Royal Caribbean’s record-breaking Icon of the Seas embarked on its first voyage as the cruise industry enjoys a surge in people wanting to vacation on the ocean.
When the world’s largest cruise ship set off on its maiden voyage from Miami to the Caribbean last evening, thousands of passengers—and everyone with a social media feed—will finally see if the Icon of the Seas lives up to its name.
Five times heavier than the Titanic, Royal Caribbean’s new behemoth turned heads after its initial unveiling last summer: The 20-deck, ~1,200-foot-long ship has 40 restaurants, seven pools, eight “neighborhoods,” and unconventional amenities like an escape room and a carousel. No wonder most of its inaugural seven-day trip will be spent at sea, with only three half-day stops along the way.
Pop the bubbly. This week, Royal Caribbean became the main Inter Miami jersey sponsor, and team captain Lionel Messi rang in the partnership by christening the Icon of the Seas in Florida fashion: pressing a soccer ball to a button that sent a bottle of champagne ziplining into the ship’s bow.
