New elevator system was the BEST!! This is a game changer for the cruise lines.

Icon was just fantastic!!! They took all of the good about previous ships and made it even better! Favorites - Aquadome & Market, all the seating/chairs looking out to ocean, pools split up, Pearl cafe. You could tell they took all the best staff and entertainers. Everything about it was truly awesome! ⚓

I did not expect I would like Icon as much as I do. Being an older, solo cruiser I thought Icon would be too family focused. However she is now my favorite ship! Between Pearl Cafe, Aqua Dome and the comfortable outdoor seating on deck 4 - I love it!

I have been on both Wonder and Icon. Icon is an absolute home run!

We just went on the wonder of the seas and I loved it!

Isn’t Utopia the 6th oasis class ship? 1.Oasis 2.Allure 3. Harmony 4. Symphony 5. Wonder No?

@bertchiu9265

Ай бұрын

CORRECT!!! UTOPIA is #6 and a SEVENTH is coming in 2026

@garouthetiktokinfluencerhu9731

Ай бұрын

@@bertchiu9265I heard utopia was the last oasis class. Where did you get the 7th ship info from?

I haven't been on either of these ships yet, but I am leaning towards Wonder after seeing this, I like the tranquility in the solarium and not the party vibe on Hideaway. It would be great if the destination elevator s could be added to some of the other Oasis class ships.

We loved the Icon! I do wish the additional pools were bigger. We went during school vacation week and the pools still felt super crowded. There were more pools but they were smaller so people didn’t feel as spread out as I had hoped. But loved the Aquadome and new Promenade.

My wife and I just arrived safely home from our first cruise vacation on Anthem. We both loved it. The only bad thing is that it ended. Thankfully we were blessed with beautiful weather and calm seas the entire trip. Thank you very much for your tips, tricks, and advice. It really helped a great deal. My wife would ask me questions and I knew quite a bit of the answers because of the awesome CruiseTube community. Again thanks for all the help and can’t wait to try another. Thanks Matt and team.

Here is the Giant “But…” that eliminates this ship from my being able to consider it…IT IS PRICED AT TWO TO THREE TIMES THE COST of even WONDER…It looks Wonderful…but I just could NOT ever pull this off, unless this ever gets SERIOUSLY more affordable…

@Hhammer

Ай бұрын

Agreed. I’m from Aus. I would love to try it but as a family of four is a killer. We did it for Oasis, however if we did it now it would end up costing more to cruise than the flight and accomodation to Florida

@dianej1714

Ай бұрын

There are good prices out there. Mostly travel agencies who get special blocks of rooms. You have to know where to look.

@mrweldlife2553

Ай бұрын

@@dianej1714 Hi, could you give some ideas of where to look? What companies? Thanks in advance, much appreciated!

@TheDuoMom

Ай бұрын

The Pearl Cafe is AWESOME! We had so many quick/to-go delicious breakfast and lunches there.

@TheDuoMom

Ай бұрын

The food at the food hall at the Aquadome Market was the best quick food I have ever tasted on a cruise. Hot and delicious. And if you want dessert have a crepe!

My first RCL ship was the Freedom. I immediately declared myself loyal to Royal. I was so impressed with the features and layout. I have truly enjoyed the Oasis class ships and have been on the Serenade. I definitely plan on going on the Freedom again (or that class). The Oasis class is great and has amazing things to do, but it is very crowded. I plan on sailing on the Icon at some point and look forward to it, but we will see how crowded it feels.

I was on the Icon February. It's now my favorite ship. A couple of my favorite areas, was the Overlook and Pearl Cafe. I'm going to book the Wonder of the Sea for next year.

First, I want to say I love your content. I had the opportunity to take a picture with you on the icon getting off the elevators. For me, the elevators are amazing, well thought out, and executed. The Wizard of Oz is my favorite show to date. I do agree that the baskets in the room are not great, and I don't like the setup of going through playmakers to get to the ice skating rink. I'm going on the wonder of the seas next April. So, I'm going to see how that ship is.

Will be back on Wonder again soon!! So excited!!!😊Booked Icon for 2025 Spring!!😊

We were on the Wonder just last week, and loved Playmakers!! The onion rings were the best, and the free games were cool. We ended up there a few times.

My family of four adults have taken five cruises. We've always gotten two cabins - we share a room and the kids share a room. We want two bathrooms - much easier when getting ready in the morning or for dinner. I can't imagine sharing one bathroom for four people, unless it's a "one night in a hotel" type of thing.

