Cruise ships are a lot of mini-cities, including having to feed thousands of people during the course of a voyage.

Every week, up to 7,600 people vacation on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, which holds the title of the world's largest cruise ship. That includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks in-between.

There are 23 total kitchens (referred to as galleys on a cruise ship) to serve 27 restaurants.

At the heart of Icon's meal service is the Main Dining Room, which serves 6,000 guests in a three and a half hour time frame. There are 425 chefs onboard Icon of the Seas, with 45 people working in the Main Dining Room galley on deck 3 alone.

Supplying, prepping, and serving that many meals every day is not a simple feat. Royal Caribbean has to have enough food so it doesn't run out without over ordering and wasting food. Then it has to get supplies in place every week, and sometimes the demographics for one sailing may require different amounts of food than another.

All of the ship's food is sourced from the ship's homeport in Miami. 

In fact, there's enough food on Icon of the Seas not just for one cruise, but three cruises. The idea is there is enough food on hand in case the ship needs to go in a different direction so there is enough for extra days.

Every week new supplies are brought onboard, but some items may only be sourced every two weeks. Cheeses, herbs, and berries are examples of food that is brought onboard every week because those do not last as long.

Frozen items, such as prime rib or fish, are brough every two or three weeks.

So what happens if they end up running short on one item? The ship can call to headquarters to assist in re-supplying at one of the ports of call the ship is visiting. 

The actual food is sourced from all around the world, including locally. Royal Caribbean Vice President Food & Beverage, Linken D'Souza, describes it as a very complex operation, "We are always looking to source local. And so the last couple of years we've shifted a lot of our purchasing very domestically within marketplace."

"Fresh ingredients have always been the case, but now we've really shifted, whether it's here or in Europe and Australia and China, my team goes out and we go out to the marketplace and we'll literally go and match products against our US products and say, okay, what works for us? How do we buy locally?"

All of this isn't cheap to do.  Royal Caribbean wouldn't share numbers, but suffice to say, Mr. D'Souza referred to the number as being, "a lot."

"We've got crew members and guests on board. On a full sailing, over 10,000 people on board the ship. We spend a lot of money to make sure we look after the guests from food and beverage standpoint and supplies."

Food is the second highest expense for Royal Caribbean after fuel. According to Royal Caribbean Group's financial disclosures, the company spent $307 million on fuel in the first quarter of 2024.

How much food is brought on a cruise ship?

Ever wonder which foods are the most popular on a cruise ship? 

Icon of the Seas needs enough food for all of its recipes, as well as food to be available on its own.  A tomato can be cut up and served individually or as part of a stew, sauce, or salad.

According to Royal Caribbean's executive chefs, rice, potato, lobster, tenderloin, filet mignon and especially prime rib are the most popular items on Icon of the Seas.

About 20,000 lbs of rice, and 2,500 lbs of prime rib are used every cruise.

In an effort to better predict how much food the ship will need, the Food & Beverage team looks at the demographic of who is booked and guest count for the next sailing. Meaning, if there's more guests from Mexico on a given sailing, the crew will plan to offer more Mexican food onboard.

The exact quantity of food depends on amount of guests and demographic.

Icon of the Seas has the best kitchens yet

One of the benefits of being a brand new cruise ship is having access to the best of the best, including machinery.

Icon has plenty of guest-facing innovations, and that trend applies to the kitchens too, "If you go to the production areas, the equipment that we've introduced here for the first time, never seen on our ships before," said Mr. D'Souza.

"Things like machines that can take a whole piece of steak, cut it into portions, cut fish into portions, vegetable slicers, things that we just haven't had historically on ship."

These machines replace functions that were traditionally done by hand.

On the upcoming Utopia of the Seas, Mr. D'Souza indicated will have a laser guided water gun that uses high pressure water to cut pieces of cake.

This technology makes the work easier for crew members, and he believes that moves crew members closer to the guest experience and that adds value to the guest experience.

"We're bringing some pretty new and exciting, innovative technology to really take even our back of the house processes up from what we've historically done."

The most highly regulated food service operation on the planet

With an operation as large as Icon of the Seas, food safety is paramount to the cruise line.

Mr. D'Souza said cruise ship kitchens are the most regulated food service operation that you'll find, "we are the most highly regulated food service operation on the planet."

The United States Public Health Service has a division known as the Vessel Sanitation Program, which acts as a cooperative activity with the cruise ship industry.

"When we get inspected for food safety, we have 7 to 8 uniformed officers that board the vessel and they do a full inspection top to bottom."

Mr. D'Souza is quite proud of the work his culinary team does and says there's nothing like it at any restaurant near you, "You will never find a restaurant on land that looks like this. Top to bottom, stainless steel, spotless floors, clean. Everything is in order."

"You don't see this on land, because we have very high standards for our guests, and you have very high standards from a government agency body to make sure that we have the highest quality execution, cleanest kitchens, high quality safe food, hand holding equipment, etc."

War on food waste

Reducing food waste serves two primary purposes: it ensures there is less food that ends up in a garbage can and it saves Royal Caribbean money.

The cruise line introduced a program called, "Win on Waste", which serves to evaluate food consumption on a cruise ship and make adjustments so there is less food used that doesn't end up consumed.

Royal Caribbean Group has previously announced it will reduce food waste across the fleet by 50% by 2025. In summer 2023, Royal Caribbean Group reported it already has been able to achieve a 24% reduction in food waste by focusing on the front end of the food system, which prevents and addresses many of the main causes of food waste, including inventory management and over-preparing.

With this new program, chefs can see what's been produced, consumed, wasted, and even repurposed. It helps give better data to the chefs, so they can understand how to make adjustments for the next production. 

Royal Caribbean is actually leveraging AI to take into account unused food scrap weight and predict how much food the ship will need for the next sailing.

Read more: Royal Caribbean's clever idea using AI to get help on the world's largest cruise ship

While you'll find some similarities and brand favorites onboard, Icon of the Seas is full of industry firsts and unlike any other vessel at sea. Besides the size, are you wondering what sets the world's largest cruise ship apart? 

The 250,800 gross registered ton vessel officially set sail on January 27, 2024 on a 7-night voyage to the Eastern Caribbean. In total, Icon can hold up to 7,600 passengers and is roughly 10 feet longer than Wonder of the Seas, measuring 1,198 feet in length. 

From the first-ever swim-up bar at sea to the record-breaking Category 6 water park, new neighborhoods, one-of-a-kind dining experiences, and more, there's so much to see and do onboard that one week likely won't be enough time to experience everything! 

Whether you're counting down the days until you step foot onboard or are simply curious as to what the major differences are, here's a guide to help break down all of the features on Icon of the Seas that you won't find on any other ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet. 

Split-level promenade 

While the Royal Promenade itself isn't a new feature (it has been around since Voyager of the Seas launched in 1999), they completely redesigned it for Icon. For the first time, the Royal Promenade is a multi-level space, with bars, restaurants, etc., on Decks 5 and 6. 

As soon as you step foot onboard, you'll notice one of the most significant additions: floor-to-ceiling windows. Royal Caribbean sought to make the Promenade more connected to the ocean, so they added windows to let light flood in during the day. 

There are over 15 new and redesigned bars, lounges, and restaurants in the Royal Promenade, including 1400 Lobby Bar, Pearl Café, and Dueling Pianos, the cruise line's first-ever double-pianist bar. Each night, two performers will take requests and involve guests in the musical fun. 

The Pearl

We cannot talk about the Royal Promenade without mentioning The Pearl, an interactive, multi-sensory experience that also serves as structural support. 

In other words, to allow for the giant windows, Royal Caribbean had to figure out a way to support the staterooms above it, as well as Central Park, since a giant chunk of steel would be missing. 

The giant masterpiece changes throughout the day, too. The experience that it offers during the morning will differ from what's offered at night or even when the ship is docked at CocoCay!

Adjacent to The Pearl is the Pearl Café, the revamped version of Cafe Promenade that serves complimentary grab-and-go snacks 24 hours a day, as well as some options for an extra fee. 

Read more: 8 things I love about Icon of the Seas (and 3 I didn't)

Destination elevators

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas has destination elevators onboard to combat crowded cruise ship elevators. 

Rather than simply pressing "up" or "down" in the elevator bank, you'll be required to make a deck selection. Then, you'll be assigned a specific elevator that will take you where you want to go. 

Chief Dog Officer Rover

Perhaps the cutest addition to Icon of the Seas is the ship's Chief Dog Officer, Rover, whose primary job is to bring joy to guests and crew. 

Rover is an adorable six-month-old golden retriever who lives onboard the ship with her handler Alison Hubble, AKA "Rover's Chief of Staff." She loves to play with her ball and even blow bubbles in the clear Bahamian waters while visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

You never know when you'll spot Rover while onboard, but when you do, do not be afraid to give her some pets! 

Read more: World's largest cruise ship will have a family dog that lives on the ship

AquaDome Neighborhood

Perched atop Decks 14 and 15 is the brand-new AquaDome Neighborhood. In addition to being home to the ship's enclosed AquaTheater, this is also where you'll find other Royal Caribbean firsts, including the Rye & Bean Bar and Overlook Bar & Pods.

This area is outfitted with two stories of floor-to-ceiling windows, making it the place to be when pulling into port or when you want to catch a picture-perfect sunset. 

The pods are ideal for those who want a more relaxed vibe during the day. At night, however, the energy changes as the bars become a hotspot for pre-show drinks. 

You'll find three dining experiences within the AquaDome, two of which are brand-new: Celebration Table and AquaDome Market. 

AquaDome Market

In the past, Royal Caribbean has gotten its fair share of criticism regarding the lack of complimentary fast-casual dining options on its ships. They took the feedback to heart and incorporated more options into the design plans of Icon. 

