SilkySal

Thanks @Treacher1! I was wondering if the Grove would honor free drinks for the suites. I usually get the Refreshment Package to supplement our D+ drinks but, if the Grove provides them, I wouldn't need to get it. Hopefully, this will be the case when we board Icon next year! Looking forward to exploring Icon! Cheers!

We like to make MTD reservations ahead of the cruise, since we prefer to eat between 6-7pm, which is a very popular dining time and fills up quickly. Just our preference.

I have no idea and would talk with your travel agency, since they are the ones gifting you. Maybe someone else knows how it might work? Speaking of specialty restaurants, we really like 150 Central Park for special dinners; great atmosphere!

Extra tip: Since you said that you'll have a lot of "stuff", when you get off of the ship and go into the terminal, wave down a porter with a cart, who will take all of your stuff and you through the lines a lot quicker than you can do yourself. We usually tip $3-$5 per bag for this service, which is well worth it! Not sure when your cruise is but please try to come back to this posting and let us all know how well you did or didn't like your suite!! I really think your 3-yr old will love it! Happy cruising to you and your family!!!

Very glad to help! I am a future planner as well. Our cruises are scheduled through April of 2026 and I am anxiously awaiting for the 2026 Fall cruises to be posted!! I check our booked cruises everyday for price drops and sales. I asked hubby if I was too obsessed and he said, "Nope, you always save me money by watching our reservations, so carry on!" LOL!

From what I have heard here on CC, water, soft drinks, wine and beer are available almost all day in the lounge. Alcoholic drinks are available during HH, which I believe to be 5-8pm. When we go to CK to eat dinner, the lounge bar is right there, so I also assume that you can order your HH drinks while eating dinner in CK; again, not sure, but hoping this is true! Cheers! Maybe someone else knows for sure!

Maybe you might consider two Sky Class Jr Suites or too much $$? Or one Sky Class Jr suite and one regular room next door? Anyway, good luck! Guess I was wrong about the 2BR GS but found this info for you: https://www.cruisemummy.co.uk/icon-of-the-seas-suites/ Does Icon of the Seas Have 2-Bedroom Suites? Icon of the Seas does have 2-bedroom suites. These include the Ultimate Family Townhouse (2 bedrooms – sleeps up to 😎 and the Royal Loft Suite (2 bedrooms, sleeps up to 6). Surfside Family Suites have a nook with a pullout bed for kids, acting as a second bedroom space.

Icon also has Jr suites in the Sky class.

Maybe a 2BR Grand Suite would work, if not a lot more $$? Oops we posted at the same time! If you can afford the upgrade, the 2BR GS would be a better fit IMO! Happy cruising!

We booked the surfside family suite on Icon next year and I am thoroughly excited about it! The suites only area on Icon is amazing! Not having an ocean view does not concern us since we will only be in the room to sleep or change clothes. There is way too much to do on the Icon to stay in your room. And, when your child is napping, you can sit on your balcony and see him sleeping peacefully through the window. It would be a no brainer for me! Below are 2 videos, one of the room and one of the suite area. Enjoy! https://www.google.com/search?q=icon+of+the+seas+surfside+family+suite&oq=icon+of+the+seas+surfsid&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqDAgAECMYJxiABBiKBTIMCAAQIxgnGIAEGIoFMgYIARBFGDkyBwgCEAAYgAQyBwgDEAAYgAQyBwgEEAAYgAQyBwgFEAAYgAQyBwgGEAAYgAQyBwgHEAAYgAQyBwgIEAAYgAQyBwgJEAAYgATSAQoxMDc1M2owajE1qAIJsAIB&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:1735d0ec,vid:ggTWAcPLTfg,st:0 https://www.google.com/search?q=icon+of+the+seas+suite+neighborhood&oq=icon+of+the+seas+suite+nei&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgAEAAYgAQyBggBEEUYOTINCAIQABiGAxiABBiKBTINCAMQABiGAxiABBiKBTINCAQQABiGAxiABBiKBTIKCAUQABiABBiiBDIKCAYQABiABBiiBDIKCAcQABiABBiiBNIBCjEyMzU2ajFqMTWoAgywAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:768b871e,vid:WuyReayx-WE,st:0

Go here and pull up the benefits for your Diamond status: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/crown-anchor-society

Ah yes, I remember those years. Have a great family cruise! We're taking our adult kids and their significant others in February, 2026. Very much looking forward to that!