Spent 2 weeks on both Wonder and Icon. Icon is my favorite! Icon is awesome! Matt love your video and coverage!

Really enjoyed this video! While Icon is out of my price range at the moment, I'm fascinated by some of the prices available on Wonder, but I was worried she'd just be identical to Symphony. Both ships look absolutely wonderful, but I do think Icon could be a bit 'overwhelming' for me!

Watching all these videos about Icon is making me want to go on them more and more. Hopefully soon in the future

4days 20hours and 50mins until my 12 dya transatlantic cruise on Anthem. Can't wait.

It's a tie for me! Icon standard balcony room bathrooms are such an upgrade. Wonder's adults only Solarium is beautiful and I really missed this on Icon.

Great video. Thanks!

Hey Matt, I met you on the Icon. I’m sailing on the Odyssey at the moment. Been on all Oasis class ships. There is no comparison for me. Icon is truly the best.

I sailed on Wonder in January and Icon in March. Icon is clearly (in my opinion) superior. However, prices will push me to Oasis class as best dollar-for-dollar class in the fleet. (And as other have said, Wonder is #5 in the class.)

THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO...GOOD IMFORMATION

Going on utopia with family in August your vlog sare really helpful new subscriber

Thank you, Matt. Good to have so many of the differences between the two ships explained.

We love your videos Matt! Keep up the great work! So excited for our liberty of the seas to Bermuda, 49 days away!

After this November I will give you MY opinion as I always loved Wonder and will be sailing Icon. Love your walk through. Happy Sailing 🤣

As an adult with no kids, I am put off Icon of the Seas by Surf Side not being suitable for adults. I love the Boardwalk on Oasis of the Seas and spend much time there.

@brianyoung8172

17 күн бұрын

I could see this being the case especially on Wonder (and hopefully Utopia), which has Playmakers and Mason Jar. We were on Allure earlier this year which is the old school boardwalk layout and always felt underutilized to me. On Oasis I remember the belly flop competition being in the Aqua Theater (Richard Spacey era, so you know it was good) but Allure had it on the pool deck which was far too crowded.

Very good video!

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Ай бұрын

Thank you very much!

Matt I'm going on both very soon ,thanks for the comparison

Hi Matt! Love your channel and tips! Can you please do a video on how to plan your days on icon with little kids! :) thank you!

We travel with one teen and two adults and 1 bath is rough. We wish there were more suites with 2. Also, the teen is sick of being relegated to a sofa bed. We frequently book 2 connecting standard balconies to get the space and extra bed but miss the suite amenities, especially on the bigger ships.

Looking forward to my family cruise on Wonder in July.

Hate to sound like a broken record Matt…but great video!!! I take my first ride(s) on Icon in September for two weeks and I’m really jacked to go!!!

It is my favourite ship. My 1st cruise with my family & we never regretted our choice.

@AVB-pe9vo

Ай бұрын

It's Icon for me!

Definitely agree on the bathrooms. Having two teenage girls, we have started booking two cabins to get another one.

Fantastic video.

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

23 күн бұрын

Thank you very much!

I first encountered the destination elevators on MSC Seaside and then MSC Seashore I remember thinking this is a way better way! I went on the Allure of the Seas with the traditional elevators (I ended up taking the stairs a lot instead, lol) that take forever I hoped RCCL would adopt the destinations elevators for their new ships! I'm hoping Utopia of the Seas will have the new destination elevators! I personally think the Oasis class ships look better than the Icon of the Seas. The aquadome is super cool but it doesn't flow into the front of the ship like the Solarium does on the Oasis class ships. Currently the Allure of the Seas is my favorite cruise ship although once I sail on Utopia I might think that one is my favorite!

Great video and I love the comparison, definitely a food for thought video. Unfortunately the one thing I can't get past with Icon is the insane price. Been doing some mock bookings and for the same itinerary and almost the same days between Wonder and Icon it's kind of shocking how big a difference there is. An INTERIOR stateroom on Icon costs as much as a SUITE Guarantee (so basically Jr Suite) on Wonder. Again, same itinerary and we're talking sail dates within a week of each other and for the same price you can choose between a SUITE or INTERIOR. Say what you will about Icon, and I do think it's a great looking ship, however costs have GOT to come down with it being so similar.

Great info. 🎉 isn’t the wonder of the seas is 5 th on the oasis category?

