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Sponsored Post: This blog post is sponsored by Royal Caribbean. All opinions are my own!
Thinking about booking a group trip on Icon of the Seas? Do it! We took a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise with a family group of 20 people (ranging in age from 1 to 70!), and we had the most incredible time—so much so that we’ve already booked our next family cruise for 2027 on Star of the Seas!
If you're planning a big group cruise, here are my must-know tips to make your trip smooth, fun, and absolutely unforgettable!
Our full group of 20 on Deck 5 of the Icon of the Seas!
Embarkation & Debarkation Tips
Embarkation: Get There Early & Pick Your Time Wisely
- If you’re flying in, arrive at least one day before your cruise. We took off from Miami, so we booked a VRBO that fit all 20 of us and stayed for two nights (linked here). This made embarkation morning totally stress-free!
- Choose the earliest embarkation time possible! We snagged the 12:00 PM slot in the Royal Caribbean app (available 45 days before your cruise) and were among the first on board—more time to explore the ship!
Debarkation: Plan Accordingly
- Early flight? Try to be one of the first off the ship (debarkation starts between 6-7 AM).
- Late flight? Relax! You can stay on the ship until 9:30 AM—so enjoy breakfast and one last peaceful morning onboard!
- Luggage tip: If you use a luggage tag for Royal Caribbean to handle your bags, you’ll get an assigned pickup time—but you don’t have to leave the ship then! We all had different times but chose to stay on together until 9:30 AM.
- Airport transportation: Figure out Uber groups in advance because the cruise terminal can be chaotic!
Group Dining: Non-Negotiable!
- If you do one thing together, make it group dinners in the Main Dining Room!
- Skip My Time Dining—instead, book a traditional dining time so you have the same table & waitstaff each night.
- This became our daily check-in time and gave us guaranteed together time (plus, the waitstaff learns your preferences—VIP treatment!).
Category 6 water park & mini golf course!
Don’t Try to Do Everything Together!
- The beauty of a cruise? There’s something for everyone!
- We created a group chat in the Royal Caribbean app (it’s free onboard!) to stay in touch.
- The group naturally met up for fun activities—like watching someone tackle the FlowRider or take on Crown’s Edge!
Shore Excursions: Plan Ahead
- Excursions sell out fast—so if your group wants to do the same one, book in advance.
- Not interested in excursions? Stay onboard while everyone else gets off—it’s the perfect time for group activities in a quiet ship (hello, private water park time!).
Best Group Hangout Spots Onboard
- Overlook Pods in The Overlook (if you can snag one, they’re amazing!)
- Deck 5 midship couches (shaded & comfy!)
- Surfside at night (quiet, plenty of seating, and the Lemon Post bar is open!)
- Deck 15 near Aquadome Market or Deck 16 in Chill Island for poolside relaxation
Show Reservations: Book ASAP!
- Reservations open on the first of the month before your cruise—jump on them!
- Shows do sell out—so if your whole group wants to go, book as soon as possible.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes early to get seats together.
The view from the Overlook Pods!
Extra Fun Group Ideas
1. Connect Your Balconies!
- If you book balcony staterooms in a row, ask your room steward to open the dividers—we created one big balcony with 10 rooms connected, and it was SO fun to have easy access to each other!
2. Cocoa Cay: Get There Early!
- If your cruise stops at Royal Caribbean’s Private Island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, grab a group beach spot together.
- We chose Cove Beach (secluded & calm)—got off the ship at 8 AM, took the free tram across the island, and secured 20 beach chairs together (by 8:30 AM, they were all taken!).
- Pro tip: Order continental breakfast room service (it’s free!) so you can grab food quickly and be out the door early.
3. Capture the Memories!
- The best group photo spots:
- Inside The Pearl
- On the grand staircases (both on Deck 5)
- We hired a Royal Caribbean photographer and bought a photo package—100% worth it!
4. Participate in Game Shows Together
- The Royal Caribbean game shows are a blast—especially when you’re all on the same team!
- Crazy Quest (adults only) was our favorite—it’s wild and hilarious!
- There are also plenty of family-friendly shows that are just as fun.
Final Thoughts: Make It ICONIC!
Cruising with a group on Icon of the Seas was truly unforgettable, and I can’t recommend it enough. With the right planning—group chats, scheduled dinners, fun excursions, and strategic hangout spots—you’ll have the smoothest and most fun group trip ever!
Already dreaming about your next Iconic vacation? Me too!
My blog post may contain affiliate links where I make a commission on qualified purchases.
Kelly Mahar
Kelly, 34, American. I've explored all 50 US states & 33 countries, quit my corporate job to inspire others to chase their dreams, and now teach how to monetize social media.
Looking to collaborate? Please reach out to the email address listed below!
Contact: info@freedomwithkel.com
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