The unveiling of the 'Icon of the Seas', the world's largest cruise ship that will set sail in January, has sparked a debate among critics who compare its grandeur to the maiden voyage of the ill-fated Titanic. The Royal Caribbean International's Icon of the Seas has been dubbed a "monstrosity" by online critics due to its astonishing interior volume of 250,800 gigatonnes (GT), which is five times larger than the Titanic's 46,328 GT. These critics argue that the ship's lavish design does not always translate into a better cruising experience.
Social media platforms have been flooded with negative reactions to the ship's unveiling. One Twitter user responded to a photo of the cruise ship, commenting, "As visions of hell go, that's pretty much the most hellish," while another expressed, "I'm sorry, but this is a nightmare." A sense of dread seems to be a common sentiment among those who have seen images of the colossal vessel.
The Icon of the Seas boasts an impressive 20 decks, numerous restaurants, and catering services capable of accommodating 7,600 passengers, along with a sprawling waterpark. However, concerns have arisen regarding the ship's safety in light of recent reports of orcas targeting vessels, prompting one individual to inquire about the marine creatures' perspective on the matter.
Despite the ship's critics, Royal Caribbean International views this venture as a groundbreaking development in the world of travel. Michael Bayley, the president and CEO of the company, expressed his excitement in a statement, describing the Icon of the Seas as "the ultimate family vacation" and praising the immense effort invested in its creation.
Despite initial reservations, the new cruise ship has already garnered significant popularity. Royal Caribbean International celebrated its "single largest booking day" in its 53-year history when bookings for the Icon of the Seas opened in October 2022.
Packed with an array of features, the ship boasts seven pools, nine whirlpools, and the largest water park ever to grace the open seas. The water park, named Category 6 due to its record-breaking six slides, includes the tallest waterslide ever installed on a ship. It also introduces the first open free-fall waterslide of its kind in the cruise industry.
Tickets for the Icon of the Seas start at $1,851 for an inside room on a seven-night trip from Miami to the western Caribbean in September 2024, while the most luxurious suite on the same voyage in March can cost as much as $10,864. The ship also offers a seven-day cruise to the easternmost tip of the Caribbean.
According to a company statement released on June 22, the vessel successfully completed its initial series of testing. The statement highlighted that the Icon of the Seas traveled hundreds of miles during the sea trials, with rigorous evaluations conducted on the main engines, hull, brake systems, steering, noise, and vibration levels. Despite a slight delay in departure due to wind conditions, all tests were completed as scheduled.