The most anticipated cruise ship in over a decade has arrived home.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas sailed into Miami in the early hours of Wednesday morning ahead of her inaugural sailing in just two weeks.

The new 1,198-foot cruise ship will begin offering cruises from Miami, Florida on January 27, 2024.

The marvel of engineering took 900 days to build and has a capacity for up to 5,610 guests and 2,350 crew members.

Here's a look at the celebration tied to Icon's arrival.

Arrival home

Icon of the Seas sailed into PortMiami right at 7am to a fanfare celebration.

Royal Caribbean welcomed the ship by shuttling over employees from its Miami headquarters to celebrate the Icon's entrance.

Entrance is the right word, as the new ship came into the turning basin to spin around for onlookers.

Clearly visible are so many of the ship's signature features, from the AquaDome to Surfside neighborhood to the Category 6 water park.

Onlookers waved ribbons and shouted with excitement for the new ship. Icon had her own deck party going, with music blasted from the ship to match the music heard from the party.

Royal Caribbean's event included a DJ, mini-golf course, snacks, and lots of photo opportunities.

So many employees on the beach shared their collective euphoria for the new ship's homecoming.

New cruise ship launches are always a big deal, but Icon represents more to the cruise industry. She's the first of a new class of ship, and she ushers in the post-Covid era of cruising with an industry experiencing unprecedented demand.

Icon of the Seas has not only more to do onboard than other ships, but its Royal Caribbean's play at positioning itself as the preeminent family vacation choice.

Being on the shore of the waterway, you could sense there was a level of excitement for this ship that was different than when Wonder of the Seas or Odyssey of the Seas launched just a couple years ago.

As Icon finished her turn, she headed to Terminal A. The new ship will conduct a series of shakedown cruises, which is a sort of "dress rehearsal" for the new ship.

Along the way, there will be opportunity for the media and travel agents to get onboard too. There will be a lot of pomp and circumstance leading up to her maiden voyage at the end of the month.

Highly anticipated launch

The arrival of Icon of the Seas represents a historical moment for Royal Caribbean, and it ushers in a new kind of cruise ship experience.

The 250,800-ton ship will have eight neighborhoods and never-before-seen advancements, such as a swim-up bar, a new adults-only retreat, and an expanded Royal Promenade. The Promenade has more than 15 restaurants, bars and lounges and floor-to-ceiling ocean views.

The Promenade will feature an interactive, multi-sensory experience made with kinetic tiles called The Pearl. 
Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean Chief Product Innovation Officer called it “a bit art, a bit sculpture, a bit experience, a bit wow."

There are 28 different types of rooms, including Royal Caribbean’s first cabins that can turn the balcony space into an extended indoor living space. They're called infinite balconies, and it's a concept first implemented on sister-brand Celebrity Cruises.

You won't overlook the three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse, which measures 2,523 sq. ft.

Record-setting demand

Icon's arrival coincides with months of excitement leading up to this moment.

Royal Caribbean revealed plans for Icon of the Seas in October 2022, and the hype surrounding the ship has never stopped. Icon of the Seas’ bookings so far have performed better than any other cruise ship launch. 

"I know it's a brand new product and it's stunning, but it's really driving a huge amount of demand and great rate," Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said. 

Over 6 million people took a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2023. With the launch of Icon of the Seas and other innovations from the cruise line, these numbers will only grow.

As if Icon of the Seas wasn't already full of firsts, it appears that there will be a dog living onboard the world's largest cruise ship. 

Based on social media posts from crew members, it seems that Rover boarded the ship when docked in Ponce, Puerto Rico before it began its final leg of the journey to Miami, Florida. 

"We are absolutely thrilled to introduce our newest team member, Rover, who has joined us as a permanent resident aboard [the] magnificent Icon of the Seas," read a post by @godwin_fernandes2000. 

"Meet Rover... the resident Mascot of the Icon," said @roseveltrodrigues on Instagram.

While in Ponce, Icon underwent some final regulatory inspections and received finishing touches to prepare for guests in late January. This is also where the loading and off-loading of equipment occurred. 

Some yard workers disembarked in Ponce to return home, with new crew members and the brand-new resident Rover arriving onboard. 

Read more: Icon of the Seas is ready: Here’s the timeline for Royal Caribbean’s new cruise ship debut

Guests won't find a classic car in the Royal Promenade

In lieu of the classic car in the Royal Promenade, there's a statue of a dog.

Ever since Voyager of the Seas launched and debuted the first-ever Royal Promenade, there's been a different classic car featured in each ship. 

Njal Eide, the lead architect for the Royal Promenade, had included a model of a Morgan Sportster in his model of the Royal Promenade. Richard Fain, then-chairman and former CEO of Royal Caribbean, ended up donating his own Morgan car that he received for his 40th birthday. 

These cars are a popular photo-op for pictures throughout the cruise, especially on formal night! 

The Royal Promenade is the main thoroughfare of the ship where you'll find bars, shops, and more. There are parties and parades hosted here, too. 

