Royal Caribbean Welcome the World's Largest Cruise Ship
The 'ICON OF THE SEAS,' hailed as the world's largest cruise ship, has been delivered to Royal Caribbean by Finland's Meyer Turku shipyard.
Royal Caribbean confirmed this vessel as the first among three ships on order. Following delivery, the ship is set to undergo two months of fitting out and previews before embarking on its maiden commercial cruise in January 2024, commencing from Miami to the Caribbean.
Initial plans for the ship involve a departure for Cadiz, Spain, where the final fittings will occur. Although Royal Caribbean has not yet disclosed the schedule, expectations are for the ship's arrival in Florida by mid-January.
Weighing in at 248,663 gross tons, the ICON OF THE SEAS surpasses Royal Caribbean’s current largest ship, the 'Wonder of the Seas,' by approximately 5%. With 2,805 passenger cabins, it accommodates 5,610 passengers in double occupancy and can cater to a maximum of 7,600 passengers, accompanied by a crew of 2,350, resulting in a full capacity of approximately 10,000 individuals.
This vessel is Royal Caribbean International’s first LNG-fueled cruise ship and the second within the entire Royal Caribbean Group. It has cutting-edge features such as a waste-to-energy plant, heat capture system, fuel cell, and hull air lubrication. The ship is also prime to connect to shore power. Royal Caribbean has highlighted that the vessel surpasses the IMO standard for energy efficiency by 24%, making it the most energy-efficient ship in Royal Caribbean’s entire fleet.
Meanwhile, assembly for the next ship in this class, 'Star of the Seas,' has commenced, with its service entry slated for the summer of 2025. The third cruise ship in this series is expected to enter service in 2026.
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