📸 The Best Photo Spots on Icon of the Seas: A Guide to Incredible Photos

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In my previous article I shared my Real Mom’s Guide and Logistics Tips for Icon of the Seas with Toddlers, where I promised I’d put together this special post for you. Because let’s be completely honest: when you travel on a ship as impressive as this one, you want to come home with beautiful memories in family photos. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦✨

This ship is so big and beautiful that it can feel a little overwhelming, so I’m sharing my guide to the spots I found prettiest for photos, as someone who loves documenting photos but isn’t a photography expert. 🚢💛

1. The Pearl on the Royal Promenade (Decks 5 and 6) 🔮

It’s the monumental structure of the ship and the first thing you see when you board. It’s a giant sphere covered in kinetic panels that change color, reflect the light and move to the rhythm of the music.

2. Surfside: Giant Flamingo, Gummy Bears and the Carousel (Deck 7) 🎠

If you read my previous guide, you already know that Surfside was our home neighborhood. Visually it’s the perfect place for effortless family photos: pastel colors, retro beach design and tons of natural light since it’s open toward the stern of the ship.

🦩 The Giant Pink Flamingo: If there’s one iconic, fun photo in Surfside, it’s with the monumental pink flamingo sculpture that seems to peek out between the pools.

🍬 The gummy bear sculptures (“Sweeten Your Day”): Right outside the candy store there are giant sculptures of colorful gummy bears next to a sign that says “Sweeten Your Day.”

🍭 The candy store (Sugar Beach): The inside of the candy store is really pretty and colorful. Candy on the walls forms a rainbow.
🧁 The Carousel: The carousel figures are colorful sea characters. My favorite was sitting with my daughter on the giant cupcake.

3. The “You Make Me Melt” sign at Sprinkles (Pool Deck) 🍦

On the main pool deck you’ll find the soft-serve ice cream station (Sprinkles), and right on the wall they’ve mounted a huge, super photogenic sign that says “You Make Me Melt.”

4. The hammocks and nest swings on the pool deck 🌴

Around the main pool areas you’ll find some hanging nest-style hammocks with a woven design that invite absolute relaxation.

5. AquaDome: Any corner with the dome as your backdrop (the lighting in the photos is next level!) 🌊✨

The AquaDome, located at the bow of the ship, is beautiful, and because it’s so well lit, the photos come out really lovely.

7. The waterslide deck on port days (with the red life preserver) 🛝

On sea days the upper deck with the slides and attractions (Thrill Island) tends to be pretty busy. When the ship arrives at a port and the vast majority of passengers go ashore to explore, the decks are almost deserted.

🛟 The red life preserver spot: On one of the elevated platforms with a direct view of the port and the island, you’ll find a decorative life preserver in vibrant red. Here you get the island in the background and the turquoise sea.

8. At the foot of the ship when you step onto the pier ⚓

One photo you can’t skip on any cruise is the one you take down below, on the pier at the ports of call. In our case, the stop in St. Thomas gave us the perfect backdrop.

Are you planning your next family vacation to Icon of the Seas? I invite you to read my other articles related to the topic:

📌 Save this Pin to your Cruise Tips with Kids or Family Travel Photography board on Pinterest so you have all these spots on hand for your next trip!