cruisetorelax44

16 hours ago, SparklyPinkCruiser said:

Hmmm, I'm hoping that someone who has been on Icon can confirm. It seems odd that their newest ship doesn't allow for streaming!? Those 4 channels just don't cut it!

I was on the inaugural. the good news? there is streaming set up. it looks very similar to wonder and odyssey, where you work through a built in chromecast. you go to a specific website on your phone or laptop, enter a code and it pairs your tv so you can stream your apps to the tv. the bad news? it wasn't working for us at all. and after day three, the streaming option on the tv menu vanished. so it's possible that they intend to make it available, but it just wasn't ready yet.

I sailed on the inaugural with the UDP.

You can use the $20 per person, per day at Playmakers, Pier 7, and Basecamp.

Izumi in the Park, the Trellis Bar and Desserted are NOT covered.
I was told at Basecamp, that you can order something that was $6 at one time, and come back and order something else later that may have been $8, and it's fine. So you can spread the purchases out over the day, and as long as you're spending less than $20 per person, you are fine. 

(the cheese curds are really good!!)

they're strict with them

9 minutes ago, soremekun said:

Were you brave enough to try the rabbit?

i chose the wagu, my friend got the sea bass. but we would have had the rabbit. those who did, really enjoyed it. there wasn't a bad bite served....

21 hours ago, taglovestocruise said:

How long start to finish.  Is the live music quiet enough that you can talk to each other. 

We were asked to meet in front of the restaurant at 6:20pm. Doors closed at 6:30pm. We left around 9:15pm. So it was several hours. The music was wonderful. A bass player, a pianist and a singer. It was great background music, not obtrusive at all. After some of the songs, the diners would applaud, but it wasn't like anyone was truly focused on the music.  

On 2/18/2024 at 2:45 PM, JColquhoun said:

what is the dress code?

We did get dressed up, as did all of the other 36 people in our seating. Some had fun with it, with Gatsby-style clothing. I think the official code is jackets for men. Most women were in dresses, some more sparkly and formal than others. 

On 2/18/2024 at 11:34 AM, firefly333 said:

Did you pay $200 per person or able to get a discount?

we booked in advance at $200 per person. but we did have the UDP. once we were on board, we asked the diamond concierge to have our reservations adjusted. if you aren't diamond, guest services could probably help with this. the restaurant "canceled" our reservations, then rebooked us as the $130 rate. so we were refunded $200 each, and then charged $130 each at dinner.

I was able to experience this wonderful dinner during Icon's inaugural sailing.  

Ask me anything!!

call post cruise.. they may be able to help?

I've heard there are no wings at Playmakers? They aren't listed on the app menu. Can someone check? It would be super sad if they were no longer offered...

On 12/23/2023 at 1:31 AM, uvadover said:

2 dinners, a snack, and 2 desserts - in one night.  We're doomed.

HA! this was two separate nights... 

earlier this month, we had no problem going to multiple in one night on wonder. went to hooked for an early dinner, then to wonderland for a snack and dessert a few hours later after a show. and from mason jar for dinner down to playmakers for dessert...

On 11/18/2023 at 11:22 AM, nelblu said:

The entire Solarium or just the "Bistro."

The bistro..

We were on Oasis during yeshiva week this past January.  It was a nightmare.  The solarium being off limits was an inconvenience,  but the kids running everywhere, bumping into people, literally climbing the hallway walls (using the railings by the state rooms).... never again...

We booked it for the inaugural... will report back.

8 hours ago, coaster said:

Agree. Bizarre to sail from Panama to the ABC islands. Airfare from the States to Panama is not worth it for this common itinerary from FL. No advantage unless you live in Panama and want to go on a cruise. Very limited market for these sailings.

this is why it was so frustrating for people who booked the canal cruises. we were told our experience was going to be "enhanced" by the changes. we were able to change our cruise, but unfortunately, we may be out our non-refundable air fare. doesn't make sense to book  a refundable fare that's twice the cost of a regular fare. and copa airline only flies to panama, so it's not even like we can just change our flight... 

You should still get the two free days of internet. just sign up for a package when you are on board, and your discount will be applied automatically. 

There is no drink package that takes into account your freebies.

You'll either need to pay for each drink over five individually, or if you choose to get a package, you'll have to pay whatever price that is. 

Think closely about how much you will actually drink.

For the deluxe, I think you need to drink at least 8 a day to break even.

If you're getting 5 for free, you'd be much better off just paying for individual drinks. 

58 minutes ago, bgoff60 said:

How does one "officially" remove the prepaid gratuity from their tab so that we can pay in cash later to those we feel have earned it?  Is there a timing issue once we board?

You just go to guest services. I usually go early in the morning day 2 or 3, and just ask them to remove them. I've never been questioned as to why or received any pushback.  I like to go when it's quiet on the ship and empty at guest services. It may take 24-36 hours for whatever has been already charged to be removed, but it always comes off.

2 minutes ago, ace1zoe2 said:

Just received an email that gratuities are increasing $2 per person per day effective 11.11.2023. You can pre-pay prior to that date for any future cruises to avoid the increase. I know tipping is a hot topic but if everyone would just pay their part the ones that do what the cruise line suggests wouldn't take the hit for everyone.

i disagree completely. they will continue to raise tips, and reduce service, no matter what. 

they need to give more tipping options. i leave the stateroom workers cash (10-15, per person per day), and i have ultimate dining, so I pay 18% on that when i book the cash and then leave cash tips (5-10 per person, per meal). I waive my daily gratutities because i never step foot in the main dining room where most of the money goes. i wish there was a way to leave extra for the housekeeping services that are included, but there's not. it's either tip people i never see, or waive them.

Nothing on Freedom the week of the 9th...

they left one for me on freedom last week. it was old. i left it there... too many dust collectors in my home lol

Right now, there are more than 2 dozen open suites on my sailing.. hoping for good bid prices

On 9/8/2023 at 10:12 PM, lasnev said:

We are on the March 9th sailing out of Colon. (Changed from Panama City). They haven't listed any pre-cruise excursions for us yet. Can you tell us more about the one you are doing? Is it out of Colon? Is it partial transit? Thank You!

We are no longer on that cruise. They canceled it and turned our canal and costa Rica cruise into a southern Caribbean itinerary.  

We're in an Oceanview balcony on  wonder in December.  Anyone recently in a similar cabin, who recieved royal up offers for a suite? We're trying ti get an idea about starting bid prices. Thanks!

I have a 4-night casino cruise booked on Freedom in October.

Right now, I'm going by myself, but a friend may want to join.

Is there a deadline to add someone to the reservation before sail date?
Thanks!