Utopia Vs Icon for Adults

[Janthere]

Its been 20 years since I've been on Royal when my kids were little. I am just starting my research into possibly trying Royal and I saw that the Icon has a beautiful looking adult only pool area in the aft - does anyone know if this is specific to Icon or do other Oasis class ships have this as well? I read that the solarium is adults only but don't really like indoor pools. 

[Donsyb]

18 minutes ago, Janthere said:

Its been 20 years since I've been on Royal when my kids were little. I am just starting my research into possibly trying Royal and I saw that the Icon has a beautiful looking adult only pool area in the aft - does anyone know if this is specific to Icon or do other Oasis class ships have this as well? I read that the solarium is adults only but don't really like indoor pools. 

Firstly, Icon is not an oasis class ship, it’s a whole new class.

secondly, the adult only pool is only on icon. Oasis class only has the adult solariums with an indoor pool.

[bajathree]

IMHO Icon looks to me like Sponge Bob Square Pants....as an empty nester (kids grown up) I have no interest in that class ship. Unless it's a casino offering and that's why you are considering...I would be looking more into Celebrity Edge class ships.

Edited March 28 by bajathree

[Janthere]

1 hour ago, bajathree said:

IMHO Icon looks to me like Sponge Bob Square Pants....as an empty nester (kids grown up) I have no interest in that class ship. Unless it's a casino offering and that's why you are considering...I would be looking more into Celebrity Edge class ships.

I've done all the Edge ships and while they are beautiful the clientele they cater to is older than I enjoy. It is a casino trip so yes that is why i would consider it first and foremost but also just to see it and live to tell the tale 🙂 

[ocdb8r]

We cruise Royal without kids and have found it to be very enjoyable; we do generally avoid the school holidays.

 

As mentioned, the outdoor adults only pool is unique to Icon at this stage (and in fact, was a last minute switch if I understand correctly). We are looking forward to experiencing it in May.  As also mentioned, that leaves you with Icon or the soon to launch Star on the assumption this holds true on all Icon class ships.

 

For the Oasis class ships, as also mentioned, that leaves you with only the Solarium for adults only pool areas.  I will say we generally do not like "indoor" pools either, but while the Solarium is "mostly" closed but it's not entirely closed such that it provides sufficient airflow and openings not to feel claustrophobic like other closed pool areas.

 

You could also take a look at the Voyager or Freedom class ships which have an open air solarium.

Edited March 28 by ocdb8r

[bajathree]

51 minutes ago, ocdb8r said:

We cruise Royal without kids and have found it to be very enjoyable; we do generally avoid the school holidays.

 

As mentioned, the outdoor adults only pool is unique to Icon at this stage (and in fact, was a last minute switch if I understand correctly). We are looking forward to experiencing it in May.  As also mentioned, that leaves you with Icon or the soon to launch Star on the assumption this holds true on all Icon class ships.

 

For the Oasis class ships, as also mentioned, that leaves you with only the Solarium for adults only pool areas.  I will say we generally do not like "indoor" pools either, but while the Solarium is "mostly" closed but it's not entirely closed such that it provides sufficient airflow and openings not to feel claustrophobic like other closed pool areas.

 

You could also take a look at the Voyager or Freedom class ships which have an open air solarium.

That is true for most Oasis class ships except Wonder. Wonder's solarium is totally enclosed.

[bajathree]

8 hours ago, Janthere said:

I've done all the Edge ships and while they are beautiful the clientele they cater to is older than I enjoy. It is a casino trip so yes that is why i would consider it first and foremost but also just to see it and live to tell the tale 🙂 

We go back and forth between Royal and Celebrity. Honestly Celebrity is our preference but we get a lot more offers from Royal. One ship however we have found the best of both worlds on is Odyssey....it is basically a Solstice series ship that has been Royal Caribbean'ized. Odyssey is a very nice cutting edge ship that has a Celebrity feel to it but with all the bells and whistles of Royal.

[Donsyb]

57 minutes ago, ocdb8r said:

 

As mentioned, the outdoor adults only pool is unique to Icon at this stage (and in fact, was a last minute switch if I understand correctly)

There was always going to be an adults only outdoor pool, the switch was that it was going to be a different one and then they switched them round.

[irishgal432]

The adults only pool on Icon is not like a quiet solarium.  It is a loud party vibe.  

[crewsweeper]

I don't think the Utopia has started sailing yet.But its only 3 and 4 day voyages out of Port Canaveral vs the 7 day trips out of Miami for the Icon. That says to me the Utopia is much more of a party ship.  But yes the Icon is designed to be more family oriented.

[Robo1098]

5 hours ago, bajathree said:

That is true for most Oasis class ships except Wonder. Wonder's solarium is totally enclosed.

Harmony doesn't have a pool in the Solarium.

[bajathree]

25 minutes ago, Robo1098 said:

Harmony doesn't have a pool in the Solarium.

Yea...no idea what they were thinking on that one.

[luv2ski98]

the hideaway and hideaway pool were pretty quiet last week during a spring break cruise. we will be on utopia in august so i can compare . completely different ship layout and as we are frequent oasis class cruisers i liked icon much better. Bigger wow factor

[PhillyFan33579]

11 hours ago, Donsyb said:

There was always going to be an adults only outdoor pool, the switch was that it was going to be a different one and then they switched them round.

Cloud 19 was originally going to be the adult only pool. After spending 7 days on Icon, the lack of a Solarium is a big miss on in my book. However, I know Icon is focused on families with kids, not older people like me (late 50s), so I understand why Icon doesn’t have one. Overall I enjoyed Icon and we have another cruise booked on her (NYE) that I booked when bookings for Icon were first available. But after that cruise I don’t anticipate going on Icon again anytime soon.