Within the AquaDome, guests will find the AquaDome Market, the cruise line's first-ever food hall. Its location in the front of the ship isn't a coincidence, as it's meant to help disperse crowds from the Windjammer and El Loco Fresh in the aft (back). 

Inside AquaDome Market, you'll find five different stalls, each highlighting a different cuisine or specific food:

• Mac's (Mac and cheese)
• Crème de la Crèpe (Crèpes) 
• Toast & Garden (Sandwiches and salads)
• GNGR (Asian) 
• Feta (Mediterranean)

Read more: Icon of the Seas restaurant and dining guide

Empire Supper Club

AquaDome Market isn't the only new dining venue onboard Icon. For those looking for a more upscale option, head to Central Park, where you'll find the Empire Supper Club. Dining here will set you back $200 per person; however, you're guaranteed a one-of-a-kind culinary experience that consists of eight unique courses, each of which is paired with a cocktail and live music! 

The menu was inspired by the 1930s era of New York City and features upscale American cuisine— think of items like caviar, wagyu steak, and more. Empire Supper Club is both chic and intimate, with a maximum capacity of 38 guests during each dinner service. 

Note that if you purchase the Unlimited Dining Package, you'll have to pay an additional $130 to eat here.

In Central Park, you'll find Lou's Jazz n' Blues and the walk-up champagne bar called Bubbles. Both venues are perfect for a pre- or post-dinner cocktail! 

There's also the first-ever Izumi to-go window, which allows you to enjoy fresh sushi from anywhere on the ship. 

Surfside Neighborhood

Instead of the Boardwalk found onboard Oasis Class ships, Royal Caribbean created a new neighborhood for families: Surfside. With both complimentary and specialty dining venues, an arcade, carousel, aft pool, kids' splash zone, and more, this is where families are encouraged to stay and play all day.

Rather than having to remove children from the fun, parents can grab a snack at the complimentary Surfside Bites. Even better, there's the Surfside Eatery, a buffet in the heart of the action so you don't have to worry about hauling anyone to the Windjammer upstairs.

Surfside is also home to a new specialty restaurant, Pier 7. For just $14.99, adults can select two plates. Options include shrimp toastads, grilled cheese, caramel waffles, and more. Children 12 and under eat free. 

The Lemon Post Bar is also brand-new and features a curated menu of mocktails for children. It's located close to Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay.

Ultimate Family Townhouse

There are numerous different stateroom categories for guests who want to be close to Surfside, such as the Surfside Family View Interior and Surfside Family View Balcony cabins, as well as the Surfside Family Suite. However, families wanting the ultimate cabin experience onboard should consider booking the Ultimate Family Townhouse. 

This three-story mega-suite is equipped with everything from an in-suite slide to a movie room, interactive dining table, and "backyard" that leads directly to Surfside. 

As expected, this room isn't cheap. In fact, it is the most expensive cabin on any Royal Caribbean ship, with prices in 2024 averaging around $80,000 for a week. 

Infinite balcony cabins

Icon of the Seas is the first ship in the fleet to feature infinite balconies, a concept that first debuted on Celebrity Cruises' Edge Class. 

Infinite balconies differ from standard cruise ship balcony rooms. Whereas the latter has a door that opens up to a personal outdoor veranda, infinite balconies were designed to bring passengers closer to the ocean by essentially turning the entire stateroom into a balcony.

There's no exterior portion of the stateroom. Instead, there's a large floor-to-ceiling window that opens with the push of a button. 

Read more: I stayed in a 200-square-foot room on the world's largest cruise ship, where there's a new kind of balcony. Here's what it's like inside.

Shower stalls

Capsule showers with sliding doors are common on Royal Caribbean ships. On Icon, however, you'll find a larger shower with an integrated seat that isn't tucked into the corner of the bathroom. 

Moreover, the towel rack isn't located above the toilet. Instead, you'll find it above the seat in the shower, meaning that you're able to dry off before stepping out. 

Another new design aspect you'll find in the cabins is the do not disturb buttons. 

Thrill Island

It wouldn't be a true Royal Caribbean ship if there weren't a ton of "WOW" factors onboard. 

Adrenaline junkies should look no further than Thrill Island, which is home to the largest water park at sea, as well as the Crown's Edge challenge that's part skywalk, part ropes course, and part zip line. The latter is subject to an additional fee, meaning it isn't included in the cost of your cruise fare. 

In between all the action, guests can grab a bite to eat at Basecamp or cool down with a specialty milkshake from Desserted, both of which are new to the cruise line. 

Chill Island

The pool deck on Icon was completely reimagined and dubbed "Chill Island." The idea behind the new concept was that guests would have multiple different options on how they wanted to relax by the water. The result? A pool deck that has 62% more water surface area than on Oasis Class ships. 

In addition to the largest pool at sea that's surrounded by hot tubs, there's also the first-ever swim-up bar called "Swim & Tonic." 

Guests can also enjoy The Cove Pool, which has an infinity edge, so families can enjoy time in the water while soaking up incredible ocean views. 

The Hideaway

Speaking of infinity pools, passengers 18+ can enjoy the first suspended infinity pool at sea in The Hideaway. 

There isn't a Solarium onboard Icon; however, that doesn't mean that the cruise line took away the adults-only sun deck! In addition to the infinity pool, there's also a private bar and DJ to help curate beach club vibes. 

Read more: I tried the $350 in-pool daybed rental on Icon of the Seas. It was pricey, but you get a prime spot

New cocktails

Icon of the Seas has 13 new bars and lounges that feature over 100 new cocktails, 35 of which are zero-proof. These beverages are exclusive to the ship, so you won't find them on any menus while sailing onboard Symphony of the Seas, for example. 

From the "Oh Mai Gawd" cocktail located at The Hideaway Bar to the Jazzy Sass cocktail from Lou's Jazz 'n Blues, you're likely going to venture away from your tried-and-true favorites while on Icon. 

The cocktail glasses are new, too. They aren't the same shape as you will find on other ships in the fleet. 

Read more: I designed 13 new bar menus for the world's largest cruise ship. There's way more than just pina coladas

Icon of the Seas is the first ship in the fleet to be LNG-powered

Traditionally, cruise ships have been powered by diesel. In an effort to be more environmentally friendly, many new builds have begun to run on alternative sources of energy, including Icon of the Seas. 

This ship is powered by liquified natural gas (LNG). This type of fuel is one of the cleanest-burning marine fuels and helps to reduce a cruise ship’s carbon emissions by roughly 30%. 

One Hit Wonders Party (featuring the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man)

The One Hit Wonders Party is a new street dance party that takes place in the Royal Promenade. 

While guests are encouraged to participate, there's also entertainment staff performing choreographed dances to songs like "We Like To Party!" by the Vengabus, "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley, "Closing Time" by Semisonic, and "The Safety Dance" by Men Without Hats. 

Two-story Coastal Kitchen

Coastal Kitchen is the suite-only dining room that's open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Onboard Icon, it's two stories and overlooks the AquaTheater. On all other ships in the fleet, the venue is just a single story. 

Suite guests also have access to The Grove Suite Sun Deck where they can enjoy a bite to eat at the new fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant.  

If you want to enjoy these amenities, you must book a Sky or Star tier suite within the Royal Suite Class. 

Crew uniforms

Above is a picture of the new Officer uniforms that were implemented onboard Icon of the Seas. 

Speaking of crew members, did you know that Royal Caribbean built a crew neighborhood on Icon that spans four decks and features redesigned accommodations to maximize privacy and storage? Plus, the crew Windjammer has actual windows to bring in some natural light! 

Read more: Royal Caribbean is adding the best crew member cabins and areas on its next new cruise ship

Icon of the Seas introduced many exciting new restaurants and bars to the Royal Caribbean fleet, including the highly-anticipated Empire Supper Club.

The Empire Supper Club is an eight-course meal described as “an evening of glitz and glamour, where cuisine is an occasion, cocktails are celebrations, and sultry live jazz is your host.” When you step foot in the venue, you will be transported to New York City in the 1930s.

During the inaugural sailing, I had the chance to try all the unique food and cocktail pairings to see whether it was worth the $200 price tag.

Of course, this review is highly subjective and based on my personal preferences. Another thing to note before I start the review: I told the restaurant ahead of time that I do not eat seafood. Because of this, I indulged in a few meals that were not listed on the menu.

If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, it's extremely important to inform them beforehand so they can prepare different meals for you. Gluten-free, lactose-free, and vegetarian options are available. 

The restaurant was very accommodating and the substitutions, in my opinion, were equally as enticing as the original menu.

What to know before dining at the Empire Supper Club

There are a few important things to know before you book a dinner at the Empire Supper Club.

First, guests with the Unlimited Dining Package can dine here for an additional $130. All other guests will have to pay the $200 cover price. There are no discounts for guests with the Deluxe Beverage Package or Crown and Anchor status. 

The experience includes a specialty cocktail with each course. The price is the same if you opt to have non-alcoholic drinks during the dinner.

Second, tables are for parties of two to four people. If you are eating with more than four people, you will have to sit at separate tables. There are no age restrictions, as guests under 12 years old are welcome to dine at the Empire Supper Club. A maximum of 38 people can dine here, so it's a small venue. 

Third, the dress code is formal. Many of us who dined at the Empire Supper Club wore black attire, whether it was a dress or jumpsuit. For men, it's required to wear a suit jacket. If you do not have one, Royal Caribbean will apparently lend you one.

Lastly, the dinner will take three hours. For us, it was from 6 to 9 p.m. Punctuality is required, and doors open 10 minutes before your dining time.

Empire Supper Club review

The Empire Supper Club is located right outside Central Park on deck eight. It makes sense that the venue was placed near the New York-inspired Central Park!

The menu consisted of American cuisine inspired by the 1930s era of New York City. 

As mentioned above, each dish was paired with a special cocktail that you can't find anywhere else on Icon. You can select your main course and dessert, but the appetizers have a set menu.

