The world’s biggest cruise ship is now in the hands of its new owner, with Royal Caribbean accepting delivery of the 1,198-foot Icon of the Seas.
The 20-deck, 250,800-tonne ship was officially handed over to the cruise company at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, on November 27. Its inaugural voyage is set to depart from Miami, Florida on January 27, 2024 and will tour the Caribbean for seven days.
According to a news release issued by Royal Caribbean, it took 900 days to build Icon of the Seas, which has the capacity to hold a whopping 7,600 guests and 2,350 crew members. That’s nearly 10,000 people – the population of a small town. When it sets sail in late January, Icon of the Seas will have eight different neighbourhoods for travellers to explore, and some 40 bars and dining options.
Among these is Thrill Island, which will feature Category 6, the world’s largest waterpark at sea. This neighbourhood will also have a ropes course/thrill ride that lets guests swing 154 feet above the ocean, a FlowRider wave simulator and a mini golf course.
Over in the AquaDome, guests will find a 55-foot-tall water curtain and the AquaTheater, which has a cast of robots, skateboarders, divers and more. And that’s barely scratching the surface.
In terms of sleeping options, guests can choose from 28 different styles of cabins and suites including the three-level Ultimate Family Townhouse. Royal Caribbean says Icon of the Seas is the cruise line’s first ship that can be powered by liquefied natural gas and will have the first waste-to-energy plant at sea.
It was originally scheduled for delivery in early 2022, but the Covid pandemic created delays. According to the cruise line, Icon of the Seas is now on its way to Cadiz, Spain for some final touches before it sets sail for its new home in Florida.
