Royal Caribbean introduces Icon of the Seas… the largest and most elaborate cruise ship ever

The first-of-its kind cruise ship is a holiday in itself with dozens of activities on board to keep guests entertained, including a rock-climbing wall, a theatre, a mini golf course and even the largest water park at sea.

Royal Caribbean International is well-known for its huge cruise ships and Icon of the Seas boasts eight ‘neighbourhoods’ with thrills promised from six record-breaking waterslides and the Crown’s Edge experience, which is 154 feet above the ocean. There is also a different pool for every day of the week including the first suspended infinity pool at sea.

The game-changing experiences also include a stay-all-day neighbourhood designed for families with young children, more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges, a variety of shows in its theatre and more.

World football star Lionel Messi was even named as the ship’s icon and officially named the vessel in a glittering ceremony in Miami on 25th January.

The ship holds nearly 10,000 people, with over 7,000 spaces available for those who want to sail the world in ultimate style. 

It cost a whopping €1.65 billion to build the ship and reportedly took 900 days to construct. It weighs in at just under 250,000 tonnes and measures around 365 metres in length. 

Some of the ship’s other highlights

Perched at the top of the ship is the AquaDome, a large glass-panelled atrium. By day, passengers can kick back and enjoy a bite to eat or a drink with wrap-around ocean views and a 55-foot-tall water feature

At night, guests can enjoy new restaurants and bars like AquaDome Market – Royal Caribbean’s first food hall – and the Rye & Bean coffee bar, as well as the cruise line’s marquee aqua shows at the next-level AquaTheater.

When it comes to accommodation, your eyes will water. The ship has the first-ever Ultimate Family Townhouse described as an adventure-filled pad with three levels, a cinema room, private patio and of course its own slide to get down to the ground floor, what else?

Currently sailing from Miami, Florida, Icon of the Seas has a number of Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries featuring stops at the likes of Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. 

It makes up ship number 17 to the Royal Caribbean fleet with two more - Utopia of the Seas and Star of the Seas, due to join over the next year or so.