Royal Caribbean International reports that its newest cruise ship – and the world’s biggest – Icon of the Seas, is ship-shape after setting sail for the first time in its initial round of sea trials in the open ocean.

Set to debut you January, 2024, the ship returned to the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, where it is under construction, after four days of preliminary tests on a lineup of its latest technologies and equipment. From the main engines to the hull, to the brake system, to steering as well as noise and vibration levels, the hundreds of workers on board covered an extensive checklist of key technical areas.

Between preparations and the trials, the important step in the journey to bring Icon to life involved more than 2,000 specialists, hundreds of miles travelled, four 37- to 67-ton tugboats and more than 350 hours of work, says RCI.

Next up will be a second round of sea trials later this year, which will be when the first Icon Class ship is pushed to its limits ahead of its debut in Miami early next year, where it will sail year-round seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations itineraries that include the cruise line’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas;, plus Cozumel, Mexico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Roatan, Honduras.

RCI touts the ship as a “first-of-its-kind combination of the best of every vacation” – from the resort getaway to the beach escape and theme park adventure, featuring more than 40 ways to dine, drink and be entertained.