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Icon of the Seas

Icon of the Seas

Gist

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas is the world's largest cruise ship, featuring 20 decks, 7 pools, and a 7,600-passenger maximum capacity. Launched in early 2024, this LNG-powered vessel operates 7-night Eastern/Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami, featuring "Perfect Day at CocoCay," the largest waterpark at sea, and unique neighborhoods like Surfside and the AquaDome.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas is the world's largest cruise ship, measuring 1,196 feet (365 meters) long, over 250,000 gross tonnes, and 20 decks high. It accommodates up to 7,600 passengers (5,610 double occupancy) and 2,350 crew. It is 6% larger than the previous record holder, Wonder of the Seas.

Summary:

Key Features and Highlights

Size: 365 meters (1,198 feet) long and roughly 248,663 gross tons.
Water Park & Pools: Category 6 waterpark (largest at sea) and7 pools, including the first suspended infinity pool at sea.
Neighborhoods: Features 8 distinct neighborhoods, including the family-focused Surfside and the relaxing Hideaway.
Entertainment: Features the AquaDome (diving performances), Absolute Zero ice rink, and "The Pearl," a massive, interactive art installation.
Dining & Bars: 40 different dining and drinking venues, including the upscale Empire Supper Club.
Sustainability: First Royal Caribbean ship powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

Itinerary and Experience

Homeport: Miami, Florida.
Destinations: 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.
Private Island: Includes visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.
Capacity: 5,610 passengers at double occupancy (up to 7,600 max) and 2,350 crew.

Details

Icon of the Seas is a cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean International and is the lead ship of the Icon class. She entered service on 27 January 2024 out of the Port of Miami in the United States. At 248,663 gross tonnage (GT), Icon of the Seas and her sister ships, built by Meyer Turku in Finland, are the largest cruise ships in the world.

History:

Planning

In October 2016, Royal Caribbean and Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku announced an order to build two ships under the project name "Icon".  The ships were expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2023 and in 2025 and would be classified by DNV. (Det Norske Veritas (DNV), formerly DNV GL, is an international accredited registrar and classification society headquartered in Høvik, Norway. DNV provides services for several industries, including maritime, oil and gas, renewable energy, electrification, and healthcare.)

Royal Caribbean applied to register a trademark for "Icon of the Seas" in 2016.

Construction

Steel-cutting for Icon of the Seas began in June 2021. In October 2021, Royal Caribbean announced that the first LNG tank for the ship was installed at the Neptun Werft in Rostock, Germany. In December 2021, the floating engine room unit, including the LNG tanks, was towed to Turku in Finland by tug. The keel was laid in April 2022. The ship was launched 9 December 2022. In May 2022, Royal Caribbean confirmed that Icon of the Seas would be bigger than the Oasis class.

On 19 June 2023, Icon of the Seas sailed for the first of her sea trials. She returned to the Meyer Turku shipyard on 22 June for adjustments to her systems, and to have interior spaces completed and furnished.

On 27 November 2023, the ship was handed over to Royal Caribbean. The ship retracted her funnel to pass under the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark, and docked at the Navantia Shipyard in Cádiz, Spain, for final outfitting work. She departed Cadiz on 23 December for Puerto Rico and on 10 January 2024 arrived at her home port, PortMiami.

Christening

On 23 January 2024, the naming ceremony was held and Icon of the Seas was christened by soccer player Lionel Messi. Her maiden voyage began on 27 January out of PortMiami.

Design

Icon of the Seas can be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The ship has six multi-fuel Wärtsilä engines; these can be powered with both LNG and distillate fuel. Icon of the Seas is the first Royal Caribbean vessel to use such technology.

Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world by gross tonnage, a title also held by sister ship Star of the Seas. The ship has a crew of 2,350, and a capacity of 5,610 passengers at double occupancy, or 7,600 passengers at maximum capacity. Icon of the Seas has 20 decks with seven swimming pools and six water slides. The company claims the ship has the tallest waterfall, the tallest water slide, and the largest waterpark of any cruise ship.

Features

The ship was designed by a team of architects and designers, including Wilson Butler Architects, 3Deluxe, RTKL, and Skylab Architecture. The designers introduced new concepts including:

* Aquadome: A diving and performance venue under a glass dome on the top of the ship
* The Pearl: A structural feature designed as a dynamic art installation on the Royal Promenade
* Absolute Zero: Ice skating rink and entertainment venue
* Surfside: Family neighborhood
* The Hideaway: Beach club featuring first suspended infinity pool of any ship
* Thrill Island: The largest waterpark at sea, featuring six different water slides
* Swim & Tonic: Largest swim up bar at sea
* Jogging track: A 670-metre-long (2,197 ft) loop that wraps around the ship's perimeter on Deck 5

Incidents

In May 2024, a passenger reportedly jumped from Icon of the Seas. He was recovered by a rescue boat from the cruise ship and later pronounced dead.

On 25 June 2024, a fire was reported onboard while docked at Costa Maya, Mexico. Electrical power was lost for a while but the flames were quickly extinguished, with the damage being "minimal" according to the cruise line.

