Icon of the Seas Review: Royal Caribbean Cruise, Dining Options & Cruise Entertainment
We sailed aboard Icon of the Seas on the Eastern Caribbean itinerary, and it exceeded our expectations in nearly every way. As the flagship of the Royal Caribbean fleet, this incredible ship combines innovative design with an unmatched variety of dining options, cruise entertainment, and activities for every type of traveler. Even though it's one of the largest cruise ships in the world, the thoughtfully designed neighborhoods make it surprisingly easy to find your way around.
From the moment we stepped onboard, it was clear why so many people are talking about Icon of the Seas. Every deck offered something new to explore, from world-class entertainment and unique dining venues to relaxing spaces and exciting attractions. Whether you're cruising as a family, a couple, or with a group of friends, there's no shortage of ways to create unforgettable memories on this Royal Caribbean cruise.
Throughout our sailing, we were equally impressed by the ship's spotless condition and the outstanding service provided by the crew. Their attention to detail and friendly attitude enhanced every part of our vacation, making this Eastern Caribbean itinerary aboard Icon of the Seas one of our favorite cruise experiences to date.
Dining
The dining options aboard Icon of the Seas were one of the biggest highlights of our Royal Caribbean cruise. Whether we were enjoying complimentary venues or treating ourselves to specialty restaurants, every meal added something special to our Eastern Caribbean itinerary.
We enjoyed several breakfasts and dinners in the Main Dining Room, where the food was consistently flavorful and beautifully presented. The attentive service from the dining staff made each meal feel relaxed and enjoyable, making it one of our favorite complimentary dining venues onboard.
For specialty dining, Izumi Hibachi was an easy favorite. The talented chefs combined delicious food with an entertaining cooking performance, creating an experience that was every bit as enjoyable as the meal itself. If you're looking for a fun and interactive dinner, this is one restaurant we highly recommend.
The most memorable dining experience of our cruise was the Empire Supper Club, which perfectly blends fine dining with live cruise entertainment. This elegant venue features a multi-course gourmet menu paired with handcrafted cocktails while live jazz musicians perform throughout the evening. From the impeccable service to the beautifully plated dishes and intimate atmosphere, every detail exceeded our expectations. Although it's one of the more expensive specialty dining experiences onboard, it's well worth considering for a special celebration or an unforgettable night on your Royal Caribbean cruise.
We also found ourselves returning to the AquaDome Market, one of the ship's unique complimentary dining venues. With several quick-service concepts offering a variety of fresh and flavorful options, it was an excellent choice for breakfast, lunch, or a quick bite between activities. The wide selection made it easy to try something different each visit without needing a reservation.
No matter where we ate, the quality and variety of the food consistently impressed us. With so many outstanding dining options available throughout Icon of the Seas, every meal felt like part of the adventure. From casual grab-and-go favorites to upscale specialty restaurants, the ship offers an exceptional culinary experience that enhances every day of your Eastern Caribbean itinerary.
Cabins
We stayed in a balcony stateroom aboard Icon of the Seas during our Royal Caribbean cruise and found it to be stylish, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed. While it wasn't the largest cabin we've sailed in, the smart layout and ample storage made it easy to unpack, stay organized, and feel at home throughout our Eastern Caribbean itinerary.
The cabin featured plenty of closet and drawer space, along with a functional bathroom and a private balcony that became one of our favorite places to relax. Whether we were enjoying our morning coffee before arriving in port or unwinding after a full day of exploring, the balcony provided a peaceful retreat with beautiful ocean views.
Our cabin's location was another big advantage. It offered convenient access to many of the ship's neighborhoods, making it easy to enjoy the wide variety of dining options, exciting cruise entertainment, and onboard attractions without feeling far from everything. At the same time, the area remained quiet, allowing us to recharge after busy days both onboard and ashore.
Overall, we found our balcony stateroom to be a comfortable and relaxing home base for our Royal Caribbean cruise. With its modern design, efficient use of space, and convenient location, it provided everything we needed to fully enjoy our time aboard Icon of the Seas.
Entertainment
The cruise entertainment aboard Icon of the Seas was one of the biggest highlights of our Royal Caribbean cruise. From spectacular theater productions and live music to comedy shows and immersive performances, there was always something happening somewhere on the ship. Whether you enjoy high-energy productions or more intimate entertainment, Icon of the Seas offers an incredible variety of options throughout your Eastern Caribbean itinerary.
