On January 23rd, 2024, the Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, was, very appropriately, christened by one of the world’s biggest soccer superstars, Inter Miami CF’s Lionel Messi. Then, on January 27th, this magnificent vessel set sail from Miami on its sold-out maiden voyage. Built in Turku, Finland at a whopping cost of $2 billion dollars, it’s powered by six liquefied natural gas engines and has been outfitted two 307 ton, 90-foot-long LNG fuel tanks, the largest in the cruise industry. Along with its shore power connection while in port, its carbon emissions should be vastly reduced. On the accommodation side, it boasts 20 decks with room for up to 5,600 passengers (up to 7,600 at maximum capacity) not including a crew of 2,350.
This floating entertainment palace also has what Royal Caribbean says is the “largest waterpark at sea” with seven pools (and nine whirlpools), including a 40,000 gallon “lake,” and six “record-breaking” waterslides. There are more than 40 dining venues and bars staffed by 50 musicians and comedians, six carousels, what Royal Caribbean calls the “largest ice arena at sea” and, as if that wasn’t enough, they’ve upped the ante by including an entire 16-piece orchestra. To help you get around, the ship has been divided into 8 designated “neighborhoods” for different activities and experiences, which includes the Aquadome, Central Park, Chill Island, Royal Promenade, Surfside, Suite Neighborhood, the Hideaway and Thrill Island. Weighing in at 285,000 gross tons, it has five times the tonnage of the ill-fated Titanic, and at 1,197 feet long, it is longer than the Eiffel Tower would be if laid on end (1,083 feet).
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