 the second night and 9-5, 7-10 the third night with the option to pay for 10pm-1am. The activities were all in full swing and the indoor play area was open. Our daughter had a blast and kept begging to go back each night.

Crew & Service: I have noted a few posts on here mentioning crew being tired. I think that is probably a good assessment of things. The service on the ship was great! Definitely at the standard you would expect but the crew felt a bit stiff if that makes sense. Usually the crew is more personable and friendly. Every sailing I’ve been on, there has been crew members that stand out. Ones that I rave about in my reviews or leave gratuity envelopes for. No one stood out or went above and beyond during our short adventure. Like I said, the service was great and the ship was in great shape but the crew just didn’t seem as happy. As I mentioned before, we never felt as if the ship was understaffed or service was lacking but maybe that is on the back of the crew and maybe that is why they seemed stiff. I know staffing issues are also causing some contracts to be extended for long periods as well.

This may sound like complaining but it really isn’t. Just observations! We still had a great time and I wouldn’t hesitate to get back on Freedom tomorrow! These observations were just different from the norm! If anyone has any questions or I can provide any information, please don’t hesitate to ask!

Regarding the crew seeming tired, I wonder if it is worse on ships like Freedom that do a mix of three and four night cruises. It seems like turning around a ship twice a week would be way more exhausting than doing it once a week. That being said, I'm just guessing as I've never been on a cruise shorter than seven nights. Not that it doesn't seem generally exhausting to work on a cruise ship right now ....

1 hour ago, Rubyfisch said: Regarding the crew seeming tired, I wonder if it is worse on ships like Freedom that do a mix of three and four night cruises. It seems like turning around a ship twice a week would be way more exhausting than doing it once a week. That being said, I'm just guessing as I've never been on a cruise shorter than seven nights. Not that it doesn't seem generally exhausting to work on a cruise ship right now ....

I can only imagine how exhausting turn around day must be for them but this was our 6th time on a 3 day sailing and this was the only time I noticed the difference.

• 1 month later...

Thanks for this!

We are cruising for the first time with our little one (2 year old) on freedom next month. Any pointers or advise?

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