Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas

Kristy Trieu • April 19, 2025

All Aboard the Icon of the Seas - Your Floating Playground Awaits!



Welcome to the Icon of the Seas – aka, the world’s largest cruise ship! With room for nearly 7,600 guests, this ship is basically a floating city... but with more pools, waterslides, and cocktails. Don't worry though – even with eight unique “neighborhoods” to explore, it still manages to feel cozy, fun, and totally magical. I went with my family this spring and we had so much fun! If you're wondering where to even start, don't sweat it – here’s a quick and easy guide to help you map out your dream onboard adventure.


Chill Island – Where Relaxation is the Main Event

Feeling the urge to kick back and soak up some sun? Chill Island is calling your name. Picture this: an infinity pool, in-water loungers, and a cocktail in hand from Swim & Tonic – Royal Caribbean’s very first swim-up bar at sea. Frozen drinks at Lime & Coconut are practically a rite of passage. With three full decks of laid-back lounging space, it’s basically a vacation within your vacation.


Thrill Island – For the Daredevils and Adventure Junkies

Ready to get your adrenaline pumping? Thrill Island is your high-energy playground. Brave one (or all six!) of the wild waterslides at the biggest waterpark at sea. Feeling bold? Take on Crown’s Edge – part zipline, part obstacle course, and 154 feet above the ocean. 😱 Refuel with pretzels and shrimp bao buns at Basecamp, then maybe ride the waves at FlowRider, scale a rock wall, or play some mini golf. Your inner thrill-seeker is going to be very happy here.


AquaDome – Where the Entertainment is Next-Level

Imagine a giant glass dome with a 55-foot waterfall, a futuristic cocktail lounge, and shows that’ll leave your jaw on the floor. That’s AquaDome. Sip a drink in a space pod-like seat at Overlook Lounge, then catch shows like Aqua Nation! or Pirates vs. Mermaids at the Aqua Theater. Trust us – you’ve never seen entertainment like this at sea.


The Hideaway – Adults-Only Vibes & Infinity Pool Dreams

Tucked at the back of the ship, The Hideaway is your adults-only escape. Float in a suspended infinity pool with views for days (135 feet above the ocean!), sip fun drinks like “Oh Mai Gawd,” and dance the day away at high-energy pool parties. It’s like a tropical beach club – but floating.


Surfside – Family Fun Central

Bringing the whole crew? Surfside is family paradise. Think splash pads, carousels, arcades, and even a bar that does matching cocktails and mocktails for parents and kids. Cute, right? Plus, Adventure Ocean and the teen-exclusive Social020 club are right here too. Your kids may never want to leave – and neither will you.


Royal Promenade – The Heart of the Ship

This vibrant hub is where everything happens. Light floods in through floor-to-ceiling windows, and at the center, there’s The Pearl – a moving, glowing art installation with 3,000 kinetic tiles. Grab a bite at Pearl Café, catch an ice show at Absolute Zero, belt out your favorite song at the karaoke bar, or hit up Dueling Pianos for some late-night laughs and sing-alongs. (Dueling Pianos was our fave late night hangout!)


Central Park – Yes, an Actual Park at Sea

Need a little nature? Central Park is a leafy, breezy dream with over 30,000 real plants (and birdsong too – thank you, ambient speakers). Grab sushi or Japanese street food at Izumi in the Park, pose with a photogenic ice cream cone, and swing by the adorable Bubbles champagne window for a celebratory sip. Finish the night with live music and smooth cocktails at Lou’s Jazz ’n Blues.


Suite Neighborhood – Where VIP Dreams Come True

If you’re living that suite life, you’ll get access to the ship’s most exclusive spot: the Suite Neighborhood. Here, luxury reigns supreme. Lounge by your private pool, savor delicious dining at Coastal Kitchen, or unwind on the multi-level sundeck with a drink from the private bar. It’s pure pampering, all the way.



No matter which “neighborhood” you wander into, there’s truly something for everyone aboard the Icon of the Seas. My family absolutely loved it – and we can’t wait to do it again!