You may want to check out prices for the Surfside Family Suites (sky class), as this is one of the cheapest full suite options. Icon has a very nice suites only neighborhood where you and your whole family could go if you book these suites. If you choose a Jr suite, there are some that are just regular and some that are "sky" class with the included suite perks, so choose wisely. We'll be in a Surfside Family Suite in November of next year and can't wait! Good luck in choosing the best rooms for you and your family! Oh and go on U-tube and watch several of the recent videos/tours for the Icon, as some are very informative. I prefer to watch JJCruise and Harr Travel to watch the tours! Enjoy!

Looking forward to sipping my 49'er next February for my birthday! Cheers!

I'll probably get blasted for this but I have to say it. That just sounds pretty "sneaky" to me and makes the cruiser look guilty of bad form in my opinion (and we all have them). Ahhh, freedom of choice (for now)! Cheers!

We originally booked a window on Icon for next year in November and I later decided to upgrade it to a balcony, so I took care of it on-line (preference). I had looked at the accessible suites at that time but the prices were too high for my blood. However, weeks later, I noticed that an accessible Surfside Family Suite (sky class) was available to book on-line but it would not let me snag it. So, I called RCI to ask about that suite's availability and was told that, yes, it was available for me to reserve it, so I did. Not sure why I could not book it myself on-line vs calling but very glad I snagged it! After reviewing several video tours of the Icon, especially the suite neighborhoods, we are very much looking forward to the suite experience on Icon! So, if you see an available room you want on-line and cannot book it yourself, don't hesitate to give them a call to see if it's really available!

Found this current info for you: https://www.safecruiseparking.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-miami-cruise-port-parking-everything-you-need-to-know-before-your-next-sailing/

FWIW, we spoke to this room steward (not ours), who was in the hallway, getting ready for the next group of cruisers. The people in his rooms were already gone and we were on our way out as well. He knew they had removed the auto grats and left no extra tip anywhere, so he was not puling at our heart strings. He was noticeably very upset. I agree that some are good at pulling heart strings but definitely not this time. Satisfied? Need more info?

We have always prepaid our gratuities and will continue to do so to insure that those behind the scenes get their share. We then tip extra cash to those who we feel go over and above to make our vacation more enjoyable. Do what you think is best, I guess. However, a few cruises ago, we encountered one of the room stewards in our hallway, who was very, very upset. He told us that a couple of his rooms were crowded with families and lots of kids, who had removed the automatic gratuities and left him no tips whatsoever. He felt that he was doing an excellent service for all of them and got nothing in return. We felt very bad for him. Just sayin'. How would you feel?

I currently use a scooter because of impaired mobility but I do agree with you somewhat. Each person's need may be different but, in my case, I can walk short distances and can stand but only for a limited time. So, in the case of lines, if I can sit on my scooter, I don't mind waiting in lines with others at all. However, if I am waived ahead from time to time, I graciously accept, even with some of the scowls on people's faces. I don't ask to move around the line but, when offered, I accept. When I first acquired the scooter, I ran into several things, especially door frames; however, I am getting better at it and, luckily, have never ran into a person ... yet. I have been taking my scooter on cruises but also try walking around as much as I can, unless the ship is rocking too much or I'm rocking too much! LOL! Cheers everyone!

Yeah, I love Toby Keith and all of his music!

We will be in a sky suite on Icon next year. Could you please tell me if, when in The Grove area, are food and alcoholic beverages included (free) for suite guests? Trying to decide if we will need a drink package. Thank you!

They have "it's all about me, me, me!" syndrome! Yep, pitiful!

Did you read the so-called "trick" to booking the Railway on another thread? Go to your sailing, click on dining and on one of the specialty restaurants open to book, like Chops. Go up to the URL and change CHOP to RAIL in the URL. It should open up the booking for the Railway. Yesterday, this did not work for our February cruise but, today, wallah, it did! However, it listed the Railway as "sold out" for the entire 4-night cruise! What?!! I am not a happy camper about this. BTW, Royal's office (Nicole) just called me to discuss the problem but to no avail. She said that my February booking should open up around the end of September/first of November, so to try again. She could not guarantee that those who purchased the UDP or anyone for that matter would be given special consideration. Oh well, I tried. Maybe the P's or the suites will have better luck!

Well, your trick did not work yesterday but I tried again just now and it worked! But, alas, it says "sold out"!! Really!! I sent an email to the Royal execs as this is totally unfair to those of us who purchased the UDP, as we are unable to actually make reservations until we board. Maybe it's a mistake, maybe not. Guess we'll see when we actually board the ship.