Icon of the seas - Live (ish) - 5/18-5/25

[colesc15]

After enjoying the pool most of the day, time to start getting ready for Empire Supper Club! Excited. We need to be at the entrance by 6:20 and we want to get some pictures done before since we don't normally partake in formal nights anymore. 

[topanga49er]

12 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I like it on St. Kitts.

On this itinerary for our Icon trip.  For someone who has never been to St. Kitts, what would you recommend for two 55+ and three 18 yo's for a St. Kitts excursion?  thank you

 

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, topanga49er said:

On this itinerary for our Icon trip.  For someone who has never been to St. Kitts, what would you recommend for two 55+ and three 18 yo's for a St. Kitts excursion?  thank you

 

It depends what your interests are. The first time we visit an island we like to get an over all feel of the place. We did an independent tour with Thenford Grey Tours. He is a local who will bring you to all the island highlights including the Brimstone Fortress. I love exploring forts and the views from there are awesome. He does a great job and he is easy to understand as he speaks perfect English. He also runs more physically active tours with hikes up the volcano. He has a website where you can check out what he has to offer.

 

Another time we did the Scenic Railway Tour. This has to be bought through the cruise line as they have a lock on it. It will bring you through a lot of the back country. It is rather pricy in my opinion and you don't have a chance to get off the train to explore. I'm glad we did it but probably would not repeat it. I also think Thenford Grey provides a better experience for a first time visit.

 

Now, understand that we are not really beach people. I live on the ocean. When travelling I like exploring new places. So my interests and yours might be quite different.

 

 

[wrldtrvllr]

1 hour ago, topanga49er said:

On this itinerary for our Icon trip.  For someone who has never been to St. Kitts, what would you recommend for two 55+ and three 18 yo's for a St. Kitts excursion?  thank you

 

If looking for beach, bar, fair snorkeling either carambola beach or cockleshell beach (reggae beach) are popular destinations. Easy cab ride and both beaches are on Caribbean side. Will go over Timothy hill to either destination. 
Timothy hill:(Atlantic on left, Caribbean on right)

Cockleshell:

 

Carambola:

 

[colesc15]

Let me start off by saying. Empire supper club is 100% worth the price. The waiter greets you outside by name, they only have 2 tables each, and the food and ambiance are phenomenal. 

[colesc15]

Came back to our cabin to change and not a bad little gift to come back to for 210 cruise points 

[colesc15]

And now, one hit wonder party. For the love of everything, royal caribbean, implement these different ideas to the rest of your fleet vs the same old. 

[colesc15]

Dueling pianos popped up tonight in the app so they must be feeling better 

[BecciBoo]

12 hours ago, colesc15 said:

they only have 2 tables each

What does this mean exactly?  Never mind I get it...each server has only 2 tables to service...yeah yeah!

Edited May 22 by BecciBoo

[MechE31]

23 hours ago, colesc15 said:

Buy a bonus feature so not the same. $250 buy a bonus is equal to getting the bonus at $6 bet. 

Are buying the bonus features generally worth it? I was debating trying this as it seemed like I could cycle a lot through the machine fairly quickly with a decent return. I'm trying to see about getting enough points to get offers as we cruise a bit.

[colesc15]

3 minutes ago, MechE31 said:

Are buying the bonus features generally worth it? I was debating trying this as it seemed like I could cycle a lot through the machine fairly quickly with a decent return. I'm trying to see about getting enough points to get offers as we cruise a bit.

9 times out of 10, you don't get your money back but you generally get at least a chunk of it back 

[colesc15]

Had a very slow morning this morning. We actually didn't even leave the room/balcony until like an hour ago. We had a little too much fun last night so the alcohol took over our morning. Made it for sail away in the overlook and grabbed a quick bite from the aqua dome market. Macs was as expected, nothing great. Gngr was pretty good however. 

