The World’s Largest Ship Sets Sail for Its First Voyage
Queer families, who enjoy cruising around the world together, have a new option to consider – Royal Caribbean’s largest ship, Icon of the Seas! At 1,198 feet and 365 meters long, the new ship set sail from Miami on its maiden voyage, on Saturday (January 27, 2024), and it’s currently on a 7-day island-hopping journey through the Caribbean. The trek will also include Royal Caribbean’s award-winning island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas, and the island’s new adults-only escape, Hideaway Beach.
Just last week, world-renowned fútbol icon Lionel Messi officially debuted the all-new Icon of the Seas at a naming celebration in Miami, and the historic moment was hosted by Mario Lopez. Royal Caribbean executives, crew, employees, fans, and partners, including Meyer Turku shipyard and Inter Miami CF, were on hand to ring in the new era of vacations.
“Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of daydreaming, innovating, and living our mission – to deliver the world’s best vacation experiences responsibly. She is the ultimate multigenerational family vacation, forever changing the status quo in family travel and fulfilling vacation dreams for all ages on board,” said Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.
So what’s in store for passengers aboard Icon? It combines the best of every vacation – from the beach retreat to the resort escape and the theme park adventure. Across eight neighborhoods that are destinations in and of themselves are firsts and next-level favorites for everyone day and night, including adrenaline-pumping thrills like six record-breaking waterslides at Category 6 and the Crown’s Edge experience at 154 feet above the ocean, and unrivaled ways to chill with seven pools – one for every day of the week – like the first suspended infinity pool at sea.
Take a look at more photos of Royal Caribbean’s epic ship below!
The game-changing experiences also include a stay-all-day neighborhood designed for families with young kids, more than 40 restaurants, bars, and lounges; deck-defying entertainment across air, ice, water, and theater; and more!
When first revealed in October 2022, Icon of the Seas spurred the single-largest booking day and the highest volume booking week in the cruise line’s then 53-year history.
At the naming ceremony last week, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, Michael Bayley said, “We did it! After seven years of pursuing the bold vision to create a one-of-a-kind vacation for every type of family and adventurer, Icon of the Seas has become a reality.”
For more details about Icon, vacationers can visit Royal Caribbean’s website. Travelers can also go behind the scenes to see how the first-of-its-kind vacation was created by watching the “Making an Icon” web series here.
If you’re looking for queer cruise experiences, be sure to check out our list of 2024 LGBTQ+ Cruises to Book Now!