Read more: Why are there classic cars on Royal Caribbean's Royal Promenade?

Icon of the Seas' Royal Promenade will leap forward with new innovations

In addition to the first-ever dog statue in the Royal Promenade, Icon of the Seas' Promenade will be home to other firsts for the cruise line, including the Pearl, expansive windows, and more. 

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar will be located on Deck 6, marking the first time that Royal Caribbean will feature a specialty restaurant in the initial design of the Royal Promenade. 

Thanks to renovations, it's not uncommon to find specialty restaurants in the Royal Promenade on older vessels. Playmaker's, for instance, can be found in the Promenade on Navigator of the Seas, whereas Adventure of the Seas has Izumi in the heart of all the action. 

Icon of the Seas will also be the first ship in the fleet to receive the Dueling Pianos bar on Deck 6. This is where two performers will take requests and involve guests in the musical fun during two 90-minute shows each night. 

Nearly all the venues in the Royal Promenade, including Dueling Pianos, will be fully open, allowing passengers to hear all the excitement wherever they are. 

Note that Icon of the Seas doesn't have any Promenade view staterooms. With over 10 new categories of cabins, that doesn't seem like much of a sacrifice, though! 

Read more: First look at The Pearl on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas

Nearing Icon of the Seas' maiden voyage to the Eastern Caribbean

We are less than twenty days away from Icon of the Seas' inaugural cruise. On January 27, she'll leave Miami, Florida with a ship full of guests eager to be on Icon's first weeklong cruise sailing to Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Kitts & Nevis.

Before then, however, she'll have two shakedown sailings that will take place on January 20 and 23, each of which will only be 3-nights. 

These are essentially dress rehearsals that will allow the crew to test and adjust their procedures before welcoming paying guests. 

On January 10, Icon of the Seas will arrive in Miami and be greeted by the ICON arrival party at the Port of Miami. She was originally supposed to arrive on Tuesday; however, unfavorable weather conditions resulted in her delay. 

Read more: 11 reasons Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas will change the cruise industry

Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship will arrive to her homeport this week, and there's going to be a giant celebration.

Icon of the Seas is on her way to Miami, which will be her homeport and where she will sail out of when cruises begin.

The new cruise ship is a big deal to Royal Caribbean, and they want a party to celebrate her arrival.

Read more: Everything you need to know about Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley posted on social media an invitation to an early morning welcome party in Miami to celebrate Icon's arrival.

Icon of the Seas departed Ponce, Puerto Rico a few days ago, and will arrive in Miami on Wednesday, January 10. 

The ship is scheduled to arrive around 7am eastern into the PortMiami area on Wednesday. The cruise line had originally planned to bring Icon in on Tuesday, but the forecast was not favorable, and pushed back her sail-in to Wednesday.

Mr. Bayley wants cruise fans that can be in the area to join in the festivities, "Come and join us!" he wrote on his Facebook post.

Anyone interested in attending should go to Perez Art Museum Miami for the ship's arrival.

If you go, you won't be alone. Mr. Bayley said many Royal Caribbean employees and cruise fans will be there to celebrate.

"Look for us waving from ICON as we arrive into Miami," he wrote as he implored fans to join in.

"Let’s wake up the whole city with our excitement for the Icon of Vacations’ arrival home." 

He also said there's going to be games, breakfast bites, live music and giveaways every 15 minutes.

But first, a crew member party

Before Icon heads to Miami, she will make a stop at the cruise line's private island and give the hard working crew members onboard an opportunity to rest and party before more the inaugural work starts.

Mr. Bayley posted a photo of the nearly complete new adults-only beach expansion, Hideaway Beach.

Hideaway Beach is an extra-cost area that will be only for guests visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay that are 18-years-old or older. 

Read more: Perfect Day at CocoCay tips, secrets, and tricks

It's located on the western side of the private island, and will feature an infinity pool, cove pool, DJ, private cabanas, and a few included restaurants.

The cost to visit Hideaway Beach depends on your sailing, but the price has been around $30-$50 per person on many sailings.

The new beach won't open to the public until Icon of the Seas' first official visit with paying passengers early next month, but it will be ready for crew members on Monday.

"Our amazing Icon crew will be the first to experience the biggest and best private island party at the new Hideaway Beach," Mr. Bayley posted on Facebook. 

"This break is so well-deserved as they've been working hard to put the finishing details on Icon, making sure the ship is just right for our first guests."

"I am so grateful for this startup crew and the years of expertise and passion they bring to the World’s Best Family Vacation."

After the party on Monday, the crew members have a day off while at sea for, "crew recovery".  There's also high winds and rain expected in Miami on Tuesday, so the cruise line will wait an extra day for Icon's arrival to avoid the front moving through South Florida on Tuesday.

Prepping for cruises to begin

Once Icon is in Miami, Royal Caribbean has plans to ready the ship for the first official sailing.

Icon of the Seas will remain in Miami for a couple of days, before a series of employee shakedown cruises.

Shakedown cruises are cruises with employees who act as guests to give the crew members onboard an opportunity to test and adjust their procedures. Think of it like a dress rehearsal.

