Cruising on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas was one of those trips that reminds you why cruising works so well for families. The itinerary took us to St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Royal Caribbean’s private island, CocoCay, and overall it struck a solid balance between adventure and just being able to breathe. St. Maarten and CocoCay were easy highlights. St. Thomas, on the other hand, felt rushed, we were only given about six hours on the island, which barely scratches the surface of what there is to do.
We landed on Royal Caribbean because they consistently hit that sweet spot: family friendly without feeling like you’re paying luxury prices just to exist. Icon of the Seas itself is absolutely stunning. It’s one of the most impressive ships I’ve ever been on, both in scale and design. Even with thousands of people onboard, it truly never felt chaotic, which honestly might be the ship’s greatest feature.
Another thing that really stood out was how much there was to do, no matter your age or interests. Kids were covered. Teens were covered. Adults were very covered. The ship has everything from an Irish pub and a salsa disco to a comedy club, Broadway level shows, aqua performances, and even an ice skating rink. There’s a full gym, surfing on the ship, and activities running from early morning until well after midnight. You could stay busy all day, or pick your moments and still feel like you didn’t miss out.
One of my favorite spots on the ship was the Overlook, located at the very front. It’s quiet, open, and makes you feel like you’re floating directly on the water. It ended up being a shared favorite for both me and my son, which made it one of those rare cruise spaces where you’re not rushing anywhere, you’re just there. Those moments ended up being just as memorable as the big shows and attractions.
Adventure Ocean deserves its own shoutout. The onboard childcare and day program is a lifesaver for parents. For a small hourly fee and a quick reservation, you can leave your child in good hands and actually get a few hours to yourself, whether that’s grabbing a drink, catching a show, or just sitting down without multitasking. And yes, the food lived up to the hype. My wife would tell you it was the highlight of the entire trip, and honestly, she’s not wrong. Between the buffet and dining options, there was always something solid, whether you were eating clean or just eating everything. Icon of the Seas made a strong case for cruising as a go to family vacation, and it definitely left us looking forward to whatever cruise comes next.
