250,000 gross tons! 2500 crew! 5600 people! 1200 ft! Looking at these numbers, you might think that I am talking about the formation of a new city or the capacity of the Colosseum or something. You might also be thinking that I am trying to take you back to the time of Noah’s Ark!
But times have changed, and humans look forward to creating things bigger than we can imagine!
If you like to travel or stay up to date with things happening around the world, you must have heard about the news that Icon of the Seas, which is arguably the largest cruise in the world, is setting sail in the year 2024.
Yes, that is right!
It will be the world’s largest cruise ship, nearly five times the size of the Titanic.
Built for Royal Caribbean International, this ship schedules to set sail in early 2024. But there is more to it!
Keep reading this article till the end to learn more…
Icon Of The Seas: The Cruise That Is Five Times The Size Of The Titanic!
A ship that is expected to be the largest cruise ship in the world has finished construction at a Finnish shipyard and made its first journey into open water for sea trials before it is likely to be delivered in October of this year.
Icon of the Seas, a massive cruise ship from Royal Caribbean International, will measure 365 meters long (almost 1,200 feet) and weigh an estimated 250,800 tonnes. That is comparable to attempting to maintain the stability of two CN Towers.
In January 2024, it will cruise into Caribbean waters with a capacity of 5,610 passengers and 2,350 staff members. The largest waterpark at sea in the world will be the boat’s showpiece.
Six record-breaking water slides will be part of Category 6. However, visitors who prefer a more sedate experience can unwind in the vessel’s seven pools and nine whirlpools.
Interesting Facts About Icon Of The Seas That Will Shake You Up!
A few lesser-known things about the Icon of the Seas will shake the industry. Do you want to know what they are?
Well, I have you covered!
Here are the top eleven interesting facts about this cruise that might shock you:
1. It Is Almost 1,200 Ft Long
The ship measures 1,198 feet, which is just 10 feet longer than the previous record-holder for the largest ship. That is roughly the size of four Statues of Liberty, pedestals included, or more than three football fields.
To put it another way, the ship is only 52 feet shorter in length than the Empire State Building is tall, with a spire and all.
2. It Is An Ecosystem Altogether!
Let me tell you this— the Icon of the Seas is an entire ecosystem in itself. You might be thinking what I mean by this. Well, I have already told you that this cruise, like many others, has pools, several of them. But did I tell you about the chill island and the central park?
Yes, you heard that right!
There will be a stunning green space onboard the Icon of the Seas with dining options, live music, and thousands of real plants. Royal Caribbean hopes to create the best pool deck at sea with Chill Island.
The three-deck pool area on Chill Island will have plenty of ocean views. The Icon of the Seas will feature Swim & Tonic, the first swim-up bar at sea.
3. This Cruise Is More Than 5 Times The Weight Of The Titanic
The measure of interior volume, known as gross tonnage, is used to order cruise ships. With 250,800 gross tonnage, Icon of the Seas truly outperforms the competition in this category. The Wonder of the Seas from Royal Caribbean is the next closest ship, coming in at 235,600. In case you were wondering, the Titanic had a gross weight of 46,329 tons.
4. Icon Of The Seas Has A Water Park
According to Royal Caribbean, Icon would include the “largest waterpark at sea,” known as Category 6. That alludes to the six slides aboard as well as the hurricane’s strength (which tops out at Category 5). A 46-foot drop slide, an open free-fall slide, family raft slides, and two mat-racing slides are among the available slides.
Cruise Critic cites Carnival in a list of the top water parks on cruise ships for 2022. A trio of slides is available on many of its ships. The cruise site mentions that some Norwegian Cruise Line ships feature up to five waterslides, while MSC Cruises has four or five slides on some of its more recent ships, coming near to Icon’s total.
5. It Has Already Completed Its Trials
Icon of the Seas completed her initial set of sea trials by traveling hundreds of miles, testing the main engines, brake systems, hull, noise, steering, and vibration levels. Despite her departure being postponed owing to wind conditions, everything was completed as planned and on time. In the month of June, she finished her initial round of trials.
Here is a statement from the official Royal Caribbean Blog:
When sea trials take place, hundreds of specialists run tests to help assess different technical areas of the ship, and there were more than 450 specialists who helped to run the four days tests on the ship’s technical areas during this round of sea trials.
Over 2,000 experts put in more than 350 hours of labor total—including the time spent preparing for the trial and performing the tests—to assist Icon of the Seas in passing this significant exam.
Later in 2023, a second round of sea testing will be scheduled, pushing Icon’s capabilities even further. All of this is done to ensure that the ship is in excellent condition before being delivered to Royal Caribbean.
6. It Has Nearly 40 Dining Venues
Beyond just a buffet, main dining room, and pool bar, cruise ships now provide a wider variety of food and drinks. The landmark will have more than 40 opportunities to “drink, dine, and be entertained,” including more than 20 dining options, 15 bars, and nightlife activities.