The final shakedown cruises will occur on January 20 and January 23 when Royal Caribbean hosts members of the media and travel agents onboard for two 3-night cruises. The latter sailing will include the naming ceremony with the ship's Godfather, Lionel Messi.

Icon then takes one final break on January 26 before paying passengers will be able to board the ship for it's official maiden voyage on January 27.

The maiden voyage will be a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise that visits Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Kitts & Nevis.

Icon of the Seas will finally welcome guests onboard later this month. The brand-new vessel still has to undergo a few more preparations before that can happen, though. 

Currently, Icon of the Seas is docked in Ponce, Puerto Rico for some final touches and inspections. This is one of the final steps before the 250,800 gross registered ton vessel launches in late January. 

Here's a timeline of Icon of the Sea's long-awaited debut. 

Icon of the Seas sailed from Cádiz, Spain to Ponce, Puerto Rico, arriving on January 2, 2024

Icon of the Seas' transatlantic crossing took over one week, with the largest cruise ship in the world departing Spain on December 22, 2023. 

This meant that crew members, contractors, shoreside teams, yard workers, and more celebrated the New Year somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic while en route to Puerto Rico. 

A video posted to Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michel Bayley's Facebook reveals Icon's first countdown as a completed ship. The Royal Promenade was packed, and the cheering continued as the clock struck midnight and balloons were released. 

Read more: I crossed the Atlantic Ocean on a cheap cruise. Here’s what it's really like to spend 10 days at sea

Icon of the Seas moved to Cádiz for some finishing touches 

Despite being delivered in late November, Icon was not fully completed. The delivery ceremony was held at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, where the majority of the ship's construction took place. 

"Seven years ago, we had an ambitious idea to create the first vacation truly made for every type of family and adventurer," said Mr. Bayley, "Now, it’s in our hands, and in this final stretch, we’ll bring it all to life for the biggest debut in our history in January 2024."

Following the ceremony, Icon of the Seas was relocated to a shipyard in Cádiz, where she received some final outfitting touches before beginning her transatlantic voyage to North America. 

She had to sail underneath the Great Belt Bridge, an 11-mile bridge located in Denmark, in order to reach Cádiz. The 20-deck high had to have her funnels retracted to barely squeeze underneath. It required expertise from the entire crew, including meteorologists to ship operators. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean takes delivery of the new world’s largest cruise ship

Work continues in Ponce

Over the next few days while in Puerto Rico, Icon of the Seas will have to pass some regulatory inspections. Additionally, there will be loading and off-loading of equipment, and yard workers will disembark the ship to return home, with more crew arriving to begin their contracts. 

Ponce is located in the southern region of the island, whereas the popular port of San Juan can be found on the northern shore.  

When Icon departs Ponce to sail to Miami, it will be over one year until she returns to the island, as San Juan isn't a scheduled port of call on Eastern Caribbean itineraries until May 2025. The May 3, 2025 cruise also visits St. Maarten and Labadee, Haiti, foregoing a stop at the cruise line's private island in The Bahamas. 

Read more: See how Royal Caribbean ships stack up by size (2024)

Following the move to her homeport of Miami, there will be a series of shakedown and media cruises

On January 9, Royal Caribbean will host the ICON arrival party at 7am at the Port of Miami. While more details can be expected in the coming days, it is exciting to think that we're only one week from welcoming Icon to her homeport. 

Following this milestone, Icon will host a few shakedown cruises, which can be thought of as a dress rehearsal. While the ship is just about ready, they serve as a time for the crew members to experience what their job will actually be like with guests onboard before welcoming paying customers.

Typically, shakedown cruises are comprised of cruise line employees and their families. It is not uncommon for them to sometimes double as preview sailings for the media and travel agents. 

Prior to embarking on her maiden voyage, Icon will have two shakedown and media cruises, both of which will be only three nights: January 20-23 and January 23-26. 

Read more: How long does it take to build a cruise ship

Naming ceremony on January 23 in Miami, Florida with Lionel Messi

Back in mid-December, Royal Caribbean announced that, rather than having a traditional godmother or godfather, Lionel Messi would be the "official icon of Icon of the Seas." Messi is a famous soccer player who was born in Argentina and spent the majority of his career playing for FC Barcelona. 

On January 23, Messi will take part in Icon's naming celebration. His role will be comprised of bestowing safekeeping onto the new ship, its crew, and the millions of people who will board in hopes of creating ICONic memories in the years to come. 

"I’m thrilled and honored to join the Royal Caribbean family to celebrate the arrival of the game-changing Icon of the Seas," said Messi, "Icon is beyond anything else that’s out there for family vacations, with incredible never-before-seen features, all designed for making memories together."

Finally, guests will be welcomed onboard Icon for her maiden voyage to the Eastern Caribbean

On January 27, Icon of the Seas will embark on her inaugural cruise. This 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise will depart from Miami and sail to Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Kitts & Nevis. She will return on February 3, 2024. 

