Be Entertained Aboard the Icon of the Seas

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Everything about Royal Caribbean’s new ship, the Icon of the Seas, promises a new kind of cruise experience. That includes a terrific variety of onboard entertainment.

With an emphasis on the excitement of live music performance, the Icon sails with dozens of musicians on board. They perform at Lou’s Jazz & Blues, the Dueling Pianos bar, the Point & Feather English Pub, and several other venues around the ship.

Musicians are also an integral part of two productions in the Royal Theater. A 16-piece orchestra accompanies a spectacular staging of the beloved musical fantasy “The Wizard of Oz” (the classic tale has been updated with some modern touches, too). And, a show called “SHOWBAND! Live. Music. Now.” puts the spotlight firmly on talented musicians.

More than 75 other performers, from singers to skateboarders to ice skaters, will be ready to take their places under the lights of the ship’s multiple performance venues. Here are a few highlights:

In the AquaDome – an exciting new version of the Aqua Theater on other Royal Caribbean ships – a show called “Aqua Action!” combines the breathtaking skills of high divers, aerialists, skateboarders, and synchronized swimmers with of-the-moment performance technology. The AquaDome is also the stage for “Pirates vs. Mermaids,” a lighthearted show that reveals who truly rules the ocean.

The power and beauty of top-level ice skating is on display at Absolute Zero, the Icon’s ice arena. The choreography of “Starburst: Elemental Beauty” takes full advantage of Royal Caribbean’s largest ice rink yet. Another ice show, “Once Upon a Time: The King’s Royal Ball” features familiar fairytale characters.

Be prepared for excitement along the Royal Promenade – from time to time, groups of sailors, swashbucklers and scalawags turn it into a stage for an entertaining demonstration of their skills, as well as a battle of wits.

Before or after a performance, you can relax around one of the ship’s seven pools, take a trip down one of six water slides, enjoy one of the family play areas or try out some of more than 40 dining spots and bars.

With Caribbean ports to explore and so many options for onboard entertainment, it’s unlikely that anyone could be bored on the Icon of the Seas. The ship’s itineraries include Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line’s fabulous private island, too. To learn more about the Icon and how you can sail on it, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

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Sail on a New – or Good as New – Cruise Ship

This promises to be an exciting year for cruise fans, as a variety of brand-new ships are scheduled to begin riding the waves.

Royal Caribbean’s highly anticipated Icon of the Seas is ready to begin its reign as the world’s largest cruise ship at the end of January. Passengers will enjoy the ship’s innovative new performance spaces and activities, comfortable cabins and suites, and exciting new restaurants and bars. And – for your advance cruise planning – Royal Caribbean plans to add two more new ships to the Icon class by mid-2026.

Princess Cruises will also introduce a new class of ship this year. The Sun Princess, debuting in February, will be the first ship in the Sphere class. This will be the largest ship in the Princess fleet, offering new types of suite accommodations, the first roll glider ride at sea, and new areas where kids, teens, and families can enjoy themselves. The Sun Princess will sail in the Mediterranean before moving to the Caribbean.

Disney Cruise Line’s new Disney Treasure will showcase the prankster-turned-hero Aladdin, among other popular characters. Onboard highlights include a water slide with a new Mickey and Minnie Mouse adventure story, three theaters, and a rotational dining plan that lets guests dine at different restaurants each day, but with the same familiar wait staff. The Treasure will sail in the Caribbean.

Several other cruise lines will launch new ships this year, including Cunard Line, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Silversea, and Viking Ocean Cruises, as well as river cruise lines Ama Waterways and Avalon.

New cruise ships have lots of appeal, but high demand can increase their fares. As an alternative, consider sailing on a ship that’s recently been refurbished and updated.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Joy will use a three-week stay in dry dock this January to reconfigure some suites, add two dozen balcony cabins and a thermal suite, and expand the Vibe Beach Club. The ship will sail in the Caribbean this spring before switching to Bermuda cruises.

Oceania Cruises will undertake a major refurbishment of the Marina this May, redesigning some suites and adding new dining options. The updated ship will have the line’s signature restaurant, Aquamar Kitchen; al fresco dining in a new Italian trattoria; and an all-day ice cream parlor. The refreshed Marina will sail in Northern Europe this summer.

