World's Largest Cruise Ship, Icon of the Seas, Begins Seven-Night Sailings

Despite Environmental Concerns, Demand for Luxury Amenities on the $2 Billion Vessel Remains High

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, has begun its first seven-night sailings. The $2 billion vessel can accommodate almost 10,000 people, including crew, and features unprecedented amenities like a six-slide water park.
The ship is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a decision criticized by environmentalists due to the greenhouse gas emissions associated with LNG. However, Royal Caribbean claims the ship is 24% more energy efficient than required for ships designed today.
The Icon of the Seas has eight different onboard 'neighborhoods' designed to appeal to a range of passengers, including families with young kids and adults-only travelers. These include the family-focused Surfside and the adults-only The Hideaway.
The ship's most expensive two-story Ultimate Family Townhouse is being booked for between $100,000 to $200,000 a week. Despite this hefty cost, the eight-guest cabin is already reserved for most of 2024.
Icon of the Seas' entertainment offerings include the first at-sea performance of 'The Wizard of Oz', complete with flying monkeys. The ship also hosts a resident golden retriever, Rover, dubbed the Chief Dog Officer.