Icon of the Seas' maiden voyage will signify the ship's completion, as the ship will be ready for regular service. 

While this will mean that her construction and arrival journey will finally come to an end, Icon Class and Royal Caribbean fans alike can stay tuned to everything exciting that Star of the Seas will have to offer when she launches in 2025. 

Similarly, Utopia of the Seas, the sixth Oasis Class ship, is scheduled to set sail in July 2024 on 3- and 4-night cruises to The Bahamas. 

Read more: How much does it cost to build a cruise ship?

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas is just about a month away from debuting, but we're getting glimpses of what the new cruise ship looks like.

Icon of the Seas is nearly ready for her first revenue cruise in January, and we're starting to get an idea of what the new ship really looks like based on photos taken by some of the crew members onboard.

The new ship departed the shipyard in Finland and went to Cadiz, Spain where the ship stopped to load provisions and crew members.

There will eventually be 2,350 crew members on Icon of the Seas, and some of them have taken to posting photos and video to social media. You can't blame them for being so excited to share what the ship looks like. Even Royal Caribbean's top executives have posted photos from the new ship.

Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President of Entertainment Nick Weir has shared a look at the ice skating theater and AquaTheater with his posts on social media.

Mr. Weir is so proud of the talented performers onboard that he shares a look at the hard work that goes into preparing it all.

Icon of the Seas will have a number of new performance venues, including an entire AquaTheater enclosed under the AquaDome. Encompassing more than 33,000 square meters and extending from Deck 14 to 20, the AquaDome neighborhood is home to new dining venues, a lounge, and new staterooms.

Absolute Zero is located at the end of the Royal Promenade and will have two shows performed across the 2,850 square feet of ice.

Crew members that are working on Icon of the Seas have begun sharing photos too.

Andy C. shared photos of the Royal Promenade from an event that took place in the neighborhood recently.

At 362 feet long, the Royal Promenade onboard Icon of the seas is longer than a football field, and for the first time, it incorporates ocean views.

Nearly all of the venues (except The Attic) are fully open on the Royal Promenade, so music can be heard from all over the Royal Promenade and for it to be more enticing for passengers to want to experience it all.

Many Royal Caribbean ships have a Royal Promenade, but this version of the Promenade is easier to get around. You can easily get between deck five and deck six, or head up stairs to Central Park on deck eight. Plus, there's an escalator from the Promenade to get you down to the casino and gangway on port days.

There are many venues around the Promenade, including Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar.

There will also be a Dueling Pianos bar, Sorrento's pizzeria, Point and Feather pub, Spotlight Karaoke, Boleros and Schooner Bar.

Even though there aren't passengers onboard yet, the ship is still celebrating Christmas.

Photos taken show the giant Christmas tree on the Royal Promenade. Royal Caribbean celebrates Christmas on every ship, and this year, crew members get the chance to enjoy it all to themselves.

Located on deck six, Dueling Pianos is Royal Caribbean's first double-pianist bar where the two performers take requests and involve guests in the musical fun.

The location of Dueling Pianos right next to The Attic comedy club on the Royal Promenade is deliberately to bring more entertainment and more energy into to Royal Promenade.

Pearl Cafe is the evolution of the Cafe Promenade concept, that has complimentary casual bistro cafe experience with elevated bistro food.

Pearl Cafe serves freshly toasted croissants, hot chocolate croissants, croissant sandwiches, sweets, and other specialty desserts. 

Royal Caribbean's well-known complimentary pizza will have a tweak that aims to improve the flow and reduce lines.

The plan is to get away from having switchbacks and queues to handle the lines that form for pizza. By giving the space a larger footprint, the hope is lines will be shorter.

The Pearl is the focal point of the Royal Promenade, and it's an architectural marvel that will bring the ship to life, offering different experiences throughout the voyage.

"The Pearl has a lot of different purposes. It's hard to put into context," said Jay Schneider, Chief Product Innovation Officer for Royal Caribbean International.

"It's a bit art, a bit sculpture, a bit experience, a bit WOW." 

Read more: First look at The Pearl

You can see with the Point and Feather pub a very open layout.

It's worth noting on the second level of the Royal Promenade you can circle it completely, which is something you can't do on other Royal Caribbean ships. 

The ship's ice skating rink is aft, and The Music Hall and Casino Royale are located one deck below.

Video previews

Royal Caribbean has gotten into the swing of sharing glimpses of Icon of the Seas too.

The social media time has already gotten onboard Icon and has been sharing video snippets on Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms.

From sleigh 🎅 to slay 💅 pic.twitter.com/9jcpewf9c1

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) December 23, 2023

Our biggest present yet is on its way. 🎁 pic.twitter.com/Krp0hqdT8E

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) December 25, 2023

The new posts are in anticipation of the transatlantic crossing, when Icon of the Seas will head to Puerto Rico first and then Miami shortly thereafter.

The first revenue cruise of Icon of the Seas is on January 27, 2024 with paying passengers. There will be a series of preview sailings for travel agents and media in the weeks leading up to the start of sailings.

