Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean is celebrating the launch of its newest cruise ship with a naming ceremony in Miami today, and this new ship is a big deal.

Icon of the Seas’ naming ceremony today cements her position as the newest, biggest cruise ship in the world.

After a three-day media cruise, she will take part in a traditional christening, a ceremony attended by key figures and celebrities.

Every detail of the ship just proves what a huge milestone icon of the seas represents.

From record sales to choosing an icon to name her, to all-new neighborhoods, Royal Caribbean has a lot to be proud of.

Not only is Icon of the Seas a brand-new ship—and the current largest in the world—she also is the first in a completely new class of Royal Caribbean ships.

Icon entered the scene unapologetically

Icon of the Seas is no small feat, and Royal Caribbean is incredibly proud.

“We built the biggest, baddest ship on the planet,” Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group CEO said. “that in itself is a crown jewel for marketing.”

At a briefing session on Icon of the Seas, he shared that he remembers days when the group had to really work with television stations just to get content.

But now, news stations are “lined up around the corner begging [to be able to] come onto the ship and host.”

Once news broke about the size and innovation of Icon of the Seas, the response was instantaneous.

The huge ship has pushed the boundaries of cruise ships, from her cutting-edge design to pure size, with a total of eight neighborhoods.

A ship that has been seven years in the making,  Icon of the Seas is a whole new class of ship that seeks to reach new demographics.

Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO, said that the high demand for the ship proves that the new features and spaces are just right for the customer market.

“The demand we’ve seen for Icon has just been unbelievable,” Bayley said.

In addition to the multitude of news stories and chatter of digital conversation about  Icon of the Seas, sales for the ship have been off-the-charts.

Icon of the Seas’ bookings so far have performed better than any other cruise ship launch.

Bookings for the maiden voyage embarking on January 27th sold out in under 24 hours.

On January 10th, Icon entered her home port in Miami, Florida for the first time in an unapologetic celebration.

Michael Bayley said that the music blasting from the side of the ship came from $100,000 worth of speakers.

“We really woke up Miami,” he said, and that’s not an understatement.

A total of 17 formal complaints were filed with the county by Miami residents who were woken up by the noise of  Icon of the Seas entering the harbor.

From its first appearance, it became clear that  Icon of the Seas would be an incredible hit.

Choosing the right icon for Icon

 Icon of the Seas has been hosting a media preview cruise for the past three days, but today she will have her christening in Miami, Florida.

This exclusive naming ceremony is part of a longtime maritime tradition and will be attended by Icon Lionel Messi, one of the most famous soccer players of all time.

In a position similar to the ship’s godmother, Messi will serve as the icon and representative of  Icon of the Seas.

Messi will name and bestow safekeeping onto the new ship, her crew, and the millions of families who will create memories onboard.

Like  Icon of the Seas, Lionel Messi has built a career changing the status quo through his unmatched skills. He is one of the most well-known soccer players today, having made a name for himself as a top goal scorer with FC Barcelona.

Many call Messi one of the best soccer players of all time.

Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group CEO, said he first thought it was a prank when he got the call that they might be able to get the athlete onboard. “but it actually got quite serious.”

Messi has been very tuned into the process, focused on the brand and partnerships with the team.

Jason Liberty said that Messi is more than just an incredible athlete: “he’s an incredible human being.”

He also represents the ship’s focus on family.

“Not only is he going out and being the best soccer player in the world, but above that is family.”

Both the brand and the ship are about family, liberty emphasized.

Messi not only represents the ship’s excellence and fame but also the backbone of it all: family.

Icon is all about making young families happy

 Icon of the Seas includes a new neighborhood dedicated to families with children under six.

Surfside neighborhood replaces what was the Boardwalk on Oasis Class ships and has a vibrant design with an arcade, kids splash zone, aft pool, carousel, and both complimentary and specialty venues.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley explained that the cruise line intentionally wanted to include young families in this design.

Because children under six don’t have to go to school, young families can (and do) travel all year round with Royal Caribbean.

When Royal Caribbean saw that a high number of young families travel on their cruise ships, they realized that they weren’t doing enough to serve that demographic.

So in the building of Icon, the cruise line put a lot of energy into intentionally creating Surfside.

“It makes a lot of commercial business sense, but more importantly, it makes our young families really happy,” Bayley said.

How do you keep pushing the boundaries on new ships?

Icon is the most innovative cruise ship in the world, so how can the cruise line keep pushing the boundaries on new ships?

Royal Caribbean has a history of over five decades working to improve and innovate every day.

Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group CEO, believes that it “comes down to a really strong culture of dreaming, innovating, and doing the right thing.”

Across the 65 ships in the fleet, he says that senior leadership spends time in every inch of the ships, always looking for how to improve.

He used the Oasis Class ships as an example: “each version got a little bit better each time.”

As Royal Caribbean builds upon each ship, the line studies previous ships to consider what can be improved for a better cruising experience each time.

Even as the leadership team walks around Icon of the Seas, they are thinking about what to change and how to improve the next icon class ship.

“Our main mission is to deliver the best vacations in the world in a responsible way,” Liberty said.

If sharing Icon of the Seas with up to 7,600 other passengers sounds like it will be crowded, Royal Caribbean has planned around that issue.

Icon of the Seas is the biggest cruise ship in the world, and there will be anywhere between 5,610 to 7,600 passengers depending on how many third, fourth, and fifth passengers are booked into each cabin.  Without a doubt, that's a lot of people on any ship.

Royal Caribbean knew it had to be able to accommodate that many people while still retaining a positive guest experience.  They had already successfully tackled the issue on the Oasis Class ships that preceded Icon, and the challenge was to keep crowds moving on Icon too.

Naturally, the public was curious how crowded a ship as big as Icon would be once it started to sail.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley joked about just how much time his company spent on the issue of crowds on Icon, "A lot of time. I mean, a gazillion billion, gazillion, trillion hours of time with a lot of people."

