Royal Caribbean welcomes Icon of the Seas

After 900 days of construction, Royal Caribbean International has welcomed the Icon of the Seas to its fleet, just two months before its January 2024 debut.

In attendance at the celebration were more than 1,200 crew members and workers, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley, and Meyer Turku CEO Tim Meyer.

Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, said: “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.”

Liberty continued: “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. The memories millions of families and vacationers will make on Icon will be our greatest accomplishment yet.”

The transfer of ownership, commonly known as the delivery of a new ship, between Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku also commemorated the series of never-before-seen feats accomplished during more than two years of 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, six record-breaking waterslides and more.

Now is when Icon will sail from Turku to Cadiz, Spain, where the cruise line will start to put the finishing touches on the world’s best vacation before it heads to Miami. Starting Wednesday, Nov. 29, adventurers can follow Icon’s journey by visiting Royal Caribbean’s website.

Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International, said that: “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.”

Bayley said that: “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.”

Whether “family vacation” means getting away as a family, couple or friends, Icon’s all-encompassing lineup features firsts and next-level favourites for everyone to make memories their way every day across eight neighborhoods. There are adrenaline-pumping thrills, unrivaled ways to chill, more than 40 ways to dine and drink, cutting-edge entertainment across the cruise line’s four signature stages – air, ice, water and theater – and more. And with 28 different ways to stay, including the new three-level Ultimate Family Townhouse, even the rooms are thoughtfully designed for every type of vacationer.

The ship features five brand-new neighbourhoods and three reimagined favorites are destinations in themselves filled with a variety of experiences, live entertainment, restaurants and bars.

For more, sail on over to www.RoyalCaribbean.com/Icon.

PHOTO Caption & Credit

The Icon of the Seas now makes its way to Cadiz, Spain, where it will receive its finishing touches before heading to its year-round home in Miami. Credit: sbw-photo