Part 1: Living on #IconoftheSeas 👀 Stay tuned for insider tips, behind-the-scenes looks, and crew POVs that you can only get here. pic.twitter.com/9Rn8qC06qK

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) December 23, 2023

The ship will sail year-round out of Miami in 2024, alternating between Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean itineraries, with four different routings available for departures between January 2024 and April 2025.

What is The Pearl on Icon of the Seas? Expect something completely different.

Ever since the Royal Promenade debuted on Voyager of the Seas, it has become a staple onboard many Royal Caribbean ships, and Icon of the Seas is no exception. 

For the first time, Royal Caribbean focused on connecting guests to the light and water through expansive windows. To be successful, however, they needed to build a super-structure that would allow them to replace all of the steel with glass. 

"The Pearl is a fundamental piece of the ship's structure," said Jay Rosser, Manager of Product Development for Royal Caribbean International.

"It is supporting all of the staterooms above it [and] Central Park, which is on Deck 8. That 16-meter diameter sphere of steel is taller than the Hollywood Sign in California." 

The Pearl is an experiential installation that serves more than one purpose

The heart of Icon of the Seas is the Royal Promenade, with the heartbeat coming from The Pearl.

This moody architectural marvel will bring the ship to life, offering different experiences throughout the voyage depending on whether it is the daytime, nighttime, a sea day, or even when docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

"The Pearl has a lot of different purposes. It's hard to put into context," said Jay Schneider, Chief Product Innovation Officer for Royal Caribbean International.

"It's a bit art, a bit sculpture, a bit experience, a bit WOW." 

It took over two years to design The Pearl

At first, The Pearl wasn't called "The Pearl." In fact, it was simply a round globe-like structure, and they were not quite sure what they were going to put inside of it.

Royal Caribbean reached out to Breakfast, a studio located in Brooklyn, New York that's known for their digitally controlled kinetic sculptures, to assist in designing the interior tiles. 

"When Royal Caribbean first contacted us, we were very excited, and we kind of thought they were a little nuts to be honest," said Mattias Gunneras, Co-Founder of Breakfast.

"They came and asked us to design something that was something a lot more ambitious than anything we've done in the past."

It was important to see mock-ups to select the right finishes, including the gloss level, base color, and shimmer level. There were a lot of prototypes that were tested in order to complete the final product. 

Not all of the pieces, however, were constructed in the United States. While the interior tiles were designed in the U.S., the rest was built overseas, beginning at the shipyard in Turku, Finland. 

Once a certain amount was complete, it was barged to another facility, which actually had to remove a door for The Pearl to fit inside! It was then transported back to Meyer Tukru. 

"Everybody's going to interact and experience The Pearl in their own way," remarked Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO.

"It's beautiful; it's artistic; it's incredibly creative; it's spatially so large that once you experience it, you can't quite get your head around it."

The Royal Promenade onboard Icon of the Seas will be filled with entertainment, areas to relax, delicious dining options, and more

At 362 feet long, the Royal Promenade onboard Icon of the Seas will be longer than a football field! It will be filled with brand-new experiences, such as the 4100 Lobby Bar, Dueling Pianos, and largest ice rink at sea. 

Plus, specialty restaurants, including Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, will be found here, rather than in quiet locations like Central Park. 

Youth programming can be accessed from the Royal Promenade, too. Teens will love the brand-new Social 020, which will offer state-of-the-art video game systems and a movie room. 

"The Royal Promenade is a classic with Royal Caribbean and has evolved significantly. It's an amazing hub for the entire community onboard the ship," said Bayley. 

"...it always has been this place where people meet and have fun together, and that is certainly true for Icon." 

Read more: The Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas will be a leap forward with new innovations

Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship will have one of the most famous soccer players of all time to name the ship.

Royal Caribbean announced that Lionel Messi will be the "official icon of Icon of the Seas". This appears to be a role similar to a ship's Godmother.

As part of a longstanding maritime tradition, Messi will take part in the iconic naming celebration for Icon in January 2024 in Miami. The Icon of Icon will have the honor of bestowing safekeeping onto the new ship, its crew and the millions of families who will create memories of a lifetime on board in the years to come.

This means he will welcome the new ship at an exclusive naming celebration in Miami. The naming ceremony will take place on January 23, 2024.

"I’m thrilled and honored to join the Royal Caribbean family to celebrate the arrival of the game-changing Icon of the Seas," said Lionel Messi, Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of Icon. 

"Icon is beyond anything else that’s out there for family vacations, with incredible never-before-seen features, all designed for making memories together."

Royal Caribbean's choice seems to have been in the making for a few months.

In July 2023, the cruise line invited the soccer star onto the bridge of a cruise ship to meet cruise line President and CEO, Michael Bayley.

The next month, Royal Caribbean announced an advertising agreement with Inter Miami CF, which is the club Messi plays for. More details are forthcoming related to Royal Caribbean and Inter Miami CF celebration of the arrival of Icon with the next phase of the partnership.

Who is Lionel Messi?