"We were obsessively focused, and we've got a lot of experience," he said alluding to the fact Royal Caribbean has been developing mega cruise ships for decades. 

"If you look at the classes of ships over time, how they've evolved, we do know a lot about the flow of people, and we do know how you need to create an experience that delights the customer, but also moves people around."

That isn't to say there wont be any lines or crowds. Any cruise ship have lines and crowds of people that occur throughout any sailing.  With Icon, the cruise line wanted to ensure the flow of passengers mitigated the problem.

Changing the formula

One way Royal Caribbean has focused on crowds has been to re-think its crowd management strategy.

"A lot of work, a lot of study, a lot of analytics, and we've got a lot of information from our existing fleet, and we utilize it a lot to try to to operate this efficiently as possible, but also make sure people have a great time," Mr. Bayley explained.

"Our classic formula is in the evening is a dinner and a show," alluding to how things have typically worked. "When you think about dinner and a show, that really allows you to understand how people do move. And then, of course, during the day, we've created neighborhoods."

Neighborhoods have served two purposes for Royal Caribbean's mega ships.  First, it provides easy navigation aids.  Second, it helps spread passengers out.

Surfside is focused on young families with kids six and under and there's so much to do for kids and their parents that it keeps those families in one section of the ship without much need to leave. Meanwhile, older kids are busy with Thrill Island's water park.  Adults can hang out at The Hideaway, and then there's likely trivia, production shows, meals, and a host of other things to do happening at the same time.

Believe it or not, there's actually less cabins on Icon of the Seas than an Oasis Class ship.  According to Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty, that means the actual square footage per passenger is higher.

"I think the construction of the different neighborhoods and being able to segregate different multi generations through the course of the ship was really the focus of it."

Spinning up higher capacity

Mr. Bayley indicated prepping Icon for the crowds that would come onboard has been an ongoing effort.

Icon departed Europe with extra crew members and a lot of contractors who were onboard to continue finalizations. 

Once the ship got to Miami, they started doing shakedown cruises with employees.  That amounted to around 4,000 passengers. For the preview sailings with media and travel agents, the number went up to 4,500.

For the maiden voyage, they're expecting, "80% of the double occupancy, it's probably would probably be around 5500, which is easy," Mr. Bayley said.

"And then week by week, we increase the capacity until we're confident that we've got everything working the way it should. And so the full capacity of this ship, which typically will happen in peak summer during the school holidays, will be 7600."

For those keeping score at home, Oasis Class ships max out around a similar number, "Our Oasis class peak summer have operated at around 7500 today. So we're very confident on our ability to manage all of our guests."

By methodically increasing capacity, Royal Caribbean feels good about handling crowds, "So far we feel really good about everything that we do."

New elevators

There are no traditional elevators on Icon of the Seas.  Instead, the ship has destination elevators.

Destination elevators aren't just a fad, they're a way to more efficiently tackle the issue of getting passengers between decks and that's been a traditional pain point on big ships.

With the destination elevators, you select which floor you want to go to on a panel and are told which elevator to take.

Once in the elevator, there's no buttons to push.  This means less people coming in and stopping the elevator on every floor.  Or someone leaning against the panel and accidentally pushing all the buttons.

Royal Caribbean did a lot of proactive work to ensure destination elevators would be a good idea. 

"We even constructed the elevator lobbies in a warehouse in Miami full scale so we could visually understand how those elevator lobbies would look. "

"And then we sent teams all over the world to look at similar technologies to make sure that it really was something that we thought would work."

The result early on has been a successful and efficient system.

"We've been delighted with the elevator lobbies, and in fact, we thought because people would be confused." 

"In the beginning of our cruises, we put staff on every lobby with ask me on it to help people, and we found it's really not an issue. People kind of figure it out quite quickly. And I got to say, I think the elevators are great."

Easier ways to get between decks

As a passenger, you'll find more ways to move from one deck to another beyond elevators and the traditional stairwells.

There are multiple stairways in the Royal Promenade to go down and up, and most importantly, in the middle of the deck.

There are a few dry slides for kids and adults to go between decks that is meant to be fun, but it's functional. There's one between the two levels of Chill Island and a slide in Surfside that acts as an express way down.

While the slides aren't going to make much of an impact to lessen crowds, the escalators and stairs are easy ways to reduce the need of an elevator, and keep people moving quicker.  Moving between decks 4 through 7 is very easy on Icon of the Seas.

Keeping everyone busy

When it comes to crowds on Icon, you can expect a lot of different things happening that should draw passengers in many directions.

Royal Caribbean is leveraging entertainment, smart design, and more things to do than on any other ship to keep people busy.

Keeping in mind that Icon of the Seas is about 7% larger than Wonder of the Seas, so it's not doubling or significantly increasing the overall size of a known entity.

If you're having second thoughts about going on a ship as big as Icon of the Seas because of how many people will be onboard, it's likely not going to be nearly as bad as you think it will be.

Icon of the Seas is about to set sail on her maiden voyage later this week, and Royal Caribbean is already working on ways to improve on a ship that has barely sailed.

Star of the Seas will be the second Icon Class cruise ship and will debut in 2025 to sail from Port Canaveral.  Not only is the ship well into construction, but improvements and updates from Icon are in the works.

Icon of the Seas will have her first voyage with paying passengers on Saturday, but the ship has had employees, media, and travel agents onboard for short preview sailings to fine tune everything in the lead-up to the maiden sailing.

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider is leading the charge to innovate with Star.

While the cruise line is not ready to reveal everything that will be different on Star, we have a few ideas what they have in mind.

Star of the Seas will not be the biggest ship in the world

With the Oasis Class ships, Royal Caribbean made each subsequent ship just a little bit bigger so that it could take the title of biggest in the world.  The Icon class will not follow that trend.

"That isn't the case on Icon. Star will not be a foot bigger. It will be 1198ft long. The third ship in the icon class, yet to be named publicly, will also be 1198ft long."

According to Mr. Schneider, there's no point in continuing that pattern, "We don't feel a need to do that right now. Maybe we'll change our mind. Never say never. But that isn't the design intent."

