A look inside the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, as it prepares to set sail.

Royal Caribbean is redefining the cruise industry with its newest ship, Icon of the Seas. The $2 billion floating resort is mostly booked through 2026.

At approximately 1,200 feet long and with 20 decks, Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world.

This is a maritime city, accommodating up to 7,600 passengers in 2,805 staterooms and nearly 10,000 including crew. The ship offers a variety of experiences, including the world’s first onboard water park with seven pools (one of the largest on any ship), six water slides, a theater, a casino, and more than 40 dining options. Masu.

Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean’s chief product innovation officer, said the cruise ship is more than just an amenity.

“It’s really about the symbolic experience,” he said.

And despite its massive size, the ship is designed to avoid any feeling of overcrowding, Schneider said.

“We intentionally designed the ship to give people more space,” he said. “We believe that even with 7,500 guests, it won’t feel like your entire hometown has joined the ship,” Schneider said.

Icon offers luxury at a reasonable price. A week-long Caribbean cruise costs about $3,500 for two people in an average stateroom. For those seeking even more luxury, his Ultimate Family Townhouse, a three-story suite with a touchscreen table and slide, is available for up to $100,000 per trip. The Royal Loft is for adults on the go, with two bedrooms, a private hot tub, and a spacious balcony, with prices starting at his $40,000.

Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic, said larger ships benefit both passengers and cruise lines.

“It means more people can experience things. It means more amenities and activities onboard cruise ships,” McDaniel said. “The more people you put on a cruise ship, the better your business is and the more money you make.”

Kevin Curran says the icon took his breath away. The Oregon resident, who has been watching the ship’s construction for more than a year, said he was excited to be on the ship’s first cruise from Miami.

“The more I watched the video, the more I realized this was something special,” he said.

Cruising is rapidly gaining popularity. Last year’s passenger numbers exceeded pre-pandemic numbers and are expected to reach a new high of 36 million this year, as spending on experiences has increased by 65% ​​since 2019.

From atop the bridge, Captain Hendrick Roy is overseeing the three-day trial run to the Bahamas.

“It still needs some fine-tuning,” Roy said.

The icon also champions environmental responsibility. Powered by liquefied natural gas, it processes its own waste and produces its own water.