Throughout the evening, the American Standards Trio, which consisted of a singer, piano player, and double bass player, performed “sophisticated jazz selections specially curated for the night.”

The music was lovely to hear when we were eating. The music didn’t distract from our table conversation for the most part, but rather, it created a classy atmosphere. My personal favorite music selections included Rhapsody in Blue, Beyond the Sea, and New York, New York.

Here’s everything I ate and drank during my evening, along with my thoughts on everything I tasted. Royal Caribbean Blog founder himself, Matt Hochberg, accompanied me during this culinary journey.

Starter #1: Amuse-bouche

This hors d'œuvre resembled a small bagel with cream cheese - it was the perfect way to start the meal. It's meant to be a palate cleanser, and I found it to be very tasty. I requested to not have caviar on top, so mine had onions that looked like caviar. I wish I could’ve had another one!

Starter #2: Spicy pecan bread with honey

I was very excited to have some bread, but I was slightly worried when I heard it was spicy. I do not like super spicy foods, but I wanted to try it anyway. I am so glad I did because it was warm, pillow-soft, and not too spicy at all - there was just a little zing. The butter was also divine.

Drink #1: Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut

To celebrate the beginning of a wonderful meal, we all toasted with a glass of champagne. I am not much of a champagne drinker, but I liked this particular champagne!

Appetizer #1: Oysters

The oysters are described as: "Crispy oysters Rockefeller, chorizo Bearnaise, sundried Romas, micro basil."

Substitute: Quinoa salad

The quinoa salad included avocado and beets, as well as edible flowers. This is something I never would've ordered for myself, but I am glad I tried it. I had no complaints about it, but it wasn’t my favorite thing to eat.

Drink #2: Staten Island Spritz

This drink had Tito’s vodka, Campari liqueur, limoncello, orange juice, and champagne. It was a pretty-looking drink, but it wasn’t as sweet as I would’ve liked it. Matt agreed with me that it needed more flavor.

Appetizer #2: Raviolo

I liked the raviolo (which had a soft yolk, spinach, crisp guanciale, shaved bottarga, and Parmigiano) much better than the quinoa salad. I wasn’t a fan of the egg yolk when it oozed out from the middle, but I ate around it and it was still tasty.

Drink #3: Blood & Sand

This drink had Dewar’s scotch, cherry Heering, sweet vermouth, and orange juice. I enjoyed this drink, and it was my favorite up until this point. Matt commented how he really liked this drink too!

Appetizer #3: Langoustine

The lobster is described as: "Butter poached, Champagne, Osetra caviar, basil emulsion."

Substitute: Saffron risotto

The risotto was my favorite appetizer of all of the ones I tried. It was creamy with tomatoes on top. I would’ve liked more of this because I ate it all in less than 10 bites!

Drink #4: East of Houston

This drink had Botanist gin, lemon juice, honey syrup, orange bitters, and champagne. I liked how refreshing it was. It didn’t have a strong alcohol taste, which I appreciated.

Appetizer #4: Empire Caesar salad

The Caesar salad is described as, "Parmesan tuile, purple orchid, pink peppercorn."

While I didn’t eat the Caesar salad, I do have to say it looked very pretty. Look at that crouton arch!

Substitute: Mushroom soup

The soup was great! The bowl was so tiny that I ate it pretty quickly. I thought the soup tasted like the one at Chops Grille, so I asked the waitress and she confirmed it was from Chops Grille.

Palate cleanser: Sorbet

I found this sorbet to be quite yummy. Although I didn’t know the flavor of it, I guessed it was either strawberry or raspberry. The sorbet also had some boba in it, which I didn’t eat because I am not a boba fan.

Drink #5: New York Sour

This drink had Bulleit Bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg whites, and claret wine. I thought the “E” ice cube was a cute touch. The drink itself was pretty good, but not my favorite compared to drinks #3 and #4.

Main course: Steak

The Wagyu ribeye was excellent! I got the peppercorn sauce on the side and I think that made the steak even better. The pieces were small, but I savored every bite. I only wish I could’ve had more! 

It was served with fondant potatoes and sauteed morels.

Matt ordered the rabbit (leg and loin duo, mustard cream, baby carrots, pistachio dust), and I was curious to try it. I thought it tasted similar to chicken but much more chewy. Let's just say I am glad I got the steak!

Matt was also able to try the seabass (mousseline of parsnip, red beets, candy citrus), which he liked way more than the rabbit.

Drink #6: Toasted Almond

This drink had Tito’s vodka, Kahlua, amaretto, heavy cream, and grated nutmeg. I loved having this drink during dessert. After trying all the drinks, this one was my favorite! I am a big fan of cocktails with Kalua and heavy cream so it makes sense that this was my top pick. This drink paired well with the chocolate desserts.

Dessert #1: Cheesecake

Our waitress said since there were two of us, she typically likes to bring out the cheesecake and beehive so we can try both of them.

I liked the crust of the cheesecake, which was made of white chocolate. Matt commented that he loved the dulce de leche gelato it came with. I agreed, and I would say this cheesecake is even better than the cheesecake at Chops Grille.

Dessert #2: Chocolate Beehive

This dessert was my absolute favorite. All the ganache layers blended together to create a delicious chocolate delicacy! The mango sauce, salted caramel toffee, and honey tuile made this dessert out of this world. If only I could order just this beehive whenever I wanted!

Dessert #3: Chocolate Tree

This last dessert was not listed on the menu and was a complete surprise. All the chefs came out carrying these tall plates of cotton candy. When it was set on the table, I noticed it was a chocolate tree with cotton candy as the leaves! I was already so full by this point that I didn’t try all of the chocolates, but what I did have was very good.

More thoughts on the experience

The meal itself was very enjoyable and I loved the jazz music in the background. Sometimes the music was loud and other times it was quiet - I found that it corresponded with when we were eating versus the downtime between each course/drink. The band did take a break before the main course.

The way I would describe the lighting is moody. Each table had a little light that could be adjusted to a different brightness. We had ours on the lowest setting so it gave just a little bit of light when we wanted to look at the menu. 

The lights would turn on during some of the courses and I thought this was on purpose. We asked and it appeared that this wasn’t on purpose - I think they were experimenting with the lighting to see how we would react.

If you try to go to the bathroom anytime during the meal, someone will escort you to the bathroom. When Matt left for the bathroom, a waiter came over and replaced the towel that was in his lap with a new one. How fancy!

Another small thing I liked was how I could hang up my bag with the hook they placed on the table instead of putting my bag on the floor or on my chair.

Is the Empire Supper Club worth the extra cost?

After leaving the Empire Supper Club, I concluded right away that it was worth $200 per person.

When you account for each drink (assuming they’re $14 each, which is what Royal Caribbean charges for cocktails), that totals $84. The other $116 accounts for all the appetizers, desserts, main course, and entertainment. I would say that is a fair price!

I heard a lot of people compare this experience to Chef’s Table, a specialty dining option offered on most Royal Caribbean sailings. At Chef’s Table, you sit at a large table with other people and enjoy a five-course meal with wine pairings. There is no entertainment included. I have personally never done Chef’s Table, but I would assume Empire Supper Club is similar in some ways.

With Empire Supper Club, you sit at your own table and listen to jazz music while you eat. It was an intimate experience and it didn't feel like we were on a cruise ship! I've never had an experience like this on land or at sea. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my Empire Supper Club dinner and would recommend it to others. It's the perfect option for those who want to splurge on a special night out with family and friends.

The very first cruise on Icon of the Seas is in the books, and going on a maiden voyage of a new ship is unlike other sailings.

Royal Caribbean treats its inaugural cruises like a big party. You'll notice things that stand out from pretty much any other sailing.  This is because a new ship is a really big deal.

As a company, so many resources have been dedicated for years to make the new ship a reality and the culmination of those efforts is welcoming passengers onboard. Plus, it's an excuse to celebrate.

Read more: Icon of the Seas guide

I've sailed on a few inaugural voyages so far, but Icon's stood out in a few ways. If you're considering trying an inaugural sailing in the future, here's what Royal Caribbean did on Icon.

Champagne when you board

One thing Royal Caribbean does on any inaugural sailing is roll out the red carpet and welcome passengers on the ship.

On any sailing, there will be crew members that will meet you at the embarkation point to say hello and welcome you onboard, but on Icon, there's champagne too.

Crew members offered complimentary glasses of champagne as you entered. Free alcohol on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship is not something that comes regularly, so it's a sign that this is indeed a different kind of cruise.

Swag

Another way Royal Caribbean celebrates a new sailing is by giving its passengers free gifts.

Each night of the inaugural sailing, there was something given away for free.  These gifts were left in passengers' staterooms by their cabin attendant, so there's nothing extra anyone needs to do.

On Icon, we received, hats, bags, water bottles, lanyards, rubber ducks, and even a bartender set.

The idea is this is a big celebration where party favors are a way to remember the occasion.

The gifts given on an inaugural cruise will vary, but there's usually at least a few gifts given to guests.

Lots of executives

If you look around, you shouldn't be surprised to find Royal Caribbean's top executives onboard too.

Executives are there primarily to ensure everything is going as planned. With any new ship, getting everything running exactly as it should be is not a simple task, especially on the first in a class.

Executives observe, provide guidance, and even step in to assist to keep everything flowing.

In addition to a support role, executives are there to revel in the experience and interact with guests. They want feedback to evaluate how well things are running.

I saw executives from the Food & Beverage, Entertainment, and Product Development teams around Icon in a variety of roles.  

As an example, Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President of Entertainment Nick Weir was present at every single production show I saw to observe, take notes, and celebrate his team's progress.

Incomplete shows

It's not unusual that every single activity is ready on day one, and that was the case on Icon of the Seas as well.

There was a sign for the escape room, but I don't believe that's ready at all.

Only one show in the Aquatheater was running, and that show wasn't quite 100% complete yet.

