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World’s largest cruise ship labeled ‘monstrosity’ ahead of maiden voyage

By
Mary K. Jacob
Published July 13, 2023
Updated July 13, 2023, 6:24 p.m. ET
Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas arriving January 2024
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The world’s largest cruise ship, which is set to launch in January, has been labeled a “monstrosity,” with critics comparing it to having the same buzz as the Titanic did on its maiden voyage.

Known as Icon of the Seas under Royal Caribbean International, this new ship is five times larger than the Titanic with an internal volume of 250,800 gigatonnes (GT) compared to 46,328 GT.

Online critics have been quick to point out how the ship, over-the-top in nature, doesn’t mean bigger is better.

“As visions of hell go, that’s pretty much the most hellish,” one person tweeted in response to a photo of the new cruise ship, while another said, “I’m sorry but this is a nightmare.”

“Every time I see a picture of the Icon of the Seas cruise ship I am filled with an intense dread,” another wrote.

The largest cruise ship set to launch in January has been described as a "monstrosity" by its critics.
The largest cruise ship set to launch in January has been described as a “monstrosity” by its critics.

“For a second I was like ‘No, the Icon of the Seas is not real, it can’t hurt you because some wacky giant cruise ship seasteading scheme goes viral every 10 months.’ But I looked it up and it turns out they actually built this one,” another person tweeted.

For the company, however, this takes travel to a new level.

“We are positioning it as the ultimate family vacation and when you step back and look at all the energy and time that has gone into creating this ship it is mind-blowing,” Royal Caribbean International president and chief executive Michael Bayley said in a statement.

NY Post photo composite
Royal Bay Pool in the new Chill Island neighborhood on Icon of the Seas is the largest pool at sea.
Royal Bay Pool in the new Chill Island neighborhood on Icon of the Seas is the largest pool at sea. Royal Caribbean International
In the reimagined Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas, there is Royal Caribbean’s largest and boldest ice arena to date.
In the reimagined Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas, there is Royal Caribbean’s largest and boldest ice arena to date. Royal Caribbean International
May 2023 – Special occasions and milestones get the VIP treatment at Celebration Table, the new 12-seat private experience on Icon of the Seas.
Special occasions and milestones get the VIP treatment at Celebration Table, the new 12-seat private experience on Icon of the Seas. Royal Caribbean International
The two-level Royal Loft Suite on board Icon of the Seas is the ultimate in luxury. There are more than 2,000 square feet six vacationers can enjoy.
The two-level Royal Loft Suite on board Icon of the Seas is the ultimate in luxury. There are more than 2,000 square feet six vacationers can enjoy. Royal Caribbean International
A neighborhood designed for young families, Surfside brings new ways to play all day on Icon of the Seas.
A neighborhood designed for young families, Surfside brings new ways to play all day on Icon of the Seas. Royal Caribbean International

That said, the ship comes with every feature imaginable. It will have seven pools, nine whirlpools and the largest water park at sea.

The water park is named Category 6, after its record-breaking six slides. One of the slides includes the tallest waterslide to sail. And another slide is an open free-fall waterslide — the first of its kind on a cruise ship.

Currently, the cheapest ticket is priced at $1,851 for an interior room on a seven-night cruise from Miami to the western Caribbean in September 2024.

The most expensive is $10,864 for a suite on the same cruise in March. The ship also offers a seven-day trip to the eastern end of the balmy Caribbean.

Casino Royale on the highly anticipated Icon of the Seas features about as many as 30 table games and more than 370 slot machines.
Casino Royale on the highly anticipated Icon of the Seas features about as many as 30 table games and more than 370 slot machines. Royal Caribbean International
The three-level Dining Room on Icon of the Seas features Royal Caribbean’s signature recipes of rotating flavors from around the world, alongside tried-and-true favorites.
The three-level Dining Room on Icon of the Seas features Royal Caribbean’s signature recipes of rotating flavors from around the world, alongside tried-and-true favorites. Royal Caribbean International
The new room, nestled in the new Surfside family neighborhood, welcomes a family of up to four guests. There’s a cozy kids alcove, which transforms into a living space for all.
The new room, nestled in the new Surfside family neighborhood, welcomes a family of up to four guests. There’s a cozy kids alcove, which transforms into a living space for all. Royal Caribbean International
Taking nights out and hangouts to a new level on Icon of the Seas are The Overlook lounge and pods – the first of their kind at sea – in AquaDome.
Taking nights out and hangouts to a new level on Icon of the Seas are The Overlook lounge and pods — the first of their kind at sea — in AquaDome. Royal Caribbean International
The hideaway pool.
The hideaway pool. Royal Caribbean International

As for technical specifics, the boat is equipped with 17 lifeboats with the capacity for up to 450 people — meaning it has room for 7,650 people, despite its capacity for 7,960.

Specifically, it holds up to some 5,610 passengers and 2,350 crew across 19 floors — the height alone comparable to a New York City building.

The vessel completed its first set of tests on June 22, according to a company statement.

“During her first set of sea trials, Icon of the Seas traveled hundreds of miles, during which the main engines, hull, brake systems, steering, noise, and vibration levels were all tested,” the statement said. “Everything was done on time as outlined in the schedule, despite her departure being delayed due to wind conditions.”

Royal Caribbean, which didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on the recent online criticism, says a second set of sea trials is scheduled for later in 2023 — and, beyond that, there are more opportunities to look forward to.

Thrill Island’s six record-breaking slides reach new heights: Pressure Drop, the industry’s first open free-fall slide; Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea; Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, the first family raft slides with four riders per raft; and Storm Chasers, cruising’s first mat-racing duo.
Thrill Island’s six record-breaking slides reach new heights: Pressure Drop, the industry’s first open free-fall slide; Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea; Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, the first family raft slides with four riders per raft; and Storm Chasers, cruising’s first mat-racing duo. Royal Caribbean International
The new Surfside Bites on Icon of the Seas is the pit stop between adventures in Surfside, the neighborhood made for young families.
The new Surfside Bites on Icon of the Seas is the pit stop between adventures in Surfside, the neighborhood made for young families. Royal Caribbean International
Surfside Eatery is the new buffet dedicated to families in Surfside,
Surfside Eatery is the new buffet dedicated to families in Surfside. Royal Caribbean International
The award-winning youth program for kids of 6 months to 12 years old, Adventure Ocean.
The award-winning youth program for kids of 6 months to 12 years old, Adventure Ocean. Royal Caribbean International

The cruise ship will also offer passengers more than 40 ways to dine, drink and be entertained.

Icon of the Seas will also boast a rock climbing wall, Royal Caribbean’s first food hall, a beach-themed carousel, an arcade and a mini-golf course — meaning that passengers, while sailing through open seas, may never feel bored.

There are 28 different types of accommodations, with more categories for families, more layouts with ocean views and more space for group travelers. The cruise line says it’s the longest timeframe it’s ever dedicated to “designing the perfect home base.”

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Comments have flooded on social media with people weary of going on the new cruise.
Comments have flooded on social media with people weary of going on the new cruise. Facebook

Despite the negative comments, that hasn’t kept optimistic cruisers from signing up.

Bayley described Icon of the Seas during the company’s quarterly financial results as “literally the best-performing new product launch we’ve ever had.” It has already sold out in January — the first month of its launch.