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by Mick the Ram
Areas around the Port of Miami, Florida were brought to a standstill at the weekend when people stood in awe as they watched the Icon of the Seas – the world’s largest cruise ship – embark on its maiden voyage.
The enormous vessel owned by the Royal Caribbean Group, set sail on a seven-night island hopping trip, visiting several idyllic locations in the Caribbean, including Saint Kitts and Nevis, as well as Charlotte Amalie in the Virgin Islands.
The ship weighs 250,800 tonnes, is 365 metres in length from bow to stern – which is longer than the Eiffel Tower is in height – and is five times larger than the Titanic was.
It has a double occupancy of 5,610 guests, but could accommodate up to 7,600 if every bed was taken up and carries 2,350 crew members.
There are 20 decks in total which separate eight different neighbourhoods, and it cost close to an eye-watering $2 billion to build.
Booking Frenzy
When the Icon of the Seas was first revealed to the public in October 2022, it prompted what Royal Caribbean reported was their single largest booking day in its 53-year history.
Built in Turku, Finland, and registered in the Bahamas, the ship received its official naming ceremony in the days before setting off with the help of Argentina’s World Cup winning captain Lionel Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami.
He was given the honour of placing a football on a specially built stand to trigger the traditional “good luck” breaking of a champagne bottle against the vessel’s bow.
Largest at sea multiple times over
It is essentially not just a floating city, but a place of multiple destinations created to compete directly with the best land resorts, particularly those that cater to families. There are more than 40 restaurants and bars, a huge ice arena, an aqua-dome, a theatre, even a giant food hall.
The ship’s 17,000 square-foot water park is the largest at sea. It takes up two complete decks, with six different slides including at 14 metres high, the tallest drop slide on any ship. There is also the first family raft slides, as well as the largest (40 gallons) swimming pool, which is one of seven on board.
The only stress likely to be experienced by passengers is deciding where exactly to relax from the plethora of choices, although a firm favourite is expected to be the sea’s first cantilevered infinity pool, situated some 41 meters above the ocean.
Polarizing opinions
As with anything not everyone is in favour, with the mega-ship polarizing opinions and attracting some criticism with regards to its potential environmental impact.
However, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said Icon of the Seas is 24% more energy efficient than is actually required for ships designed today. Additionally, they said that the company plans to introduce a net-zero ship by 2035.
Stunning accommodation
There are as many as 28 different kinds of onboard accommodation, amongst which are 157-square-foot interior plus cabins, which start at a price of $3,600 per week, for two people.
There is also the remarkable three-story Ultimate Family Town-House, that has its own wraparound deck, a cinema, an outdoor hot tub and a spiralling slide to ride between decks, which will set its occupants back an average of $100,000 per week, for up to eight people.
Alternative sailings
As well as St Kitts & Nevis and Charlotte Amalie, the maiden voyage will also dock at Royal Caribbean’s private island resort, which they promote as “Perfect Day at CocoCay”, based in The Bahamas. It has its own Hideaway Beach with private lagoon and is advertised as an adult-only oasis.
An alternative 7-night cruise takes passengers to the west of the Caribbean, calling at Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico; as well as also stopping at CocoCay.
There are seven Icon of the Seas itineraries for 2024 & 2025, with options to call at Philipsburg, St Maarten; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; and San Juan, Puerto Rico, amongst others.
All the sailings call at CocoCay except one, with that one heading to Labadee, which is the Royal Caribbean’s private Haitian resort.
The official website has all the price ranges, although for those looking to tie in a cruise over the Christmas period, they will be looking at a cost in excess of $5,000 per person.
“Perfect for the Caribbean”
Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, was naturally a very proud man when speaking prior to the launch. He said the ship “ticks all the boxes” for what the company was hoping to create, adding: “It’s big, it’s bold, it’s perfect for the Caribbean.”
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