In October 2016, Royal Caribbean and Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku announced an order to build two ships under the project name “Icon”. The ships are expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2023 and in 2025. The ships will be classified by DNV. Royal Caribbean applied to register a trademark for “Icon of the Seas” in 2016. Steel-cutting for Icon of the Seas began in June 2021. In October 2021, Royal Caribbean announced that the first LNG tank for the ship was installed at the Neptun Werft in Rostock, Germany. In December 2021, the floating engine room unit, including the LNG tanks, was towed to Turku in Finland by tug. The keel was laid in April 2022. In May 2022, Royal Caribbean confirmed that Icon of the Seas would be bigger than the Oasis class. On 19 June 2023, Icon of the Seas sailed for the first of her sea trials. She returned to the Meyer Turku shipyard on 22 June for adjustments to her systems, and to have interior spaces completed and furnished. On 27 November 2023, the ship was officially handed over to Royal Caribbean, just two months ahead of the official debut from Miami in January 2024. On 1 December 2023, Icon of the Seas passed under the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark. It is the first Royal Caribbean cruise ship to pass under the bridge since Allure of the Seas in 2010. The ship docked at the Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, Spain for final outfitting work. On 13 December 2023, it was revealed that Icon of the Seas will be christened by Lionel Messi. The ship departed Cadiz on 23 December 2023 for Puerto Rico, before heading to Miami, FL for her inaugural voyage.
Icon of the Seas is powered by liquified natural gas (LNG), with a gross tonnage of 250,800. The ship has six multi-fuel Wärtsilä engines generating 67,500 kW (90,520 hp) of power. The engines can be powered with both LNG and distillate fuel. The ship contains other alternative energy features, like the use of fuel cells to produce electricity and fresh water. Icon of the Seas is the first Royal Caribbean vessel to use such technology.
The ship will have a crew of 2,350, and a capacity of 5,610 passengers at double occupancy, or 7,600 passengers at maximum capacity. Icon of the Seas has 20 decks with seven swimming pools and six water slides. The company claims the ship has the tallest waterfall, the tallest water slide, the largest waterpark. Icon of the Seas was designed by a team of architects and designers, including notable cruise ship designer Wilson Butler Architects, 3Deluxe, RTKL, Gensler and Skylab Architecture. The designers would evolve many iconic Royal Caribbean venues, along with introducing new concepts including:
Aquadome: New innovative diving and performance venue under a glass dome on the top of the ship.
The Pearl: A structural feature designed as a dynamic art installation on the Royal Promenade
Absolute Zero: new designed ice skating rink in the round
Surfside: new family neighborhood with waterpark
Hideaway: beach club featuring first suspended infinity pool of any ship.
