eroller

History is repeating itself. This is all reminiscent of Majestic America Line, which was the predecessor of AQV. These lovely riverboats deserve better.

I sailed on GRANDEUR last month in an D Concierge on Deck 8. Heard nothing from either side. Had a Penthouse Suite on one side maybe that helped? Sailing on her again next month so we shall see if there is any difference. I’ll bring some good ear plugs anyway just in case. I absolutely love the ship but agree cabin sound proofing is important. The same specs should have been used as on SPLENDOR and EXPLORER. All were built by Fincanteri in Italy. EXPLORER at Genova and SPLENDOR/GRANDEUR at Ancona. Maybe something changed with the offsite cabin manufacturer. Remember most cabins except the largest suites are constructed off site and slid into place on the ship.

Being so vague does not instill confidence. Just another example of how poorly managed this company is. Sad. So much potential gone to waste.

I would say the writing is on the wall. Between the delays with refunds and commissions, and now two ships going into extended layup, I would say the company is money strapped and probably hanging on by a thread. I think they got greedy and over extended themselves. Instead of focusing on what they do best (American river cruising), they decided to also become an expedition cruise line and even moved their headquarters to Fort Lauderdale. Seems to have failed miserably and might just bankrupt the company. I would be very cautious booking anything on AQV. https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/ship-operations/american-queen-voyages-cancels-february-cruises

Yes you are absolutely right and that might be the reason. They do have the Aqua pool high and forward and that is 18 feet deep. So I’m sure many engineering challenges were created with that. A cool thing about Celebrity’s Edge class ships is that massive center pool actually has a built-in dampener. If the seas act up a bit it rises from the center of the pool essentially cutting it in half. This greatly reduces the momentum of the water sloshing about.

I truly hope so. That is supposed to be the largest pool at sea so my hope was that it would be a more typical cruise ship pool with deeper water. I not asking for 10 feet of water but 5’ would be nice. Something more than waist deep. I do notice on the deck plan there are no cabins under that pool. That would indicate a pool well going into the deck below which would indicate something deeper. Having shallow pools saves the company money. They don’t need deep pool wells so there can be revenue producing space such as cabins underneath them. Every sq inch of space on a ship matters.

Apparently enough people enjoy them that almost every cruise ship in the world offers something more than just a waist high water wading pool. I don’t expect to swim laps in a cruise ship pool (although you can on Celebrity’s Edge Class … it’s huge by ship standards), but it’s nice to be submerged in more than waist high water on a hot Caribbean day.

I’ve sailed on all the major lines, including Disney. They all have at least one deep pool. In the case of Disney it’s the adult pool. Like you say MSC is designed for families as well as NCL and Carnival. All their ships have at least one deep pool. Same with all the previous Royal ships. This is something new with ICON. With the amount of lifeguards on ICON I think one deep pool would be fine. Funny when I was a little kid I leaned to swim in a deep pool. Different times.

And they will become the next generation of complainers. Years from now remembering that first cruise on ICON and how great it was, but how much has changed since then. We all had to start somewhere.

Those interior cabins looks lovely. Thanks for posting. It’s a shame with all those pools that not one is deeper than your waist. In that respect the ship really seems designed for small kids. I would certainly miss floating around the pool on a hot Caribbean afternoon. Somehow standing in waist deep water isn’t the same, for me at least.

Thank you. I also love 80’s. On the QUANTUM inaugural The Wild Boys played in the Music Hall. Absolutely amazing and all 80’s. They would have been awesome on ICON.

Is there a late night dance club? What used to be called the disco? With a DJ, dance floor, and great lighting that goes to the wee hours? Maybe the Music Hall after hours? Royal used to have dedicated nightclubs but no longer. Curious what is used on ICON assuming they have such a venue. I would think a ship this size would.

Thank you. At least there is one so that is good. And I think that is the largest pool at sea according to Royal. Super long.

I think many are doing just that. I know I am. And many are booking. To each their own. Everyone has a different value proposition. I do know one thing. It can all turn on a dime. Just look at Covid. I don’t blame Royal one bit for getting every dollar they can while they can. More power to them. Too high for me right now though, but I’ll eventually sail when prices are less inflated. When there are more sister ships sailing and the novelty wears off we will see pricing more leveled out. I think still a premium but not like what we are seeing now.

I have a question about the pools. I know there are 7 of them and they look like a lot of fun. They all look like wading pools though. Waist high water. Are any of them deep enough you can actually swim in them, instead of just wade? I like a deep pool where the water is up to my neck when I’m standing.

