There’s a new star in South Florida.
Royal Caribbean International’s highly anticipated Icon of the Seas took centre stage as it arrived in Miami for the first time on 10JAN. The mega-ship, welcomed with fanfare by air, land and sea, ahead of its official debut on 27JAN.
Local residents and Royal Caribbean fans, employees and top executives and employees were on hand to watch Icon arrive in town, with celebratory fireboat salutes, banner planes in flight and a community celebration at Pérez Art Museum.
Not only is Icon the latest ship to claim the title of “biggest cruise ship in the world,” but’s she’s also promising to offer more experiences for cruisers than ever before, local10news.com Florida reports.
At an impressive length of 365 meters (1198 feet) and weighing in at 250,800 gross tons, Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship ever constructed, cruisehive.com reports. “In fact, the vessel approaches some of the largest ships ever constructed.”
This colossal structure has 20 decks, 2,805 staterooms, and can accommodate up to 5,610 guests along with a 2,350-member international crew.
The ship features eight neighborhoods, including Central Park, Chill Island, Royal Promenade and Surfside. There also are a record-breaking six waterslides at the Category 6 Water Park, plus nine whirlpools, seven swimming pools and what’s said to be the first suspended infinity pool at sea.
There are more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges.
Starting 27JAN, vacationers can get away on Icon and island hop in the tropics, visiting such destination as Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Coming this year to Perfect Day at CocoCay is the private island’s first adults-only escape, 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.