For more information about a voyage on a new or renewed ship in 2024, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

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Planning a Spring Break Cruise

Spring break – that week or two each spring when many schools, from kindergarten through college, take a break from classes – has become a popular time to cruise. While spring break schedules vary by school, they usually take place in March or April, when much of North America is still emerging from winter.

For many spring break cruisers, especially those who have one week off, that means the best destination choices are warm-weather places close to the U.S. For example, The Bahamas, just 80 miles or so off Florida’s Atlantic coast, is a very popular option. Several cruise lines offer three- and four-night cruises, which fit neatly into a week-off schedule.

More options for spring break cruises include three- to five-night cruises to either the Caribbean coast or the Pacific coast of Mexico. Cruises to Mexico’s beachy Caribbean ports may include stops in Progreso (near Mérida and Chichén Itzá), Cozumel, Cancún or Riviera Maya. On Mexico’s mountainous Pacific coast, port calls may include Ensenada, Mazatlán, Acapulco, or Cabo San Lucas.

It’s also possible to enjoy a spring break cruise in the Mediterranean, especially if you have two weeks off. There are a few Mediterranean cruises of three to five nights, but you’ll have more options to choose from if you can cruise for at least seven nights.

In addition to destinations, spring breaker cruisers should think about the kind of onboard vibe they’re looking for. There are at least two unofficial categories of spring break cruises: family-oriented cruises that cater to kids and their adults, and party-oriented cruises that provide young adults with lots of fun. College-age cruisers may want to consider a line like Virgin Voyages, which has a minimum passenger age of 18. And while Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line are family-oriented, they are also known for having lots of entertainment and nightlife on board. For a family-oriented cruise, you can also look to Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and more.

For college-age cruisers, it’s important to carefully check age requirements before booking. Many cruise lines require passengers under the age of 21 to be accompanied by someone who is over 21. And, 21 is often the minimum age for ordering and consuming alcohol on board. Cruise lines strictly enforce their drinking age policies, and violating them can result in removal from the ship.

For more advice about spring break cruising and help making reservations, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

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Icon of the Seas Offers New Dining Options

Ever since Royal Caribbean first announced a project called “Icon” in 2016, anticipation for the Icon of the Seas, the line’s newest ship, has been ramping up. Icon of the Seas is unlike any ship to come before it, beginning with its size: it’s the world’s largest cruise ship, with 20 decks and the capacity for up to 7,600 passengers.

To make sure everyone is well-fed, Icon of the Seas has lots of places to drink and dine within the ship’s eight “neighborhoods.” There are established Royal Caribbean favorites, including Chops Grille, Izumi’s, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, and a popular bar called Lime and the Coconut. But, at least 20 of the ship’s dining options are brand-new.

The AquaDome neighborhood (a new twist on the Aqua Theater found on other Royal Caribbean ships) has several restaurants and bars. The AquaDome Market is Royal Caribbean’s first food hall, with five stalls dishing up a variety of family-friendly options. The AquaDome also has a new private dining experience called Celebration Table. And, the new Overlook Bar has terrific views over the bow of the ship.

The Chill Island neighborhood is all about having fun in the water, as four of the seven onboard pools are located there. It features Royal Caribbean’s first swim-up bar, Swim & Tonic, which specializes in tonic-based cocktails.

In the Thrill Island neighborhood, passengers can try out six exciting water slides, and then grab a tasty bite at Basecamp, where the menu includes bao buns with crispy shrimp and pretzel bites with cheese. Thrill Island visitors can also cool down and fill up with a gourmet milkshake from Desserted, which serves both alcohol-free and boozy options (which are for adults only, of course).

After passengers splash about in the water play areas of the Surfside neighborhood, they can enjoy a meal at the family-oriented Surfside Eatery or Pier 7, which serves brunch-style fare all day. Surfside Bites is another quick-serve venue, featuring kid-pleasers like burgers and popcorn chicken.

If the thought of sailing among these dining options (and many more) makes your mouth water, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor. Beginning in late January, Icon of the Seas will homeport in Miami and sail seven-day cruises in the Eastern or Western Caribbean. Your travel advisor can also tell you about the amazing array of cabin categories and entertainment aboard this exciting new ship, as well as the adventures waiting for you on shore.

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