I think they need a mix in their fleet size. I’m hoping for two things. A smaller (not small but smaller) new class of ship, and an investment in their current smaller ships that is desperately needed. Some of their older ships are really looking shabby. Sharp contrast to ICON. They need serious upgrading.

MSC is a great value. Give them a try. Just remember to put your expectations in check with what you paid. It’s true lots of copying of Royal Caribbean ideas. They are the innovators after all. None of the copies are executed nearly as well though. The Dome on Princess will be nothing like the Aqua Dome. It’s essentially a covered pool where at night they can host some parties. The theater in the round on HAL ships is nothing like Two70. First it’s in the front, and it’s just a round show lounge. There are no windows or views. The Edge Class with Celebrity have a similar concept but it’s better executed than HAL. The new SUN PRINCESS will also have a theater in the round style show lounge. It’s true that center interior promenade started with the cruise ferry SILJA SERENADE in 1990. Royal took the concept and ran with it. But to be fair the vast majority of Royal’s concepts are original. BTW two classes of MSC ships also have a “Royal Promenade”, but it’s not done half as well as Royal does … but again a much cheaper product. Oh and one thing Royal copied from NCL on ICON is the Crown’s Edge. NCL has had a ropes course for years. On one side it has “walk the plank” out over the side to the ship. On the other side a zip-line segment of the ropes course that jets you out over the side of the ship. Crown’s Edge is just a fancier version and one you have to pay for. It’s free on NCL. About the only thing they don’t charge extra for.

Yes, and capable of docking two of their World Class ships at the same time. MSC WORLD AMERICA is being constructed right now, and will sail year round out of their new PortMiami terminal. Does it compare to ICON? No but it’s 1/3 the price and offers a lot of bang for the buck. It has the split superstructure like the Oasis Class. In fact MSC copies a lot from Royal. Imitation is the best form of flattery. I’m a big fan of MSC when I’m looking for an inexpensive getaway on a big, amenity packed, spotless ship. I’m never disappointed for what I paid.

Great review and pics! Two questions. 1. Any pics of the interior cabins? I haven’t seen any yet and you mentioned there is a better utilization of space. 2. The pools. I know there are 7. So far they all seem like wading pools with the water only going waist high. Any there any actual pools you can really swim in, where the water is up to your head and not just waist high? Thanks!

March will be my 3rd time on Regent, and second time on SEVEN SEAS GRANDEUR. I absolutely love it, and I think GRANDEUR is the most beautiful ship I’ve ever sailed. Just stunning. I hope you love it too. You will feel quite spoiled and taken care of for sure, and of course no lines or crowds. Poolside lounger at noon? No problem. True luxury. Still ICON looks just amazing and so much fun that she is high on my list. I just can’t justify the pricing even for an inside cabin. All in good time.

We are two adults as well, no kids. I still find the ship very exciting and I eventually want to sail on her. My husband? Not a chance in hell. I’m a big ship buff though and love to try out brand new prototype ships, regardless of cruise line. So I’ll go with my brother or a friend … eventually when prices become more reasonable. I’m willing to wait. Next up the new SEVEN SEAS GRANDEUR with Regent in March. Totally different experience but one I’ll equally enjoy to something like ICON for different reasons.

Great thing about MSC is they are family owned. Quite remarkable when you think of how big they are, and growing faster than any other line. They have no pesky shareholders to answer to and can run the business as they see fit. They also have a massive cargo operation to subsidize costs which really came in handy during Covid. While every other cruise line had massive losses during Covid, MSC was thriving thanks to the cargo division. No one knows quite how profitable they are since they are not public, but they could probably buy Royal a couple times over.

I’m definitely priced out of ICON right now. There is only so much I’ll pay for a 7000 pax mass-market ship. For ICON prices I can sail on a much higher-end inclusive line. This being said that is just me. Others obviously feel differently. I applaud Royal for getting these amazing per diems. They spent a fortune to design & build an amazing ship that is generating unprecedented demand. Good for them. Prices are market driven so as long as people feel ICON is worth the premium, these high prices will continue. I can’t wait to sail on ICON, but for me it’s going to be a while. In the meantime I’ll enjoy plenty of other cruises.

The sailing is not technically sold out. I think it’s filled to something like 80%. Royal did this on purpose to ramp it up gradually to full capacity.

Largest or smallest she is a mechanical moving object. Some areas might feel vibration for whatever reason. Guess what she will also rock & roll in high seas. Mother Nature will always prevail. Size does not guarantee stability.