Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas could be an expensive vacation compared to other cruise ships.
Sailing on the mega-ship without paying for any of its upcharged amenities is possible.
But it would mean spending at least $265 a day, staying sober, and repeating meals.
A budget vacation on Royal Caribbean's new wildly popular Icon of the Seas is possible. Just be prepared to stay sober, repeat meals, and pay at least $265 a day.
Right now, there's likely no better example of the mass-market cruise industry's shift toward the budget airline strategy — charge a cheap base fare and offer irresistible up-charged amenities — than Royal Caribbean's new world's largest cruise liner.
After all, what other ship comes with a $100,000-a-week cabin and a $200-per-person restaurant?
But it is possible to vacation on the mega-ship without giving into any of its upcharged restaurants and activities. If you're strong enough to do so, here's what your seven nights on Icon of the Seas could look like.
Be warned: It won't include lobsters or private lounges.
Less than half of Icon’s 28 eateries are complimentary, so you’ll likely repeat meals.
Picky eaters are sure to find at least one satisfactory option at the ship's three buffets, one of which is Mexican-themed.
If not, the complimentary pizza shop or sandwiches from the two on-board cafés might suffice.
In search of variety, grab a Mediterranean-style wrap or crepe at the five-stall food hall instead.
For a more formal dinner, budget cruisers can grub on a three-course meal at the complimentary dining room.
The three-floor restaurant has a rotating menu with classics like crab cakes, New York strip steak, and cheesecake.
Just don't expect lobster or filet mignon. Both cost extra.
For better or worse, guests snubbing upcharged options would also be snubbing booze.
Like most mass-market cruise ships, Icon of the Seas' 18 bars aren't free. If you want alcohol and sodas, be prepared to pay for a beverage package.
Thankfully, the ship’s complimentary amenities could distract you from your sobriety.
Icon's surf simulator and impressive six-slide waterpark won't run you a tab.
The same goes for its seven pools and nine hot tubs — save for one of each exclusive to guests who've booked a suite.
For drier activities, families could spend their afternoons scaling the rock climbing wall or testing their putt at the nine-hole mini-golf course.
Or they could work off their lunch buffet by sweating it out at the sports court — basketball and ping pong included — for no extra charges.
Fortunately, Icon of the Seas' nighttime entertainment is also a great equalizer. Its ice skating performance, rendition of the Broadway hit "Wizard of Oz," and multi-disciplinary dance, swim, and dive show are complimentary to all guests.
But if you want to test your fear of heights at the part-walking, part-agility, part-ziplining Crown's Edge, you'll have to cough up $49.
The arcade games aren't free, either.
Guests staying in suites have access to a shared outdoor lounge.
There's also the option to pay up to $700 for one day with a private cabana-like "casita."
But if you're on a budget, you'll have to fight "pool chair hogs" for the best poolside seating instead. (Consider bringing a sheet mask with you — a 25-minute facial at the ship's spa is almost $150.)
And hold off on your Instagram photo dumps until after your vacation.
Otherwise, you'll have to cough up $31 per day and device for streaming-enabled WiFi, totaling $217 for the duration of the cruise. (Icon of the Seas is exclusively operating seven-night sailings.)
But let’s face it: The base fare alone isn’t ultra-affordable compared to other cruise ships.
Patrick Scholes, a lodging and leisure research analyst at Truist Securities, told Business Insider in late 2023, three months before Icon's launch, that the vessel was priced at a premium of "at least 50%, if not more."
Steep, compared to the typical 20% to 50% new-ship premiums.
The cheapest interior stateroom for 2024 currently costs $265 per person per day.
But even the windowless cabin comes with its own list of upgrades.
Travelers who want to pick their own stateroom must pay an additional $128 per person. If they opt for one of the larger (by at least one square foot) interior cabins, it'll be an extra $100.
Which is to say, good luck avoiding any of the upcharged amenities on your Icon of the Seas vacation.
Read the original article on Business Insider
