Icon of the Seas facts for kids
Icon of the Seas on her first sea trial outside Turku, Finland in 2023.
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| History | |
|---|---|
 Bahamas |
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| Name | Icon of the Seas |
| Owner | Royal Caribbean Group |
| Operator |  Royal Caribbean International |
| Port of registry | Nassau,  Bahamas |
| Builder | Meyer Turku, Turku, Finland |
| Cost | €1.65 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 | 27 January 2024 |
| Identification |
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| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Icon-class cruise ship |
| Tonnage | 248,663 GT |
| 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 |
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| Propulsion |
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| Speed | 22 knots (41 km/h) |
| Capacity |
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| Crew | 2,350 |
The Icon of the Seas is a huge cruise ship built for Royal Caribbean International. It is the first ship in its class, called the Icon class class. This amazing ship started sailing on January 27, 2024, from the Port of Miami in the US.
At 248,663 GT, the Icon of the Seas is currently the largest cruise ship in the world. It's like a floating city with lots of fun things to do!
Contents
Building the Icon of the Seas
Early Plans and Orders
In October 2016, Royal Caribbean, a big cruise company, and Meyer Turku, a shipbuilder in Finland, announced exciting news. They planned to build two new ships under a project called "Icon." The first ship was expected to be ready in late 2023, and the second in 2025. These ships would be checked and approved by a company called DNV.
Royal Caribbean also applied to officially register the name "Icon of the Seas" in 2016. This was an early step to make sure the name was theirs.
Construction Begins
The actual building of the Icon of the Seas started in June 2021. This is when they began cutting the steel pieces that would form the ship's body. In October 2021, Royal Caribbean announced that the first big tank for LNG (a special type of fuel) was put in place in Germany.
In December 2021, a floating part of the engine room, which included the LNG tanks, was pulled by a tugboat to Turku, Finland. This was a big step in putting the ship together. The keel, which is like the backbone of the ship, was laid in April 2022.
Growing Bigger
In May 2022, Royal Caribbean confirmed that the Icon of the Seas would be even bigger than their famous Oasis class ships. This meant it would be one of the largest ships ever built!
Sea Trials and Delivery
On June 19, 2023, the Icon of the Seas went out for its first sea trials. This is like a test drive on the ocean to make sure everything works perfectly. It returned to the Meyer Turku shipyard on June 22 for some final adjustments. Workers also finished decorating and furnishing the inside of the ship.
The ship was officially given to Royal Caribbean on November 27, 2023. This was just two months before its first official trip from Miami in January 2024.
Final Preparations and First Voyage
On December 1, 2023, the Icon of the Seas sailed under the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark. It then docked at a shipyard in Spain for some last-minute work.
The ship left Spain on December 23, 2023, heading for Puerto Rico. On January 10, 2024, it arrived at its home port, PortMiami. A special naming ceremony was held on January 23, where famous footballer Lionel Messi officially christened the ship. The Icon of the Seas began its first official trip, called its maiden voyage, on January 27 from PortMiami.
Ship Design and Features
Powering the Ship
The Icon of the Seas can be powered by liquified natural gas (LNG). This ship has six special Wärtsilä engines that can use both LNG and another type of fuel. Royal Caribbean sees LNG as a "transitional fuel." This means it helps them build ships that are more flexible with their energy sources. They are also looking into other energy options like biofuels and methanol. The Icon of the Seas is the first Royal Caribbean ship to use this kind of technology.
Size and Capacity
This massive ship has a crew of 2,350 people who work to make sure everyone has a great time. It can carry 5,610 passengers when two people are in each room. At its fullest, it can hold up to 7,600 passengers!
The Icon of the Seas has 20 decks, which are like floors, and features seven swimming pools and six exciting water slides. Royal Caribbean says the ship has the tallest waterfall, the tallest water slide, and the biggest waterpark of any cruise ship in the world.
Amazing Areas Onboard
A team of talented architects and designers helped create the Icon of the Seas. They came up with many new and exciting areas for guests to enjoy:
- Aquadome: This is a special place under a glass dome at the top of the ship. It's used for diving shows and other performances.
- The Pearl: You'll see this unique structure on the Royal Promenade. It's designed to be a cool, changing art display.
- Absolute Zero: Get ready to skate! This is an ice skating rink that also hosts fun entertainment.
- Surfside: A perfect neighborhood designed especially for families.
- The Hideaway: This is a beach club with the first infinity pool on any ship that seems to hang in the air!
- Thrill Island: The largest waterpark at sea, featuring six different water slides for endless fun.
- Swim & Tonic: The biggest swim-up bar at sea, where you can enjoy a drink while staying in the pool.
See also
In Spanish: Icon of the Seas para niños