Photo © Chbm89 | Dreamstime.com

In case you're not familiar with Lionel Messi, he's one of the most well-known soccer stars today and arguably one of the best of all time.

Born in Argentina, he spent most of his career playing for FC Barcelona, where he made a name for himself as one of the top goal scorers.

He rose to fame for his playmaking skills and has won numerous individual awards, including the FIFA Ballon d'Or, which he has won multiple times.

Changing the status quo

As part of the announcement, Mr. Bayley said the choice of Messi to be the ship's Icon was based on the fact that his career matches that of the new ship.

"It’s that ability to make such a widespread impact and change the status quo that the Icon of Icon must personify, and Lionel Messi has proven to be the perfect example of that for years in the world of sports and most recently in introducing a new era of excitement and passion for fútbol in Miami and the U.S."

Icon of the Seas is built with far more family-focused activities than other cruise ships, and it's a brand new type of cruise ship.

Scheduled to begin sailing in January 2024 and already available to book, will feature a water park, kids club, entire portion of the ship for young families, and more dining and entertainment than on any other ship since.

Icon of the Seas will have more cabins to cater to families with higher capacities, thanks in large part to new room designs.

Adults aren't being left out either.  While the kids are busy with all of their activities, there's a jazz club, elevated supper club, adults-only pool and bar, dueling piano bar, and lots more.

What is a cruise ship godmother?

Every cruise ship has a godmother, and it appears Messi will be serve that role.

It's a ceremonial position that is traditionally held by a woman, but in recent years that has changed.  Symphony of the Seas had a Godfamily, and Norwegian Cruise Line had a Godfather for one of its ships.

Other ships have had women hold the role, including renowned athletes, celebrities and royalty.

The Icon's job is to give the ship a blessing for the safety of the crew members and passengers who will sail onboard it. 

Jenn Greene is a Travel Planner affiliated with MEI Travel and recently attended an event in Las Vegas with Royal Caribbean to sample new drinks coming to Icon of the Seas.

As we eagerly await the debut of Icon of the Seas debut from Miami in January 2024, we have been watching for all the details about this new ship. Not only is Icon of the Seas a brand new ship, but it’s a brand new ship class, which means new concepts.

I had the pleasure of attending a very exclusive Royal Caribbean event that included a preview of the cocktails coming to Icon of the Seas when she sets sail.

Our group was escorted to Libertine Social in Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. Once we arrived, it made sense why we were there for this preview; Royal Caribbean, Sr. Director of Beverage Operations Ed Eiswirth, tasked his mentor, Tony Abou-Ganim, to help with some of the Icon of the Seas cocktail menus.

Tony is a worldwide name in the beverage industry and a managing partner of Libertine Social. He welcomed us to his establishment with open arms to proudly show off the cocktails he has created. 

Mr. Eiswirth shared that his team embarked on a journey of experimentation, testing 150 drinks to curate a selection that would elevate the onboard experience.

Out of this rigorous testing process emerged a collection of 60 brand-new cocktails, each designed to tantalize the taste buds and reflect the diversity of the passengers. From classic concoctions with modern twists to innovative creations that push the boundaries of mixology, these cocktails are like nothing at sea. 

The Iconic G&T

We were greeted with this not-so-standard gin & tonic as we arrived. Made with Bombay Sapphire Gin, Iconic tonic syrup, and soda water, this cocktail made my tastebuds question what I was drinking.

It's different from your standard gin & tonic, as the Iconic tonic syrup is made specifically for the Icon of the Seas and cannot be found anywhere else. 

The Big Bobbo

I wasn’t sure about this, as I am not usually a bubble tea drinker - but it is the perfect flavor combination. This eclectic cocktail is made with Mount Gay rum, Hard Truth Toasted CoConut Rum, cold brewed Earl Grey tea, simple syrup, and boba pearls. 

New York Sour

Modern Mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim crafted a signature drink and used out-of-the-box flavors to bring it to life.

Featuring Bulleit Bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg whites, and Claret wine, it will surely elevate your experience. 

Sunsplash

The Sunsplash is a classic cruise cocktail but without the rum.

Made with Grapefruit vodka, Aperol, honey syrup, lemon juice, orange juice, and sour mix- this is hands down my new favorite Royal Caribbean cocktail. 

The Pearl 

While we haven’t heard much about The Pearl, we know it will be a focal point on the Icon of the Seas. Therefore, a cocktail must be named after it. It’s a fancy margarita; at least, I felt it was. But this isn’t about the flavors- maybe a little- but it’s the presentation.

Shaken with Casamigos Blanco Tequila, Italicus liquor, lemon juice, sour mix, pearl shimmer syrup, and a Flavour Blaster citrus pearl, this is an insta-worthy cocktail! 

Royal Caribbeans beverage team looked at cocktail trends to develop unique and exciting offerings for their newest ship in the fleet. They said they wanted a combination of evolutionary and revolutionary to cater to everyone aboard the “ultimate family vacation.”

With only 75 days until Icon of the Seas sets sail on her Inaugural Voyage from Miami, we are all eager for more details. If this indicates what is coming, we are all in for an iconic vacation! 

