Scheduled for its inaugural voyage in January 2024, the world’s largest cruise ship, known as a ‘monstrosity’ to some critics, will be operated by Royal Caribbean International and goes by the name of Icon of the Seas.
This colossal ship dwarfs the size of the Titanic by a factor of five, boasting an enormous internal volume of 250,800 gigatons (GT) compared to the Titanic’s 46,328 GT.
Royal Caribbean International claims that the Icon of the Seas will redefine the experience of sea travel, positioning itself as the ultimate destination for a memorable family vacation.
Michael Bayley, the president, and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, expressed his delight in the ship’s creation, emphasizing the significant efforts and resources invested.
How many passengers and how big is “Icon of the Seas”
With its 19 floors, the cruise ship can accommodate about 8000 people that includes – 5,610 passengers and 2,350 crew members. Its towering height rivals that of a typical building in New York City.
In June 2023, the massive cruise ship completed its first series of sea trials, evaluating various aspects such as the main engines, brake systems, hull, noise levels, steering, and vibrations.
The detailed facts about the “Icon of the Seas”
The immense vessel features an impressive array of amenities, including seven pools, nine whirlpools, and a remarkable water park at sea called ‘Category 6,’ featuring six thrilling slides.
When is the first voyage of the largest Cruise: Icon of the Seas?
The construction of the Icon of the Seas cruise ship was recently completed in Finland, and it has successfully undergone its initial round of sea trials.
As per Royal Caribbean, the June tests encompassed evaluations of the Icon of the Seas’ main engines, hull, brake system, steering, as well as noise and vibration levels.
After its initial sea trials, the ship has now returned to the shipyard and is anticipated to undergo additional testing at sea before embarking on its inaugural passenger voyage in 2024.
How much will it cost to go on Icon of the Seas?
The Icon of the Seas will offer a seven-day Caribbean cruise departing from Miami, taking passengers on different routes that all include the Bahamas.
Some itineraries will explore the western Caribbean, making stops in Mexico, while others will focus on the eastern part of this popular vacation destination, visiting destinations such as St. Kitts and St. Maarten.
Based on information provided on the Royal Caribbean website, the average prices for a seven-day journey aboard the ship vary from USD $1,850 to USD $2,497.
Public views about Icon of the Seas?
The cruise ship’s striking resemblance to the Titanic led many to draw comparisons, especially considering the historic incident where the luxurious steamship collided with an iceberg.
In spite of having some criticism of the new ship, it has already proved to be the most popular, with Royal Caribbean International reporting its “single largest booking day” in its 53-year history in October 2022, when reservations opened for the Icon of the Sea.
