Imagine a gigantic cruise ship, five times larger than the Titanic, ready to sail the seas. Actually, no. Don't imagine it: in a month and a half you will be able to see it live. She is the Icon of the Seas, the latest mastodon of the Royal Caribbean company: simply the largest cruise ship in the world.
The "monster" expected to depart on January 27, 2024, however, surpasses a predecessor of the same family, the "Wonder of the Seas", currently (and for a short while) holder of the title of the largest cruise ship in the world.
Before continuing with the article, a premise that I care about. You know our position on these giants: great and very interesting engineering challenges. Valid laboratories for testing solutions of all kinds, including those linked to sustainability. In reality, however, they are polluting: less than airplanes, on paper, but with engines always running and harmful emissions galore. Not to mention the problems (between noise and waste) for the ecosystem. So, in summary: fascinated, curious and hopeful to see substantial improvements, but on an ecological level we are critical, especially when we notice such a casual use of the word "sustainability". And this Icon of the Seas is no exception.
A floating city
250.800 tons, 18 passenger decks, 7 swimming pools, over 40 restaurants and bars: Icon of the Seas is a real floating city capable of hosting 5.610 passengers offering them an enormous variety of experiences, entertainment and gastronomic options.
The ship is distinguished by its eight “neighborhoods” on board, each offering unique experiences. Among the attractions stands out “Thrill Island”, the largest water park ever built on a cruise ship, boasting the first free-fall slide at sea and a drop slide, the tallest in the industry.
Other neighborhoods include “Chill Island,” with ocean-view pools and a frozen cocktail bar, and “The Hideaway”, which hosts the first infinity pool suspended in the sea.
A gas-powered ship?
Icon of the Seas will be the company's first cruise ship to use fuel cell technology, powered by liquefied natural gas: it is the most sustainable ever built, Royal Caribbean says. Michael Bayley, president and CEO of the company, describes it as “the culmination of more than 50 years of memorable experiences and a bold commitment to those who love to travel.”
There is no doubt about it: Icon of the Seas truly looks like a masterpiece of naval engineering, and promises to become (beyond the voyage) a destination in itself, redefining the experience of travel at sea.
For conscious travelers who want to enjoy the wonders of the world without damaging it and ask us what we think: perhaps it's best to take a look to this other trend.
