Icon of the Seas Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
*Icon of the Seas*
History
Icon of the Seas in PortMiami
Bahamas
Name	Icon of the Seas
Owner	Royal Caribbean Group
Operator	Royal Caribbean International
Port of registry	Nassau, Bahamas
Builder	Meyer Turku, Turku, Finland
Cost	€1.86 billion
Yard number	NB 1400
Laid down	4 April 2022
Launched	9 December 2022
Sponsored by	Lionel Messi
Christened	23 January 2024
Acquired	27 November 2023
Maiden voyage	27 January 2024
In service	2024–present
Identification	Call sign: C6FU5 IMO number: 9829930 MMSI number: 311001178 DNV ID: 38545
Status	In service
General characteristics
Class and type	Icon-class cruise ship
Tonnage	248,663 GT, 307,895 NT
Length	364.75 metres (1,196.7 ft)
Beam	48.47 m (159.0 ft)
Draught	9.25 metres (30.3 ft)
Decks	20
Installed power	3 × Wärtsilä 14V46DF, 16,030 kW (21,790 hp) each 3 × Wärtsilä 12V46DF, 13,740 kW (18,680 hp) each
Propulsion	Diesel-electric; 3 × 20 MW (27,000 hp) ABB Azipod, all azimuthing 5 × 4.8 MW (6,400 hp) Wärtsilä WTT-45 CP bow thrusters
Speed	22 knots (41 km/h)
Capacity	5,610 passengers (double occupancy) 7,600 passengers (maximum capacity)
Crew	2,350

The Icon of the Seas is a giant cruise ship that started sailing in January 2024. It is operated by Royal Caribbean International. This ship is the first of its kind in the Icon class class. It sails from the Port of Miami in the United States. The Icon of the Seas is currently the largest cruise ship in the world by size, along with its sister ship, Star of the Seas.

Building the World's Largest Cruise Ship
Ship Design and Features
- Exciting Attractions Onboard
Recent Events
Images for kids
See also

Building the World's Largest Cruise Ship

How the Ship Was Planned

In October 2016, Royal Caribbean announced plans to build two new ships. They called this project "Icon." These ships were designed to be very large and modern. The first ship, Icon of the Seas, was planned to be ready in 2023.

Construction Milestones

Building the Icon of the Seas began in June 2021 when the first pieces of steel were cut. In October 2021, a special tank for LNG fuel was put in place. This was an important step for the ship's power system.

The ship's keel, which is like its backbone, was laid in April 2022. This is a big moment in shipbuilding. The Icon of the Seas was then launched into the water in December 2022. This meant it was floating for the first time!

In May 2022, Royal Caribbean confirmed that Icon of the Seas would be even bigger than their famous Oasis class ships.

Testing and Delivery

The ship went on its first sea trials in June 2023. These tests check if all the ship's systems work correctly. After some final adjustments, the ship was officially given to Royal Caribbean in November 2023. It then sailed to Cádiz, Spain, for more finishing touches. Finally, it arrived at its home port, PortMiami, in January 2024.

Naming Ceremony

On January 23, 2024, a special naming ceremony was held. Famous soccer player Lionel Messi officially christened the Icon of the Seas. Its first journey with passengers began on January 27, 2024, from PortMiami.

Ship Design and Features

Icon of the Seas during sea trials

The Icon of the Seas is designed to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). It has six special engines that can use both LNG and other fuels. Using LNG helps reduce some types of pollution. Royal Caribbean sees LNG as a step towards even cleaner energy for their ships in the future.

This ship is the largest cruise ship in the world by its gross tonnage. It can carry up to 7,600 passengers and has a crew of 2,350 people. The Icon of the Seas has 20 decks, which are like floors. It also boasts seven swimming pools and six exciting water slides. The company says it has the tallest waterfall, the tallest water slide, and the largest waterpark on any cruise ship!

Exciting Attractions Onboard

The Icon of the Seas was designed with many new and fun areas for guests:

Aquadome: This is a cool place under a glass dome where you can watch diving shows and other performances.
The Pearl: A unique art piece on the Royal Promenade that looks amazing and changes.
Absolute Zero: An ice skating rink where you can skate or watch ice shows.
Surfside: A special neighborhood designed just for families with kids.
The Hideaway: A beach club with the first infinity pool on a ship that seems to hang in the air.
Thrill Island: This is the biggest waterpark at sea, featuring six different water slides for all kinds of fun.
Swim & Tonic: The largest swim-up bar on a ship, where you can get drinks while staying in the pool.
Jogging track: A long track, about 670-metre-long (2,197 ft), that goes around the ship on Deck 5.

Recent Events

In June 2024, a small fire was reported on the ship while it was docked in Costa Maya, Mexico. The fire was quickly put out, and the damage was very small.

In September 2024, the Icon of the Seas had a technical issue. This made the ship sail slower than usual and caused it to miss a planned stop in St. Thomas. After returning to Miami, the ship went to the Bahamas for repairs. Royal Caribbean had to cancel the next week's cruise to fix the problem completely.