28-1-2024 (WASHINGTON) Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, embarked on its maiden voyage from Miami on Saturday (Jan 27), accommodating a population comparable to that of a small city.
Spanning over 900 days of construction at a shipyard in Turku, Finland, this colossal vessel is a testament to grandeur. It surpasses the height of the Eiffel Tower and boasts 20 decks, offering space for over 5,600 passengers, with a maximum capacity of 7,600, along with a crew of 2,350.
To ensure an absence of boredom or hunger, the gargantuan ship, registered in the Bahamas, features an impressive array of amenities. These include seven swimming pools, including a 40,000-gallon “lake,” six water slides, a carousel, the largest ice arena at sea according to Royal Caribbean, and an extensive selection of over 40 dining venues and bars.
For those seeking entertainment, the Icon has not overlooked their needs. The ship offers a lineup of 50 musicians and comedians, accompanied by a 16-piece orchestra.
Valued at a staggering US$2 billion, the Icon represents the inaugural vessel in Royal Caribbean’s new Quantum Class of ships. Despite its immense size, the ship prides itself on being environmentally friendly, surpassing some smaller cruise ships in this regard.
The Icon operates on eco-friendly liquefied natural gas, as claimed by its owners. However, some experts express concerns that LNG systems may emit significant amounts of methane gas into the atmosphere.
Moreover, the ship incorporates a waste-to-energy gas conversion system, known as microwave-assisted pyrolysis, and a reverse osmosis system that provides nearly all the fresh water required onboard, according to the company.
In a splendid christening ceremony on Tuesday, global football icon Lionel Messi, currently playing for Inter Miami, ceremoniously smashed a bottle of Champagne against the ship’s bow.
Following its departure from Miami on Saturday, with all tickets sold out due to “unprecedented” demand, the Icon will spend a week cruising the Caribbean before returning to its home port.
Measuring an impressive 365 meters in length, the Icon will wrest the title of the world’s largest cruise ship from its Royal Caribbean counterpart, the slightly smaller Wonder of the Seas.