Some of our favorite performances included:
- The Wizard of Oz in the Royal Theater, a Broadway-style production featuring impressive sets, costumes, and talented performers.
- Empire Supper Club, where fine dining is paired with live jazz music, creating an elegant evening that combines exceptional cuisine with unforgettable cruise entertainment.
- Aqua Action! in the AquaTheater, an action-packed show featuring Olympic-caliber high divers, aerial acrobatics, synchronized performers, and stunning special effects that left the audience amazed.
Beyond the headline shows, live music filled many of the ship's lounges and public spaces throughout the day and evening, creating a lively atmosphere no matter where we wandered. With so many entertainment venues spread across the ship, we always found something new to experience after enjoying the excellent dining options or returning from a day exploring ports on our Eastern Caribbean itinerary.
If entertainment is an important part of your vacation, Icon of the Seas delivers one of the best lineups we've experienced on any Royal Caribbean cruise, offering world-class performances from embarkation day through the final night onboard.
Pools
The pool areas aboard Icon of the Seas are among the best we've experienced on a Royal Caribbean cruise. With multiple pools and outdoor spaces located throughout the ship's neighborhoods, it was easy to find the perfect atmosphere—whether we wanted an energetic environment with music and activities or a peaceful place to relax while sailing our Eastern Caribbean itinerary.
One of our favorite areas was Hideaway, the adults-only neighborhood located at the aft of the ship. Its stunning infinity pool overlooks the ship's wake, creating one of the most scenic places onboard to unwind. With comfortable seating, great music, and a lively yet relaxing vibe, Hideaway quickly became one of our favorite spots to spend a sea day.
We also loved Swim & Tonic, the first swim-up bar at sea. This innovative venue allowed us to cool off in the pool while enjoying a handcrafted cocktail without ever leaving the water. The upbeat atmosphere, attentive bar service, and convenient location made it one of our favorite places to spend a sunny afternoon.
Beyond these standout venues, Icon of the Seas offers a variety of pools and whirlpools designed for every type of cruiser. Whether you're traveling with family, enjoying time as a couple, or simply looking for a place to relax between dining options and cruise entertainment, there's a pool area that fits your style. The thoughtful design of these outdoor spaces made them a highlight of our Royal Caribbean cruise and one of the many reasons we'd happily sail Icon of the Seas again.
Spa
The Vitality Spa aboard Icon of the Seas provided the perfect escape whenever we wanted to relax and recharge during our Royal Caribbean cruise. With its peaceful atmosphere, modern amenities, and attentive staff, it quickly became one of our favorite places to unwind after a busy day exploring ports on our Eastern Caribbean itinerary or enjoying the ship's many dining options and cruise entertainment.
One feature we especially enjoyed was the fresh smoothie and juice bar located just outside the spa. It was the perfect place to grab a healthy drink before or after a treatment, adding to the spa's wellness-focused experience. Whether we were starting the day or taking a break between activities, it was a refreshing option that complemented the ship's extensive dining choices.
Another standout offering was the availability of IV therapy, a unique wellness service not commonly found at sea. Guests looking to rehydrate after travel, recover from a long day in port, or simply give themselves an extra boost during their vacation have the opportunity to take advantage of this modern amenity. It's an innovative feature that helps Icon of the Seas stand out from many other cruise ships.
The spa staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and professional, and the facilities were spotless throughout our sailing. Whether you're booking a massage, relaxing in the thermal suite, enjoying a fresh smoothie, or exploring one of the wellness services, the Vitality Spa offers a peaceful retreat that's well worth experiencing on your Royal Caribbean cruise.
Bars
The bars and lounges aboard Icon of the Seas offer something for every style of cruiser, making them a perfect complement to the ship's outstanding dining options and world-class cruise entertainment. Whether you're looking for a lively venue with live music, a handcrafted cocktail before dinner, or a quiet place to relax with ocean views, you'll find plenty of great choices throughout your Royal Caribbean cruise.
One of our favorite venues was Dueling Pianos, where talented musicians kept the crowd entertained with interactive performances, audience requests, and plenty of sing-along moments. It quickly became one of our favorite evening hangouts and is a must-visit if you enjoy live entertainment.
Before dinner, we often stopped by the Trellis Bar in Central Park. Surrounded by lush greenery and a peaceful atmosphere, it was the perfect place to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail and unwind before heading to one of the ship's many excellent restaurants.
