On Thursday, October 20, Royal Caribbean announced its newest ship: the Icon of the Seas, a 7,600-passenger, a 365-meter-long vessel that promises to take the crown of “world’s largest cruise ship” from the Wonder of the Seas (362 meters for 7,084 guests), inaugurated this year by the same company.
With its maiden voyage scheduled to depart from Miami in January 2024, this giant will also offer on board the largest water park on the planet, the Category 6, and more than 40 bar and restaurant options.
Packages for loyal customers went on sale on Monday, October 24; the general public can purchase them on Tuesday, October 25.
Located on Thrill Island, a themed area with high-adrenaline attractions, the park will have six record-breaking slides.
The first is Pressure Drop, with a 66º incline, which will be the first to offer free fall in the cruise industry.
The Frightening Bolt, at just over 14 meters high, will have the highest drop on the seas.
The next two, Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, will be the first group rafting slides, with a capacity of four people per raft to slide their length.
The fourth, Storm Chasers, will offer the first race on the “mats” to slide – and compete for the title with your duo.
Finally, Crown’s Edge is a mix of a slide, with a catwalk and ropes course on which guests can swing almost 47 meters high over the ocean.
TO RELAX
Chill Island will have seven pools for those who prefer to relax, four of which are on the same deck with privileged ocean views.
The first of these, Swim & Tonic, should be the first bar in the middle of the water and over the ocean.
The second, Royal Bay Pool, promises to be the largest pool on the seas.
The Cloud 17 is for adults only, while the Cove Pool will have infinity edges. In its surroundings should still be Royal Caribbean’s first frozen cocktail bar.
THE SHIP WILL HAVE “NEIGHBORHOODS”
As well as its common areas for entertainment, the Icon of the Seas will also have other thematic portions or neighborhoods.
One is Surfside, designed for families, where adults and children under six will find attractions to play and relax all day long.
For example, those over 18 can dip in the Water’s Edge pool while watching toddlers playing in Splashaway Bay or Baby Bay, just next door.
Attached to them are food options, a bar, a carousel, and a game room. The Adventure Ocean and Social020 sub-areas are also designed for teenagers.
The Hideaway – at 41 meters above the ocean – will be a “beach club” with less radical and family water options, which should appeal to adults.
There will be the first infinity pool suspended over the sea, surrounded by sunbathing terraces with Jacuzzis and a bar.
Traditional areas on other ships, such as the Royal Promenade, have been updated with expanded ocean views and more than 15 restaurants, cafes, bars, and lounges.
The Central Park portion will also have more homes and entertainment.
The Suite Neighborhood will feature four luxury decks and a multi-level for those who want to bask in the sun.
And The Grove will have a private pool, Jacuzzi, dining options such as a two-story Coastal Kitchen restaurant.
ENTERTAINMENT
At the top of Icon will be the AquaDome, which will act as a “tranquil oasis” during the day, according to Royal Caribbean itself, with ocean views, a waterfall, and a bar for sipping and snacking, but with a very different atmosphere at night.
After sunset, restaurants and bars will open to serve the public in the AquaTheater, in the ship’s “aqua marquee”.
The concert hall will feature state-of-the-art technology, a swimming pool, four robotic arms, projectors, and more to broadcast shows to the public.
Lost Dunes will offer the chance to try miniature golf while you can rock climb on Adrenaline Peak. Ice skating fans can enjoy the Absolute Zero rink.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Cabins have also been redesigned from previous Royal Caribbean ships.
There will be options for families of more than five members, such as the Family Infinite Balcony and Surfside Family Suite, in which the children’s rooms have been separated from the adults, even though they are still within the same complex, offering more privacy for parents to relax.
Those who want privacy can opt for the Ultimate Family Townhouse – a three-story townhouse with its own fence and mailbox, giving the impression of being in a country home.
Those looking for breathtaking views will also have a turn at the Sunset Corner Suites and Panoramic Ocean Views in the AquaDome.
SUSTAINABLE FIRSTS
Icon of the Seas will be the first ship in a new series within the company: the Icon class.
Therefore, it will also debut as Royal Caribbean’s first ship with fuel cell technology powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the cleanest for marine life.
Other attributes such as shore-side power connection and waste-heat recovery system promise to make Icon the most sustainable ship ever launched by the company.
PLANNED VOYAGES
Icon is scheduled to remain at sea year-round, departing from Miami for seven-night Caribbean voyages.
It will stop in CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, and visit paradisiacal destinations such as Cozumel, Mexico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Roatan, Honduras.
With information from UOL