Royal Caribbean International’s newest cruise ship, the Icon of the Seas has undergone a crucial next-step in being ready for its first sailings of 2023.
The Icon of the Seas has finished its ceremonial keel-laying, an important maritime tradition for new vessels, which includes the use of a 3,000-ton crane to lift a massive steel block that is placed into the ship’s building dock.
The enormous steel block will sit atop freshly minted coins, which depict both the shipyard where the vessel was constructed, and the cruise line. Upon the Icon of the Seas’ completion, the coins will be retrieved and handed to the captain of the Icon of the Seas. These coins are meant to bring about luck during the ship’s construction.
Attending the keel-laying ceremony was Jason Liberty, the president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. As well as Richard Fain, Chairmen of Royal Caribbean Group, Meyer Group Managing Partner Bernard Meyer, and Meyer Turku CEO Tim Meyer.
In a statement from Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, “five years ago, we began dealing of Icon of the Seas, and now the next phase of this iconic adventure is beginning. As this game-changing ship takes shape, the excitement from families and travelers alike, travel advisors and our partners continues to build. Later this year, we’ll reveal the lineup of firsts and favorites that will set a new standard for vacations come fall 2023.”
Icon of the Seas is set to debut with some of the latest innovations to the cruise line industry in 2023, as well as signature features and amenities of Royal Caribbean International.
Additionally, this new ship has been reimagined with a leap towards cleaner energy. The Icon of the Seas will be powered with liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is currently the cleanest fossil fuel on the market for cruise ships. Icon of the Seas will also feature shore power connection and waste heat recovery systems that will assist in repurposing excess energy from the ship.
Icon of the Seas will be Royal Caribbean’s first vessel in its new Icon Class. This means that Icon of the Seas will be Royal Caribbean’s first type of new ship since 2014, the last time that a new class of ship was debuted for Royal Caribbean International. Icon of the Seas is set to be capable of accommodating 5,600 passengers.
Hayley Phillips
Hayley Phillips is a military spouse currently living in Florida and loves all things travel and travel planning.
