Six senior UK travel agents sailing on the new Icon of the Seas ship have described it as “absolutely fantastic”, with “something for everyone”.
Speaking to Travel Weekly’s Lucy Huxley, they said the Royal Caribbean ship was “the ultimate multi-generation holiday” and predicted it will be “very easy” to sell when they share their experiences with colleagues and customers back in the UK.
The agents have been on the ship – the biggest cruise vessel in the world – since attending its naming ceremony in Miami earlier this week, with football star Lionel Messi.
As well as exploring the ship, the agents have spent time on Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, called Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Jacqueline Dobson, Barrhead Travel Group president, said: “The whole ship has actually impressed me; there is something for everyone on the ship, it is absolutely fantastic.
“My favourite bit is the Royal Promenade, spread over two levels: decks five and six. You have the Pearl, which is a new feature in the centre of the ship…and the Pearl Cafe…with floor-to-ceiling windows so you can see right through the ship.
“You also have the duelling pianos, which is great in the evening time; the pizzeria on deck five and the old traditional Skinner’s bar. So great in the evening and fantastic during the day because of all the shops.”
The highlight for her colleague, Caroline Donaldson, product and commercial director at Barrhead Travel Group, was the production of Wizard of Oz.
“It is the first time any cruise ship has debuted that production. It has got a 16-piece orchestra,” she told Travel Weekly.
“It rivalled any West End show I’ve seen – the stage, the props, the singing…and the storytelling has a bit of a modern twist on it. That would definitely be my highlight.”
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The West-End style musical was also a highlight for Anthony Blackmore, founder and director at Cruise365, who said it was “brilliant”.
He said: “Icon of the Seas is the ultimate multigeneration holiday on land and sea.”
Particularly impressive, he felt, were kids’ facilities such as the water slides, mini golf and children’s club, which boasts its own production theatre.
Blackmore also highlighted the Surfside neighbourhood for families with younger children and the range of casual dining options.
Furthermore, he took part in the “amazing” Crown’s Edge attraction – a ropes walkway and aerial obstacle course, which sees passengers suspended 18 decks above the sea.
Sandra Corkin, Oasis Travel managing director, and her colleague Alison Hamilton also highlighted the facilities and accommodation for families on board.
“I absolutely love the Suite Neighbourhood and the family staterooms – I’ve never seen anything quite like this on board a cruise ship,” said Corkin.
“Even for our more discerning customers, they have their own pool deck, their own restaurant, their own bar. I think it’s absolutely fantastic.
“It’s very difficult, even on some family ships, to get accommodation that sleeps more than four people, so it’s really good that on board Icon there’s a great variety of choice for family accommodation.”
Hamilton added: “It is so hard to pick one thing that I love because I love everything. But what I think is so unique about this ship is they have Surfside for families with young children six and under.
“It is so colourful and is so happy, with lots of water features…just a real place of happiness and fun. I just thought it was spectacular.”
Paul Hunter, head of product at Cruise1st, agreed, saying he had been “blown away” by the facilities, especially those for families, such as the waterpark, pools and entertainment.
“It is completely different to what everybody else is doing…it is bigger and better and set the platform for everybody else to try and meet,” he said.
“Children and families are the future of the cruising industry.”
He said his agency is still seeing lots of multi-generational families travelling together, especially after the pandemic.
“A lot of people are travelling together a lot more…grandparents, aunties, uncles, children, all travelling and there are facilities for everybody on the ship,” he said.
“It is very easy to sell.”
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