Update to the supper club

Royal Caribbean opened its first ever supper club experience on Icon of the Seas with Empire Supper Club, but expect a new motif on Star.

On Star of the Seas, the venue will be Chicago themed (Icon has a New York theme to it). And there's more ideas after that.

"It'll actually become Chicago themed, but same DNA," said Mr. Schneider. " "On Icon three, it becomes Hollywood themed."

"Great music choreographed to the delivery of the food and the service, with cocktails paired but all wired for the theme that goes with it. So Chicago will be more Midwestern themed, Hollywood will be Hollywood themed, and the decor and the venue will match, and the food and music will twist to again match that theme."

"If we build future versions of icon, we'll just keep going around the world assuming that concept remains successful."

Star and Icon 3 are being built at the same time

With Star of the Seas coming in 2025 and Icon 3 in 2026, work is happening concurrently. 

"The ships are essentially being built in parallel," which is a necessity in order to keep the ship on schedule for delivery.

While work is underway, that doesn't mean tweaks can't be made in the process.

"As we operate this with real guests over the next three, four months, that will also really help inform what we want to adjust on Star and what we want to adjust on Icon three."

A hot tub will be added

Mr. Schneider alluded to a hot tub idea that was cut from Icon due to weight concerns, but will be on Star.

"When we initially were pulling out in sea trials, we thought we were at maximum weight."

"We are not as it turned out so, we did have some room. And so the hot tub that I that painfully cut is now coming back on Star of the Seas."

Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship has more for families than ever, including a new kind of stateroom.

The Surfside Family Suite is one of 14 brand-new stateroom categories on Icon of the Seas.

With Icon, Royal Caribbean wants to offer the kind of family vacation that can compete with land resorts, such as the popular theme park resorts in Orlando, Florida. In order to do that, not only does the cruise ship need to have lots of fun things to do, but it needs rooms that are a better fit.

The Surfside Family Suite overlooks the Surfside neighborhood. Like its namesake, this suite is meant to be a great choice for those with young kids.

Disclosure: We toured the room while on a preview sailing of Icon of the Seas that we were invited to sail as guests.

It's clear that Royal Caribbean wanted a cabin that allowed the parents to sleep in the same room as their kids, without feeling like everyone is on top of each other. The result are smaller nooks for the kids to have their own space.

Photos of this cabin come from room 10293 on deck 10.

Walking into the room, you'll notice the set-up has areas for everyone, and the space is maximized to take advantage of it all.

The 1.5 bedroom suite sleeps up to 4, complete with a bedroom and special kids’ nook space with a pullout couch.

In this suite, you’ll also find a split bathroom and a private balcony accessible via a convertible partition in the bedroom. 

Given that it's a suite, it comes with Sky Class benefits in Royal Caribbean's suite program. This is the mid-tier suite benefits and includes suite lounge access, priority boarding, the services of the concierge, complimentary internet access, and more. It's likely going to be the least-expensive Sky Class suite on the ship.

Walking into the room, there are two bathrooms on either side of the entrance.

One bathroom is the full bath, which comes with a sink, toilet and full shower. Like all cabins on Icon of the Seas, the shower has a seat and isn't a typical cruise ship tube shower.

The other bathroom is a half bath, with toilet and sink. 

There is a king size bed that can be split in two if requested. The idea is for this bed to be for the parents.

There is a large television near the bed, along with nightstands and USB outlets on either side. Offering more power outlets is a common thread among all cabins on Icon of the Seas.

In the living space, you'll find metal hooks on one wall that are perfect for hanging up swimsuits, hats, and more.

There's a vanity sitting area with mirror and more outlets. Most of the closet space is located here as well.

Near the vanity is the kids nook, which has a fold out bed that is ideal for younger children.

This area has a see-through window to the balcony, and a floor-to-ceiling window so kids can see what's happening around Surfside.

The kids have their own television too.

The nook has a sliding door that can be used to essentially corral the kids in. The door isn't sound or view proof, but there are curtains you can draw as well to make it dark in there.

The suite has a balcony that comes with chairs and a table, and it overlooks the Surfside neighborhood.

The Surfside Family Suite is perfect for a family that has kids no older than 6 years old (or very short slightly older kids). 

Having separate sleeping areas without having a second room makes keeping tabs on your kids when they're at an age that they need to still be close by to mom and dad substantially more useful. On older cruise ships, it's difficult to find rooms like this that provide some degree of separation and amenities.

Plus, the extra half bathroom means more flexibility when someone is using the shower.

It's also located within the Surfside neighborhood, so it's just a few decks down to Surfside, and a few decks up to Thrill Island.

This is a suite, and not a standard room, so the price will not be as cheap as simply booking a standard balcony room that can accommodate up to four guests.  But it is usually priced cheaper than other suites, and it has much more living space.

For a family with elementary school aged kids, the Surfside Family Suite might be the perfect solution for booking one room while not being on top of each other.

Hope you had a great week and are staying safe out there. Hopefully you had a chance to keep up with what's new with Royal Caribbean this week. But if not, here's a roundup of this week's news.

Just this week, Royal Caribbean made the last-minute decision to swap adults-only venues on Icon of the Seas.

When the cruise line initially announced details of its newest cruise ship, Cloud 17 (located in Chill Island) was the adults-only area.

Cloud 17 was intended to replace the Solarium, traditionally the adults-only area on Royal Caribbean ships.

However, Icon of the Seas has now designated the Hideaway neighborhood as the area for guests 18 and older.

This change was made, in part, to match the new Hideaway Beach on Perfect Day at CocoCay, which will also be an adults-only area.

Royal Caribbean News

• Icon of the Seas restaurant and dining guide
• Icon of the Seas Suite Neighborhood: What to expect
• Photos show what suites on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas looks like
• Royal Caribbean has an ultra-luxury suite that can cost over $80,000 per week — here's what it looks like
• 9 reasons to stay up late instead of waking up early on a cruise ship
• Oasis of the Seas Cabins to Avoid

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 523rd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where Matt shares his first experience on Icon of the Seas.