Thanks for the great comparison matt! Really appreciate the insight, but it would have been great if you spoke about price and value as well. I always believe you should speak to that in these videos which you typically don't (for whatever reason). Our family and extended family (group of 32 total) were looking at these two ships for an August sailing and just couldn't justify the price difference (at this time between the two ships). Yes, Icon has the greatest and latest tech and design wise, but the features just didn't justify the price difference. We booked Wonder and look forward to sailing Icon when prices moderate in the future.

The end summed it up for me. I had no idea I needed her and then I went on her and I can’t go backwards now lol.

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Ай бұрын

Bingo!

This comparison was really interesting. I was surprised to see that Wonder won so many categories. I would be interested to find out what your kiddos opinions are once they've sailed Icon. My husband and I are looking forward to our Sept. sailing on Icon.

100% agree with all things Icon.

Gee thanks Matt, you just made our Wonder cruise trip next April an even longer wait. Lol Well at least we have a couple of Voyager class cruises to hold us over until then. Wonder will be our second oasis class ship we sailed. Looks like the Mason Jar is a must try.

Totally agree with all your points. We did the 3/30 sailing of the icon. The ship is absolutely beautiful but those last points were totally spot on. We did miss the solarium and Mason jar. We typically love playmakers but the location is totally awful. No idea what they were thinking. We didn't love the storage on the icon (we had 2 parents and 2 teens in a balcony so a lot of stuff) compared to the wonder. We did take the baskets out. 😂 Overall we definitely loved both ships. Doing the utopia in October so look forward to comparing that ship to the wonder and icon.

Have been on Wonder 2 times and have bad experience on both. Last October was not able to take shower until they got rid of the mold iN the shower. Also, service at Chops Grill was terrible. Hope they move it out of Port Canaveral soon as I I don't have to drive an extra 3 hours to Ft Lauderdale or Miami to cruise

Matt, we have 5 children and even with sharing a room with 3 of the 5 on Wonder Feb 2024, one bathroom is not an issue. I get that you want your own bathroom but it’s certainly not a deal breaker for all families. Thanks for the compare/contrast with Icon and Wonder!

Please, say hello to Brazil! Many people follow you! And lots of Health and Prosperity to Everyone on your Channel!!

Saw that you got kicked off FB on Don’s Family Vacations. Sorry that happened to you. I’m glad I found this channel through Don!

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

Without floor buttons, can you get trapped on the elevator?

I hate how the escape room and laser tag is still not working. For a new ship I would expect everything to up and running.

The one and only very minor "complaint" we had with ICON was the layout of the Costal Kitchen/Suite Lounge. It is much better on the Oasis ships. I think the 2 floor concept on ICON is a good idea but they need to rethink the separation between the CK and SL. On Wonder and other Oasis ships the Suite Lounge is relaxing and a nice place to grab a drink while. On Icon the SL felt like the foyer at Outback unless you sat at the bar. But honestly you cannot go wrong with either ship.

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Ай бұрын

Totally agree the Suite Lounge layout is poorly thought out

Just wondering, is it worth it to purchase any of the photo packages?

Icon charges the same for one room and one bathroom for my family as getting two separate rooms each with their own bathroom.

It looks amazing. But at the price it is compared to other ships it’s a bit too much for us. 2.5x the price of others. Tough as a family from outside USA

We paid $18K for a 4 day on Icon. Worst purchase I have made in my life. Our family of 5 will never waste that amount of money again.

Can you do a comparison with Utopia and Wonder?

@scotsmuscle

Ай бұрын

Utopia hasn't started yet in jury

I'm sitting in the corner watching this, and I grumble, "Quantum of the Seas is the BEST! It's the Three Bears story. Jussssst Right. And you just can Never beat Alaska.

Oasis class I love that class, but I have icon in the fall so maybe I'll change

Matt, is Quantum Class the best class for non-sun worshipers? Obviously not the water park either. Prefer warm weather but dislike direct sunlight. Excited at the idea of Ovation's climate controlled areas but think promenade/cp view rooms would be terrific for people watching. 🙂

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Ай бұрын

Hmm, good question. I thought Icon still had a lot of seating in the shade

Does the couch pull out into a bed. I would be traveling with two adults and one tall child. But one adult would be sleeping on couch or second bed

Royal Caribbean is forgetting a key element of cruising for us (and many others): A chance to have an escape from both the nonstop energetic atmosphere and also kids. Leaving the kid free AND mellow solarium out of Icon and making Hideaway Beach a loud Vegas style party area means we are taking a hard pass on both.

Too large for me but the thing I think I’d like the most are the food venues!

Are the steps still at all of the elevators?

