A typical football field is 360 feet long, or 110m.
Imagine a ship 3x that.
That is how long the largest ship ever built is.
At 1198 feet long, it is longer than most skyscrapers.
I mean, this thing is just ridiculous.
You have to watch a video just to get a sense of how large this floating city really is.
Welcome aboard the Icon of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean’s latest behemoth, stretching nearly 1,200 feet and weighing a staggering 250,800 gross tons, is a floating wonderland, a city at sea and a logistical marvel.
But does bigger always mean better?
Seven pools, a 17,000-square-foot water park, the tallest drop slide at sea, and the first cantilevered infinity pool floating 135 feet above the ocean.
The city-ship boasts of the largest swimming pool and ice arena at sea, and for those who prefer four-legged friends, there’s even a resident golden retriever.
Talk about a floating paradise.
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas caters to nearly 7,600 guests and a crew of 2,350.
That’s about the population of Sedona, Arizona, all on one ship.
A single ship, carrying an entire city.
The vessel is an engineering marvel, no doubt, but it’s also a lightning rod for criticism, particularly from environmentalists concerned about its impact on our planet.
The ship uses liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel, which Royal Caribbean touts as a step towards environmental responsibility.
However, experts argue that LNG, mostly methane, traps more heat than carbon dioxide, and the ship’s engines release methane to the atmosphere, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
While the ship’s parabolic bow design reduces fuel consumption and emissions, it doesn’t entirely alleviate environmental concerns.
Hopefully the money it makes from each passenger will pay the bill.
Expect to pay anywhere from $1,800 per person to $2,200.
Assuming an average price of $2k per pax, at full capacity, the ship will rake in $15.2M each time it sets sail.
Interests from cruises have been growing steadily since the pandemic.
Cruise enthusiasts have been flocking to this new marvel, eager to experience its unprecedented offerings.
The ship’s neighborhoods, each with a distinct theme and attractions, cater to a wide range of interests, from families with young children to adults seeking relaxation or adventure.
Royal Caribbean’s ambition with Icon of the Seas is to create a vacation experience that rivals any land-based resort.
From the array of dining options to the plethora of entertainment and activities, the ship is designed to be a destination in itself.
Will this floating city of paradise usher in a new era of environmentally conscious, sustainable sea travel, or will it become a symbol of extravagance and excess?
All I can say is, if you never tried it before, you should at least try it once in your life.
It isn’t cheap and it will be a long time on sea.
But it is something you have to experience at least once, to know what it’s like.
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Ever been on a Royal Carribean cruise before?
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