Key Highlights
- Icon of the Seas The largest ship set to sail in 2024
- Accumulated £5 million in advance sales before setting sail
- Nearly 10 feet longer than the current record-holder, Wonder of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas is garnering much attention- even though six months are still left before it makes its debut. The ship has already booked £5 million in advance sales before its maiden voyage next January. According to reports, the ship is so big that it’s hard to imagine on a scale. Its length is said to be about 365m, and it will weigh approximately 250,800 gross tonnes! With 20 decks, 18 designated as passenger decks, the Icon of the Seas can accommodate 5,610 passengers and 2,350 crew members on board. The ship is being described as a ‘floating city’ – five times larger than the historic ship Titanic.
What Makes ‘Icon of the Seas’ So Special?
If the size and capacity weren’t enough, the Icon of Seas also features a 55-foot indoor waterfall, 40 bars and restaurants, a mini-golf course, and an ice rink. This £1.5 billion ship, built for a younger audience, also boasts a zip line extending 154 feet above the water, a rock climbing wall, an obstacle course, an arcade, and a karaoke bar.
It’s also 10 feet longer than the current record-holder, Wonder of the Seas, flagship of Royal Caribbean International. It is said to carry up to 7,600 passengers and some 2,350 crew. The Icon of Seas ship also holds a three-story “townhouse”, the largest cabin at sea. It sleeps eight and has a 35ft red slide running from top to bottom.
One of the sources said, “It’s a fairly entertaining way to get your shoes back if you leave them in the kitchen and are in the bedroom. You are then brought back to the main bedroom on the third story via a private elevator.”
History Of Icon of Seas
Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku, Finland’s shipping company, announced in October 2016 that they were building ships under the project name “Icon”.The ships were expected to be delivered during the third quarter of 2023. Next, Royal Caribbean applied to register a trademark for “Icon of the Seas.”
The steel-cutting of the Icon of Seas began in June 2021. Royal Caribbean’s first LNG tank for the ship was installed at the Neptun Werft in Rostock, Germany. The floating engine room unit included the LNG tanks, which were towed to Turku, Finland, via tug during that year.
First Voyage Route
In January 2024, the Icon of Seas will begin its first sail from Miami on 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations throughout the year. The passengers can visit their favourite tropical destinations like the Bahamas, Mexico, St. Maarten and Honduras, and Royal Caribbean’s private island, CocoCay.
Michael Bayley, CEO of Royal Caribbean International, commented that the ship was “literally the best-performing new product launch they’ve ever had.”
Icon Of Seas Ticket Prices
Previously when the reservations of Icon of Sales first opened in October 2022, the starting prices were $1,537 per person. Right now, Royal Caribbean is selling its cheapest tickets for $1,851.This covers a cabin on the September 2024 voyage from Miami to the Western Caribbean. The suites of the Icon of the Seas will be priced at $10,864 for those travelling in March 2024. It also has a seven-day package for a trip to the Eastern Caribbean.
No wonder the mega vessel is going to rewrite the history of luxury cruises in a whole new way. To what extent will it shake up the industry- time will tell.