Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship with the largest water park at sea, has now completed its first round of sea trials in Turku, Finland and sailed the open ocean for the first time.
Royal Caribbean International’s latest ship will debut in Miami in January 2024 after completing a second round of sea trials later this year.
Icon of the Seas features the largest water park at sea and the tallest drop slide at sea. The former, called Category 6, will offer six record-breaking waterslides.
Largest water park at sea
Highlights also include the cruise industry‘s first open free-fall slide, the first family raft slides at sea, and the industry’s first mat-racing duo.
Additionally, Icon of the Seas is home to Royal Caribbean‘s first swim-up bar at sea, the largest pool at sea, and the first suspended infinity pool at sea.
Guests will enjoy eight neighbourhoods – Aquadome, Central Park, Chill Island, Royal Promenade, Surfside, Suite Neighborhood, The Hideaway and Thrill Island.
Icon of the Seas is under construction at Meyer Turku shipyard, one of Europe’s leading shipbuilders. The vessel is nearly 1,200 feet long and will be able to hold around 5,610 guests and 2,350 crew.
“With each new ship, we raise the bar in the travel industry while enhancing what our guests know and love,” Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, said last year. “With Icon of the Seas, we’ve taken this to a new level and made the ultimate family vacation.”
“We set out to create a vacation that makes all that possible in one place for the thrill-seekers, the chill enthusiasts and everyone in between, without compromise,” added Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.
Icon of the Seas will sail from Miami all year, with each cruise visiting Royal Caribbean’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.
