The Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, has set off on its maiden voyage.
Royal Caribbean’s vessel set sail from Miami in Florida on Saturday with a capacity for up to 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members.
The ship is nearly 1,200ft (365m) from bow to stern and is divided into eight neighbourhoods across 20 decks.
It features six waterslides, seven swimming pools, an ice skating rink, a theatre and more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges.
The Icon of the Seas set off from Miami
Reuters
Environmental groups have raised concerns about potential emissions of methane from the ship’s six dual-fuel engines, which can be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Director of the Marine Program at the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) Bryan Comer said: “It’s a step in the wrong direction.
“We would estimate that using LNG as a marine fuel emits over 120 per cent more life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions than marine gas oil.”
Royal Caribbean says every kilowatt used on the Icon of the Seas “is scrutinized for energy efficiencies and emission reductions.”
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The Icon of the Seas is nearly 1,200ft (365m) from bow to stern
Reuters
They added that the Icon of the Seas is 24 per cent more energy efficient than required by the International Maritime Organization for modern ships.
The company has announced plans to introduce a net-zero ship by 2035.
The ship itself cost Royal Caribbean International a hefty price of €1.65bn to build and acquire.
According to Royal Caribbean, tickets range from $1,723 to $2,639 per person. A high-season cruise around Christmas costs $5,124 per person.
Lionel Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami, took part in the ship’s naming ceremony
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The ship’s maiden voyage will stop in Saint Kitts and Nevis and Charlotte Amalie in the US Virgin Islands.
On Thursday, Argentina’s World Cup winning captain Lionel Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami, took part in the ship’s naming ceremony.
Messi was seen placing a football on a specially built stand to trigger the traditional “good luck” breaking of a champagne bottle against the vessel’s bow.
According to the trade body Cruise Lines International Association, that the cruise industry contributed $75bn to the global economy in 2021.
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