A "first-of-its-kind" ship over five times the size of the RMS Titanic has been built by Royal Caribbean International and will soon make its debut.
Icon of the Seas, is the name of the enormous cruise ship, with a length of 1,198 feet and a gross tonnage of 250,800. The ship has 20 total decks, seven pools, and six "record-breaking" waterslides, and it has the capacity to carry 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members, according to CBS News.
The cruise line reports that the new ship will be operational in January 2024, having achieved a significant milestone last month with the conclusion of its initial round of sea trials. The ship was first placed on the open ocean during those testing.
What to Expect
The ship is divided into eight main areas, including the "AquaDome" at the front, which provides views in all directions and a 55-foot waterfall.
The "Suite Neighborhood" features a Mediterranean restaurant and a sundeck with two floors. It also has a five-deck-high open-air "Central Park" with living plant walls.
"Thrill Island," which the company claims have the largest waterpark at sea called "Category 6," and "Chill Island," which has four pools and a swim-up bar.
The "Royal Promenade" with ocean views, "The Hideaway," which offers 180-degree views at the back of the ship and an infinity pool, and a space designated for families called "Surfside" are all available.
Read also: Norwegian Dawn Cruise Ship Crashes into Coral Reef Off Bermuda Coast
How Much It Will Cost Passengers
When Icon of the Seas initially became available for booking in October 2022, the cruise industry was still struggling to recover from the decline brought on by the coronavirus outbreak. Prices had been $1,537 per person at the time, but they have now gone up by a few hundred dollars.
The least expensive ticket is now $1,851 for an inner room on a seven-night cruise from Miami to the Western Caribbean in September 2024, according to Royal Caribbean. The most costly is significantly more expensive, coming in at $10,864 for a suite on the same cruise in March. A seven-day tour to the Eastern Caribbean is also available on board.
Others have expressed disapproval, despite the fact that many people are thrilled about the opportunity to travel by ship to the Caribbean, calling it "stunning" and like a "scene from a sci-fi movie" on social media.
One user remarked dread every time they see a photo of the Icon of the Seas cruise ship.
Another joked, "Infection of the Seas by Royal Caribbean," likely making reference to previous COVID outbreaks on cruise ships throughout the pandemic.
But for Royal Caribbean, the main focus is the thrill. The day the ship's tickets went on sale in October, according to Royal Caribbean, was the busiest booking day in the company's 53-year history.
Related article: Carnival Cruise Ship: FBI Opens Investigation on Suspicious Death of Woman Travelling to South Carolina
