Icon of the Seas, world's largest cruise ship, set to make its debut

Once again, despite my hard work and perseverance, I have been disallowed from the true American elite. I could not understand English well enough then to catch the nuances of that seafaring program, but I knew that there were differences in the status of the passengers, and that sometimes those differences made them sad. Still, this ship, this plenty—every few steps, there are complimentary nachos or milkshakes or gyros on offer—was the fatty fuel of my childhood dreams.

Specialty restaurants

There also will be a central interior promenade with entertainment, shops and bars. MSC World Europa will be 21 decks high — three decks higher than the Oasis Class ships. But it'll be less long and less wide than the Oasis Class ships, leaving it about 10% smaller in overall size. The club also will house Rapunzel's Art Studio, Belle's Library and Anna and Elsa's Sommerhus where there will be a variety of mini-games with Olaf serving as the host.

ALLURE OF THE SEAS

It’s been a long journey to get the Wonder ready for its big debut. According to Cruisehive.com, the Royal Caribbean Group first ordered the ship in 2016 with a sailing deadline of 2021. However, the COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench in that plan, and delivery was delayed until this year.

Ultimate Abyss/Flowrider*

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The vessel is the first of two new orders from STX France to expand the large class ships to four. On November 27, 2023, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas was officially delivered from the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland to Royal Caribbean. This means that the cruise line takes over responsibility for the giant ship, and the vessel officially becomes a part of the fleet. It now means that Icon of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship, overtaking Wonder of the Seas, which is also operated by the same cruise line. On this Princess ship, you’ll easily find space to turn to mush (or completely veg out) when looking at the sea. The 3,560-passenger Enchanted Princess has 10 hot tubs, more than on any other Princess ship.

“When you step back and look at all the energy and time that has gone into creating this ship, it is mind-blowing,” he added.

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"We have purposely designed the ship to give more space for people," he said. "We believe, even at 7,500 guests, it won't feel to you like your entire hometown has joined the ship," said Schneider. Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Chief Product Innovation Officer, says the cruise ship is more than just its amenities.

Costa Toscana is the second Excel class vessel built for Carnival-owned Costa Cruises. The LNG-powered cruise ship is the flagship of the fleet and was constructed at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. She’s almost identical to the Costa Smeralda, including gross tonnage and size.

This is the World’s Biggest Weekend — arriving in summer 2024 to Port Canaveral. Another reason that Ritz-Carlton lovers are excited -- Evrima is part of the Marriott Bonvoy program, and members will be able to redeem points for the ship’s first sailings in October 2022. The Ritz-Carlton yacht will spend its first season in the Mediterranean before heading the Caribbean. The Bolt roller coaster aboard sister-ship Mardi Gras is one of the line's biggest hits, and Carnival Celebration will also feature Bolt, the line's popular roller coaster at sea. Carnival's new neighborhood concept will also be continued aboard Carnival Celebration, although word is that it will be different from the French Quarter aboard Mardi Gras.

At long last, the world’s largest cruise ship is set to embark on its maiden voyage. The previous world’s largest cruise ship was also a Royal Caribbean vessel, Wonder of the Seas, which spanned 1,188 feet long and featured 18 decks. MSC World Europa is the second largest cruise ship powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and takes the cruise line into a new era of sustainability, which it’s taking very seriously. The 7th world’s biggest cruise ship features more than 30 different dining venues and a new thrilling 250-foot Drop slide located aft of the ship. Wonder of the Seas, the fifth Oasis-class vessel, took the world’s largest cruise ship title from her sister Symphony of the Seas in 2022. However, since the arrival of the much-anticipated new-class Icon of the Seas, the vessel has now lost that crown.

This mall is the one that’s called Central Park, perhaps in homage to the Olmsted-designed bit of greenery in the middle of my hometown. Although on land I would be delighted to own a suite with Central Park views, here I am deeply depressed. To sail on a ship and not wake up to a vast blue carpet of ocean? The aforementioned gangway opens up directly onto a thriving mall (I will soon learn it is imperiously called the “Royal Promenade”), presently filled with yapping passengers beneath a ceiling studded with balloons ready to drop.

"Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of dreaming, innovating and living our mission – to deliver the world's best vacation experiences responsibly," Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty said earlier this week. "She is the ultimate multigenerational family vacation, forever changing the status quo in family travel and fulfilling vacation dreams for all ages on board." Tomorrow, I will spend more time with him, but first the ship docks at St. Thomas, in the U.S. Charlotte Amalie, the capital, is more charming in name than in presence, but I still all but jump off the ship to score a juicy oxtail and plantains at the well-known Petite Pump Room, overlooking the harbor. From one of the highest points in the small city, the Icon of the Seas appears bigger than the surrounding hills. I have talked with these women for so long, tonight I promise myself that after a sad solitary dinner I will not try to seek out company at the bars in the mall or the adult-themed Hideaway.

I usually tan very evenly, but something about the discombobulation of life at sea makes me forget the regular application of sunscreen. As I walk down the streets of Charlotte Amalie in my fluorescent Icon of the Seas cap, an old Rastafarian stares me down. As a coddled passenger with a suite, I feel like I am starting to understand what it means to have a rank and be constantly reminded of it. There are many espresso makers, I think as I look across the expanse of my officer-grade quarters before closing my eyes, but this one is mine. Royal Caribbean plans for Icon of the Seas to sail all year, so prices vary; but some start at about $1,700 per person. For more details about Icon of the Seas, visit the Royal Caribbean website.

In addition to the new stateroom designs, Royal Caribbean built Icon to cater to families, meaning that more than 82% of all cabins will accommodate three or more passengers. Plus, more than 70% of all staterooms onboard will feature balconies. Nearly every sailing will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas. The May 5, 2025 cruise will sail to Labadee, Haiti instead of CocoCay. Icon of the Seas will offer 7-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Miami, Florida.