Mr. Weir posted on Twitter it will take about a year to get it all right, "FYI we will tinker and tweak and add and subtract for the next twelve months before we consider the show full and finalized. 
A long and enjoyable process that we openly share with our guests. "

The Wizard of Oz was ready, but it did encounter some technical glitches. One performance on the first night had to be completely cancelled after about 15 minutes and delayed until day six of the sailing.

Shows not being completely ready was also something that happened on the Wonder of the Seas inaugural voyage.

If you go on a maiden sailing, be prepared for not every show to be totally ready for that voyage, but they will be ready as the weeks progress.

Best crew members in the fleet

One of the best aspects of going on an inaugural sailing are the crew members, because Royal Caribbean hand picks the best of the best to go on any new ship.

New ships aren't quite the well-oiled machine that existing ships are, and as a result, procedures and plans need to be worked out. To do that, they need experienced crew members who have demonstrated results under pressure.

I've noticed there's a certain subset of crew members that relish a brand new cruise ship and love jumping in to assist with the start up of a new ship.  I think they regard it as a kind of challenge.

If you cruise Royal Caribbean a lot, you may recognize a few familiar faces from other ships.  

This isn't limited to just the crew that serve you either. Icon had Royal Caribbean's A-list comedians perform all week (instead of just a couple days), along with their best Pub, Schooner Bar, and Dueling Piano players.

Bringing in top crew members sets the ship up for success.

Upgraded buffet on embarkation day

A new cruise ship has plenty of new things to check out, but don't overlook the buffet on embarkation day.

Upon boarding Icon of the Seas on embarkation day, there was one of the best spreads of food I'd ever seen in a buffet.

Filet mignon, lobster tail, tuna tartare, and crab legs were just some of the choices available and with no limit either.

It's a good reminder of how this first cruise is a big deal.

Fireworks and celebrations

Speaking of a big deal, nothing says "we're here to celebrate" quite like fireworks.

Upon departure from Miami, Icon of the Seas enjoyed a fireworks display off the ship's starboard side.

In every port of call Icon visited, foreign dignitaries from that country came onboard Icon to welcome the ship. For these countries, Royal Caribbean selecting their nation to host a ship with as much as notoriety as Icon of the Seas is a badge of honor.

Is going on an inaugural cruise worth it?

I once described a new ship's inaugural sailing as a combination of "Woodstock and Prom", and I stand by that description.

It's a giant party, reunion, and celebration rolled into one. There's as much enjoyment of the cruise itself as being able to say, "I was there!" to someone back home.

There can be hiccups, and some aspects of the cruise planning process take much longer than they normally do.  But after years of anticipation, being among the first to walk onboard and experience it all is a pretty neat feeling.

It may not be for someone who wants the ship to be running like clockwork, but if you're flexible, an inaugural voyage can be a real treat.

From the moment I stepped onboard Icon of the Seas, I was wowed.

I’ve cruised on 18 of Royal Caribbean’s 27 cruise ships, and as someone who typically prefers smaller ships, I was taken aback by just how much I loved the cruise line’s newest ship.

While Icon of the Seas may be the biggest cruise ship in the world, her impressive characteristics go beyond just her size.

Beyond the obvious—stellar entertainment, modern cabins, and a plethora of onboard activities—it was the smaller touches on Icon of the Seas that blew me away. I was impressed by the amount of ocean views, variety of new dining options, and thoughtful design of the ship’s eight neighborhoods.

I had only three days onboard during a media preview cruise, and this was not nearly enough time to experience all the ship had to offer. That being said, my short time onboard easily had me come to the conclusion that Icon of the Seas is my favorite ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet.

Related: Our complete guide to Icon of the Seas

From the trendy new food hall to the gorgeous Royal Promenade, here are 5 reasons why the newest Royal Caribbean ship is my favorite—and why I can’t wait to get back onboard.

I loved the The Overlook, which offers unmatched views and ambiance

Of all the brand new areas to explore on Icon of the Seas, I was perhaps most excited to check out The Overlook, a hangout space in the front of the AquaDome.

The AquaDome—an 82-foot-tall glass dome at the forward top of Icon of the Seas—is an impressive feat of engineering within itself. And while the AquaDome is most known for its indoor AquaTheater entertainment venue, my favorite aspect of this area is The Overlook.

If you have sailed on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum or Oasis Class ships, you should be familiar with the ships’ indoor Solariums, which are located in the same area as The Overlook. Yet instead of making this another pool space on Icon of the Seas, the cruise line did something more innovative: they created The Overlook.

The Overlook is an indoor lounge with some of the most breathtaking views you’ll find anywhere on the ship. I found myself drawn to The Overlook during my time onboard. With its comfortable seating, floor-to-ceiling windows, and close proximity to two bars, I could easily spend an entire day in the area with no regrets.

Related: Icon of the Seas AquaDome: What to expect

If you can snag one of the coveted Overlook Pods, you’re in for a treat. Inside The Overlook are four seating areas—called pods—some of which are elevated off the ground. Not only are these pods an excellent place for that perfect Instagram shot, but they are, without a doubt, a chic hangout space.

Whether you’re imbibing with your travel party or challenging new friends to a game of cards, the pods provide a scenic, semi-private area to relax in the AquaDome neighborhood. As a plus, the pods have several outlets under the seats, which makes them a perfect place to plug in a device if you need to get any work done while onboard.

Family-focused areas are condensed into one place, making the experience wonderful for both kids and adults

Icon of the Seas was designed to be the ultimate family vacation, and it seems she has lived up to the hype. Not only does the ship have its own waterpark, but Icon features kid-friendly favorites like a carousel, rock climbing wall, baby splash pad, mini golf course, and playground, among other activities.

As a 20-something without kids, I was nervous about just how family-focused Icon of the Seas would be. Although I have loved my cruises on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships, the vessels do not necessarily have a central “hub” for families. I always found them to be slightly overpacked with kids.

Icon of the Seas, on the other hand, has specific neighborhoods designed with families in mind. Surfside, for instance, is designed almost exclusively for young children, with kid-friendly restaurants, an arcade, Splashaway Bay aqua park, and a bar featuring “mommy and me” cocktails and mocktails. Additionally, Thrill Island, home to the Category 6 Waterpark, is another popular area designed for families.

Related: Icon of the Seas Surfside neighborhood: What to expect

During my cruise, it appeared that Royal Caribbean’s thorough design of these neighborhoods was successful—they were packed with families and young children.

Some prospective cruisers sailing without kids have been put off by Icon of the Seas’ overt marketing toward families. For my adults-only getaway, though, I found these family-focused neighborhoods to be a plus. Because families were drawn to specific zones of the ship, the rest of the vessel felt much more adult-focused.

The AquaDome Market offers an excellent addition to Royal Caribbean’s dining options

The industry’s trendiest dining concept in recent ship builds has been the food hall, and Royal Caribbean has caught on to that trend with the launch of the AquaDome Market.

Either in lieu of or in addition to a buffet, cruise lines like Virgin Voyages and Norwegian have debuted a food marketplace on new ships, which offers a selection of made-to-order dishes from individual stands, each offering a different cuisine.

I have to admit I was jealous when I read my coworkers’ reviews of these food halls on our sister site Cruise.Blog. Not only did these food halls look unquestionably cool, but they offered cuisine you’d be hard pressed to find in a traditional buffet, including Spanish tapas and Japanese ramen.

So when I boarded Icon of the Seas, my first stop was the AquaDome Market for lunch. The marketplace, located inside the ship’s AquaDome neighborhood, offers five food stands offering everything from chicken pita wraps to bacon mac n’ cheese and a variety of paninis. This venue is complimentary for guests.

Related: Icon of the Seas restaurant and dining guide

My favorite station at the AquaDome Market is GNGR, which offers Asian-inspired rice and noodle bowls. Protein options include sweet and sour shrimp, ginger beef, and chicken teriyaki, and bowls are topped with fried vegetable spring rolls. While portions are on the smaller side, this allowed me to try other options in the market as well.

In addition to GNGR, I loved my falafel and hummus bowl at FETA Mediterranean, while fellow Royal Caribbean Blog writer Angie raved about the cheesy selections at MAC’s Mac & Cheese and the Monte Cristo sandwich at Toast & Garden.

Of course, you can’t eat at AquaDome market without trying a crepe at Crème de la Crêpe. Whether a classic crepe with lemon zest and dusted sugar or the decadent Nutella banana option, you can’t go wrong with any crepe at the AquaDome market—I tried them all!

Although the expansive Windjammer buffet still offers a far greater number of choices compared to the AquaDome Market, I found myself dining at the AquaDome Market far more frequently than the latter. The selection of cuisines, made-to-order dishes, and overall stylish vibe of the venue is sure to make this spot a hit for the new vessel.

The Hideaway is everything I’ve ever wanted in an adults-only hangout space, even if I might miss the indoor Solarium

Icon of the Seas is the only Royal Caribbean ship without an adults-only Solarium, but there is a neighborhood in its place instead: The Hideaway.

Located in the ship’s aft, The Hideaway is the only designated adults-only area on Icon of the Seas. The space was designed with “Las Vegas pool party” in mind, and it’s a sophisticated, trendy pool space for adults 18 years and older.

Because the Solarium is one of my favorite areas on other Royal Caribbean ships, I was initially disappointed to hear the venue would be replaced with The Hideaway. After all, many Solariums are fully indoors, providing a climate-controlled, shaded area for adults to unwind.

The Hideaway, on the contrary, does not have much shade and is open to the elements, yet these downsides are overpowered by the sheer coolness of the area. With a suspended infinity pool, comfortable daybeds, two jacuzzis, and The Hideaway Bar, The Hideaway is easily my first choice for a pool day on Icon of the Seas.

Time will tell, however, whether an indoor Solarium is missed by passengers on Icon of the Seas. More often than not, I found myself lounging in the Solarium on other ships without entering a pool or hot tub anyway, so if I’m looking for a quiet, indoor area to relax, I could do that in The Overlook in the AquaDome instead.

