Royal Caribbean’s floating city has been filmed in open water for the first time as she undergoes sea trials ahead of her January 2024 launch.
Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, sailed hundreds of miles on the open sea before returning to the Mayer Turku Shipyard in Turku, Finland, where she is currently under construction.
Incredible video footage shows the massive vessel, which is 1,198 feet (365 m) long and weighs 250,800 gross tons, gliding through the water, dwarfing the tug boats employed to maneuver her.
The camera also pans around the multicolored slides on the upper deck of the ship These are among some of the standout features on board, which will include the first suspended infinity pool at sea and a three-story family suite.
A third scene shows a close-up of the ship’s livery, while other clips show workers inspecting key technical areas of the ship.
Royal Caribbean’s floating city – an icon of the sea – has been filmed in open water for the first time as she undergoes sea trials ahead of her January 2024 launch.
Icon of the Sea sailed several hundred miles before returning to the Mayer Turku shipyard in Finland, where she is under construction.
Incredible video footage revolves around multi-colored slides on the ship’s upper deck, which are among some of the standout features on board.
Icon of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship, taking the title from another Royal Caribbean ship – Wonder of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean revealed that the sea trials involved more than 2,000 experts, four 37- to 67-tonne tugboats and more than 350 hours of work.
It noted that during the trials, preliminary tests were carried out on everything from the main engine and hull to the ship’s brake system, steering and noise levels.
However, it said Icon of the Seas – which has a capacity of 7,600 guests – had passed its first sea trial ‘with flying colours’, with its second sea trial due later this year.
The latest construction update for the ship is that the ‘crew quarters’ are being built. A space spread over four decks, it is designed as a ‘home away from home’ for the 2,350 crew members on board.
The video shows the massive ship, which is 1,198 feet (365 m) long and weighs 250,800 gross tons, rolling through the water.
Royal Caribbean revealed that the sea trials involved more than 2,000 experts, four 37- to 67-tonne tugboats and more than 350 hours of work.
Royal Caribbean says Icon of the Seas passed her first sea trials ‘with flying colors’
Spanning four decks, the ‘Crew Neighborhood’ is currently under construction. It is designed as a ‘home away from home’ for the 2,350 crew members on board
Icon of the Seas takes the title of world’s largest cruise ship from another Royal Caribbean ship, Wonder of the Seas, which is slightly smaller at 1,187 feet (362 m) long and 236,857 gross tons.
The ship’s three-story family suite comes complete with its own white picket fence and mailbox. Other room options for guests include the ‘Surfside Family Suite’, ‘Secluded from Adults’ for kids, ‘Sunset Corner Suite’ and ‘Panoramic Ocean View’ quarters.
Once they leave the bed, guests will find so many water features that they may have trouble distinguishing the boat from the sea.
The video shows workers checking key technical areas of the ship. Basic tests were done on everything from the original engine to the brake system
The ship is making its debut in Miami and will sail seven-night Caribbean voyages throughout 2024
Royal Caribbean footage shows workers measuring noise and vibrations during sea trials
A unique feature of the ship is a three-story family suite that comes complete with its own white picket fence and mailbox.
For starters, Icon of the Seas will feature the largest waterpark at sea – dubbed ‘Category 6’ – featuring six ‘record-breaking’ slides: the ‘Pressure Drop’ and its 66-degree incline – ‘the industry’s first open free-fall slide’. ; 46ft- (14m) tall ‘Terrible Bolt’, longest drop slide at sea; ‘Storm Surge’ and ‘Hurricane Hunter’, the first family raft slides at sea – and ‘Storm Chasers’, which Royal Caribbean claims is ‘cruising’s first mat-racing duo’.
The waterpark will be at Thrill Island, which Royal Caribbean has touted as a ‘lost island adventure where vacationers can test their limits and scale new heights’.
Icon of the Seas will debut the line’s first swim-up bar at sea – called ‘Swim & Tonic’ – and the ‘Royal Bay Pool’, the ‘largest pool at sea’. Both these features will be present in ‘Chill Island’.
Icon of the Seas will feature the largest waterpark at sea – dubbed ‘Category 6’ – with six ‘record-breaking’ slides, as shown in this rendering
A suspended infinity pool will be located in an area called The Hideaway – shown in the rendering above – and will be surrounded by a multi-level sun terrace with a whirlpool.
This rendering shows the ‘Aquadome’, where guests can enjoy a drink while soaking up the ocean views and watching an ‘amazing waterfall’
Upstairs there is a Sky Junior Suite on board. Other room options include the ‘Surfside Family Suite’, with ‘Secluded from Adults’ and ‘Panoramic Ocean View’ quarters for kids.
Tickets for Icon of the Seas’ cruise are on sale now
The suspended infinity pool, meanwhile, will be in an area called The Hideaway and will be surrounded by a multilevel sun terrace with a whirlpool.
Once guests dry off they’re sure to be tempted by the ‘Aquadome’, ‘a transformative space unlike any other’ located on the top of the ship.
Royal Caribbean describes it as ‘an oasis of calm by day’, where guests can enjoy a bite or drink while soaking up ocean views and watching an ‘awe-inspiring waterfall’.
By night, we’re told, the venue transforms into ‘a lively place that’s great for a night out, complete with restaurant, bar and aqua show’.
Icon of the Seas is bound to be popular but there has been some negative reaction to its design on Twitter – for example, user ‘dluque’ labeled the ship a ‘monster’.
The ship is making its debut in Miami and will sail seven-night Caribbean voyages throughout 2024. Tickets for its cruise are on sale now – visit royalcaribbean.com.
Sea icon by number
20 decks
1,198 ft (365 m) tall
2,350 crew
7 pools
9 vortex
6 waterslides
Capacity of 7,600 guests
250,000 GT
2,805 staterooms