Ready to make waves and book your dream cruise? Shoot me an email (kristy@tru-vacations.com) or text 346-330-3345 today, and I’ll help you plan an amazing getaway on the Icon of the Seas!

By Kristy Trieu May 18, 2025
You’re engaged - congratulations! You’ve probably got a Pinterest board full of wedding ideas, a group chat buzzing with venue links, and a to-do list that keeps mysteriously growing overnight. Amid all of this, someone (maybe even you) says: “We should start planning the honeymoon.” And suddenly, you're 27 tabs deep into travel blogs, trying to figure out whether the Maldives is too far, whether Greece is too hot in July, or whether that “luxury beachfront resort” is actually luxurious - or just really good at photo editing. Take a deep breath. You're not alone, and you're in the right place. As a Travel Advisor who specializes in honeymoons, I'm here to help you cut through the chaos and design a trip that's as exciting and effortless as it should be. Here’s how to plan the perfect honeymoon – without the stress. 1. Start With the Feeling, Not the Destination Before you get stuck comparing flight prices and resort photos, ask yourselves: What kind of honeymoon do we actually want? Do you want to unplug and relax after months of wedding planning? Are you dreaming of adventure , with zip lines and volcano hikes? Do you crave culture and cuisine , wandering charming towns or eating your way through the countryside? Or maybe it’s a little of everything? Nailing down the vibe helps narrow your focus - and sets the tone for a trip that feels like you, not just a pretty location. 2. Set a Realistic Budget Your honeymoon is a once-in-a-lifetime trip and you want it to be the trip that all future vacations are compared against. Honeymoons come in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges - and you don’t need a Hollywood budget to have a magical experience, but you do need to be honest about your comfort zone. What you don’t want is to spend every penny you have just getting to the destination, then get stuck eating the local equivalent of $.99 pre-packaged ramen noodles the whole time. Sure, there are deals to be had, but there are no guarantees those deals are available at the destination, resort, or time you want. So, make sure your budget is realistic for your dreams and your destination – and make sure you know your must-haves vs your nice-to-haves in advance. 3. Stop Drowning in Research - Ask a Travel Advisor Here’s a secret: you don’t have to DIY everything. There’s a fine line between “informed” and “overwhelmed,” and if your honeymoon planning has started to feel like a second job (on top of wedding planning), it’s time to bring in a Travel Advisor. I do the heavy lifting - like finding the perfect accommodations, coordinating flights and transfers, and recommending unforgettable (but realistic) activities - so you can stay excited instead of exhausted. 4. Leave Room for Relaxing One of the biggest mistakes couples can make is overbooking their honeymoon. Yes, it’s tempting to squeeze in everything. But the perfect honeymoon includes space for spontaneity - sleeping in, a surprise beach picnic, or just doing absolutely nothing together. There should be a balance between experiencing and relaxing, so you return home refreshed and glowing – not needing a vacation from your vacation! 5. Protect the Investment Studies show that most couples spend a good bit more on their honeymoon than they do on other vacations, so it’s important to protect your investment. One of the best pieces of advice I offer to all my clients – is buy the travel insurance. On my honeymoon, the airline lost my luggage for 3 days. THREE DAYS! I had a small carry-on bag with my swimsuit and a change of clothes. I don’t remember the exact amount the airline paid me, but it was minimal – and barely covered the new bottles of sunscreen and souvenir shirts I had to buy (and wear to dinner, and the beach, and hiking, and everywhere in between!). If I had travel insurance back then, there would have been coverage for the lost luggage. And it covers a whole lot of other things as well and I highly recommend you buy it – just in case. Planning Your Honeymoon Should Be Fun - Let’s Make Sure It Stays That Way This isn’t just another vacation. It’s the celebration of the beginning of your life together. It should feel exciting, personal, and completely stress-free - and with the right planning (and the right Travel Advisor…hint hint), it absolutely can. If you're ready to stop scrolling and start dreaming, I’d love to help you plan a honeymoon that’s unforgettable for all the right reasons. My contact info is conveniently located in the "Contact Us" section!
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