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Ай бұрын

Yes

No one is hated more than he who speaks the truth- Plato Forge on, we're with you.

You mention that later iterations of a ship class tend to be more refined and improved compared to the class namesake. I do have some concerns that with Icon 2 and 3 already far along in development and construction, Royal isn't going to have sufficient time to learn and incorporate lessons from Icon. Though, on the other hand, they have over a decade of experience with the Oasis class that went into the design of Icon, so we should expect in many ways that Icon 1 is going to be more refined and improved compared to Oasis.

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Ай бұрын

From what I understand, Star is going to be very close to icon. Icon 3 will be first ship that could deviate more notably

I respectfully disagree about the elevators. When I was on Icon the elevators were still crowded and many still stopped on quite a few floors.

# notification Squad

Icon was nice but I will never cruise on a new ship again. We went on their 9th cruising on spring break - big mistake. The price point was just NOT worth it. Not to mention the “innovative theater technology” died on them and we did not get to see 2 of their productions one was The Wizard of Oz. So much dependency on technology doesn’t make things better. That was really disappointing that they didn’t have the ability to fix it with the onboard crew.

5:30 you’re welcome

And....The bathrooms don't have a bidet.

No bad ships in my opinion

@edvaira6891

Ай бұрын

Ooh…YOU HAVE NEVER been on NCL Bliss obviously! Oof, I was NOT happy…kind of hated Disney Wonder also (old, cramped, Way Too Expensive for a tiny ship with lousy elevators)

@sportsMike87

Ай бұрын

@@edvaira6891 I actually have been on the NCL bliss and loved it. This video is about RC ships

Isn't Wonder of the Seas the 5th Oasis-class ship, not the 6th?

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Ай бұрын

I apologize if I said 6th

Hi mat are you still on twitter X just what face book dune you chanle is invaluable keep up grate channel

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Ай бұрын

Yes, still on Twitter!

If only RC would send an Oasis class ship down here to Australia! /sigh

Bathrooms don’t matter that much to me on holiday, no different than hotel/resort holiday. I grew up in a one bathroom home and we did fine.

Which is your 3rd favorite?

@RoyalCaribbeanBlog

Ай бұрын

Hmmm..... Mariner? Freedom?

5:30 what is he doing😭😭

Oh, sailing the seas on both the Wonder and the Icon is like knitting a cozy blanket of joyous adventures! On the Wonder, I feel like a sprightly squirrel scampering through a forest of delightful activities, while the Icon is like sipping a fine cup of tea that whispers tales of future technologies. Both are like a serene Sunday drive, but on water-ideal for us who cherish a good shuffleboard game under the starlit sky! Ahoy to cruising, my fellow golden-year adventurers!

Price ..price ...price ...wonder wins for the next 2 years ....

Wonder is the 5th….. not the 6th oasis lol

I can't help but feel that Central Park and Surfside on Icon were downgrades from Wonder. The Park feels a lot less luscious and dense than it was on Wonder, and Surfside seems like a big mistep in both it's design and audience. It looks and feels very plastic and artificial, compared to the cosy Boardwalk on Wonder. Though the biggest issue with Surfside for me is that despite it being dedicated to families and children, it seems to only really cater to young children maybe under the age of 6. The kids splash area in particular isn't as fun or exciting as on Wonder, and it being so far away from the main pool deck was a mistake. As a family ship, it doesn't make sense to me to have it completely seperate from the main pool deck. Don't get me wrong I love Icon, but I can't really pick a clear winner between Wonder and Icon. They both have their own advantages.

Carnival tried the "destination elevators" with their Vista Class. Complete disaster in my opinion. I doubt Royal's is any better.

Icon is priced way too high!

Matt, I am sooo sorry FB unjustly cut you off for no reason at all. I watch you all the time and there is NOTHING objectionable in your content. Sign of the times unfortunately!😢

Way too expensive. They have priced this ship beyond the average vacationer.

@brianyoung8172

17 күн бұрын

Plus the upcharges... for example the Crown's Edge looks substantially inferior to Carnival's Excel class ropes course, but it is free on Carnival vs $90, unless they've lowered it already? I've been cruising on Royal for 25 years and while I am not a fan of Carnival as a whole, my family loves the Excel class! The ships are very tastefully designed, great activities, and great (complementary) dining options, and some incredible bars that make great craft cocktails... It is a shame many people won't ever sail the Celebration or Jubilee, etc. just because they are Carnival but I'm glad we tried it... and the overall price point is typically better.