Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship ever built, has been delivered to Royal Caribbean International by the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland.

Royal Caribbean accepted delivery of its new flagship in a ceremony at the shipyard, which marked the end of more than 900 days of design and construction by thousands of shipyard workers, contractors and experts across entertainment, hospitality, dining and engineering.

More than 1,200 crew members and workers were joined by Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley and Meyer Turku CEO Tim Meyer for the delivery ceremony.

Icon of the Seas is due to make her official debut in Miami in January next year, sailing 7-night roundtrip cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

“Today, we are celebrating more than a new ship; it’s also the celebration of the culmination of more than 50 years of innovation and dreaming at Royal Caribbean to create the ultimate vacation experience,” said Jason Liberty, President & CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, the parent company of Royal Caribbean International.

“Delivering Icon of the Seas represents all that can be accomplished with strong partnerships and a commitment to delivering memorable vacations responsibly, and we thank Meyer Turku and an incredible village of skilled partners for joining us on this journey,” he added. 

During the construction of the Icon of the Seas, Meyer Turku accomplished a range of firsts in naval design and construction, from the installation of the AquaDome, the single largest glass and steel structure to be lifted onto a cruise ship, to engineering more water on board than ever before across seven pools, and a six-slide waterpark.

Icon of the Seas features an entertainment and amenities line-up that includes Royal Caribbean firsts as well as favourites from the Oasis and Quantum class, across eight neighbourhoods. 

There are more than 40 bars, cafes and restaurants, cutting-edge entertainment across the cruise line’s four signature stages – air, ice, water and theatre – and 28 different cabin categories, including the new three-level Ultimate Family Townhouse.

Icon of the Seas’ Eight Neighbourhoods:

Thrill Island – Thrill Island is home to Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea, with six record-breaking slides; Crown’s Edge, part skywalk, part ropes course and part thrill ride on which adventurers swing 154 feet above the ocean; the FlowRider simulator; the Lost Dunes minigolf course and more. The area also features new spots to grab laidback bites or sweet treats: Basecamp and Desserted for over-the-top milkshakes.

Chill Island – Four of the seven pools on Icon are in this three-deck neighbourhood, each with a unique atmosphere and prime ocean views: the lively Swim & Tonic, the cruise line’s first swim-up bar at sea; Royal Bay,the largest pool at sea; Cloud 17, an adults-only retreat; and the serene, infinity-edge Cove Pool. 

With different music from live bands and DJs, and poolside spots for drinks and quick, casual food – like The Lime & Coconut and its new frozen cocktail bar, and El Loco Fresh & Cantina Fresca – vacationers can chill day and night.

Surfside – The first neighbourhood made for young families, Surfside features the new Water’s Edge pool for grownups, the nearby Baby Bay and the Splashaway Bay aquapark for kids, as well as new, dedicated dining options such as the Surfside Eatery buffet, Pier 7 for all-day brunch and the convenient Surfside Bites. There’s also the Lemon Post, a brand-new bar that features kids and adults’ menus.

AquaDome – A tranquil oasis by day and party hot spot at night, this new neighbourhood is filled with wraparound ocean views, new and returning restaurants and bars, a 55-foot-tall water curtain, and the next-level AquaTheater that debuts the first cast of robots, skateboarders, divers and more. 

From Royal Caribbean’s first food hall, AquaDome Market, and Rye & Bean – a new bar for lattes and coffee-infused cocktails – to the new Overlook bar and pods, and the cruise line’s marquee aqua shows, it’s sure to be a favourite spot onboard for passengers.

The Hideaway – Sitting 135 feet above the ocean The Hideaway is a new neighbourhood that combines beach club scenes from around the world. It features the first suspended infinity pool at sea with 180-degree ocean views that make it the perfect place to watch sunsets from the point of view only a cruise can offer as vacationers enjoy the dedicated DJ and bar.

Royal Promenade – The social heart of Icon of the Seas features more than 15 restaurants, bars and lounges, including Dueling Pianos, Royal Caribbean’s first duelling pianos bar; the new 1400 Lobby Bar, inspired by the history of shipbuilding, with an ocean-facing terrace that opens the reimagined neighbourhood to the outdoors for the first time; and favourites with a twist like Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Starbucks and more. The Promenade also debuts floor-to-ceiling ocean views, an engineering feat made possible by The Pearl, the world’s largest kinetic art sculpture.

Central Park – The largest park at sea has been reimagined with more ways to dine, drink and be entertained. Thousands of real plants line new experiences and favourites with a twist, such as the popular Izumi, with a new location and a walk-up window; and American steakhouse Chops Grille. 

Making their debut are spots like Empire Supper Club, an extravagant dining experience that pairs eight courses with wine, cocktails and music; and Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues, for live performances of soulful jazz, jazzy pop music and more.

Suite Neighborhood – Spanning four decks, Royal Caribbean’s most expansive Suite Neighbourhood features larger suites, the new Grove Suite Sun Deck, complete with a private pool, whirlpool and dedicated Mediterranean dining; and a now two-level Coastal Kitchen with views of the AquaDome and the ocean.

Icon of the Seas Environmental Credentials

Icon of the Seas is also the cruise line’s first ship that can be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a transitional fuel that is part of the cruise industry’s efforts to curb carbon emissions. 

The ship’s dual-fuel engines will work alongside a line-up of energy efficiency initiatives and industry-leading environmental programs on board, like the first waste-to-energy plant at sea. The ship is also 24% more percent more energy efficient than the standards required for ships being designed today by the IMO, a reflection of Royal Caribbean Group’s ambition of introducing a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.

“Welcoming Icon of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family is a remarkable accomplishment years in the making for thousands of innovators, engineers, architects and designers,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. 

“Seven years ago, we had an ambitious idea to create the first vacation truly made for every type of family and adventurer; now, it’s in our hands, and in this final stretch, we’ll bring it all to life for the biggest debut in our history in January 2024,” he added.

Icon of the Seas will now sail from Turku to Cadiz, Spain, where the cruise line will start to put the finishing touches to the ship before it heads to Miami. 

Icon of the Seas’ week-long roundtrip cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Miami will not only include destinations across the Caribbean, but will also feature a full day at Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. 

Perfect Day at CocoCay is also getting its first adults-only escape in January, Hideaway Beach, an all-day experience complete with a private beach and pools, new dedicated spots for drinks and bites, exclusive cabanas, live music and more.