At noon ET Saturday, a countdown clock on the Royal Caribbean website hit 11 hours. It was counting down to the moment that the line’s new Icon of the Seas cruise ship would set sail.
“Brace yourself for Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea with six record-breaking slides,” said Royal Caribbean of the new vessel. “Like the Frightening Bolt, the tallest waterslide to sail. And the Pressure Drop, the first open freefall waterslide on a cruise.”
This massive waterpark sits aboard a ship that is five times bigger than the Titanic, per Business Insider. Luckily, the Caribbean waters it will be sailing through are free of icebergs.
According to USA Today, the ship has already secured record bookings, though some people online have questioned the safety and environmental impact of such a large cruise ship. It can carry 10,000 people and is separated into “neighborhoods” to accommodate a wide range of passengers.
Per CNN, the 1,200-foot-long, 250,800 gross ton ship with 20 decks cost $2 billion to make and was built in Turku, Finland. Icon arrived Jan. 10 in the Port of Miami, where Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi christened it, said the outlet.
“We designed a ship that really hits squarely in what the consumer is looking for, especially the family, multi-generational consumer,” Jason Liberty, president and CEO of the line’s parent company Royal Caribbean Group, told USA Today during a preview cruise on the Icon.
Not only does the ship have the largest water park at sea – it has the largest pool at sea, Royal Bay. In fact, it has a pool for every day of the week, including an adults-only pool area. Guests will also be able to enjoy entertainment from 50 musicians and comedians, a resident golden retriever, a swim-up bar, 40 restaurants, a park and more.
Although cruises were dealt a blow during the pandemic, the Icon is an example of how they are coming back strong.
“Last year, passenger volume outpaced pre-pandemic numbers, and this year is expected to hit a new high of 36 million as spending on experiences has climbed 65% since 2019,” CBS News reported.