The world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, set sail from the Port of Miami on Saturday. Stretching almost 365 meters from end to end, it’s equivalent to the size of nearly four city blocks.
Soccer legend Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates lent their support to the ship’s official christening on Tuesday in South Florida.
Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO, Jason Liberty, expressed his excitement, stating, “Icon of the Seas is the result of over 50 years of innovation and dedication to providing outstanding vacation experiences. It’s the ultimate family vacation, offering something for all ages on board.”
Royal Caribbean’s cruises have been generating considerable buzz online lately. Their 9-month “Ultimate World Cruise,” which began in December, has garnered a massive following on social media, with millions of people following the passengers’ journey.
The Icon of the Seas made a big splash when it was first unveiled in October 2022, leading to the company’s largest booking day and highest volume booking week in its 53-year history.
The ship is divided into eight neighborhoods across 20 decks, featuring six waterslides, seven swimming pools, an ice skating rink, a theater, and over 40 restaurants, bars, and lounges. It can accommodate up to 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members at maximum capacity.
To address environmental concerns, the ship is powered by six dual-fuel engines, offering the option of using liquefied natural gas (LNG) to reduce sulfur and greenhouse gas emissions. However, some environmentalists worry about increased methane emissions from LNG-powered ships, while others point out that cruise vacations generate eight times more carbon compared to land-based travel.
Royal Caribbean emphasizes its commitment to energy efficiency and emission reduction on the Icon of the Seas.
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