Royal Caribbean is redefining the cruise business with its newest ship, the Icon of the Seas. This $2 billion floating resort is basically booked till 2026.
Spanning almost 1,200 ft, the cruise ship has 20 decks, which makes the Icon of the Seas the world’s largest cruise ship.
It’s a metropolis at sea, accommodating as much as 7,600 passengers in 2,805 staterooms and almost 10,000 folks, together with the crew. The ship provides completely different experiences that embrace seven swimming pools — one is the most important on any ship — the world’s first onboard water park with six water slides, theaters, a on line casino, and over 40 eating and consuming spots.
Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean’s Chief Product Innovation Officer, says the cruise ship is extra than simply its facilities.
“It’s actually about iconic experiences,” he mentioned.
And regardless of its huge measurement, Schneider mentioned the ship is designed to keep away from feeling overcrowded.
“We have purposely designed the ship to provide extra space for folks,” he mentioned. “We consider, even at 7,500 company, it will not really feel to you want your whole hometown has joined the ship,” mentioned Schneider.
Luxury comes at a value on the Icon. A weeklong Caribbean cruise prices about $3,500 for 2 folks in a mean stateroom. For these looking for extra luxurious, the Ultimate Family Townhouse – a three-story suite full with touchscreen tables and a slide – can go for as much as $100,000 per journey. The Royal Loft, geared toward high-rolling adults, provides two bedrooms, a personal scorching tub, and a spacious balcony beginning at $40,000.
Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief at Cruise Critic, mentioned that greater ships profit each passengers and cruise traces.
“It means extra folks can expertise one thing. It implies that there’s much more facilities and actions onboard the cruise ship,” McDaniel mentioned. “The extra folks they will placed on a cruise ship, in fact, the higher enterprise they do, the extra money they make.”
Kevin Curran says the Icon took his breath away. Having adopted the ship’s building for over a yr, the Oregon resident mentioned he was thrilled to be on its inaugural cruise from Miami.
“The extra I watched the movies, the extra I understood this was one thing particular,” he mentioned.
Cruising is surging in recognition. Last yr, passenger quantity outpaced pre-pandemic numbers, and this yr is predicted to hit a brand new excessive of 36 million as spending on experiences has climbed 65% since 2019.
From the bridge, Captain Hendrik Loy is overseeing what quantities to a three-day check drive to the Bahamas.
“There remains to be fine-tuning that should happen,” mentioned Loy.
The Icon additionally champions environmental duty. It’s powered by liquefied pure gasoline, treats its personal waste, and produces its personal water.