Views of the ocean are abundant in the traditionally inward-facing Royal Promenade, and I loved spending time there

One of my main complaints about Royal Caribbean’s newest ships has always been the lack of ocean views. Ships like Wonder of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas are so big that it’s easy to forget you’re on a cruise ship altogether… but truthfully, I don’t want to forget that I’m on a cruise ship.

In particular, the Royal Promenade and Royal Esplanade on Royal Caribbean’s ships have traditionally faced inward, with little to no ocean views. Sure, the Royal Promenade offers ample choice for entertainment, dining, shopping, and activities, but sometimes all I wanted was to sit and relax with a beautiful view.

While designing Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean saw this shortcoming and decided to completely rethink the Royal Promenade. Instead of designing venues to face inward, the cruise line went above and beyond with ocean views.

Related: Icon of the Seas Royal Promenade: What to expect

From Pearl Café’s expansive, five-deck high window to the indoor (and outdoor!) views from the newly debuted 1400 Lobby Bar, natural light and ocean views are abundant on Icon’s Royal Promenade.

Whereas the Royal Promenade would usually be a place I would avoid during the day in lieu of brighter, ocean-facing venues onboard, I couldn’t get enough of the space during my cruise. In fact, I probably spent more time in the Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas than during all my cruises on Oasis Class ships combined.

On most other Royal Caribbean ships, the Royal Promenade is simply a place to quickly pass through during the day. On Icon of the Seas, it’s a destination.

While Icon of the Seas is not perfect, it’s pretty darn close

It’s impossible to build a “perfect” cruise ship, but Icon of the Seas comes close. The thoughtful design touches, number of new dining and bar concepts, diversity of stateroom options, and countless onboard activities are just a few of the reasons why Icon of the Seas is a game changer for the cruising industry.

Even so, not everything is perfect with Icon of the Seas. It’s hard to overlook the price tag of sailing on the ship, even when comparing it to the second newest ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet, Wonder of the Seas.

You can expect to pay at least $2,000 per person for an interior room on a 7-night Icon of the Seas cruise. Wonder of the Seas is, on average, around half the cost for the same type of cabin.

Related: How much does a cruise cost? (2024)

Despite the fact that new ships have always come with a high sticker cost, Icon of the Seas has taken Royal Caribbean’s new cruise ship pricing to a new level.

Additionally, the itineraries on Icon of the Seas are extremely limited. As a destination-focused cruiser, I almost exclusively book cruises based on the destination rather than the ship itself. Because Icon of the Seas only offers the same few Caribbean itineraries week after week, the itineraries are not very enticing.

Nonetheless, Icon of the Seas is the first ship I sailed on where I could see myself skipping a port day in order to spend more time onboard. Previously, I used to scoff at the idea of staying onboard instead of exploring a new port, but there is so much to see and experience on Icon of the Seas to justify skipping a port day. I truly never thought I would say that!

Even when keeping these downsides in mind, there’s no denying that Icon of the Seas provides an exceptional vacation experience. I definitely won’t be booking the ship for every cruise vacation I take—my budget would not allow that—but cruising on a ship this magnificent is something every cruiser “Loyal to Royal” should experience at least once.

Interested in cruising on Icon of the Seas? Check out our full ship tour on YouTube here.

One of Icon of the Seas’ new neighborhoods is The Hideaway on deck 15. Located in the very back of the ship, The Hideaway is the adults-only area onboard, much like the Solarium on other Royal Caribbean ships.

Access to this area is complimentary, but guests have the opportunity to rent one of the three daybeds in the Hideaway Pool.

Royal Caribbean describes the daybed as follows: “Premium, full-sized daybeds channel beach club party vibes at the first suspended infinity pool at sea. Settle into plush comfort with energizing beats from the nearby DJ booth as your soundtrack. Whether you're lounging with friends or jamming to the beat, these in-pool daybeds are your haven of comfort onboard. Your exclusive retreat awaits.”

I was curious to see what renting one of these daybeds would be like, so back in September 2023, I spent $350 to have all-day access to this daybed during the Icon of the Seas inaugural sailing.

What to know before reserving a daybed

The first thing you need to know before renting a daybed at The Hideaway is that it’s cheaper to reserve it before you step foot on Icon of the Seas. As I just mentioned, it was $350 when I purchased it pre-cruise. On the ship, it costs $400. This price is per daybed for one full day.

The price also varies whether you select a port day or a sea day. Picking the day bed on a sea day (like I did) is more expensive than a port day. Onboard, the difference is $100.

The daybed can hold a maximum of four guests. You can have less than that, but it makes sense to have the most people you can to save money per person.

The included amenities are meant for four people. Each daybed comes with:

• A chilled bottle of champagne to share
• Four towels
• Four water bottles

The Hideaway only allows guests that are 18 and older. If you have someone between the ages of 18 and 20 on the daybed, they will receive four complimentary mocktails to substitute the champagne the daybed comes with.

My morning experience

According to the app, I was to arrive at the Hideaway Bar at 9 a.m. I got there at about 9:10 a.m., and I was the first daybed to check in for the day. Since I was first, I was able to pick which of the three beds I wanted for the day. I selected the middle one so I could get the best views of the ocean.

The other daybeds also offered great views, and really any of them would be a solid option.

After checking in, the attendant said I needed to wait until 10 a.m. to get the daybeds set up. I am not sure why the app said I had to get there at 9 a.m. when it appeared that I could’ve come at 10 a.m. I was told I had the daybed from that point until the pool closed, which was 9 p.m.

At 10 a.m., I was able to sit down on the daybed. On each daybed was a basket with four towels, four water bottles, a Hideaway Bar drink menu, and a bottle of champagne with two cups.

At this time, there weren’t many people in the pool. The music wasn’t too loud either, so it was a more relaxing experience. All of the music tended to be remixes of pop songs, which I really liked because it created a lively atmosphere. There wasn’t a DJ until later in the day.

It was about 11 a.m. when the other two daybed groups showed up. Also, between 11 a.m. and noon, it got much busier. As more and more people crammed into the pool, I thought to myself how lucky I was to have my own large daybed with quick access to the pool. In some ways, I felt like a queen on a throne!

Many people hovered around the daybeds and put their things on the ledge because there weren't many places to put down their drinks, SeaPass cards, etc.

Sometime around noon, I was hungry for a snack. I went to the closest restaurant, Basecamp, and got a hotdog and tater tots. I assumed I could eat this while sitting on the daybed, but about one minute after I brought the food to the daybed, a lifeguard told me no food was allowed in the pool. I was disappointed by this, but I left and ate my food while standing near the pool.

Matt from Royal Caribbean Blog joined me for about an hour on the daybed. He commented that it felt like “a million degrees” while sitting on the daybed with no shade. I did agree with his comment because I was also getting quite hot by this point.

When Matt joined me, I confirmed that there was more than enough space for two people on the daybed. With four people, I think it would be just about perfect for everyone to sit comfortably.

In an attempt to cool down, I ordered one of the Hideaway Bar drinks, the Castaway Spritz. This drink had Aperol, coconut milk, pineapple juice, mango, vanilla syrup, and prosecco. I definitely enjoyed it and it did quench my thirst.

I thought the pool water was warm and felt very nice. Taking a dip in the pool did help cool me down, but I longed for some shade.

At about 2 p.m., I was so hot that I wanted to go back to my cabin to relax in the air conditioning. I knew I wanted to come back to enjoy the daybed later in the day, so I kept the towels and water bottles on the daybed.

My night experience

After having some time out of the sun, I decided to come back to the daybed and watch the sunset from the back of the ship. This was a great time to come to the pool, and the sunset was so beautiful!

I noticed the music from the DJ was much more upbeat at this time of night. It was also louder and resembled the vibe of Oasis Lagoon at Perfect Day at CocoCay. I enjoy this kind of music, so I thought it was fun.

I assumed it wouldn’t be that busy around 5 p.m. because I thought people would be at dinner, but there were still a lot of people swimming and sunbathing!

When I came back to my daybed, I noticed a lot of people put their belongings on the daybed. As soon as I came back and sat down, pretty much everyone moved their things. I did notice this trend throughout the day. When I was there, no one put their things on the daybed, except maybe the ledge. When I wasn’t there, lots of people would put their stuff on the daybed, which is to be expected.

It was about this time that one of the groups on the other daybed left for the day. The other daybed was still being utilized.

Overall thoughts

To truly get your money’s worth, you could theoretically stay on the daybed from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. I utilized the daybed for about six hours, so I didn’t fully maximize my time at The Hideaway, but I felt like I had plenty of time to experience what it was like.

I think renting one of these daybeds would be perfect for a group of family or friends. Since I was alone for the majority of the day, it was a different experience. I still enjoyed myself, but I think I would’ve had more fun if I had other people there with me. (When I booked the daybed in September, I knew I had someone who was going to join me, but they weren't able to sail on Icon due to unforeseen circumstances.)

The Hideaway is the adults-only neighborhood onboard, replacing the Solarium. I like the Solarium because it's usually shaded. With The Hideaway, there are not many places to sit in the shade, especially on the daybeds. I probably would’ve stayed longer on the daybed if I had some shade. The sun would come and go behind the clouds, and I was very happy when it would be under some clouds!

The Hideaway is also a different vibe from the Solarium. Usually, the Solarium is tranquil and calm. This is not the case at The Hideaway where music is bumping all day long. If you want to feel like you’re at a beach party, then you should definitely visit The Hideaway. To take your experience to the next level, renting a daybed could be something you consider. If you want peace and quiet, The Hideaway is not the place for you.

Was the daybed worth $350? That would depend on your personal preferences. For me, I am not sure if it was worth it. I think if food and drinks (other than the included champagne) were also a part of that price, it would be more worthwhile.

