Sailing Aboard the World’s Largest Cruise Ship
Celebrating My Wife’s 40th on Icon of the Seas
In November 2024, my wife, our daughter, and I set sail on a family adventure we’ll never forget—celebrating my wife’s 40th birthday aboard Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship and Royal Caribbean’s crown jewel. Known as the Icon of Vacations, this ship truly lives up to its name. As seasoned cruisers, we came aboard with high expectations—and Icon exceeded them in every way.
🌊 Suite Life: Surfside Family Style
To mark the special occasion, we booked one of the new Surfside Family Suites, located in the family-focused Surfside neighborhood. Designed for young families, the room featured thoughtful touches like a cozy kids’ nook and a split bathroom setup.
That said, the suite was smaller than others we’ve stayed in. It’s ideal for a family of three—especially if the third is a child under 10—but might feel tight for larger groups or couples used to more space.
✨ Exclusive Perks for Suite Guests
Thanks to our suite, we enjoyed access to The Grove, a new elevated restaurant for suite guests. The atmosphere was peaceful, the views were stunning, and the food was exceptional from start to finish. We also loved relaxing on the Suite Sun Deck, an oasis high above the action-packed pool decks.
For my wife’s birthday dinner, Chops Grille delivered a flawless experience. The staff made her celebration extra special—another reason Chops remains a classic for milestone moments.
👧 A New Level of Freedom for Our Daughter
Our 10-year-old daughter had a blast in the Adventure Ocean kids club, which continues to impress every sailing. This time was extra special—it was her first cruise signing herself in and out of the club independently. We felt completely at ease knowing the staff was as attentive and caring as ever, and she felt so proud of her new independence.
🍽️ Dining That Redefines Cruise Cuisine
Icon of the Seas introduces bold new flavors and elevated dining like never before:
Empire Supper Club was a showstopper—an eight-course tasting menu paired with cocktails in a moody, intimate setting. It’s an experience you absolutely cannot miss.
Pearl Café, open 24 hours, became our go-to for late-night snacks and early-morning coffee.
Izumi in the Park offered the best teppanyaki experience we’ve ever had—engaging, delicious, and full of flair.
Basecamp and Surfside Bites made grab-and-go food easy and tasty, a big win for families on the move.
🎭 Entertainment that Wows
One word: AquaDome. This reimagined AquaTheater is stunning, and the show Aqua Action was simply the best aqua performance we’ve seen at sea—high-flying, immersive, and electric.
We also enjoyed:
Dueling Pianos, which had us singing and laughing all night.
The comedy club, though smaller than on Oasis-class ships, still delivered big laughs.
Playmakers, however, was a miss. With no host to greet or seat us, the experience felt disorganized and left much to be desired.
🌀 Thrill & Chill at Sea
Thrill Island, the largest waterpark at sea, was a major highlight. We loved the adrenaline of the drop slide, and recommend trying it on a port day for shorter wait times. Sea days, as expected, bring longer lines.
Another adrenaline rush? Crown’s Edge. All three of us geared up and took on this hybrid skywalk/ropes course/zip line challenge that literally dangles you over the edge of the ship—220 feet above the ocean. It’s part obstacle course, part heart-racing thrill ride. Walking out on that platform with nothing but ocean beneath your feet is unforgettable. It was one of the most daring and exhilarating things we’ve done as a family—and something we’ll be talking about for years.
Despite the excitement everywhere, Icon also has space to relax. The new Royal Promenade is massive, multi-level, and designed to feel more like a luxury resort than a cruise ship. There were always places to unwind, people-watch, or simply take in the buzz of the ship.
🛳️ Final Thoughts
Icon of the Seas isn’t just the world’s biggest cruise ship—it’s a next-level vacation experience. From luxe suite perks and unforgettable dining to nonstop fun for every age group, this ship delivered a spectacular week of celebration for our family.
Would we cruise again on Icon? Absolutely.
Would we stay in a Surfside Family Suite again? Only if traveling with a small child.
Would we recommend it to other families? Without hesitation.
Icon of the Seas made our celebration unforgettable—and left us with memories we’ll cherish forever.
✨ Ready to Plan Your Own Iconic Vacation?
Let Travel By Trinidad help you plan your next family cruise on Icon of the Seas.
Whether it’s a milestone celebration or a much-needed getaway, we’ll handle every detail.