15 Bars & 60 new cocktails

When Icon of the Seas launches, Royal Caribbean has plenty of new choices beyond even what was featured at the tasting event.

Icon of the Seas will have more than 15 bars and lounges, and there will be 60 new cocktail choices for the cruise line that will be exclusive to Icon.

There will be a blend of well-known fan favorite bars, such as the Schooner Bar, Trellis Bar, and Boleros.  And there will be new choices, such as Lou’s Jazz’n Blues, and Bubbles – a Champagne window in Central Park.

Royal Caribbean is also experimenting with a new family centric bar, where parents and their kids can enjoy a drink together.  The Lemon Post will have a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

In the AquaDome neighborhood, you'll find The Overlook.  This is a hip bar that has pods you can sit in to enjoy a drink with a view through the AquaDome.

If you prefer to drink your dessert, Desserted is what you'll want. It's a milkshake bar with over-the-top toppings.

Read more: Royal Caribbean reveals new restaurants, bars, and activities on Icon of the Seas

On November 28, 2023, the new world's largest cruise ship was finally delivered to Royal Caribbean after spending over 900 days under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. 

Shortly after, Icon of the Seas, which measures an astonishing 250,800 gross registered tons, began sailing to Cadiz, Spain, where she's set to receive some final touches before officially entering service. 

While en route to Cadiz, Icon of the Seas had to pass under Denmark's 11-mile Great Belt Bridge. 

According to a video posted on Royal Caribbean's YouTube page, "The entire crew contributed their expertise in innovation and engineering to ensure the ship cleared the bridge safely."

Those who work in anything from operators to meteorology were assisted in this endeavor. 

Related: Royal Caribbean takes delivery of the new world’s largest cruise ship

Thanks to Icon's retractable funnels, she was able to pass underneath the Great Belt Bridge with only feet to spare

To barely squeeze past the 11-mile Great Belt Bridge on December 1, the 20-deck high mega-ship had to have her funnels retracted. This feature isn't brand-new and is also found on Oasis and Quantum Class ships. 

Icon of the Seas' time in Cadiz is one of the final steps before she's able to begin sailing from Miami, Flordia in January 2024.

Upon her arrival in North America, she'll offer 7-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, all of which include a scheduled stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas. 

The last Oasis Class ship to pass underneath the Great Belt Bridge was Allure of the Seas in 2010

In October 2010, Allure of the Seas sailed underneath the Great Belt Bridge with less than 20 inches of clearance while en route to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for her maiden season. 

According to Captain Hernan Zini in a video posted to Cruise Guy's YouTube channel, the normal height of a cruise ship is roughly 73 meters. In order to safely pass underneath the bridge, the entire height of the ship from the water level can be no more the 65 meters, or 213 feet. 

Like Icon of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, along with all other Oasis and Quantum Class ships, were all built with retractable funnels. 

The crew also had to ensure that Allure's draft was 9.14 meters by placing 4,000 tons of weight on the ship. 

While Odyssey of the Seas did not have to sail past the Great Belt Bridge, she did make her way down the Ems River backwards while sailing from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenberg, Germany to the North Sea

This 20-mile journey took Odyssey of the Seas over 10 hours to complete, as she could only sail 2-3 knots per hour. The faster Odyssey sailed, the deeper the hull pushed into the water. 

Not only did Odyssey have to clear the Weener Bridge, but further down the river, she also had to successfully clear the Leer Bridge. Neither bridge were of the same size as the Great Belt Bridge, though. 

For a ship of Odyssey's size, the Ems River can be considered both narrow and shallow. To help safely manuevur her to sea, Odyssey of the Seas was pulled backwards by two tugboats, each with 9,000 horsepower. 

The conveyance was precisely planned around weather and time, meaning that she could only be moved during a full or new moon with wind speeds at 20 knots or less without guests.

Icon of the Seas' early legacy on the cruising industry

Despite not having welcomed any guests onboard, there's no denying the impact that Icon of the Seas has already had. 

From numerous brand-new innovations, such as the largest waterpark at sea with six recording-breaking slides to the family-oriented Surfside Neighborhood, Icon is poised to offer one-of-a-kind vacations that rival the experience you might have at a theme park or other active land-based trip. 

While her construction story is nearing the end, there's a lot to look forward to with Star of the Seas. 

Construction on the second Icon Class vessel began in February 2023 when the keel was laid at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. Once completed, she will sail from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Flordia starting in August 2025. 

It's been seven years in the making, but the world’s biggest cruise ship is making its debut.

Measuring a staggering 1,198 feet, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas was delivered today at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland and is on schedule for her maiden voyage from Miami, Florida to the Caribbean on January 27, 2024.

Delivery of the ship signifies transfer of ownership of a new cruise ship.

The 20-deck cruise ship has a maximum capacity for 7,600 guests and 2,350 crew members.

Icon of the Seas is delivered

Executives from Royal Caribbean took delivery of the ship at a ceremony at the shipyard.