I would recommend getting a group of four people to go in on the daybed to make it the most cost-effective!

It could also be worth it for you and your party if you want to solidify a spot all day at The Hideaway. Many of the chairs at The Hideaway were taken by others and they would stay there for a long time.

It's more of a challenge to find an empty place to sit in The Hideaway, so if you want to have the best seat in the house, you should rent one of the daybeds.

Royal Caribbean has out done itself with Icon of the Seas, thanks to new innovations, changes, and a few tweaks.

Overall, I've enjoyed sailing on the new biggest cruise ship in the world because the ship has so many aspects that really stand out as being important. Subtle changes, such as the pool deck being broken up so it doesn't feel like just another cruise ship pool deck, to adding stairs, escalators, and shortcuts, have really had an effect on the enjoyment factor.

Like any Royal Caribbean ship, I can't help but compare and contrast it to other ships, and I've found a number of things I enjoy and some others I wish they would change.

Being the first ship in the Icon Class, it's impressive how much Royal Caribbean got right out of the gate with this ship. The line spent a great deal of time mocking up venues at their headquarters and utilizing virtual reality to better understand the flow and feel for venues that have never existed.  The result has been fantastic.

I thought my time on Icon of the Seas and what I've enjoyed about about the ship and what truly stands out.

Icon feels uncrowded

From the day we boarded Icon of the Seas, it became clear crowds have not been an issue and it almost feels weird how uncrowded the ship is.

I'm not saying Icon feels like a private yacht or that there aren't any lines, but it has been remarkable how uncrowded the ship has felt.  It's been especially true in places that I usually expect to find a lot of people, such as the pool deck or Royal Promenade.

On a sea day, I went to try to find a crowd.  The Hideaway and Swim & Tonic bar were were I found the largest crowds, but even that was fairly manageable. 

In many cases, other guests mentioned how empty the ship felt.  

To be fair, the first sailing is not at maximum capacity, but there are about 5,500 passengers along with 2,300 crew members onboard.  That's not a small number of humans on one ship.

I think the reason Icon feels so uncrowded so far is because of how much there is to do that draws people away. 

There's three different theaters, an entire waterpark, live music, 40 bars and restaurants, and seven pools, and a variety of other activities. 

Plus, you have better flow of guests onboard with stairs, escalators, and shortcuts.  It all adds up to help keep passengers moving and the ship really feels emptier than I would have ever expected. 

Really good complimentary restaurants

Royal Caribbean has introduced a lot of specialty restaurants over the last few years, but darn if the food included with your cruise fare isn't really good too.

Besides the Main Dining Room, Sorrento's Pizza, and Windjammer, there are a few other new venues included in your cruise fare that are drawing me back time and time again.

Aquadome Market is a new food hall concept and it's a home run. So much variety, and so good food.  I could eat the Greek gyros every day.

The Surfside neighborhood has three new restaurants, two of which are included.  Surfside Bites and Surfside Eatery might be targeted at kids, but who doesn't love chicken tenders, hot dogs, and quesadillas? 

Basecamp has a majority of extra-cost items, but I'd be remiss if I didn't stop for a complimentary basket of pretzel bites every time I walk by.

And then there's Pearl Cafe, which is a revamped version of Cafe Promenade.  It has grab-and-go snacks available 24 hours a day, new drink dispensers, and a beautiful lounge space.  It's one of the most popular spots to hang out on Icon.

Wide open spaces

Perhaps contributing to the feel that Icon of the Seas is uncrowded are the expanded and open venues.

The Royal Promenade stretches from side to side of the ship and it feels so nice having a space that doesn't remind me of a shopping mall. 

How did they do this? They removed the Promenade facing cabins to add more space in this neighborhood.

Chill Island is the de-facto pool deck, but Royal Caribbean has spread out the pools and added so many chairs in the shade and sun that you can roll up to the pool at lunch on a sea day and still get a chair.

By opening up these decks, it really feels like you have more space to spread out.

Empire Supper Club

I wasn't sure if I would like Royal Caribbean's most expensive specialty restaurant, but I ended up loving it.

Empire Supper Club is a new dining experience, and the only comparison I can draw is to Chef's Table.  Chef's Table had three flaws that kept me from ever loving it: you have to sit with strangers, it's paired with a lot of wine, and the food was always a little too frou-frou for my taste.

Empire Supper Club addresses all three of those problems, and includes amazing entertainment.

It's an intimate dining experience to be sure, but you are seated at your own table, so you don't have to worry about awkward conversations with strangers at the onset of the meal.

Instead of wine pairs, each course is paired with cocktails and I think there's a more universal appeal to cocktails. I certainly liked it better.

As for the food, the entrees are fantastic (try the Chilean Sea Bass) and I found each of the appetizers really tasty as well. Given the pacing, I think there's plenty to eat and it's all very good.

Yes, it's $200 per person to eat at Empire Supper Club, so it's not cheap.  But I do think it's worth trying as a way to celebrate being on vacation and splurging a little bit.

More outlets than ever

You won't have to go very far to find a power outlet on Icon.

There are more electrical and USB outlets on Icon of the Seas, than I've ever seen on another Royal Caribbean cruise ship. This is so helpful to ensure you can keep your devices charged no matter where you are.

Staterooms have always been where you could find dedicated power, and for the first time there are likely more power and USB outlets than you can possibly use.  For families, this is a really big deal as you don't have to play the game of which device can you disconnect so someone else can get a turn.

In the cabin, there are outlets on both sides of the bed, as well as by the vanity.  Depending on which room type you have, there are also outlets near the television, storage areas and more.

Around the ship, there are lots of outlets in public venues and that means you can enjoy spending time in these places, rather than having to go back to your room to power up.

In Pearl Cafe and the Overlook, there are outlets at almost every chair. At bars and restaurants, you'll find them too.

Destination elevators

I never thought a new kind of elevator could have such a profound effect on crowds and waiting, but it's been a real win with the destination elevators on Icon.

Instead of traditional elevators, you go to a panel and indicate which floor you'd like to go to and are directed to a particular elevator.

Once in that elevator, there are no buttons to push and the car goes directly to the floors that have been programmed for you.

It may not seem like it would have that big of a difference, but the time spent waiting for an elevator on Icon has been substantially reduced.  Even when there are big crowds, such as when a show lets out, the destination elevators more efficiently get people where they need go with less waiting.

Royal Caribbean changed to destination elevators because the cruise line knew waiting for an elevator was a problem on Oasis Class ships.  Since Icon was going to have more passengers, they needed a better way to move up 7,500 passengers seamlessly.

The result has been a tremendously faster experience, and I think you'll be equally surprised how well the elevators work on Icon.

Surfside restaurants

There are many new bars, restaurants, and lounges on Icon, but I think the least-heralded ones are in Surfside because the area has been written off as "just for kids". 

However, I really think you would be remiss if you didn't stop for the food in Surfside, regardless of if you have children or not with you.

There are two complimentary restaurants, as well as an a la carte restaurant.

Surfside Eatery is a buffet, and while it is intended for kids, there's a lot of good food here. Plenty of adults are picky eaters, but more importantly, plenty of adults like quesadillas, hot dogs, and fruit.

If you're really in a rush, try the popcorn chicken from Surfside Bites next door. 

And the real sleeper hit of Icon of the Seas is Pier 7, which is a new specialty restaurant.

Pier 7 offers brunch and dinner, and the menu is meant to appeal to parents and kids.  Essentially, there should be something for all palates here.

The menu consists of an all-day brunch, tacos, poke bowls, and more. It's priced a la carte, so you pay for you what you order.  If you have the Ultimate Dining Package, you get $20 per person, per day to eat here.

Cruise ship food can get repetitive, so I appreciate that Pier 7 has more variety to consider and it's somewhere else you could go for a meal. Plus, I think having all-day brunch is going to a popular choice for those that like to sleep in but still want breakfast. 

Wizard of Oz

Royal Caribbean has a well-deserved reputation for having the best entertainment at sea, and The Wizard of Oz show might be it's best show yet.

As the signature show on Icon of the Seas, Oz has been highly anticipated and the show matches up nicely.

The production value is off the charts. From the set, to the costumes, to the special effects, this is no musical medley.  It's on par with any stage show you might see in a city (and have to pay extra to see).

While I was disappointed all of the shows aren't available to see on the inaugural cruise, Wizard of Oz alone makes up for it all with its high quality.

Things I didn't like about Icon of the Seas

Nothing in this world is perfect, and I found a few aspects of Icon of the Seas that I think could be improved.

Staggering of Royal Promenade entertainment

One goal Royal Caribbean has had with the Royal Promenade was to make the area have much more energy, so they opened up the venues more so that you can experience a taste of what's happening inside as you walk by.

Nearly all of the venues (except The Attic) are fully open, so music can be heard from all over the Royal Promenade and for it to be more enticing for passengers to want to experience it all.

I love this change, but I'm not sure the timing has been well-thought out.

The issue is they want certain musical acts to be playing when others aren't, and the result is it seems like you have less time to enjoy them all.

As an example, the guitarist in the pub regularly stops performing around 10:45pm so that Boleros (located across the Promenade and above) can perform.  The guitarist in the pub starts earlier, but between shows and dinner, there's wasted time as I have found the pub gets busiest on other ships between 10pm and midnight.

Noise bleed is inevitably going to happen, but I don't think the entertainment needs to grind to a halt during prime time.

Suite lounge feels cramped

The suite lounge on Icon is a shared space with Coastal Kitchen, but unlike the Oasis Class ships that do the same thing, this area feels far more constricted.

As you enter the Suite Neighborhood, you'll find the suite concierge and the suite lounge hugging the left side of the area, with Coastal Kitchen taking up much of the space.

I found there just isn't a lot of seating, and what seating is there is very close together.  This is especially true of the tables in Coastal Kitchen. The nice thing about Coastal Kitchen is that it encompasses two floors.