For coffee lovers, The Pearl Café was another favorite. It offered specialty coffees, pastries, and light snacks throughout the day, making it an ideal stop for a morning pick-me-up or an afternoon break between activities.
We also spent time at several of the ship's outdoor bars, where tropical cocktails and beautiful ocean views created the perfect vacation atmosphere while sailing our Eastern Caribbean itinerary. Whether relaxing by the pool or watching the sunset from an open-air deck, these venues made it easy to soak in the Caribbean scenery.
The only venue that didn't quite meet our expectations was Playmakers Sports Bar. While we enjoyed the concept, we found its location less inviting than on other Royal Caribbean ships we've sailed, making it a place we visited less often during our cruise.
Overall, the variety and quality of the bars and lounges on Icon of the Seas impressed us. Combined with the exceptional dining options and nonstop cruise entertainment, they helped create one of the most enjoyable and well-rounded Royal Caribbean cruise experiences we've had.
Pros
Icon of the Seas delivers an exceptional Royal Caribbean cruise experience that lives up to its reputation as one of the most innovative ships at sea. Despite its impressive size, the ship's thoughtfully designed neighborhoods make it easy to navigate, allowing guests to explore everything it has to offer without feeling overwhelmed.
One of the ship's biggest strengths is its incredible variety of dining options. From complimentary favorites to memorable specialty restaurants, every meal offers something different, ensuring there's always a new culinary experience to enjoy throughout your Eastern Caribbean itinerary.
The cruise entertainment is equally impressive. Spectacular productions like Aqua Action! at the AquaTheater and the Broadway-style performance of The Wizard of Oz are just two examples of the world-class shows that make every evening onboard memorable. Combined with live music, comedy, and interactive venues, there's always something happening from morning until late at night.
Beyond the dining and entertainment, Icon of the Seas features multiple pools, unique neighborhoods, adults-only retreats, family-friendly attractions, and a wide selection of bars and lounges. Whether you're looking for adventure, relaxation, or quality time with family and friends, the ship offers experiences for every type of traveler.
If you're considering an Eastern Caribbean itinerary, Icon of the Seas is an outstanding choice. Between its exceptional service, innovative design, outstanding dining options, and unforgettable cruise entertainment, it delivers one of the most complete vacation experiences we've enjoyed on a Royal Caribbean cruise. We wouldn't hesitate to sail aboard Icon of the Seas again.
Cons
Because of its enormous size, Icon of the Seas involves more walking than many other ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet. If you're planning to experience the ship's many dining options, neighborhoods, pools, and cruise entertainment, be prepared to log plenty of steps each day. Comfortable walking shoes are definitely one of our top recommendations.
One feature we especially appreciated was the innovative basket storage system in the staterooms. The removable baskets made it easy to unpack, organize our belongings, and keep the cabin tidy throughout our Eastern Caribbean itinerary. It's a simple design feature that makes a noticeable difference, especially on longer sailings.
One area that fell short for us was the location of Playmakers Sports Bar. While we enjoy this venue on other Royal Caribbean ships, its placement on Icon of the Seas didn't feel as inviting or convenient, so we found ourselves spending less time there than expected.
Overall, these were relatively minor observations on what was otherwise an outstanding Royal Caribbean cruise. With a little planning—and comfortable shoes—you'll be able to enjoy everything Icon of the Seas has to offer.
Overall Rating: 5/5 ⭐
Would we sail aboard Icon of the Seas again? Absolutely. This Royal Caribbean cruise exceeded our expectations with its incredible dining options, world-class cruise entertainment, innovative neighborhoods, and activities designed for every type of traveler.
Whether you're planning a family vacation, a couples getaway, or a trip with friends, Icon of the Seas offers the perfect balance of excitement and relaxation. Thrill-seekers will love the onboard attractions and spectacular shows, while those looking to unwind can enjoy peaceful adults-only areas, beautiful outdoor spaces, and luxurious amenities.
Our Eastern Caribbean itinerary provided the perfect opportunity to experience everything this remarkable ship has to offer. From exceptional service and outstanding restaurants to unforgettable entertainment and thoughtfully designed public spaces, every day brought a new highlight.
If you're considering Icon of the Seas for your next Royal Caribbean cruise, we highly recommend it. It's one of the most impressive and well-rounded cruise ships we've ever sailed, and we would book another voyage without hesitation.