Construction took over 900 days, and the momentous occasion was met with celebration by both the shipyard and the cruise line.

In attendance at the celebration were more than 1,200 crew members and workers, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley, and Meyer Turku CEO Tim Meyer.

Mr. Liberty shared his thoughts on the significance of the delivery, "Today, we are celebrating more than a new ship; it’s also the celebration of the culmination of more than 50 years of innovation and dreaming at Royal Caribbean to create the ultimate vacation experience."

"Delivering Icon of the Seas represents all that can be accomplished with strong partnerships and a commitment to delivering memorable vacations responsibly, and we thank Meyer Turku and an incredible village of skilled partners for joining us on this journey. The memories millions of families and vacationers will make on Icon will be our greatest accomplishment yet."

Mr. Bayley also shared why Icon of the Seas will be a big deal for the cruise line for many years to come, "Welcoming Icon of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family is a remarkable accomplishment years in the making for thousands of innovators, engineers, architects and designers

"Seven years ago, we had an ambitious idea to create the first vacation truly made for every type of family and adventurer; now, it’s in our hands, and in this final stretch, we’ll bring it all to life for the biggest debut in our history in January 2024."

Icon of the Seas is now on her way to Cadiz, Spain, where it will receive its finishing touches before heading to its year-round home in Miami.

A long journey

Royal Caribbean placed the order for Icon of the Seas in October 2016, but conceptual work for it likely went even further back.

The cruise line has referred to Icon as a "white paper" ship, meaning they started with a blank slate in terms of ideas for this ship.

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider described the design process for a new ship as, "never ending."

"You go through a great design process. We've got in our new build organization excellent architects and designers, with partners in the yard who really are focused on the kind of nautical marine side of some of the innovation that we're trying to do."

The ship was originally scheduled for delivery in early 2022, but that was pushed back due to delays brought about by the global health crisis.

Royal Caribbean wasn't alone in facing disruptions in those years, as the entire cruise industry was shutdown for almost two years. Nonetheless, work on Icon of the Seas continued and while the original delivery date may have been pushed back, the revised date held firm and there were no other issues.

While the global health crisis may have been a hindrance, it didn't stop the process according to Mr. Schneider, "The pandemic didn't stop the work. It slowed it a bit and created certain challenges."

Innovations aplenty

Icon of the Seas is two months away from beginning her first cruise, and the ship is primed with lots for families to enjoy.

The ship will begin operating 7-night cruises from Miami, Florida to the Caribbean in late January.

Icon of the Seas comprises eight neighborhoods, one of which is specifically designed for families with young children.  Royal Caribbean is doubling down on the family vacation market, not only trying to attract families that cruise other lines, but land vacationers who never considered a cruise vacation.

Cruise line executives have spoken on how they believe Icon of the Seas will go after the land vacation market that typically goes to a theme park or resort in Orlando, Florida.

The ship will have new types of cabins, a water park, new neighborhoods, and plenty of activities inbetween. It will also offer a bigger array of dining venues, bars and deck-top attractions than any cruise vessel ever built.

You'll find more than 40 restaurants and bars, industry-leading entertainment across the cruise line’s four signature stages and more.

There's 28 different kinds of cabins, including the new three-level Ultimate Family Townhouse. The townhouse comes at a hefty price, with families paying $80,000 for a week to stay in it.

A floating city

Not only is she big, but Royal Caribbean is loading her up with all sorts of new offerings.

There are 8 neighborhoods (one more than the Oasis Class ships), with three of the neighborhoods being an all new concept.

• AquaDome is at the front of the ship, offering 220-degree views and a 55-foot waterfall
• Suite Neighborhood has a Mediterranean restaurant and two-floor sundeck
• Central Park is a five deck open-air park that has living plant walls
• Chill Island has four pools and a swim-up bar
• Thrill Island is where you'll find the Category 6 waterpark, FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing wall, mini-golf course and more.
• Surfside neighborhood designed for young families
• Royal Promenade shopping and entertainment district
• The Hideaway at he back of the ship offering 180-degree views and an infinity pool

Icon is also the cruise line’s first ship that can be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a transitional fuel. The dual-fuel engines will work alongside a lineup of energy efficiency initiatives and industry-leading environmental programs on board, like the first waste-to-energy plant at sea. Twenty-four percent more energy efficient than the standards required for ships being designed today, the cruise line’s most sustainable ship yet will mark the next step in parent company Royal Caribbean Group's journey to introduce a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.

When will Icon of the Seas sail?

Now that Icon of the Seas is part of the Royal Caribbean fleet, preparations are underway to make sure she is ready to welcome the first guests.

The inaugural sailing will take place on January 27, 2024 from Miami, Florida when Icon of the Seas will sail to the Eastern Caribbean and Royal Caribbean’s private islands of Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.

She'll be based in South Florida though at least April 2026. By then, however, they'll be another Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas, in service, although it's currently unknown where she will sail from. 

The ship isn't quite ready to welcome passengers onboard.  While construction is complete, the ship needs to be supplied, staffed up, and filled with various amenities to finish the ship.