The story
Icon of the Seas, docked at 905 Port Blvd in Miami Beach, is a floating resort of staggering scale. Walk With Me Tim, who stayed onboard, found the suite itself “spacious and comfortable,” but warned that common areas became “a constant battle” due to overcrowding. The ship piles on amenities, yet aggressive tipping culture and steep per-day costs leave some questioning the value.
Despite its family-friendly buzz, the reality feels more like a high-priced endurance test than a relaxing getaway. The private suite delivers comfort, but packed public spaces and relentless upcharges undermine the promise of a seamless vacation. For travelers willing to navigate the chaos, Icon of the Seas offers a one‑of‑a‑kind experience—but it’s not for the faint of heart or wallet.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2026.
What creators say about the stay
Rooms
- The suite is spacious with a separate living room, dining room, and bedroom. The balcony is huge with a family table. The bathroom has a bath and shower with double sinks. However, the shower is small, the pressure was weak due to a leak, and the sofa shows wear. No slippers provided.
Facilities
- There are seven pools, a water park, ice skating rink, running track, sports area, pickleball, kids club with late hours, and West End-quality shows. But the pools are extremely crowded on sea days, making it hard to get a sunbed. Cabanas cost $700-$1500.
Location
- The ship visits St. Martin, St. Thomas, and Coco Cay. The itinerary includes a day at sea and port stops.
Service
- The staff in the Coastal Kitchen were very personal and remembered our drink orders. However, tipping culture is aggressive, with the porter asking for a tip immediately and gratuities automatically added daily.
Breakfast
- Room service breakfast on the balcony was enjoyable with American breakfast. The buffet breakfast was chaotic and crowded; the food was average.
Value for money
- The total cost for a 7-night cruise for three was £14,463, almost £700 per person per day. The suite perks were nice but the overall value is questionable given the upsells, tipping costs, and crowded common areas.
What creators say
1 creator has covered Icon of the Seas. Most active: Walk With Me Tim
A massive cruise ship with a wide range of amenities but plagued by overcrowding, aggressive tipping culture, and high costs that don't justify the per-day price. The suite itself was spacious and comfortable, but common areas were a constant battle.
