Icon of the Seas: World's largest cruise ship completes maiden voyage, setting new vacation standards

Departing from Miami, Florida at 6pm Greenwich Time, this massive cruise ship measures 365 metres in length and has a displacement weight exceeding 275,000 tons. Spread across its 20 decks, the ship possesses the ability to accommodate over 7,500 passengers, offering more than 2,800 rooms.

"Icon of the Seas" maiden voyage was a seven-day tour through the picturesque tropical islands. The journey started on January 27, 2024 and concluded on February 3rd, 2024, as reported by cruisemapper.com. For their guests' pleasure and enjoyment, the ship offers seven swimming pools, whirlpools, a climbing wall, a surfing simulator with an artificial wave, night clubs, an ice rink, a zip line park, basketball and volleyball courts. Additionally, a diverse range of gastronomic choices are available. Nonetheless, the main attraction is arguably the largest water park at sea with six enormous water slides.

A standout feature of the ship is the AquaDome, a massive glass and steel dome. By day, it serves as a tranquil space for passengers to unwind. In the evenings, it transforms into a water theatre, showcasing magnificent fountain displays and diving performances. In addition, "Icon of the Seas" boasts nightclubs, an ice rink, a park brimming with lush trees, and multiple theatres.

The new addition to the Royal Caribbean fleet is already being hailed as the premier ship for family vacations at sea. On its seven-day tours of the Caribbean departing from Miami, "Icon of the Seas" offers guests everything they could possibly desire. It utilises compressed natural gas (LNG) and fuel cell technology, and boasts waste heat recovery capabilities. The operator also utilises various other cutting-edge systems such as waste heat recovery systems and air lubrication.

Jon Erlichman, a Bloomberg columnist from platform X, noted that "Icon of the Seas" is about five times larger than the Titanic.

As officials from Royal Caribbean clarify, guests will also have the chance to enjoy the forms of entertainment that have been popular on other ships in the fleet. Favourites like the climbing wall, ice rink and mini golf will be reimagined in refreshingly new arrangements and adapted to new spaces.

"Every space has been thoughtfully designed to give guests the best possible vacation, whether on land or at sea. With 'Icon of the Seas', we will elevate this to new heights," remarked Jason Liberty, CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.

Departing from Miami, Florida, voyages will take place in the Caribbean Sea, with opportunities to visit the Bahamas' private islands owned by Royal Caribbean.

Starting prices for a cruise aboard the "Icon of the Seas" begin at around £1,296 per person (£1,737 in USD) and can reach up to approximately £3,769 (£5,050 in USD). According to the company, the cruise ship will accommodate approximately 5,610 passengers and 2,350 crew members per voyage.