[xtremegk]

On 5/20/2024 at 6:58 PM, colesc15 said:

First of the trip finally

 

Hold up...does that actually say a $250.00 bet on a $0.01 slot?!?

[xtremegk]

7 minutes ago, xtremegk said:

 

Hold up...does that actually say a $250.00 bet on a $0.01 slot?!?

 

Nevermind. Just saw your explanation.

[colesc15]

Wife isn't feeling the best so she went back to the cabin so I found myself in the casino. Started rough but hit this 

[topanga49er]

29 minutes ago, colesc15 said:

Wife isn't feeling the best so she went back to the cabin so I found myself in the casino. Started rough but hit this 

On 5/21/2024 at 5:38 AM, Ocean Boy said:

 

Wow we definitely need a tutorial on the slots.  Every time I try I lose $50 in the first five minutes and quit...

 

[colesc15]

Music hall for some more Phoenix, then love and marriage, maybe Quest, then for sure bed lol 

[lexy1]

On 5/18/2024 at 11:59 AM, colesc15 said:

First impressions. Wow. I can see where all of Royals cuts are going, the windjammer on icon lol.  

 

 

Yes!  Take me back to icon.  Lobster was the main dish on day 1 whether in windjammer or main dining room.  This was our 9th RC cruise. We were on 5/11-5/18 and absolutely loved ICON.  SOOO different than all the other classes and better impo. Each day we find new spots whether quiet and hidden or booming with fun activities. Never felt too crowded. I hope you continue to enjoy! 

[lexy1]

On 5/19/2024 at 8:56 PM, colesc15 said:

The ice show earlier was up there with some of my favorites on any royal ship. Great music, technology, and skating and the juggler finished top 10 in agt a few years ago. 

Yes!  This elemental show was surprisingly very good.  So was wizard of oz.  Done perfectly!

[lexy1]

On 5/18/2024 at 3:02 PM, colesc15 said:

I feel like they took a lot of what people loved on oasis and implemented it with a twist. I will say so far, icon blows oasis class out of the water. The Hideaway is to die for 

I 100%  agree! They took it up a notch on Icon. I personally loved The Overlook and The Hideaway so much more than the Solarium for adult spaces. No pool at the overlook, but it was quiet beautiful spot to lounge/relax at outside our stateroom, had individual and group seating, those cute little private staggered height pods, a bar, and a very large window view of the ocean similar to solarium. We went to the Hideaway infinite pool when everyone got off at Cozumel and also enjoyed hot tubs there at night chatting and drinking with others. It was definitely a more 'lively adult vibe' than the super quiet solarium.

[colesc15]

I randomly love the blue light that projects down into the water from Icon. 

[erby2283]

On 5/18/2024 at 3:02 PM, colesc15 said:

I feel like they took a lot of what people loved on oasis and implemented it with a twist. I will say so far, icon blows oasis class out of the water. The Hideaway is to die for 

Really? I hated the Hideaway.  You couldn't get me to go back there for anything again.  Feels like spring break 24/7 - music is way too loud, it was the only place on the ship I smelled the gross sewage smell everyone talked about and it was always overcrowded.  For us adults that don't enjoy a party atmosphere but still want an adults only area, The Hideaway is not the place to be.  But I also understand they can't please everyone and I found other areas of the ship to spend my time.

[colesc15]

Looks like we'll be heading into some rain soon. 

[colesc15]

It rained pretty good for a bit, so we aborted cloud 17 and came to our balcony to watch the ocean fly by. Starting to clear up again 

[colesc15]

I do have to say, I'm not sure if the rooms walls and floors are built different or what, but this is by far the most noise I've ever heard in my cabin and it's been the entire week and have heard others say the same. We're on deck 12 so cabins below us and above us and I can hear footsteps in the cabin above constantly, balcony furniture moving with the door closed, and doors slamming in the hall. You can see also openly hear conversations coming through the shower drain from I'm assuming the neighbor if they're in the bathroom. Just so bizarre.