Current:Home > Contact-usA look inside the Icon of the Seas, the world's biggest cruise ship, as it prepares for voyage-LoTradeCoin
A look inside the Icon of the Seas, the world's biggest cruise ship, as it prepares for voyage
View Date:2024-12-24 09:06:41
Royal Caribbean is redefining the cruise industry with its latest ship, the Icon of the Seas. This $2 billion floating resort is largely booked until 2026.
Spanning nearly 1,200 feet, the cruise ship has 20 decks, which makes the Icon of the Seas the world's largest cruise ship.
It's a city at sea, accommodating up to 7,600 passengers in 2,805 staterooms and nearly 10,000 people, including the crew. The ship offers different experiences that include seven pools — one is the largest on any ship — the world's first onboard water park with six water slides, theaters, a casino and over 40 dining and drinking spots.
Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Chief Product Innovation Officer, says the cruise ship is more than just its amenities.
"It's really about iconic experiences," he said.
And despite its massive size, Schneider said the ship is designed to avoid feeling overcrowded.
"We have purposely designed the ship to give more space for people," he said. "We believe, even at 7,500 guests, it won't feel to you like your entire hometown has joined the ship," said Schneider.
Luxury comes at a price on the Icon. A weeklong Caribbean cruise costs about $3,500 for two people in an average stateroom. For those seeking more luxury, the Ultimate Family Townhouse – a three-story suite complete with touchscreen tables and a slide – can go for up to $100,000 per trip. The Royal Loft, aimed at high-rolling adults, offers two bedrooms, a private hot tub, and a spacious balcony starting at $40,000.
Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief at Cruise Critic, said that bigger ships benefit both passengers and cruise lines.
"It means more people can experience something. It means that there's a lot more amenities and activities onboard the cruise ship," McDaniel said. "The more people they can put on a cruise ship, of course, the better business they do, the more money they make."
Kevin Curran says the Icon took his breath away. Having followed the ship's construction for over a year, the Oregon resident said he's thrilled to be on its inaugural cruise from Miami.
"The more I watched the videos, the more I understood this was something special," he said.
Cruising is surging in popularity. 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.
From the bridge, Captain Hendrik Loy is overseeing what amounts to a three-day test drive to the Bahamas.
"There is still fine-tuning that needs to take place," said Loy.
The Icon also champions environmental responsibility. It's powered by liquefied natural gas, treats its own waste, and produces its own water.
Kris Van CleaveKris Van Cleave is CBS News' senior transportation and national correspondent based in Phoenix.
TwitterveryGood! (4953)
Related
- Vegas Sphere reports revenue decline despite hosting UFC 306, Eagles residency
- In their own words: What young people wish they’d known about social media
- Anchorage police involved in 2 shootings that leave one dead and another injured
- Body of diver found in Lake Erie ID'd as director of local shipwreck team
- Full House Star Dave Coulier Shares Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Diagnosis
- A new agreement would limit cruise passengers in Alaska’s capital. A critic says it falls short
- Gunman captured after shootout outside US Embassy in Lebanon
- Prosecutor asks Texas court to reverse governor’s pardon of man who fatally shot demonstrator
- Caitlin Clark's gold Nike golf shoes turn heads at The Annika LPGA pro-am
- 3 Trump allies charged in Wisconsin for 2020 fake elector scheme
Ranking
- Jerry Jones lashes out at question about sun's glare at AT&T Stadium after Cowboys' loss
- South Carolina is trading its all-male Supreme Court for an all-white one
- Stock market today: Asian stocks trade mixed after Wall Street logs modest gains
- After publishing an article critical of Israel, Columbia Law Review’s website is shut down by board
- Democrat Ruben Gallego wins Arizona US Senate race against Republican Kari Lake
- Washington warns of danger from China in remembering the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown
- Downed power line shocks 6-year-old Texas boy and his grandmother, leaving them with significant burns in ICU
- Ex-husband of ‘Real Housewives’ star convicted of hiring mobster to assault her boyfriend
Recommendation
-
Gisele Bündchen Makes First Major Appearance Since Pregnancy
-
Sarah Ferguson Shares Royal Family Update Amid Kate Middleton and King Charles III's Health Battles
-
The Book Report: Washington Post critic Ron Charles (June 2)
-
Are peaches good for you? Nutrition experts break down healthy fruit options.
-
Just Eat Takeaway sells Grubhub for $650 million, just 3 years after buying the app for $7.3 billion
-
Maryland agencies must submit a plan to help fight climate change, governor says
-
Man who attacked Muslim lawmaker in Connecticut sentenced to 5 years in prison
-
NCAA tournament baseball: Who is in the next regional round and when every team plays