The Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, has been revealed by Royal Caribbean.
The first Icon Class vessel, with the largest water park at sea and the first suspended infinity pool on a cruise ship, will set sail in January 2024. The mega-ship will sail seven-night voyages around the Caribbean from its port city of Miami and will open for bookings next Tuesday.
It will also have a 16-metre-high waterfall, a rock-climbing wall, the company’s first swim-up bar, and its own “Central Park” neighbourhood, inspired by New York City’s iconic urban park.
The new ship is more than 5% larger in volume than Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class ships, making it the largest cruise ship in the world. In addition, the vessel is three metres longer than the current largest ship in the world, the Wonder of the Seas, and spans more than 365 metres.
The ship has 2,805 staterooms with a capacity of 7,800 passengers and 2,350 crew members.
There are a variety of family staterooms, suites, and the first Ultimate Family townhouse. This three-level retreat features a slide, theatre, karaoke, a large balcony, and private access to the ship’s Surfside family neighbourhood.
“With each new ship, we raise the bar in the travel industry while enhancing what our guests know and love,” said Jason Liberty, president and chief executive at Royal Caribbean Group.
“From the moment they step on board, every experience is designed to give them the best vacation anywhere on land and at sea. With Icon of the Seas, we’ve taken this to a new level and made the ultimate family vacation.”
There are five new destinations on board, as well as three zones that passengers will recognise from other Royal Caribbean ships, spread throughout eight separate neighbourhoods, each with themed entertainment, restaurants, bars, and activities.
Thrill Island is home to the largest water park at sea, with six water slides, including the industry’s first open free-fall slide, Pressure Drop, and the 14-metre-high Frightening Bolt. Crown’s Edge is half skywalk, part rope course, and part thrill coaster, allowing visitors to dangle on a rope 45 metres above the sea.
On the other side, Chill Island is home to four of the ship’s seven pools, and it’s a great location to chill. There’s also an adults-only pool, the cruise line’s first swim-up bar, and Cove Pool, which offers cosy dome daybeds and uninterrupted ocean views.
Families will be able to make their way to Surfside, where they will find Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay, as well as a carousel, arcade, and children’s clubs. In addition, the Hideaway neighbourhood will have an Instagram-worthy beach club and the world’s first suspended infinity pool, which will be eight floors high.
AquaDome, located on top of the world’s largest cruise ship, will have its waterfall and wraparound ocean views by day and will transform into the ship’s social hub at night, with restaurants, bars, and aqua shows where athletes and artists will perform in transforming pools, robotic arms, and cutting-edge technology.
The ship will be unveiled in the United Kingdom later this year and will begin sailings from the United States in 2024. However, the tariffs have yet to be revealed.