Matt previewed Icon of the Seas for 7 hours this week, and he’s back to share his initial thoughts on the ship.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it!

Video: One thing I would change to improve every Royal Caribbean restaurant

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — One thing I would change to improve every Royal Caribbean restaurant — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

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

Icon of the Seas has been extensively promoted for its size and innovation over the last year. But little has been shared about the ship’s standard staterooms. 

Once guests set foot on the ship, will they also see improvements made to the typical stateroom categories?

Earlier this week, Allie also got the chance to tour Icon of the Seas for a short sneak peek. She toured a balcony stateroom and felt impressed by the upgrades she saw there.

From increased connectivity to modern designs, see what’s new. 

Royal Caribbean has a $100,000 cup on its new cruise ship that includes a lifetime drink package

Cruise drink packages attract fans who want to party extensively or save money on their beverages.

One souvenir on Icon of the Seas will take the beverage package to a whole new level.

This six-figure gilded chalice costs $100,00 just for the single cup.

However, its purchase also grants you an unlimited Royal Caribbean drink package for life.

Buying this treasure essentially guarantees you’ll never pay for another drink, including cocktails, spirits, liquors, beers, wine by the glass, sodas, water, mocktails, premium coffee and tea, and fresh-squeezed juice.

I stayed in a windowless cabin onboard Odyssey of the Seas that cost $2,300: Here's what my inside stateroom looked like

Angie recently cruised on Odyssey of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships.

For the length of the 8-night Southern Caribbean itinerary, she stayed in an interior guarantee cabin.

This was the cheapest option for two people, totaling $2,321.

However, she was surprised by the quality and size of the stateroom. She shares the benefits of sailing on these newer ships, such as a better cabin design, amenities, and soundproofing.

I take care of a dog on the world's largest cruise ship. Being the Chief Dog Officer is a dream job

You’ve probably heard about Royal Caribbean’s family mascot by now: an adorable golden retriever named Rover. She lives onboard Icon of the Seas full-time.

But who is in charge of taking care of Rover?

This dream job belongs to Alison Hubble, whose job title is "Rover's Chief of Staff." 

A recent webinar interview with Hubble provided more insight into Rover’s life onboard and her interactions with crew members.

At night, any given cruise ship's atmosphere will drastically change. While activities are going on throughout the day, such as belly flop competitions on the pool deck or general trivia in one of the lounges, the ship truly comes alive at night. 

Everyone has different vacation preferences. Perhaps you are someone who enjoys peaceful mornings onboard before the majority of passengers have awoken from their slumbers. On the other hand, maybe you're the kind of person who would rather stay up late and make your way to the Windjammer for breakfast's last call. 

Here are 9 reasons you should consider staying up late instead of waking up early on your next cruise. 

You can see the many shows onboard

Royal Caribbean is known for its entertainment, especially on newer ships. 

From jaw-dropping high-diving spectaculars to Broadway-style musicals and even original production shows, you might find yourself struggling to fit everything in, especially on a shorter cruise! 

Shows aren’t offered during the day, so you will have to plan them around dinner. You’ll either have to attend the early show and have a later dinner or vice versa. Either way, you won't be in bed by 9:30 or 10:00pm if you hope to catch one of the onboard shows. 

Theme parties typically happen later at night

Longer cruises have theme nights, such as White Night, 80s Night, etc. These themes are accompanied by fun events, including parties!

Whether they’re on the top deck or within the ship’s Centrum or Royal Promenade, you surely won’t want to miss all the fun that happens during them.

To figure out your cruise's theme nights, you will want to refer to a past Cruise Compass. Not only will this help you figure out the themes, but it will also give you a look at everything that was offered, from the onboard shows to live music, dining times, Adventure Ocean operating hours, and more. 

You can try your luck for a late-night win at the casino

Casino Royale comes alive at night. What better time to try your luck than after a post-dinner cocktail (or two) from the Schooner Bar? 

You don't have to be an experienced gambler to put $20 into a random slot machine and hope for the best! In fact, this is one of my favorite evening activities while on a cruise. Gambling during the day just isn't the same!

Even if you just walk away with just $100, that's money that you didn't have when you started! Perhaps it'll convince you to splurge on a last-minute shore excursion or place a deposit for a future cruise. 

Read more: I gambled enough in Royal Caribbean's casino to get free drinks and a cruise

The following day is a sea day

There's no harm in staying up a little bit later than usual when you don't have a schedule the next day. Even though you should check out the Cruise Compass to see what activities are being offered, you should not feel pressured to do any. 

Sea days are meant to be relaxing. After a few long days ashore, there's nothing wrong with spending your day sleeping in and/or napping by the pool, especially if you attended some late-night programming the night before. 

Even if sleeping in isn't the most exciting activity, there's no better feeling than waking up well-rested. 

Read more: 10 mistakes to avoid making on a cruise ship sea day

You should stay up later if you took an afternoon nap

Early mornings on cruise ships are rather peaceful. 

Whether you're seeking a quiet coffee break or simply want to walk around before the majority of passengers have rolled out of bed, there are lots of pros to being one of the first awake. This, however, can make it rather difficult to stay awake later. 

When I cruised onboard Freedom of the Seas, my partner and I ended up almost sleeping through dinner after we woke up early to make the most out of our time at Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

If you're someone who wants to enjoy both peaceful mornings and late nights, consider taking an afternoon nap. 

This will give you the energy to catch that late comedy show or fully enjoy an AquaTheater spectacular without having to fight to keep your eyes open. 

Hot tubs aren't as busy at night

When dinnertime rolls around, the majority of passengers will begin to flock from the pool deck back to their staterooms to freshen up. If you're someone who loves avoiding crowds, then this is the ideal time to hang out on the top decks. 

Of course, staying out later isn't an option if you have an early dining time, especially if you are excited about that night's menu offerings. 