On board, there are a variety of dining options, including buffets, an eight-course supper club experience, an all-day breakfast area, sushi and street food, a steakhouse, and more. This sum actually matches the previous record-holder, Wonder of the Seas, demonstrating the demand for variety among cruise passengers.
For a comparison on land, the Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas advertises on its website that it has 19 bars and lounges in addition to 21 eateries.
7. There Are Several Pools For Every Season!
Seven pools will be available on the ship, including one with a swim-up bar, an infinity pool that hangs in midair, and what Royal Caribbean calls the “largest pool at sea.” When Voyager of the Seas was launched in 1999, it was the biggest ship in the world. It features three pools.
8. It Can Hold 5610 Passengers
That does not include the crew. That’s a few hundred more people than reside in Bar Harbor, Maine, which U.S. News & World Report named this year’s best small town in the United States to visit.
The crew adds an additional 2,350 to the total. Because ships are designed to accommodate more than two people, each room with additional beds for families or parties, the real number of guests on board is an astounding 7,600. When it debuted as the world’s largest ship in 2009, Oasis of the Seas could hold 5,400 guests when double occupancy was used.
According to the Washington Post, the “average capacity for the 44 ships being introduced between this year and 2028 is 2,749 passengers, according to the Cruise Lines International Association.”
9. It Already Has Broken Records!
The ship has generated so much buzz that advance sales have broken all previous records. Michael Bayley reportedly referred to the Icon of the Seas as the company’s “best-performing new product launch” ever during the company’s quarterly financial results.
According to their press release, this is what the company stated:
It’s a record-breaking start for the new era of vacations. Fresh off the heels of revealing the first look at Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International saw its single largest booking day in its 53-year history when reservations opened for the cruise line’s first Icon Class ship. Icon first made headlines on Thursday, Oct. 20, when Royal Caribbean unveiled the new ship as the vacation industry’s first-of-its-kind combination of the best of every vacation. From the beach retreat to the resort escape and the theme park adventure, with Icon, every kind of family and adventurer can experience their version of the ultimate family vacation.
10. You Must Know About The AquaDome
The new AquaDome at the ship’s bow is one of its most distinctive features. The aquatic shows (which include a 55-foot cascade) will be held here, along with sweeping views and a lounge area during the day.
And the best part is this AquaDome will also have several new techs “like robotic arms and projections.” This will automatically elevate the live entertainment and nighttime experience.
According to Tanner Callais, the editor of Cruzely, one of the most “noticeable (feature) is the new AquaDome, sitting at the front of the ship. This structure houses a forward lounge area and also serves as the home to the cruise line’s famous aquatic shows.”
11. There Are 20 Decks In The Cruise!
There will be 20 decks on the Icon of the Seas, 18 of which are for guests to utilize. These decks include eight “neighborhoods,” including a Central Park filled with real plants, a sizable water park, a three-deck collection of pools, a sizable dome with a waterfall and performances, and a space for young families to play and eat.
Wonder of the Seas, the second-largest ship in the fleet of Royal Caribbean, has 18 decks altogether for passengers.
What About The Design Of The Icon Of The Seas?
With a gross tonnage of 250,800, the Icon of the Seas is propelled by liquified natural gas (LNG). The ship is powered by six Wärtsilä multifuel engines that produce 67,500 kW (90,520 horsepower). LNG and distillate fuel can both be used to power the engines.
Other renewable energy features on the ship include producing power and freshwater using fuel cells. The Icon of the Seas is the first Royal Caribbean ship to use this technology.
The ship will have a crew of 2,350 people. It can accommodate 7,600 passengers at full capacity or 5,610 at double occupancy.
Executives from Royal Caribbean have referred to it as a “white paper” ship, implying that the design process effectively began with a blank piece of paper. While it shares some characteristics with ships in the Oasis class, such as the central split that exposes the ship’s center, many of its other elements are brand-new or have been rethought.
The Icon of the Seas has 20 decks, seven pools, and six water slides. According to the company, the ship supposedly has the tallest waterfall, the tallest water slide, the biggest waterpark, and the first suspended infinity pool on a ship.
The ship’s vertical hull, massive side name, and the addition of “infinite balconies” in the middle of the ship are also notable. The distinctive balconies have a big windowed wall that can be closed to offer the cabin more space or dropped down halfway to open up the entire room to the balcony.
Some of the slides from the brand-new Category 6 waterpark in the ship’s Thrill Island area can be seen toward the back of the vessel.
Get Ready To Set Sail!
The Icon of the Seas is either going to be a dream or a nightmare! More than 40 dining, drinking, and entertainment options are advertised by the ship, many of which are included in the cruise cost.
The concept is to appeal to every sort of vacationer, with everything from locations for young families to adults-only spots like Royal Caribbean International’s first dueling pianos bar. There are 20 decks and eight districts to explore.
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