Developement in technology has seen emergence of various mysterious innovations that has always left the universe in shock. Scientists are in race against time and themselves to outsmart and outshine each other in various fields. One of the soon to be another great milestone in technology is the launch of world`s largest ship by gross tonnage. This ship is called the Icon of the Seas.
The Icon of the Seas
The Royal Caribbean International cruise ship Icon of the Seas is currently under construction and will be the flagship of the Icon class. It is scheduled to begin operation from PortMiami in early 2024 and will have a gross tonnage of 250,800, making it the world’s largest cruise ship by gross tonnage.
About Icon of the Seas
Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku announced an order for two ships under the project name “Icon” on October 10, 2016. The ships are scheduled to be delivered in the third quarters of 2023 and 2025, respectively. DNV will classify the vessels. Royal Caribbean filed to register a trademark for “Icon of the Seas” in 2016, which was suggested at the time as the name of the first ship.
On June 14, 2021, steel cutting on Icon of the Seas began. Royal Caribbean reported on October 28, 2021, that the first LNG tank for the ship has been placed at the Neptun Werft in Rostock, Germany. The floating engine room unit, comprising the LNG tanks, was brought to Turku by tug in December 2021. On April 5, 2022, the keel was laid. On June 19, 2023, the ship began sea testing. Royal Caribbean revealed in May 2022 that Icon of the Seas would be larger than the Oasis class.
Design
It will be powered by liquefied natural gas and will utilise ABB Group’s fuel cell technology. Other alternative energy features will be included, such as the usage of fuel cells to generate electricity and fresh water.
The ship will have a crew of 2,350 people and a passenger capacity of 5,610 at double occupancy or 7,600 at maximum capacity. There will be 20 decks, 7 pools, and 6 water slides. The company claims to boast the world’s highest waterfall, the world’s tallest water slide, the world’s largest waterpark, and the world’s first suspended infinity pool on a ship.