Even after dinner when the pools are closed, there's usually a hot tub or two still open, making it a great time for a late-night dip! 

You can dance the night away at the ship's nightclub

Unlike on land, cruise ship nightclubs don't have a cover. This means that you can dance to your heart's extent every night of the cruise without racking up some hefty entrance fees, as is the case in some cities like Las Vegas or New York. 

Even if nightclubs aren't your usual scene, you should check your ship's out at least once! I have found the vibe to be pretty different than those on land. In fact, I think they're more fun and welcoming than high-profile clubs. 

Sometimes, there will be 18+ events in these spaces, too, such as a silent disco. When I cruised onboard Allure of the Seas with friends, this was one of our favorite aspects of the 8-night cruise! 

Some nightlife venues aren't centered around dancing, either, such as Icon of the Seas' Dueling Pianos bar. 

If you haven't had time to catch up with friends and family yet, there's no better time than an after-dinner cocktail at one of the ship's many bars and lounges

Perhaps you're traveling with a large group and people broke off into groups to spend their day ashore in different ways. Some, for instance, might want to relax on the beach, whereas others will want to do something a little bit more exciting, such as an ATV tour or zip lining through the tree's canopies. 

On the other hand, it's easy to spend an entire day onboard and not see anyone in your travel party, as everyone has different interests. 

Regardless of the reason you haven't seen your crew as much as you would have liked throughout the day, there's no reason you cannot catch up over some after-dinner drinks while listening to live music. 

You'll have to stay up later to cram in as much fun as you can on shorter sailings

Some cruises are as short as 3 or 4 nights. If you want to make the most of your time onboard, you'll have to be willing to sacrifice sleep to a certain extent. 

If, for instance, your cruise is only 3 nights, likely, you will not have a day at sea. Instead, you will have two days in port, followed by evenings onboard. 

On ships like Allure of the Seas or Utopia of the Seas, this can make it difficult to cross everything off of your list. In fact, you will have to be strategic with your time and utilize embarkation day for some activities, such as the Flowrider, rock climbing wall, zip line, or mini-golf. 

Doing those things right off the bat will free your evenings for other events like shows and pre-planned programming (i.e., game shows, trivia, karaoke, etc.). 

If you are planning a cruise onboard Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas, there are some staterooms you should avoid booking. 

Oasis of the Seas is the namesake ship of the Oasis Class. Until 2024, these ships were the largest in the world, holding the record for over one decade— until Icon of the Seas officially joined the fleet. 

While not the largest ship in the world anymore, Oasis of the Seas is not small. She measures 1,187 feet long and 225,282 gross registered tons. 

In 2019, she received a $165 million amplification to help modernize the ship. This added new dining and bar venues, as well as a revamped pool deck, updated youth programming, and new activities. 

While everyone's cabin preferences vary, we can assume that nobody wants to be woken up by screeching pool chairs in the early morning hours. Likewise, if you are someone who enjoys retiring early, you probably won't want to hear the thumping of the nightclub into the late hours of the night.  

With nearly 2,800 staterooms onboard that can accommodate roughly 7,000 guests, there are certainly a few that you will want to avoid on Oasis of the Seas. 

Cabins underneath Deck 4 venues

Deck 4 is home to Entertainment Place. This is where you will find tons of entertainment venues including Studio B, Casino Royale, and the lower level of the Royal Theater. 

If you book an ocean view or interior cabin on Deck 3, you will likely be kept awake by the excitement above, whether it is an ice show, thumping of the Blaze nightclub, or cheers of someone winning a late-night casino jackpot. 

Those who like to go to bed early will want to avoid Deck 3. You must prioritize your rest, especially on a ship as large as Oasis. You will not want to waste any time trying to catch up on your sleep in the morning because you were kept awake. 

Staterooms above the Royal Theater

Speaking of noise bleed, the Royal Theater hosts numerous different events throughout the cruise, whether it's an original production show or a game show featuring other guests. 

While the lower level of the Royal Theater is located on Deck 4, the upper level is on Deck 5, meaning that certain cabins on Deck 6 should be avoided. These include those located closest to the Vitality Fitness Center:

• 6130 - 6164
• 6530 - 6564

Cabins above the Royal Theater are ocean view balconies and interior rooms. 

Connecting staterooms

Unless you're traveling with family members staying in the adjoining room, booking a connecting cabin will not do you any good. 

Families, of course, will benefit from the extra living space and two bathrooms, and parents will not have to worry about children being located down the hall or on a different deck. 

Connecting staterooms have a door that adjoins them, so you do not have to leave one cabin to enter the other. The issue, however, is that the adjoining door isn't as insulated as a standard wall, meaning you could be subject to noise bleed, depending on how noisy your neighbors are. 

An example of connecting rooms on Oasis of the Seas' deck plan (above) are rooms 10270 and 10272, 10282 and 10284, 10294 and 10296, 10310 and 10312, 10299 and 10301, 10311 and 10313, 10670 and 10672, 10682 and 10684, 10692 and 10696, and 10710 and 10712. 

If you're a family looking to increase the amount of living space you have while cruising on Oasis, that's great! There is no need to worry about booking connecting cabins. If, however, you're going to be sharing that adjoining door with a stranger, it is best to avoid these cabins. 

Boardwalk view cabins if you're sensitive to light

When launched, Oasis of the Seas was the first cruise ship in the world to feature interior-facing balcony cabins. For a cheaper price, you can enjoy a private verandah that overlooks either Central Park or the Boardwalk. Of course, you'll have less privacy than you would if you splurged on an ocean view room. 

The Boardwalk is a livelier neighborhood than Central Park, with AquaTheater shows often going on late at night. Playmakers is located on the Boardwalk, too, so it's not uncommon for patrons to get noisy during a sports game. 

Those looking to book an interior-facing balcony but who also want some peace and quiet should consider Central Park instead. Plus, these cabins are located mid-ship, whereas Boardwalk balconies are located in the aft (or back), meaning you won't have to walk as far to reach the Main Dining Room or Royal Theater.  

