Icon of the Seas departs on sea trials ahead of delivery in late 2023

The world’s largest cruise ship Icon of the Seas has departed the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland for the North Sea, where she’ll carry out her sea trials ahead of an expected delivery in October, 2023.

Icon of the Seas will be put through various shipyard, cruise line and manufacturer tests and performance baselines before returning to the shipyard for final fit out and finishing, and at least one more anticipated sea trial.

At 250,800 gross tonnes, Icon of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship in the world when she departs on her maiden voyage in January, 2024.

“We are once again very happy that we get to celebrate yet another significant achievement, as Icon leaves the outfitting pier for the first time, and continues her journey through the Turku archipelago towards the sea,” said the shipyard in a statement.

“The sea trial will involve testing of Icon’s systems and features that can’t be tested while docked,” the statement added. “Thank you to everyone involved in the Icon project! Icon’s seaworthiness is the result of the combined expertise of Meyer’s top professionals from many different fields.”

Icon of the Seas will be able to accommodate 5,610-passengers and will feature an on-board theme park, waterpark, 40 restaurants and bars, seven pools, and five new distinct ‘neighbourhoods’.

The ship features eight distinct neighbourhoods, with three of the most popular aboard the Oasis-class having been carried over. These include Central Park, the Royal Promenade and the Suite Neighbourhood, Royal Caribbean’s ship-within-a-ship luxury enclave.

Aboard Icon of the Seas, however, everything is bigger. Central Park has 20% more trees, including a 5-deck high living garden wall, while the Royal Promenade will boast 15 restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges, and floor-to-ceiling windows for the first time.

The Suite Neighbourhood is the largest luxury enclave on any cruise ship. Across its four decks there are a dozen suite categories, as well as a multilevel suite sun deck – The Grove – that has a private pool, whirlpool and dining, and a two-story Coastal Kitchen.

Across the ship there are more than 40 dining venues, bars and cafes, while facilities iconic to the Oasis-class, such as the Amphitheatre and Royal Caribbean’s marquee aqua shows have been moved to a new location at the top of the ship, giving her that distinctive dome at the front-end of the superstructure.

More sea trials are expected to follow over the summer and into the fall prior to the ship’s fourth quarter delivery to Royal Caribbean and inaugural seven-night Eastern Caribbean and Perfect Day at CocoCay sailing on January 27th, 2024.