Royal Caribbean’s highly-anticipated Icon of the Seas, touted to be the world’s largest cruise ship, has successfully completed its initial round of sea trials and sailed the open ocean for the first time. The ship is part of the Icon class and has been under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.
After four days of preliminary tests on its latest technologies and equipment, the Icon returned to the Meyer Turku shipyard where it is being constructed. The tests covered various technical areas, including the main engines, hull, brake system, steering, noise and vibration levels.
The Icon of the Seas is an impressive vessel, measuring 365 meters (nearly 1,200 feet) in length and projected to weigh 250,800 tonnes. It has a capacity to hold 5,610 passengers and 2,350 crew members. One of its main attractions will be the world’s largest waterpark at sea, called Category 6, featuring six water slides, seven pools, and nine whirlpools. The ship also offers a range of other amenities such as a resort getaway, beach escape, theme park, and over 40 dining, drinking, and entertainment options.
Notably, the Icon of the Seas includes a unique accommodation called the “Ultimate Family Townhouse.” This three-story, adventure-filled pad features an in-suite slide, a karaoke station, and hidden areas to discover.
The journey to bring the Icon to life involved more than 2,000 specialists, hundreds of miles traveled, and over 350 hours of work, along with the assistance of four tugboats weighing between 37 to 67 tons. The second round of sea trials is scheduled for later this year, during which the ship will be pushed to its limits before its debut in Miami in January 2024.
Royal Caribbean believes that the Icon of the Seas will usher in a new era of vacations. The ship will offer various experiences to cater to different types of families and adventurers, providing record-breaking thrills, relaxation options, family-friendly areas, and a wide range of dining, drinking, and entertainment choices.
Once operational, the ship will sail 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations from Miami throughout the year. It will visit destinations such as Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, as well as Cozumel, Mexico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Roatan, Honduras.