Read more: Royal Caribbean's Boardwalk: Everything you need to know

Staterooms underneath the pool deck

With three pools, a kid splash zone, and two whirlpools located on Deck 15, there's no denying that the pool deck on Oasis of the Seas is expansive. On sea days, it's a hub of activity. 

While people will stagger in after breakfast, crew members use the early morning to arrange the deck chairs. This means that if you book a cabin underneath the pool deck, you will hear the crew dragging chairs around to get them ready for guests to use. 

Those staying in a balcony won't be able to enjoy the peace and quiet of their personal verandah during the day, either. Noise bleed from children running around and live bands playing will interrupt any hope of a relaxing nap! 

Read more: How to beat the chair hogs on your cruise ship

Cabins towards the front of the ship if you're prone to motion sickness

Cabins in the front of the ship are more likely to feel the motion of the waves than rooms in the middle of the vessel. Nobody wants to feel ill in their cabin, especially when they're trying to rest after a long day ashore! 

Of course, everyone has a different tolerance for motion. If you decide to book a stateroom in the middle of the vessel, there aren't any guarantees that you will avoid getting seasick. 

Cabins in the front (or bow) of the ship should be approached with caution if you're worried about getting motion sick, though. 

Read more: How to beat seasickness on a cruise ship

Obstructed view staterooms

Even if you think that an obstructed view will not bother you, there's a chance that the bright yellow lifeboat or bulky piece of machinery will get in the way of any aesthetic ocean views that you're hoping for.  

Although they're cheaper than unobstructed cabins, it is not worth thinking you can deal with them just to save money. Ocean view rooms at the front of the ship, for instance, will be obstructed by the ship's bow. 

While you'll be able to watch Oasis pull into port, you will have to deal with the helipad in your view for the duration of your cruise. 

Additionally, Central Park balconies on Deck 14 have the chance of being obstructed by the bulky walkway that connects the port and starboard sides of the pool deck above. These cabins include 14207 - 14217, 14607 - 14617, 14229 - 14235, and 14629 - 14635. 

Finally, if you are staying in a Boardwalk balcony, you shouldn't expect to get a clear view of the ocean, as the Ultimate Abyss causes the majority of these cabins to have an obstructed view of the ship's aft. 

Guarantee staterooms 

If you have a specific location you want your stateroom to be (i.e., by Adventure Ocean or near the aft elevators for easier access to the Main Dining Room), you won't want to let Royal Caribbean assign your cabin to you. 

Guarantee staterooms are cheaper cabin options that Royal Caribbean offers in exchange for allowing them the right to choose your exact room closer to the sail date. This means you trade the option to select your stateroom for a cheaper fare.

While you might think that you won't care where your balcony cabin is located (you're onboard the ship regardless, right?), you might be displeased if you get one that's located at the back of the ship since you will have to walk further to the entertainment venues. 

Read more: 6 reasons to refuse to upgrade your cruise ship cabin

I just returned from an eight-night Southern Caribbean and Perfect Day cruise onboard Odyssey of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships.

Back in August 2023, I booked an interior guarantee cabin because it was the cheapest option for our particular sailing. The total for the two of us (myself and my mom) in this type of cabin was $2,321.

I have sailed on Odyssey of the Seas before. In October 2022, my family cruised for 12 nights to the Holy Land and Greece - it was one of the most memorable cruises I’ve ever taken. During that sailing, my sister and I RoyalUp’d to a Junior Suite.

The suite was absolutely gorgeous! The private balcony, two bathrooms, and added suite benefits made it a luxurious experience, for sure.

Read more: I paid $300 to upgrade my inside cabin to a suite. Take a look at our entry-level suite

Shortly after booking my second cruise on Odyssey of the Seas, I was assigned an interior cabin on deck nine (9225). Upon looking at the deck plans, I was pleasantly surprised to find that our cabin was located midship, slightly aft.

I was so happy to not be assigned a cabin in the very front or very back of the ship because we wouldn't have to worry about motion. We did have a few days of rougher seas and heard other passengers complain about it, but we hardly noticed it in our centrally-located cabin.

I have stayed in many interior guarantee cabins on Royal Caribbean ships, but I had a feeling this cabin on Odyssey of the Seas would be extra modern and up-to-date in regards to having more outlets, a smart TV, and more.

When I arrived at our cabin and opened the door for the first time, I immediately thought, “Wow, look at all of this space!” This was a welcome surprise since my mom always packs way too much stuff! The cabin was 166 square feet.

Another thing I noticed right away was that our cabin had a connecting door to the cabin next to us. My mom was worried when she saw this because she thought we would hear noise from our neighbors. Luckily, that was not the case at all. In fact, we were pleased that we heard very little noise from the hallway and our neighbors. This is a benefit of a newer ship because there is better soundproofing.

Our cabin included two twin beds - I requested to have the bed split up before embarkation day via the form that was sent to my email.

Above our beds were deep cabinets to store some of our belongings. This storage option is great instead of having wasted space above our heads. These drawers measured approximately 14” tall by 42” wide and 18” deep, and you could fit a lot of items up there!

Next to each of the beds was a small nightstand. One of the nightstands had a phone that took up a lot of space, so I moved it to one of the lower shelves. That way, I could actually use the top of the nightstand for things I wanted near me at night.

We each had a light by our heads. On my side of the bed, there was a light switch that could turn on and off all the lights in the stateroom. There was also an outlet if I wanted to charge something, but I did not utilize it because it was too close to my head.

The 43-inch (we guestimated) smart TV was perfectly placed in front of the beds. I really like these smart TVs because you have the option to stream your favorite shows or browse YouTube videos using your personal account. Older Royal Caribbean ships have a flat-screen TV in the cabins, but they usually don't offer this streaming capability. My mom was also pleased they offered 3-4 ESPN channels during popular football games.

Below the TV was another storage area that we did not use. This would be a good place to put skinny items, like books or magazines.

