There is going to be a new giant sailing the ocean soon. It is a cruise ship from Royal Caribbean called Icon of the Seas. At 1,198 feet (365 meters) long and weighing 250,800 GT, Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas is not the largest by length or by weight; that title, I believe, remains Seawise Giant to hold. But it is still a giant on the sea that is five times and heavier than the Titanic.
If you take a look at the render of the seafaring behemoth, which successfully concluded its first sea trials last month (June 2023), btw, you may agree with me that it is hardly a ship anymore. It’d be like the Mortal Engines’ cities on wheels, except that the Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas is a small city on water.
It has 20 decks, of which 18 are guest decks, and 2,805 staterooms which would allow it to receive up to a whopping 7,600 guests. The cruise ship, which will be crewed by 2,350 international crews, is divided into 8 “neighborhoods”, namely, Aquadome, Central Park, Chill Island, Royal Promenade, Surfside, Suite Neighborhood, The Hideaway, and Thrill Island where it has 6 record-breaking waterslides.
Water-loving guests will have 7 pools and 9 whirlpools to enjoy while nightlife party-goers will be spoilt for choice with over 15 bars and nightlife experiences. In other words, there is no shortage of entertainment, places to dine and drink, and getting thrilled.
The Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas will be the largest cruise in the world when it set sail in January 2024. It will sail 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations, hitting up idyllic Caribbean destinations like Cozumel, Mexico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Roatan, Honduras, from Miami year-round. Every cruise will visit Royal Caribbean’s award-winning private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, The Bahamas.
Prices start at an average of US$1,958 per person.
Images: Royal Caribbean.
