by Whether you love cruising or the piece itself, you can’t fail to be impressed by Icon of the Seas, the new Royal Caribbean International ship set to steal the title of the world’s largest cruise ship from the Wonder of the Seas (also owned by Royal Caribbean), when it sets sail next month.
Longer than three football fields and 20 decks high (the equivalent of an 18-storey building), Icon, perhaps more aptly named the Leviathan of the Seas, is an impressive 250,800 GT and holds up to 9,950 passengers and crew In comparison, her sister ship Wonder has only 235,600 GT and she has 9,288.
With seven pools, six water slides, a waterfall, an ice rink, a FlowRider surf park, thousands of cabanas and more than 40 places to eat, drink and relax, it’s hard to believe Icon will even float. But it does. That was proven when it was launched during its first sea trials in June.
After being delivered to Royal Caribbean in late November, Icon was taken out of the shipyard before it froze over and is making a pitstop in Cadiz, Spain, so real bushes can be planted (it’s too cold to do so in Finland) ahead of. crossing the Atlantic to the ship’s new home in Miami.
With its first passengers due to board in January 2024, a lot of time, energy and engineering know-how has gone into making a behemoth like this safe – and safe. Here are some of the key things you need to know to put your mind at ease.
How do they build the biggest ship in the world?
Ships are built according to a formula based on length and width, which provides support and stability between them. “It was an exciting goal in the early days,” says consultant naval architect Dr Stephen Payne, who designed Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. “But now, with computers, it’s much easier. You put in the details, press a button and it’s done.”
Once the structure is set, the engineers have to calculate the weight of what is needed on board and where it should go – maintaining the center of gravity is key. Absolutely everything is weighed: the hull and structure, machinery, fuel, cabins, carpets, curtain rails, tables, chairs, crockery and cutlery.
“It can take months to go through the calculations,” says Payne. “Then you add a little bit for errands and for passengers and baggage, and based on that, you decide what you can put on board. That’s always where marine engineers and naval architects fail.”
What is a sea trial?
According to Payne, the trials are the fun part. During this exercise, the captain makes emergency stops, handbrake turns and zigzags across the ocean to see how the ship handles.
When she was commissioned in June, Icon was brought back to the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland for the interior to be completed. In late October and early November, the ship was out at sea again, and the engines, steering and noise/vibration were tested.
What happens if there is an emergency?
After the 2012 Costa Concordia disaster, it’s no surprise that safety is often mentioned as a concern in the same breath as Icon of the Seas. But working out how to evacuate close to 10,000 people in an emergency in the middle of the ocean, possibly in the dark, is a central part of the design process.
Computers run lots of simulations, calculating how long it will take to get everyone off the ship, taking into account the elevators being out of order (they’re off-limits anyway in an emergency in the event of a power cut) and who as large as stairs and lobby. the areas must be there to move large numbers of people at the same time.
Under SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations, all passengers must take part in an assembly drill before their ship sails. On Royal Caribbean, they watch a safety video that explains emergency procedures, including how to don a life jacket, and then visit their assembly station, where crew go, all trained in what to do in case of emergency, through procedures.
Of course, evacuation is not necessary in all emergency situations. If there is a fire in a cabin or cabin, for example, the captain will probably want to gather everyone and account for it while it is out.
If the worst happens and the captain decides to abandon ship, Royal Caribbean has 18 lifeboats and plenty of other rescue evacuation craft on board – they guarantee that’s enough to get all passengers and crew to safety.
It’s not something to lose
Icon of the Seas has a large gym, but by the time you walk the length of the ship several times a day – it could take five minutes or more each way if your cabin is at one end and you’re going to the another – and I climbed up and down 20 decks because you can’t be bothered waiting for an elevator, who need a workout?
The good news is that it’s pretty easy to find your way around Icon. Take your bearings from leafy Central Park, a central area with real trees and shrubs, and lively Thrill Island, with water slides and a ropes course at the back. And if you happen upon a waterfall, you’ve found the AquaDome.
If you get lost, just tap your destination into one of the touchscreen panels next to the elevators and voilà, your way will be shown.
How long will it take to quit (and get back)?
On the day of boarding, passengers board through two slits that open into the atrium. On port days, when everyone is disembarking, up to four banks will be in use.
Between them, Payne estimates, they will be able to scan 60 passengers per minute (or 120 if they operate two checkpoints). Will there be queues? “It’s probably inevitable at peak times,” he admits.
Will it be crowded?
Computer simulations are used to work out passenger flows in public places, and the size and frequency of lifts needed to move people around. Payne compares it to the way airports have had to ramp up boarding procedures to accommodate the A380 aircraft.
But don’t let the numbers fool you, says David Selby, managing director of Travelyields, a specialist port consultancy. On any ship you can always find a quiet space.
How do they feed so many people?
As for food, Icon of the Seas has a main bar where many of the dishes are prepared, and some smaller ones as well. With more than 20 places to eat to choose from, no one will go hungry, but it is highly recommended to book your favorite restaurants early and avoid self-service at peak times.
Does a ship of this size lie in port?
Icon is a floating city, on sea, packed with more restaurants and activities than most resort hotels – and probably most UK cities. In fact, it’s so full of things to do that some people just won’t give up.
However, that is not for everyone. Icon will be sailing from Miami in January and island hopping around ports in St Maarten, Mexico, St Thomas, St Kitts and Honduras in the Caribbean. All these allow disembarking.
The ship will also visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas. By sticking to Caribbean waters, Icon will avoid having to try to reach some of the world’s least accessible ports.
How to do it
A seven-night Western Caribbean cruise and a Perfect Day on board Icon of the Seas costs from £1,609pp; departing February 2024.
