Tuesday, April 2, 2024

A look inside the Icon of the Seas, the world's biggest cruise ship, as it prepares for voyage

new huge cruise ship

As a kid-fearing adult, I loved the grown-ups-only suspended infinity pool. If you're a frequent cruiser — especially with Royal Caribbean — amenities like the mini-golf course and water playground may not seem exciting. Royal Caribbean plans for Icon of the Seas to sail all year, so prices vary; but some start at about $1,700 per person. For more details about Icon of the Seas, visit the Royal Caribbean website.

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It's powered by liquefied natural gas, treats its own waste, and produces its own water. Last year, passenger volume outpaced pre-pandemic numbers, and this year is expected to hit a new high of 36 million as spending on experiences has climbed 65% since 2019. And despite its massive size, Schneider said the ship is designed to avoid feeling overcrowded. There will also be a three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse complete with its own white picket fence and mailbox. For rooms with a view, the Sunset Corner Suites and Panoramic Ocean Views in AquaDome are expected to be some of the best on-board according to the cruise line. The arrival of the Icon Class is one of the biggest stories in the cruise world in more than a decade — on a scale with the debut of the Oasis Class in 2009.

WATCH: World's largest cruise ship 'Icon of the Seas' pulls into PortMiami - WPLG Local 10

WATCH: World's largest cruise ship 'Icon of the Seas' pulls into PortMiami.

Posted: Wed, 10 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

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To avoid any surprises when you get on the ship, however, it is important that you understand what is and isn't included. At the time of writing, the lowest advertised fare on Royal Caribbean's website for a cruise onboard Icon in 2024 starts at $3,005 per person for an interior room for the March 23 sailing. In June 2023, the ship hit a major milestone when it completed its first sea trials outside the shipyard in Turku, Finland. Next up is the colossal new ship’s first voyage, slated to depart on January 27, 2024.

One of eight neighborhoods

new huge cruise ship

There are more than six restaurants on tap, plus three outdoor pools and one indoor pool. The four ships mentioned above aren't the only giant new cruise vessels to debut in the last year or two. Europe-based Costa Cruises and Aida Cruises also have unveiled massive new ships since 2018 that rank among the 10 biggest cruise ships ever built -- Costa Smeralda and AIDAnova. We aren't including them here as they primarily are aimed at a European crowd. Cruisers can expect the cruise line’s largest-ever casino aboard this ship and the most balcony cabins on a Princess Cruises ship to date.

Emily Rodriguez, Senior Product Owner and Product Development, said that they really took into consideration the excitement that they were seeing guests display for their thrilling experiences. Royal Caribbean wants to draw in adrenaline junkies with Thrill Island onboard their newest class of ships. Mardi Gras will hold up to 6,630 passengers per sailing with every berth filled. All four of the vessels, moreover, currently are open for bookings well into 2022. In other words, you may not be able to sail them now, but it's not too early to start making your plans to sail them down the road.

new huge cruise ship

The bigger passenger capacity is in part due to the ship's greater focus on family travelers. Icon of the Seas was built with a lot more cabins that have plenty of extra bunks to accommodate families with many children. It also has more amenities geared to families, including a new-for-the-line outdoor "neighborhood" called Surfside, dedicated to families with young children. Royal Caribbean’s massive new ship, Icon of the Seas, passed its inaugural round of sea trials with flying colors, bringing it one step closer to hitting the open ocean with passengers, the cruise line announced late last month. If all goes as planned, the record-breaking vessel will begin sailing in the Caribbean in January 2024. Onboard, guests will find the largest waterpark and ice rink at sea, new neighborhoods to explore, the cruise line's first-ever food hall, and so much more.

With a 46 foot drop and 360 degree loop, it will be the tallest waterslide at sea that will begin with you inside of a capsule waiting for the trap door to release. A fifth, even bigger Oasis Class vessel -- Wonder of the Seas -- is expected to debut in 2022. While more than two years have passed since Royal Caribbean unveiled this 228,081-ton giant of the seas, it's still the undisputed size leader in the cruise world -- and it will be for at least until 2022. As for Explora II, its sustainability features include reduced underwater noise to protect marine life; high-efficiency and energy-saving appliances; shore-to-ship power; LED lighting; anti-fouling paint, and more.

Oceania Cruises’ Vista

All in all, there will be more than 40 different dining and drinking venues on the ship, including 10 free dining options and 11 specialty dining options. Disney Treasure’s theme-ing ties in nicely with its name — it’s all about adventuring and searching out that hidden treasure. As such, you may find that characters are dressed a little more adventure-appropriate for this cruise (with Captain Minnie Mouse, for example, donning a jungle-exploring-appropriate look). A sister ship to Disney Wish, there are a few similarities that you’ll find between the two. Both offer the same number of guest rooms (1,254) and both are LNG-powered.

Icon of the Seas is just the first of three sister ships Royal Caribbean has on order for delivery by 2026 that will make up its new Icon Class. Its maximum capacity of 7,600 is about 7% higher than Wonder of the Seas' maximum capacity of 7,084 passengers. The Oasis Class included the previous size leader in the cruise world, Wonder of the Seas.

Other stand-out features include The Dome, an entertainment venue that takes inspiration from the scenery of Santorini, and which offers a pool by day and shows by night. One of the most anticipated on-board amenities will be the largest waterpark at sea. With six “record-breaking” slides including Pressure Drop, the industry’s first open free-fall slide, a 46-foot-tall Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea, Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, the first family raft slides at sea. Icon of the Seas has 20 total decks, 7 swimming pools and 8 “neighborhoods,” or distinct areas with entertainment and dining. Another noteworthy feature is Category 6, which will be the largest waterpark at sea when Icon of the Seas sets sail.

And, each and every year, we’re amazed at how the cruise industry continues to take the cruising experience to the next level. Spanning nearly 1,200 feet, the cruise ship has 20 decks, which makes the Icon of the Seas the world's largest cruise ship. One of 15 restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges along the ships promenade, Coastal Kitchen will be a ...

“When you step back and look at all the energy and time that has gone into creating this ship, it is mind-blowing,” he added. Moreover, Icon will have a long lineup of other energy efficiency initiatives onboard, all of which help to contribute to Royal Caribbean Group's goal of introducing a net-zero ship by 2035. Star of the Seas will sail out of Port Canaveral; however, the home port for the third ship is currently unknown. Even though Meyer Turku's time with Icon has come to an end, they're hard at work building Star of the Seas. Plus, the first steel for the third Icon Class ship was cut in mid-January. Icon of the Seas measures an astonishing 250,800 gross registered tons and can carry a maximum of 7,600 passengers, making Icon roughly 6% larger than Wonder of the Seas.

A new addition to the ship will be a Cunard-line first venue, The Bright Lights Society, an intimate entertainment venue with a luxurious aesthetic. But of all the activities the new world's largest cruise ship has to offer, my eight favorites are, for the most part, ones I've yet to see on another vessel. "It means more people can experience something. It means that there's a lot more amenities and activities onboard the cruise ship," McDaniel said. "The more people they can put on a cruise ship, of course, the better business they do, the more money they make." The ship will sail weeklong Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, and each will visit Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, with its multiple beaches and Thrill Waterpark, home to 13 waterslides.

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