On 25 July 2025, a crew member, a 35-year-old South African man, allegedly stabbed a 28-year-old South African woman multiple times onboard the Icon of the Seas cruise ship. The man then fled the scene and jumped off the ship, according to police. He was later found dead by onboard medical staff.

Environmental impact

Although LNG/methane burns significantly less polluting than diesel, overall emissions depend on methane leakage. Environmental groups (ICCT and T&E) have said that LNG is a more damaging fuel as it releases more harmful greenhouse gas emissions than marine gas oil through the engine. Nick Rose, a vice-president of Royal Caribbean, said "We consider [LNG] a transitional fuel that helps build flexibility into our ship design ... LNG is one part of our alternative fuel strategy, along with biofuels, methanol and other energy sources like shore power".

Although reportedly being more fuel efficient than the previous Oasis class, the environmental impact of the Icon of the Seas remains considerable. In particular Royal Caribbean cite the use of LNG as one of the most remarkable advances in reducing the emissions of cruise ships. Critics say that LNG is still a fossil fuel producing carbon dioxide and the engine itself could lead to methane leaks, a greenhouse gas more harmful than carbon dioxide itself.

Additional Information

As the boldest ship at sea, Icon of the Seas packs endless thrills, chill and wows into every vacation. To make the most of your time aboard, make sure you pack a swimsuit or two so you can make a splash across the seven different pools onboard. Don’t forget to bring an impressive outfit for your evening meal at Empire Supper Club or Chops Grille℠ — and make sure to pack a good book for easy reading in Central Park between adventures.

This is more than a vacation upgrade. It’s the best family vacation in the world. Introducing the Icon of the Seas® — a first-of-its-kind Royal Caribbean® adventure where you’ll have the time of your life, multiple times a day. It’s thrills you never dared to imagine and next-level chill you never dreamed possible.

A first-of-its-kind Royal Caribbean ® adventure. It’s thrills you never dared to imagine and next level chill you never dreamed possible.

Max out memories like never before on 7-night adventures to the Western and Eastern Caribbean onboard Icon of the Seas SM. Every sailing on our newest, thrill-packed ship stops at our private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Brace yourself for Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea with six record breaking slides and discover adventure for all ages at Surfside, the first Royal Caribbean ® neighborhood built just for families.

Icon of the Seas is a cruise ship owned by Royal Caribbean International and is the first ship of the Icon class. Entered service in 2024, the ship has a gross registered tonnage of 250,800 tons, making her the largest cruise ship in the world by gross tonnage.

Design

The Icon of the Seas uses fuel cell technology, supplied by ABB Group, and will be powered by liquefied natural gas, with a tonnage of 250,800 tons. It will contain other alternative energy features, such as the use of fuel cells to produce electricity and fresh water.

The ship will have a crew of 2,350 and a capacity of 5,610 passengers at double occupancy or 7,600 passengers at full capacity. It has 20 decks with seven pools and six waterslides. It claims to have the tallest waterfall, the tallest waterslide, the largest water park, and the first suspended infinity pool on any ship.

Construction

On October 10, 2016, Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku announced an order to build two ships under the project name "Icon." The ships are expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2023 and in 2025. The ships will be classified by DNV.

Royal Caribbean registered a trademark for Icon of the Seas in 2016, which at the time was suggested as an indication of the name of the first ship.

Steel cutting for Icon of the Seas began on June 14, 2021. On October 28, 2021, Royal Caribbean announced that the first LNG tank for the ship was installed at Neptun Werft in Rostock, Germany. In December 2021, the floating engine room unit, including the LNG tanks, was moved to Turku by a tugboat. The keel was laid on April 5, 2022.

In May 2022, Royal Caribbean confirmed that Icon of the Seas would be larger than the Oasis-class ships, the largest cruise ships in the world at the time.

On June 19, 2023, Icon of the Seas set sail for the first of her sea trials. She returned to the Meyer Turku shipyard on June 22. Final adjustments to the ship's systems will now be made, and the interior spaces will be completed and furnished during this phase. On November 27, 2023, Icon of the Seas was officially delivered to Royal Caribbean. Upon delivery, the cruise ship entered drydock at the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz for refurbishment of accommodations, restaurants, pools, and other amenities, as well as final adjustments to her propulsion system.

On December 13, 2023, with the ship in the aforementioned Navantia dock, it was revealed that the Icon of the Seas was christened by soccer player Lionel Messi.

Operational history

On January 10, 2024, Icon of the Seas docked at the Port of Miami, with her official maiden voyage scheduled for January 27, 2024. Her official maiden voyage began on January 27 from the Port of Miami in the United States.

On June 25, 2024, a fire was reported on board while docked in Costa Maya, Mexico. Power was briefly out, but the flames were quickly extinguished.

On September 23, 2024, the ship experienced a technical issue that caused her to sail at reduced speed and was unable to make a port call in St. Thomas on September 25. After docking in Miami on September 28, Icon of the Seas sailed to Freeport, Bahamas, for maintenance. All cruises for the following weeks were canceled while Royal Caribbean repaired the fault.

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