Read more: The forgotten new Royal Caribbean cruise ship: Why Odyssey of the Seas is worth your attention

I loved having two closets on each side of the full-sized coach. The smaller of the two closets was next to my mom’s bed. This closet was shorter than the other closet because there were two shelves below it. There was also a safe in here. I claimed this closet during our trip, and I found there to be plenty of shelves for my clothes.

On the other side of the couch was the second larger closet. This was what we used to put all of our dresses, tops, and sweaters. There were 26 total hangers, and we thought that was an ample amount.

The couch was a lovely feature of the cabin. It was large enough for the two of us to sit on it, though we usually used it as another place to put our stuff. I have stayed in interior cabins where the couch is small and can only fit one person, so I liked having a larger seating area. If you were wondering, our couch could not convert into a bed.

Across from the couch was the vanity and dresser. The dresser had three deep drawers that were 8.5” high. The two smaller drawers (about 6” high) could be used, although there were items already there like the blowdryer and room service menu. There was a lamp on the dresser that couldn't be moved, but it provided nice mood lighting in the evenings. Lastly, we used the mini cooler to store our water and soda.

The vanity had two U.S. outlets, one European outlet, and two USB outlets. I brought my European adapter, but I didn't need to use it because we had enough chargers for all our electronics.

The vanity has a neat ring light that could be used when doing makeup or just bringing more light into the cabin. We liked to use this light at night to give the room a little glow.

Being in an inside cabin that is pitch dark at all times of the way, it was great there were many lighting options. We could choose the ring light above the vanity, the lamp on the dresser, the lights by our beds, or of course, the lights for the entire cabin.

The bathroom in our inside cabin was as modern as the living area. There were a lot of storage areas next to and below the sink. And there were a few hooks to hang up our cosmetic bags and Crown and Anchor robes.

My favorite part of the bathroom was the large shower. I had more than enough space to move around while showering, which I greatly appreciated. The shower included the 2-1 body wash and shampoo, but I always bring my own shampoo and conditioner.

I have stayed in cabins where the bathroom is so tiny that I can barely move. This is not the case on Odyssey of the Seas where the bathrooms are spacious and efficient!

If you are someone who has to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, you will like the night light above the sink. I think this feature is so handy! You will not have to worry about packing a night light when staying in an inside cabin on Odyssey of the Seas.

Read more: Odyssey of the Seas Guide & Review

Overall, I would definitely recommend an interior cabin if you’re looking to cruise on Odyssey of the Seas! In particular, I would recommend cabin 9225 because of its convenient location. 

You were never too far away from all the action around the ship. Being slightly aft, it was an easy five flights of stairs up to the Windjammer and pool deck or the same amount down to the Royal Esplanade.

Did you know that there's a dog who lives onboard Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas?

Rover is an adorable six-month-old golden retriever who lives onboard the massive cruise ship full-time with her handler Alison Hubble, whose job title is "Rover's Chief of Staff." 

During a recent webinar, Vicki Freed, Senior Vice President of Sales and Trade Support & Service for Royal Caribbean International, had the opportunity to chat with Hubble while hanging out in an Icon Loft Suite. 

Before they began their conversation, however, Freed gave some insight into how the idea of having a dog on a cruise ship was conceptualized. 

Believe it or not, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley thought having a dog onboard would be great for guests and crew. 

Behind Rover herself, Freed claimed that Hubble has the second-best job on the ship! 

Hubble began working with Royal Caribbean six years ago

When Hubble began working with Royal Caribbean, she was in the NextCruise department assisting guests with booking their next Royal Caribbean cruise vacation. 

Prior to this, she worked as a travel advisor on land. She helped people book with multiple cruise lines; however, roughly 80% of the calls were for Royal Caribbean. 

When she began applying for jobs on a cruise ship, which had always been a dream of hers, she only applied to Royal Caribbean. 

One day, she received an email from Royal Caribbean stating that they were searching for a caretaker for a dog living onboard a cruise ship

After putting her application together, Hubble began the rather long interview process in which she spent a lot of time talking about her first dog, an Australian Shepherd.

When she told her mom about the position, who then relayed the information to her sister, she said that Hubble had found her dream job. Her sister, however, replied that she already had one since she was working onboard a cruise ship. 

Her mother then explained the position and how she'd be responsible for a dog on a ship, and her sister quickly changed her mind, stating that the new position was, in fact, her dream job. 

Hubble has been with Rover for roughly one month

Icon of the Seas wasn't the first ship Rover stepped foot on. They began their journey together on Freedom of the Seas. 

Hubble recalled a day when Rover had a rough time gaining her sea legs!

In case you are wondering, Freed said that they do everything possible to make sure that they're abiding by the American Humane Society's guidelines to ensure that Rover has an amazing life. 

One of the most rewarding parts of her job is seeing how guests and crew react when they spot Rover 

Whenever Hubble and Rover have somewhere to be, she tries to leave a few minutes earlier than she would otherwise have to because everyone stops to pet and love on Rover. 

It's not hard to be obsessed with her, as she has such a great personality. Hubble said that she loves people and toys. She also loves to chase her tail, which is something Hubble hadn't actually seen before. To her, it is hilarious!

Some crew members haven't seen their dogs in months, with most guests having been separated for only a few days; however, everyone's reaction is always the same: everyone lights up when they see Rover. 

While walking through guest areas is important, Hubble does try to spend time with Rover in crew-only areas. She said that it's beautiful to see how crew members interact with her. 

Rover isn't on a strict schedule

Whenever Hubble is asked about when Rover will be available for meet and greets (and rubs), she cannot give a definitive answer. 

Why? Rover's schedule is up to her! It's not uncommon for her to take naps ranging from two to four hours! 

Speaking of sleeping, Rover sleeps with Hubble in her cabin. She is crate-trained and has a second crate in The Bridge, where she can hang out with the Captain, who happens to adore her!

Guests may be able to spot Rover while relaxing at Perfect Day at CocoCay

Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private resort-like destination in The Bahamas, is quickly becoming one of Rover's favorite places. 

