Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the world’s newest and largest cruise ship, is scheduled to make its inaugural call to Charlotte Amalie on Wednesday at the Austin Monsanto Marine Terminal in Crown Bay, St. Thomas, which is operated by the V.I. Port Authority.
The ship embarked from the port of Miami on Saturday after receiving her official christening by famed footballer Lionel Messi.
St. Thomians will have the opportunity to witness this mega ship during its 7-day Caribbean tour. The Icon of the Seas boasts an impressive maximum capacity of 7,600 passengers and features seven pools, six waterslides, and approximately 40 places to eat and drink.
As the first vessel in Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class, the ship represents “the celebration of the culmination of more than 50 years of innovation and dreaming at Royal Caribbean,” according to CEO Jason Liberty. He added that this ship offers “the ultimate vacation experience.”
Spanning 20 decks, the ship is divided into various neighborhoods, such as Thrill Island, which houses the largest waterpark at sea, and Chill Island, home to most of the ship’s pools.
Reflecting a commitment to sustainability, Icon of the Seas is powered by 6 Wärtsilä main engines that can run on either diesel or liquefied natural gas (LNG). Royal Caribbean intends to use LNG for this vessel, as it is a less polluting alternative fuel compared to diesel.
