Inside the world's largest cruise ship as big as four city blocks

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The ship in the Port of Miami (Image: Michel Verdure)
The ship in the Port of Miami (Image: Michel Verdure)

The world’s largest cruise ships, with 20 decks and the size of almost four city blocks, has set sail on its maiden voyage from the Port of Miami.

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas runs nearly 1,200 feet (365 metres) from bow to stern. It can carry up to 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew. It also has seven swimming pools, an ice rink, a theatre and more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges.

The ship, which left South Florida for its first seven-day island-hopping voyage through the tropics, was officially christened Tuesday with help from soccer legend Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates.

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Inside the world's largest cruise ship as big as four city blocks qhiqqkiqrhituinvThe massive Icon of the Seas sets sail from Miami (Anadolu via Getty Images)

“Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of dreaming, innovating and living our mission – to deliver the world’s best vacation experiences responsibly,” Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty said earlier this week. “She is the ultimate multigenerational family vacation, forever changing the status quo in family travel and fulfilling vacation dreams for all ages on board.”

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Inside the world's largest cruise ship as big as four city blocksIt even has its own Central Park (sbw-photo)

The ship sets sail as Royal Caribbean’s cruises are having a moment online. Since December, the company’s 9-month “Ultimate World Cruise” has captivated — and confused — a following of avid watchers on social media.

Millions are following the journey through the eyes of the passengers, as they live and post their lives aboard a vessel they’ll be on for nearly a year. If it sounds like a reality show, that’s exactly what some watchers have turned it into.

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Inside the world's largest cruise ship as big as four city blocksPassengers on Royal Caribbean's "Icon of the Seas" wave to people in South Pointe Park, Miami (Anadolu via Getty Images)

When the Icon of the Seas was first revealed in October 2022, the ship spurred the single largest booking day and the highest volume booking week in Royal Caribbean’s then 53-year history, according to the cruise line.

The Icon of the Seas is divided into eight neighbourhoods across 20 decks. The ship includes six waterslides, seven swimming pools, an ice skating rink, a theatre and more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges. The ship can carry up to 7,600 passengers at maximum capacity, along with 2,350 crew members.

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Inside the world's largest cruise ship as big as four city blocksThe ship has 20 decks (sbw-photo)

It is powered by six dual-fuel engines, which can be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a fuel alternative that the Cruise Lines International Association says reduces sulfur and greenhouse gas emissions. However, some environmentalists worry LNG-powered ships increase methane emissions. Other say that vacationers generate eight times more carbon on a cruise than they do on land.

Royal Caribbean says every kilowatt used on the Icon of the Seas “is scrutinised for energy efficiencies and emission reductions.”

Inside the world's largest cruise ship as big as four city blocksOne of the ships many lounge areas (Michel Verdure)

Charlie Jones

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