Here, she can dig all the holes that she wants, as well as blow bubbles in the crystal clear Bahamian waters. 

While she's still a bit hesitant about actually swimming in the ocean, Hubble said she's getting closer with each visit. 

As Icon finally made her way into PortMiami on January 10, Rover was celebrating her six-month birthday

Have you ever attended a birthday party, let alone for a dog, at 6:45am? 

Rover's six-month birthday celebration was complete with the cutest cake, and while Rover couldn't have any herself, she was given some delicious pumpkin cupcakes and plenty of attention! 

While Freed thinks that every Royal Caribbean ship should have a dog onboard, for now, Icon of the Seas is the only ship in the fleet where you can meet a new furry friend. 

If you're interested in following along with Rover's adventures, you can follow @chiefdogrover on Instagram. It's the official account of the Chief Dog Officer that's run by Hubble!

Onboard Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, prospective guests will find 13 different suite categories to choose from, including the cruise line's first-ever Ultimate Family Townhome and Sky Junior Suite. 

While these rooms come with a premium price tag, you're guaranteed a more elevated cruising experience. 

Whether you choose to relax on the suite-only sun deck or enjoy meals in the exclusive Coastal Kitchen restaurant, you're sure to enjoy the perks that accompany Icon of the Seas' Royal Suite Class. 

Below is a look at five suites that you will find on Icon: the Sky Junior Suite, Grand Suite, Icon Loft, Accessible Icon Loft, Owner's Suite, and Royal Loft Suite. Note that only the latter two of the categories can be found on other Royal Caribbean ships. 

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

Sky Junior Suite (JY)

For the first time ever, you can book a Junior Suite onboard a Royal Caribbean ship and receive Sky Tier benefits. Typically, Junior Suites are only in the Sea Tier, which doesn't come with many perks. 

In fact, you are not able to access suite-only sun decks or dine at Coastal Kitchen for breakfast or lunch, which severely limits your "ship-within-a-ship" experience on vessels with dedicated Suite Neighborhoods. 

While these aren't the most opulent suites by any means, they are a more economical way to enjoy everything that accompanies booking a Sky Tier suite without completely breaking the bank. 

At just 322 square feet with an additional 80 square feet of living space on the balcony, you can comfortably fit up to four guests in a Sky Junior Suite, more so than a traditional cabin anyway. 

Grand Suite (GS)

Grand Suites are a staple suite found on Royal Caribbean ships. On Icon, they're part of the Sky Tier of the Royal Suite Class, meaning that you'll have access to The Grove Sun Deck, as well as Coastal Kitchen for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

There are only 10 Grand Suites onboard, each with the ability to fit up to four passengers. 

These 1-bedroom suites measure 431 square feet, with an additional 108 square feet on the private balcony. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean suites guide & review

In the living room, there's a soda bed that can be converted into a double bed. 

Icon Loft (IL)

Icon Lofts are a new category of suite onboard Icon Class ships that fall within the Star Tier of the Royal Suite Class.

Star guests have the most benefits available to them, including a Royal Caribbean drink package, VOOM Wi-Fi, Royal Genie, and more. 

The overall floor plan of the Icon Loft is reminiscent of Crown Loft Suites onboard Oasis Class ships. 

These spacious rooms measure 656 square feet, with a balcony that falls anywhere between 108 and 172 square feet.

In addition to panoramic ocean views from the two-story windows, guests staying in an Icon Loft will also enjoy a separate living and dining area, as the master bedroom is perched atop the second floor. 

Onboard Icon, there are only 7 Loft Suites, and like Grand Suites, they, too, can accommodate up to four guests. 

Upstairs, you will find a large master bathroom complete with a shower that's able to fit two people!

There's a second full bathroom downstairs, which is great if you're traveling with four people in the suite or plan on having frequent guests. 

Accessible Icon Loft (IL, ADA)

If you're someone with mobility issues, the idea of a two-story suite might not sound appealing. 

Thankfully, Icon of the Seas has a limited number of accessible Icon Lofts onboard, complete with an elevator to help you travel from floor to floor. 

At 807 square feet, the interior portion is larger than standard Icon Lofts. Balconies, however, don't have a set range; they are all 115 square feet. This brings the total amount of useable floor space, both indoor and outdoor, to 922 square feet. 

This two-level urban loft can accommodate up to four guests. 

Owner's Suite (OS)

While neither a new cabin category nor a multi-level suite, the Owner's Suite seems to get more luxurious with every new build from Royal Caribbean. 

This 658 square foot room comes with an expansive 190 square foot balcony. 

Compared to some other suites on Icon, the Owner's Suite has a larger capacity and can fit up to five passengers. 

You'll only find eight of these suites onboard. 

Royal Loft (RL)

The largest suite onboard Icon of the Seas is the Ultimate Family Townhouse. 

This massive, one-of-a-kind suite measures an astonishing 1,772 square feet and is outfitted with an in-suite slide, movie-viewing room, karaoke machine, and a "backyard" with a ping pong table, outdoor seating, and a fence leading directly to the brand-new Surfside Neighborhood. 

With an $80,000 per week price tag, however, it's not the most affordable suite onboard the ship. While not as expensive, the Royal Loft Suite is the third suite in the Star Tier onboard Icon of the Seas. 

Situated on Deck 17, this 1,482-square-foot suite features a balcony that overlooks Chill and Thrill Island. You'll get some mesmerizing ocean views, too. 

Read more: My family stayed in a $7,000 Royal Loft Suite on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas

Your family of up to six will not have any trouble spreading out in the suite's two bedrooms and expansive living and dining areas, complete with a wet bar and piano!

On the second level, the master bathroom has an impressive vanity area that has more than enough storage for all of your clothing. 

The views don't end in the bedroom, either, as there's yet another floor-to-ceiling window. 

The master bathroom is one for the books. There's a chance you'll spend longer than you intend in the soaking tub, especially after spending all day exploring everything exciting onboard.