Baskets instead of drawers

This last thing I don't love is purely aesthetic, but I noticed in many standard cabins baskets have essentially replaced a few drawers.

The problem I have with baskets is the contents are visible to someone outside the room.  The baskets are too small to put larger garments in them (such as pants), so I think smaller clothing will inevitably be put in them, such as undergarments.

Regardless of what you put in them, if you have friends come to your room to hang out, the clothing is visible and that bothers me.  Maybe that's just me.

Speaking of storage, there is sufficient room to put your clothes and belongings away, but it feels like there is less space than on Wonder of the Seas.  I think the change is a result of removing the storage that used to be around the bed frame on other ships.  

As I said, there is enough space to put belongings away, but it feels like there is less than you might otherwise have on an Oasis Class ship.

I've spent over a week on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas and it's an impressive cruise ship, but there are some important things you'll want to do to maximize it all.

Royal Caribbean calls Icon of the Seas a "white paper ship", because it was designed from scratch to incorporate the line's best ideas. Suffice to say, I've heard so many great things from other passengers on how impressed they are. Destination elevators, an expansive pool deck neighborhood, more for the kids than ever, and new entertainment venues are just some of the early wins.

I got to thinking how could someone going on Icon truly get the most out of their vacation.  I thought about the ways anyone could save time, money, and their sanity, by embracing a few easy tips to have a better cruise.

Icon is a giant ship, but don't let its size overwhelm you. There's easy ways to make it all work.

Get to know the neighborhoods

Understanding the layout of Icon of the Seas is probably the first thing you should figure out.

Icon borrows the neighborhood concept from the Oasis Class cruise ships, but it's far from a copy-and-paste job. The layout is notably different, and you may find yourself early on trying to figure out which area has which venue.

Hooked is in the AquaDome, the Music Hall is below the Royal Promenade, and Surfside can be accessed from a few decks.

Neighborhoods have served two purposes.  First, it provides easy navigation aids.  Second, it helps spread passengers out.

Read more: Is the world's largest cruise ship crowded? Not as much as you might fear

At the risk of making a shameless plug, we put together a walkthrough video tour that you can watch to easily get a sense of where everything is before the cruise begins.  While deck maps are also available, I think they are not as intuitive to understanding layout and flow.

Once you get on Icon of the Seas, be sure to walk around a lot on the first day so you can get your bearings.

One thing you'll notice is how inviting each neighborhood is, and how you might be drawn in immediately to one area and realize you haven't made it to a different neighborhood yet. Royal Caribbean wanted the ship to offer something for everyone, and I found I would wander into one area and hang out there longer than I anticipated.

You may find yourself drawn into an a lounge, pool, or activity and spend more time there than you anticipated because it's just that endearing. 

You can use the Royal Caribbean app for much more on Icon

Royal Caribbean has introduced new app features first just for Icon of the Seas, so be sure to take advantage of them (so be sure to download the app before the cruise).

In addition to the repertoire of useful functionality, the Royal Caribbean app has new features that you can now use:

Express Boarding

Guests who check-in ahead of time and scan their documents get to go through the “Express Boarding” and breeze through the cruise terminal in minutes

Faster WiFi access

Once shipboard, guests can connect directly to WiFi and their Internet plans through the app (rather than going into their phone settings or dealing with a captive portal).

AI Help

Guests can now get help from a chatbot or chat with a Guest Services agent through the Royal Caribbean app.

The Guest Services team now has a Virtual Queueing system to schedule and manage guest visits.

Dinner reservations

Guests receive push notifications when their tables are ready for main dining, helping reduce the pre-dinner crowds.

Easier photo purchases

And guests can view and purchase photos directly through the app, instead of having to visit and crowd around kiosks.

Pre-book your shows whenever possible

Royal Caribbean allows guests to book tickets to their shows in the weeks leading up to their cruise and this is not just a good idea, it's a must-do.

The hottest ticket on Icon of the Seas are the top shows: Aqua Action, Wizard of Oz, and Starburst. Even the comedy shows are tough to book too.

Theoretically, Royal Caribbean puts its tickets to book 30 days before the cruise from the Cruise Planner website. For at least the first few sailings, the cruise line has needed more time to get its reservations open.

Regardless of when they're available, book shows to ensure you get in easily.

There will also be tickets made available on the ship. There's a box office you can visit to get reservations on embarkation day, so that's a good back-up option.

Arrive very early for standby shows

If you don't get a ticket, don't fret, you can still likely get in the show but you'll need to be an early bird.

There is a standby line for each show, and the key is to get in the standby line early. I would recommend getting in line at least 30-45 minutes before the listed start time to be able to be among the first to enter the theater once they admit standby line guests in.

Even if you have a ticket, I'd still recommend getting to the show early.  Seating is limited in many venues, especially the AquaTheater.  Remember, your ticket assures you of a seat, but not necessarily the best seat. So arrive early.

Don't overlook the great included food options

It's so tempting to book specialty restaurants, but the restaurants included with your fare are not bad at all on Icon.

Pearl Cafe has replaced Cafe Promenade, and it offers grab-and-go snacks 24 hours a day. It's a significant upgrade in terms of food quality and selection.

Perhaps the best complimentary restaurant to come out of Royal Caribbean in at least a decade is the Aquadome Market.

This is Royal Caribbean's first food hall, and it is really good. You have the choice of Greek, mac and cheese, crepes, Asian, or salads. It's all freshly made, and it's the kind of food you'll want to go back again to get more.

Surfside might be the new neighborhood for young families, but don't skip the restaurants here. There's two included restaurants that serve up a lot of comfort food: Surfside Bites and Surfside Eatery.  

Of course, you could also grab a slice of pizza at Sorrento's, which was Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley's favorite food on Icon.

There are outlets in so many public venues

Whether you want to keep your laptop, iPhone, or any electronic device powered up, it's easier on Icon.

There are so many more outlets in public venues than ever before.  On older ships, it's a miracle if you can find a single electric plug to use around the ship because ships were not designed with USB or 120V outlets in mind.

Around Icon, there are lots of outlets you can use.  As more people work remotely from cruise ships (thank you Starlink internet), there's more of a need to have power.  Plus, sometimes you just want to keep your phone going because you used a lot of battery already listening to music.

Pearl Cafe in particular has a ton of outlets, as does the Overlook in the Aquadome.  Most bars have plugs as well that you can use.

Book your cruise early for the best price

If Icon of the Seas sounds like a fantastic cruise ship to sail on, you will want to book it as early as possible.

Cruise prices are dynamic, but as rooms get booked up, inventory drops and prices go up. Demand for Icon of the Seas is so strong right now that you cannot expect a price drop.

Your best strategy for getting a good price on Icon is to book early, like right now.  The earlier you book, you can lock in the price.

The cruise industry is experiencing unparalleled demand, and you'll see that in the prices.  Icon is a premium ship with premium pricing, so booking early is your best plan (rather than waiting for a last-minute deal).

Read more: 15 ways to get a deal on a cruise

Icon of the Seas is the first Royal Caribbean ship to feature infinite balconies, so I decided to book this type of cabin to see what it was like.

Specifically, I booked an infinite cabin that offered views of Central Park, the open-air neighborhood with bars, shops, restaurants, and thousands of real plants. 

Icon of the Seas has 196 of these Central Park infinite balconies.

Let’s take a look at what a Spacious Infinite Central Park View Balcony cabin looks like on the new Icon of the Seas.

Read more: Guide to Icon of the Seas cabins and suites

Cabin 10225 is located on deck 10, midship. The living area/bathroom is 200 square feet and the balcony is 50 square feet. These cabins can sleep three to four people.

The total for two people to sail in this cabin was around $5,180. Keep in mind this was during the inaugural sailing, a seven-day Eastern Caribbean and Perfect Day cruise.

The first thing I noticed when walking into my cabin was all the colors. There are lots of accents of yellow and blue, and the colors are not too obnoxious. I liked the subtle pops of yellow throughout the cabin.

The king bed can be split into two twin beds if two people are sailing in this cabin. On each side of the bed is a light and USB plugin.

On one side of the bed is the telephone and a side table with two shelves. The other side of the bed has a light switch that turns on and off all the lights in the room. There is also a regular U.S. plugin if you need to have a device charging next to you when you sleep. There’s only one shelf on this side of the bed.

The smart TV is across from the bed and can be seen from the couch, bed, or infinite balcony.

The couch is quite long and has cute decorative pillows. Some cabins have a trundle bed to sleep another person, but my cabin didn’t have this, hence it was a regular couch. I found the couch to be comfortable, but I did not have a ton of space to spread out when I would lie down on it.

The vanity is also long - pretty much the same length as the couch. There are numerous outlets, which I love because of my many electronic devices that need to be charged on a daily basis. The vanity has two USB-C outlets, a European outlet, two USB outlets, and one 120-volt outlet.

In the vanity, you can also see that there are five shelves to store your belongings. Three of the shelves are not as deep as the other two, but I could still fit plenty of things inside. The mini cooler was perfect for me so I could store my water bottles in there.

There’s a good amount of storage in the cabin, including shelves by the TV, a hidden closet/mirror by the bathroom, and a closet.

The closet is unique in that it has one full-length section and then a closet that takes up ¾ of the space with baskets below, taking up the other ¼ of the space. There are 24 hangers and four baskets.

The full-length closet is skinny and can fit a few full-length outfits. I used this closet to store my carry-on luggage and backpack. The other closet is where I hung up all of my dresses, tops, and jumpsuits.

Having baskets is an interesting concept. I like the idea of them, but I wish they were basket drawers instead of actual baskets. With these baskets, you pretty much have to pick them up and take them out. You can pull them towards you, but I think this will leave marks on the cabinet over time. I feel drawers would be much easier because they would just slide open and shut, preventing any skid marks and scuffs.

