If you were put off by the high cost of a signature attraction on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, you might want to check the price again.
It seems like Royal Caribbean runs promotions and sales all the time, and we've noticed prices vary for many extra-cost add-ons.
The Crown's Edge is one of the new features on Icon that was developed specifically for the ship, and prices seem to have plummeted for it.
Read more: Guide to Icon of the Seas
Royal Caribbean originally priced it at $89.99 per guest, but the cost came down almost immediately once the ship began to sail.
This week, we're seeing the price at just $23.99 per guest on many upcoming Icon of the Seas sailings, which is a 73% discount from the original price. According to the Cruise Planner website, the normal price is now $49.00 before any additional discounts.
Keep in mind prices can change at any time, and the price can vary from sailing to sailing. Moreover, sales come and go and that leads to price fluctuations.
On Facebook, many felt the new price made a lot more sense.
After the new price was posted, Cyndi Hopper wrote, "Much more reasonable price."
Megan Dowling added, "That’s a great price! You get to go twice and get a video and pictures which is also nice! Worth it."
Michael Iversen noted he didn't try it on the inaugural voyage of Icon because of the price tag, "I didn’t go because of the price when I was on the January 27 sailing."
What is Crown's Edge?
Crown's Edge is a combination of skywalk, ropes course, and thrill attraction.
Tethered guests walk along an elevated track that goes around the ship's Crown and Anchor logo. Here’s the catch: you’re walking off the side of the ship with nothing but the ocean below you.
The walkway drops for the second part of the ride, and you suddenly find yourself swinging 154 feet above the ocean back to safety.
The cruise line says the ride experience is approximately 90 seconds and may vary by rider. The full experience will be approximately 15 minutes long, which includes time for gearing up.
In order to try the Crown's Edge, you need to be at least 6 years old, weigh at least 44 pounds, and be 49 inches tall.
You cannot be taller than 83 inches and weigh no more than 297 pounds.
A video of the experience is included with the cost.
Pushback on prices
The significantly lower price signals the original price may have been too high.
Right before the inaugural sailing of Icon of the Seas, travel agents had the opportunity to ask Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley questions, and the high cost came up.
At $89 for a 90 second ride, the argument was $1 per second seemed excessive.
Mr. Bayley said Royal Caribbean uses price to control demand in some cases, "sometimes pricing is to manage just the sheer volume of expectations."
He went on to say that ultimately, the cruise line would react to feedback from passengers, "as we go through the next several weeks, we'll get a lot of feedback from our revenue customers. They are going to tell us that this works or that doesn't."
How to take advantage of the lower price
You can check the price of the Crown's Edge for any upcoming Icon of the Seas or Star of the Seas cruise by visiting Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site.
Log into your account and select the sailing you have booked.
Once there, the Crown's Edge is listed under Onboard Activities.
If you had booked it already, you can cancel your original purchase and then re-purchase it under the new price. Look for Order History in your profile to access that.
There's no cancellation penalty for cancelling a Cruise Planner purchase. If you used onboard credit, it will be refunded immediately.
