Icon of the Seas, the the world’s biggest cruise ship – five times the size of Titanic – sets sail

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The world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, set sail for the first time on Saturday (27 January).

It has overtaken sister ship Wonder of the Seas to say the title. Royal Caribbean president Jason Liberty described the new vessel as the “biggest, baddest ship on the planet” – it’s longer than the Eiffel Tower.

Icon of the Seas has 18 passenger decks, seven swimming swimming pools and over 40 eating places and bars on board. It is ready to maintain 5,610 passengers on board (at double occupancy) and has a gross tonnage of 250,800.

The luxurious ship additionally boasts eight “neighbourhoods” on board, every with its personal distinct experiences, leisure and foods and drinks choices. With a watch on breaking information, these neighbourhoods maintain a quantity of firsts: Thrill Island options the largest cruise ship water park, the first open free-fall slide at sea and a drop slide that’s the business’s tallest.

The ship additionally options Chill Island, with ocean-view swimming pools and a frozen cocktail bar, and The Hideaway, dwelling to the first suspended infinity pool at sea, surrounded by a multi-level solar terrace full with whirlpools and a seaside bar.

Other neighbourhoods embrace The Hideaway, Surfside and Aquadome, with its personal AquaTheater.

The vessel is family-focused, with the introductions of the new Family Infinite Balcony and the Surfside Family Suite, in addition to the Ultimate Family Townhouse, full with a mailbox and signature white picket fence.

Icon of the Seas will sail seven-night cruises all yr spherical from Miami, with each itinerary stopping at CocoCay in the Bahamas. It might be the first ship by the firm with gas cell know-how, powered by liquified pure gasoline (clear burning gas), making it the firm’s most sustainable ship up to now – although Royal Caribbean got here in second place on Friends of the Earth’s record of polluters in the cruise business in 2022.

Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, beforehand mentioned: “Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of delivering memorable experiences and our next bold commitment to those who love to vacation. Now more than ever, families and friends are prioritising experiences where they can bond and enjoy their own adventures.”