What Do Travel Advisors Think of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas?

Travel Market Report recently returned from Icon of the Seas’ inaugural sailing where we had the chance to sit down with a handful of advisors and talk to them about their reaction to the ship.

It was unanimous. Icon is a homerun.

Thoughtful design, great for first timers
Russ Vara from Maestro Travel in Huntersville, N.C., has been selling Royal Caribbean for over 30 years and described Icon as “a winner.”

“It’s probably one of the most thoughtfully designed ships I have been on,” Vara told TMR.

Will Icon help him introduce cruising to new customers?  Definitely yes, he said.

“The biggest holdback from people who have not cruised is they think they will feel confined. Icon has so many beautiful wide open spaces, it’s definitely not the case. Everything flows so nicely and really works together like a well-oiled machine.”

Tracey Codd, franchise partner of eight Expedia Cruises locations in Florida, Georgia, and Kansas, described Icon as “an extraordinary creation, a marvel of design, and a masterpiece that will leave you in awe.”  Codd is confident that her Royal Caribbean clients will “absolutely love” the ship.

“Royal Caribbean has once again delivered an experience that inspires everyone in the industry to confidently promote to their clients,” she told TMR.

Ultimate family vacation
Mark Comfort, owner of a Cruise Holidays in Kansas City – another veteran seller of Royal Caribbean – told TMR he was concerned that Icon would be too big but was pleasantly surprised that it is not. In fact, Comfort believes Icon’s size is an advantage.

“With more options onboard Icon than any other ship, it truly means there is something for families, multi-generational travel, and anyone who just wants to have a good time. Royal Caribbean has always been the innovator of new ships, and they’ve not only hit a home run, they’ve hit a grand slam home run with this ship.”

Jeffrey Bateman of Crown Cruise Vacations in Princeton, N.J., hasn’t been on a Royal Caribbean ship for a few years and said Icon opened his eyes to what the cruise line can offer. Since he books a lot of families and there will be many going onboard for Spring break, we asked how his clients will react to Icon.

“Our clients will go crazy on here! They will probably call us from the ship and say this was the best decision they’ve made,” he said.

Amy Benison, owner of a Cruise Planners franchise in Orlando called Icon “absolutely amazing” and “the ultimate family vacation.”

When asked about the ship’s size, Benison said: “I actually love how big the ship is, and I didn’t think I would. It feels very spread out, and I don’t think at full capacity it would feel crowded. Those who thought it was going to be too big will now be reassured by me that it’s not. My Royal clients can’t wait to try it.”

Family group specialist Patricia Miner, CTC, MCC, of Trevello Travel Group in Ottawa was happy to see Icon’s variety of family accommodations and is already working on promoting the Icon to her clients. “I will offer the Icon to a family I’m working with now, and I also plan on holding space for the holiday season and for March break groups.”