Royal Caribbean made big reveal about its new Icon ships. We’ve got the details
Royal Caribbean made the first big reveal about the features and amenities coming next year on its newest ship, the Icon of the Seas, which will mark the debut of a new class of ships for the cruise company that’s made a name for itself with unbelievably huge, floating resorts.
In a media tour this week at Royal Caribbean’s headquarters at PortMiami, engineers and product developers unveiled what the first of three Icon ships will look like: 1,198 feet long, 20 decks high with the world’s largest water park at sea, an infinity pool suspended 135 feet in the air, 40 dining, bar and nightlife options, and more.
“I would say that Icon of the Seas is literally the ultimate family vacation,” said Michael Bayley, CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “Name anything you would like to do, and Icon has it. [The ship] delivers chills and thrills and a lot of great memories. The innovation and creativity we’ve placed into the design and ultimately the delivery of Icon is extraordinary.”
Icon of the Seas is under construction in Finland and is expected to be delivered in October or November of 2023 at a cost of almost $2 billion. It’s expected to start sailing with passengers in early 2024. The ship will be able to cruise with nearly 10,000 people, 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members. It will be based at PortMiami and run seven-day cruises to the Caribbean.
The water park has six different slides, including a drop slide and a group slide with room for four people on a raft. Crown’s Edge, a ropes course, will allow people to do a sky walk and swing 154 feet above the ocean.
There will be seven swimming pools on the ship, the cruise line’s first swim-up bar, and numerous eateries. A giant AquaDome will host water shows, in addition to an ice skating rink and a traditional theater.
Product developers were excited about the lower aft portion of the ship called Surfside, an area dedicated to children between the ages of 2 and 6. Slides, fountains and kiddie pools are surrounded by deck chairs and a bar to serve parents.
The ship has a range of suites that cater to families. The family infinite balcony suite sleeps up to six people and has two bathrooms and includes a bunk-bed alcove for children. There’s also a three-story family townhouse that sleeps up to eight people and starts at $60,000 for a weeklong cruise.
Interior cabins on Icon of the Seas will cost from $1,099 for two guests on a seven-night cruise, while ocean-view balcony staterooms will start at $1,499 for two guests on a weeklong cruise.
Although many of the attractions on Icon of the Seas are geared toward families, there is an adult-only section with a dedicated bar. The Hideaway portion of the ship will have a beach bar vibe, with DJs, drinks, whirlpools and the suspended infinity pool at the ship’s stern.
The Icon ship has technology that will partially reduce a cruise ship’s large carbon footprint. The ship will have shore power capabilities, meaning that it can turn off its engines and “plug in” to the land-based electric grid and will utilize “fuel cells” powered by hydrogen to produce clean electricity.
Icon’s engines will be powered by liquefied natural gas, which is sometimes referred to as the “cleanest fossil fuel,” because it produces less carbon dioxide than coal and oil, or a “bridge fuel” viewed as a step toward cutting out coal and petroleum and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.
Royal Caribbean executives acknowledged that because of how long it takes to build these mega ships, by the time they debut, they can be behind the latest, cleanest fuel technology.
“We’re dealing with some bad press about producing cleaner fuel,” said Anshul Tuteja, the cruise line’s vice president of fleet optimization and global marine operations. “Some kind of hybrid model is likely in the future, but right now it would be impossible to power a ship with a battery alone because of their size.”
Tuteja said Royal Caribbean Group has a hybrid battery-fuel ship on order for its luxury cruise line, Silverseas. “A hybrid model for cruising is inevitable,” he said.
Technology to improve hydrodynamics also will come with Icon. Passengers will notice a flat bow of the ship, as opposed to the traditionally sharp point. Icon will use “air lubrication systems,” which create millions of tiny air bubbles under the ship’s hull, which reduces drag and propels it through the water more smoothly.
This week’s reveal was the most information Royal Caribbean has given publicly about its new class of ships, but said there will be more to share soon.
“There’s a lot more to talk about. And over the coming months, we’re going to reveal more and more of the elements and components and experiences of Icon,” Bayley said. “We think it’s a real game-changer.”
This story was originally published October 20, 2022 at 5:30 AM.
