Royal Caribbean has christened the Icon of the Seas II, the world's largest cruise ship, with a maximum capacity of 10,000 passengers and crew, setting sail from Miami on its maiden voyage to the Caribbean.
Ship Specifications
The vessel stretches 1,230 feet — longer than the Empire State Building is tall — across 22 decks with 2,850 staterooms.
- 7 swimming pools including the largest surf simulator at sea
- 40 restaurants and bars spanning cuisines from 15 countries
- Full-size basketball court, ice skating rink, and 10-story waterslide
- LNG-powered propulsion reducing carbon emissions 25% versus previous generation ships
- Onboard desalination produces 800,000 gallons of fresh water daily
Industry Trend
The mega-ship trend continues despite environmental criticism. Royal Caribbean reports that per-passenger emissions are 40% lower on new mega-ships than on 15-year-old vessels due to scale efficiencies and cleaner fuel technology. Introductory 7-night Caribbean itineraries start at $1,200 per person.