I just stayed in an inside cabin on Odyssey of the Seas, and I loved the closet situation on that ship - the closet was way bigger and could fit so much! On this Icon of the Seas cabin, I felt there was less closet space in comparison.

The infinite balcony includes two chairs, an ottoman, and a small table. There is a large green shutter that covers part of the balcony view. 

Of course, I also noticed the giant brown area right below my cabin. At first, I didn’t know what this was - I thought it was one of the restaurants or bars. Come to find out, it’s actually an entrance to the Royal Promenade where the Pearl is!

I would’ve much preferred a cabin without this large obstruction. There was no indication of this cabin being obstructed when I booked it, but I think it should specify that when selecting this cabin. With the Pearl right below me, I feel like I didn’t get to see as much of Central Park as I would’ve liked.

Read more: Photo tour of a balcony cabin on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas. It has more power outlets than I've seen on any ship

You can control the infinite balcony blinds from the control panel by the window or on the thermostat by the bathroom. To open and close the infinite balcony window, you need to use the control panel that’s located next to the window. The blinds do a great job of keeping the cabin dark at night while sleeping.

If you select the movie or sleep setting on the thermostat, the blinds will close at the same time the lights turn off. For the evening setting, the blinds will stay open. There’s also a curtain that can be utilized to create division between the balcony and living space.

As for noise, I didn’t hear anything at night when I was trying to sleep. However during the daytime when I was relaxing in my room, I could hear music from the pool deck. It wasn’t super loud, but it was a muffled noise. This could be a problem for those who like to nap during the day.

I did like the bathroom, as it was spacious and modern. The shower was nice and big, and even had a seat which is something I have not seen on a cruise ship!

Another thing I have not seen on a cruise ship was the towel rack inside the shower. This proved to be great because instead of taking a shower and stepping out into the cold to grab your towel, you can just stay in the shower and dry off with your towel right there.

The bathroom has three shelves next to the sink, three shelves below the sink, and three shelves by the toilet. There’s also a deep drawer that can store tall items, like shampoo and conditioner bottles.

Overall, I enjoyed my stay in this ultra-modern stateroom. Being on the 10th deck in the middle of the ship meant I was close to locations in the front and back of the ship.

There are a few things that I wish were different about the cabin (like the closet baskets and the view from my balcony), but they were small things that did not negatively impact my experience.

Would you stay in this cabin? Let us know in the comments!

We asked thirteen chefs and food-obsessed executives to debate the most memorable plates on Royal Caribbean's newest ship.

There are dozens of restaurants and bars on Icon of the Seas to try, so how how do you sift through every single one and choose the most essential dishes?

I struggled with trying to sample everything on my short Icon of the Seas preview sailing that the cruise line invited me on in the days before the new ship's maiden voyage. 

It occurred to me that it would make sense to go straight to the source and ask some of the chefs, senior staff, and executives for their picks. Some of them had been on Icon for nearly a month, and had gone through preparing the venues for paying customers. As a result, they tried a lot of the food.

I was surprised by the breadth of answers I got.  I was initially worried about repetition in answers, but it turned out there are a number of great picks among the list I compiled.

Here's a list of the top dishes and drinks straight from the top of Royal Caribbean.

1. Chilean Sea Bass at Empire Supper Club

Three different people picked the Chilean Sea Bass as their favorite dish, and that caught my attention when I went to eat there.

Empire Supper Club is a brand new concept for Royal Caribbean. The line has never done an intimate dining experience that incorporated entertainment, cuisine, and formality like this, and the finished product is quite impressive.

Among the three entrees you can choose from, the Chilean Sea Bass stands out for how much flavor it has and how tender it is.  It's a cliche to say food melts, but this one really does.

Izumi Master Chef Travis Kamiyama, Royal Caribbean International Chief Marketing Officer Kara Wallace, and Royal Caribbean International Senior Director of Fleet Restaurant Operations Dominique Gamba all chose this as their favorite food on Icon of the Seas.

To the best of my knowledge, Royal Caribbean has never served Chilean Sea Bass before at another venue, but it turned out to be a great choice.  You can also try the steak or rabbit at Empire Supper Club, but given how highly recommended the Sea Bass is, it's difficult to pass up.

2. Gyros at Aquadome Market

Aquadome Market is another brand new dining concept on Icon of the Seas, and it's Royal Caribbean's first foray into a food hall. And it's complimentary!

I was lucky enough to get a sneak preview of the Aquadome Market when the cruise line was testing out a bare bones concept at its Innovation Lab in Miami. Even in that form, I was impressed by the food ideas the culinary team came up with.

Paul Fortin, Senior Director of Culinary Operations (and a chef), picked the gyros from the Feta station, as did Thierry Houlbert, Senior Traveling Corporate Pastry Chef.

It's easy to see why the gyros are a great choice. They're freshly made when you order them, it uses fresh ingredients, and it's a satisfying street food dish.

Feta offers pork or chicken gyro meat, as well as falafel. And since it's in the food hall, you can also grab mac and cheese, crepes, and a salad at one of the other stations too.

3. Giant meatball at Giovanni's Italian Kitchen

Royal Caribbean brought back Giovanni's Italian Kitchen to Icon of the Seas, which is the line's preeminent Italian specialty restaurant.

Among the dishes you'll find at Giovanni's, is an aptly named appetizer, the Giant Meatball.

It's doused in Parmesan cheese, surrounded by marinara sauce, stuffed with spinach, and it was the dish that Director, Entertainment & Guest Activities at Royal Caribbean International, Ken Rush picked out immediately.

Like so many dishes at Giovanni's, the meatball is a comfort food and classic dish.

4. Amuse-bouche at Empire Supper Club

Another entry from Empire Supper Club is actually something you won't find listed on the menu.

This new restaurant boasts eight courses, including a very tasty start to the meal.

Royal Caribbean International Assistant Vice President of Guest Experience, Aurora Yera-Rodriguez, chose the amuse-bouche (pronounced ahmooz-boosh).

This is a French term that comes from the combined words amuser (to amuse), and bouche (mouth), and it's a tiny bagel topped with cheese and caviar.

5. Pepperoni pizza at Sorrento's

When I asked Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley his favorite food on Icon of the Seas, I don't think I would have predicted pizza would have been his choice.

Sorrento's is the well-known pizza chain on most of Royal Caribbean's cruise ships. Pizza might not be the most impressive food on Icon, but darn if it's not a good eat everytime you have it.

Mr. Bayley (AKA Bada-Bling Bayley) picked the pepperoni pizza specifically, noting it was something he always eats on any cruise.

6. Korean Fried Chicken at Pier 7

Royal Caribbean Vice President Food & Beverage, Linken D'Souza, is responsible for all the dining venues on Icon of the Seas.  In fact, he lead all the dining initiatives around the fleet, so he has had his hand in pretty much every aspect of eating on Icon of the Seas.

Mr. D'Souza picked a restaurant from the new family-friendly neighborhood of Surfside.

Pier 7 is the first family-oriented specialty restaurant that is free for kids, and only the adults pay for it.

Mr. D'Souza chose the Korean Fried Chicken as his top dish, and he's become quite the connoisseur of fried chicken during his tenure at Royal Caribbean.   You'll find a fried chicken dish at the Mason Jar and Portside BBQ, both of which are new venues that he lead the creation of on other ships.

7. Goat cheese salad at Chops Grille

Chops Grille is on every single Royal Caribbean cruise ship, and its menu is among the most well-known.  That might be why Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty picked something from its menu.

His choice was the Goat Cheese salad appetizer, which features a bed of greens topped with a large fried piece of goat cheese.

The crispy goat cheese salad is served with green apples, candied walnuts, cranberries, and balsamic dressing. 

It's creamy and delicious, with a tang from the balsamic dressing and sour green apples.

Mr. Liberty also gave an honorable mention to the Penne alla Puttanseca with Salmon from Giovanni's Italian Kitchen as another of his favorite foods on Icon of the Seas.

8.  Raviolo at Empire Supper Club

Yet another pick from Empire Supper Club is from Heather Hust Rivera, Royal Caribbean Group Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer.

She chose the Raviolo, which is served towards the beginning of the meal.  

Paired with the Staten Island Spritz, the Raviolo is a pasta with a soft egg yolk inside, surrounded by a lovely sauce.

A raviolo is a single, large piece that is served as its own dish, and our team ranked it at the very top of the Empire Supper Club's menu.

9. Tomahawk steak at Chops Grille

On Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean introduced a new sub menu to the Chops Grille menu that offers higher quality cuts of meat to enjoy.

There's waygu beef, Porterhouse, and a Tomahawk steak (among other choices).  The extra cost these steaks have serve up the sort of steaks you'd find at a high-end land restaurant.

Sean Treacy is Royal Caribbean International's Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations, and he chose the tomahawk steak specifically.

I tried it out too, and it's a giant cut of meat. It's 32oz and can easily be shared with someone given its size.

What makes a tomahawk steak taste so good is the fat mixes with the elements released from the large bone. The rich flavor is why so many people prefer it.

Speaking of the Iconic cuts, Chef Travis Kamiyama also chose the Waygu Beef from this menu as a favorite of his.

10. Jazzy sass from Lou's Jazz 'n Blues

When I asked Ed Eiswirth for his top recommendation from Icon of the Seas, he went with the cocktail he loves the most.

Mr. Eiswirth leads all aspects of Beverage Operations on Royal Caribbean. Icon of the Seas has 13 brand new bars and lounges that are new to the fleet, and they created over 100 new cocktails. 

He went with the Jazzy Sass from the new jazz club, Lou's Jazz 'n Blues.

I've known Mr. Eiswirth for a few years, so I know how much he loves his bourbons and this new cocktail stands out as something unconventional, yet tasty.

His team wanted to come up with drink ideas that went beyond the stereotypical drinks most people associate with a cruise ship.  While there's nothing wrong with a pina colada or margarita, they sought to find something else to give passengers an opportunity to discover a new favorite.