The UNFILTERED Truth about the Icon of the Seas | An INSANE Cruise Ship… But It Has a BIG Problem

The Icon of the Seas is the biggest, boldest, and most over-the-top cruise ship ever built. After spending 7 days onboard, we have a lot to say.

This ship is packed with record-breaking thrills, jaw-dropping entertainment, and more dining options than we could fit into one sailing. But for everything it gets right, there’s one BIG problem we didn’t see coming.

In this honest review, we break down what truly impressed us, what caught us off guard, and why some cruisers are obsessed (while others are seriously conflicted). Whether you’re thinking about booking or just curious what the hype is about, this video is your inside look at what it’s really like to sail the Icon.

So… is the Icon of the Seas the future of cruising or something entirely different?

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Family at Sea chronicles the cruising adventures of our family of four as we set sail across the globe aboard different cruise ships and cruise lines, including MSC, Disney Cruise Lines (DCL), Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL), P&O, Explora Journeys, Costa, Margaritaville at Sea, and more!

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00:00 Intro
01:43 Marketing vs Reality
05:28 The Big Problem
09:43 Who Is It For?

[FamilyAtSea]

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[CruisingKat]

Evan, this is a great assessment of Icon! I agree 100% with all the points. 😊

[NYRCentral]

Cruise ships are definitely getting bigger and bigger, they want to make the ship the destination

[dwa]

Excellent video. I’ve often thought this - a ship so big that one forgets that he or she isn’t even on a ship. This might be great for some people, but not so much for those who prefer a more “ocean centric”(great phrase) type of cruise. Perhaps a variety of experiences is what’s needed, with people choosing for themself what they would prefer. Again, excellent video. Thank you for posting.

[BeefromSC]

I’ve heard others say, bigger is not necessarily better when it comes to these gigantic cruise ships 🤔 I would like to try at least one, to form my own opinion. Thanks for sharing 😎🛳️🛳️

[timkerwin]

Thanks for your honest review. No large theme park ships for me anymore. Have done this before and am happy with princess ships and celebrity summit and soltice class. Cheers

[Dabeachguy]

Traditional cruising is a dying breed. Most of the up and coming young adults love the action, entertainment and shows and most importantly this is what’s now in demand. Yes it’s a floating Universal Studios that the new generation of cruisers want.

[LovetheLordPsalms]

It’s funny you say this about not feeling like you’re on the ocean. I felt like that on the Oasis class ships. If we hadn’t had a balcony, I can’t figure where I’d have ever seen the ocean. Compared to the Mariner, where from just about anywhere there was a view. We love being inside and looking at the water go by. We are actually booked on star of the seas coming up in November. Very excited about that one. It looks like there are more windows available from various dining and in the Aqua Dome, etc. I guess we will just have to wait and see!

[lks]

For kids and teens (and their parents), Oasis and Icon class ships are great!!! So much fun, so much to do

[ArildRavlosve-qk]

The Overlook-area in the front of the ship has floor to ceiling windows where you can sit and relax with a book and have the sea view right in front of you
But in other areas, I understand what you mean, it is like walking in a shopping mall
I have never cruised Icon (Allure, Harmony & Symphony I have as comparison) but have booked a cruise with the Legend in 2026

[jpmerrick]

Vegas did the same thing I never go since they did that

[trekster]

I guess I may consider this option for a family cruise.
We have only cruised RC once and had a shockingly rude encounter with a staff member.

I think the fella was selling shore packages in the dining area while we were eating. A very senior citizen family member told him no and that his interruption was rude. The worker had an emotional reaction and raised his voice to all of us. I stood up to handle it, and a supervisor swooped in and shuffled the guy completely out of the dining hall.

[emperorgluteusmaximus]

I have only been on two cruises. On the first we encountered 20' seas one night and I almost got rolled out of bed. I LOVED it! I spent years diving commercially, and I love the ocean. This ship is definitely NOT for me. Thank you for the info.

[hebexia]

I want to go on a cruise in thee future but I’m not sure which cruise to go on. I have never been on a cruise but I have moderate motion sickness. Icon of the Seas is one of the cruise ships I want to go on as my first cruise. Maybe it’s good for me with less options to see the sea because of motion sickness. I do love water parks. The price won’t be a problem. I’m planing on going in 2027.

[Michele-otbh]

Great post and very good question.
Absolutely not for me

[KenS-zr]

I've never done ICON because I compare it to a barge with two sky scrapers laying on their side with Disney land in the middle. I prefer REAL cruise ships!! THX for your honesty!!

[ozymandias]

Cruise ships such as the ICON are so big that they are a destination in themselves. They are purpose built with almost everything onboard a family vacation would need. That's what it is, a family vacation oriented ship. It is also why you would never see it sail anywhere other than the Caribbean area. What is the point of sailing to Coco Cay only to find that there are more attractions and things to do on the ship, than they are on the island?
Not for me, too many people in one place, I prefer the more traditional cruise experience. Particularly, the undulation of the ship should we be fortunate enough to encounter moderate to heavy seas. It all adds to the adventure of being at sea on a ship.
I have sailed on Oasis class ships and honestly, had I not looked out of a window, I wouldn't have known it had left the dock. Never again. Those who love the huge ships, have at it. You're welcome to them. Not me.

[choco.es.unlimited]

I've always wanted to cruise Royal, but their prices are INSANE. Transatlantic would run you easily 13k

[buckeyehc]

Interesting musings! I think my kids would love this, but I will wait a few years bc it sounds like a nightmare keeping track of my youngest kids. Did they have any way to track family on board? (like princess's medallion)

[dixiewinn]

If you were in Sky Class you could have gone to The Grove for a better pool and outdoor lounge experience