Over seven years in the making, including 900 days of construction, Royal Caribbean has welcomed Icon of the Seas to its fleet in gala hand-over ceremony from Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. The ship is set to debut in Miami in January,

Marking the milestone at the celebration were more than 1,200 crew members and workers, who were joined by Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley and Meyer Turku CEO Tim Meyer.

The delivery of the new ship – designed to appeal to every type of cruiser – also commemorated the series of never-before-seen feats accomplished during more than two years of construction: from the installation of the AquaDome, the single largest glass and steel structure to be lifted onto a cruise ship, to engineering more water on board than ever before across seven pools, six record-breaking waterslides and more.

The ship will now sail to from Turku to Cadiz, Spain for finishing touches on it before it heads to Miami. And starting today (Nov. 29), the curious can follow Icon’s journey on Royal Caribbean’s website.

“Welcoming Icon of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family is a remarkable accomplishment years in the making for thousands of innovators, engineers, architects and designers,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Seven years ago, we had an ambitious idea to create the first vacation truly made for every type of family and adventurer; now, it’s in our hands, and in this final stretch, we’ll bring it all to life for the biggest debut in our history in January 2024.”

Featuring eight neighbourhoods, five of them new, guest will find adrenaline-pumping thrills, more than 40 ways to dine and drink, cutting-edge entertainment across the cruise line’s four signature stages – air, ice, water and theater – and more. And with 28 different ways to stay, including the new three-level Ultimate Family Townhouse, even the rooms designed for every type of vacationer.

The five brand-new neighbourhoods and three reimagined favourites are destinations in themselves filled with a variety of experiences, live entertainment, restaurants, and bars, including:

• Thrill Island – The new centre of thrill features Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea, with six record-breaking slides; Crown’s Edge, part skywalk, part ropes course and part thrill ride on which adventurers swing 47 m. above the ocean; the FlowRider simulator; the Lost Dunes minigolf course and more.
• Chill Island – Four of the seven pools on Icon are on these three-decks, each with a unique vibe and prime ocean views: the lively Swim & Tonic, the cruise line’s first swimup bar at sea; Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea; Cloud 17, an adults-only retreat; and the serene, infinity-edge Cove Pool. The area will feature different tunes from live bands and DJs, and poolside spots for drinks and quick, casual food.
• Surfside – The first neighbourhood made for young families. Adults and kids can stay and play all day at the new Water’s Edge pool for grownups nearby Baby Bay, and the Splashaway Bay aquapark for kids, plus new, dedicated dining options and a brand-new bar that features two menus – one for adults and the other for kids.
• AquaDome – A tranquil oasis by day and vibrant hot spot at night, the new neighbourhood is filled with wraparound ocean views, new and returning restaurants and bars, a 16-m.-tall water curtain, and the next-level AquaTheater that debuts the first cast of robots, skateboarders, divers and more. And there’s Royal Caribbean’s first foodhall, AquaDome Market, and Rye & Bean – a new bar for lattes and coffee-infused cocktails, plus the new Overlook bar and pods, and the cruise line’s marquee aqua shows, it’s a transformational experience.
• The Hideaway – Tucked away and sitting 135 feet above the ocean is a new neighborhood that combines the good vibes of beach club scenes around the world. The first suspended infinity pool at sea is at the center of it all, and it has 180-degree ocean views that make it the perfect place to watch sunsets from the point of view only a cruise can offer as vacationers enjoy the dedicated DJ and bar.
• Royal Promenade – The heartbeat of Icon features more than 15 restaurants, bars, and lounges, including Dueling Pianos, Royal Caribbean’s first dueling pianos bar; the new 1400 Lobby Bar, inspired by the history of shipbuilding, with an ocean-facing terrace that opens the reimagined neighbourhood to the outdoors for the first time; and favourites with a twist like Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Starbucks and more. The are also debuts floor-to-ceiling ocean views, an engineering feat made possible by The Pearl, the world’s largest kinetic art sculpture.

• Central Park – The open-air neighbourhood is reimagined with more ways to dine, drink and be entertained. Thousands of real plants line new experiences and favourites with a twist, such as the popular Izumi, with a new location and a walk-up window; and American steakhouse Chops Grille. Making their debut are spots like Empire Supper Club, an extravagant experience that pairs eight courses with wine, cocktails, and music; and Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues, for live performances of jazz, jazzy pop music and more.
• Suite Neighbourhood – Spanning four decks, Royal Caribbean’s most expansive Suite Neighbourhood features larger suites, the new Grove Suite Sun Deck, complete with a private pool, whirlpool and dedicated Mediterranean dining; and a now two-level Coastal Kitchen with views of the AquaDome and the ocean.

 

Icon is also the cruise line’s first ship that can be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a transitional fuel. The dual-fuel engines will work alongside a lineup of energy efficiency initiatives and industry-leading environmental programs on board, like the first waste-to-energy plant at sea. Twenty-four percent more energy efficient than the standards required for ships being designed today, the cruise line’s most sustainable ship yet will mark the next step in parent company Royal Caribbean Group’s initiative to introduce a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.

Upon its debut, Icon will sale seven-night Eastern or Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami across the Caribbean, and calling at Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, which in January will introduce the adults-only escape, Hideaway Beach, an all-day experience complete with a private beach and pools, new dedicated spots for drinks and bites, exclusive cabanas, live music and more.