Yesterday, November 27, 2023, Royal Caribbean International officially took delivery of Icon of the Seas. Just two months before the ship’s debut in Miami, more than 1,200 crew members and workers were joined by Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley and Meyer Turku CEO Tim Meyer as papers were signed and Icon of the Seas officially became part of the Royal Caribbean fleet of ships.
“Today, we are celebrating more than a new ship; it’s also the celebration of the culmination of more than 50 years of innovation and dreaming at Royal Caribbean to create the ultimate vacation experience,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “Delivering Icon of the Seas represents all that can be accomplished with strong partnerships and a commitment to delivering memorable vacations responsibly, and we thank Meyer Turku and an incredible village of skilled partners for joining us on this journey. The memories millions of families and vacationers will make on Icon will be our greatest accomplishment yet.”
The delivery of the new ship comes at the end of 900 days of construction and more than seven years of design and development. The delivery also commemorates the installation of the AquaDome, the single largest glass and steel structure to be lifted onto a cruise ship as well as engineering enough water on board for seven pools and six record-breaking waterslides.
“Welcoming Icon of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family is a remarkable accomplishment years in the making for thousands of innovators, engineers, architects and designers,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Seven years ago, we had an ambitious idea to create the first vacation truly made for every type of family and adventurer; now, it’s in our hands, and in this final stretch, we’ll bring it all to life for the biggest debut in our history in January 2024.”
Icon of the Seas will now sail to Cadiz, Spain for her finishing touches before she traverses the Atlantic to her homeport in Miami, Florida. She will welcome her first guests on January 27, 2024, and sail a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise to St. Kitts, St. Thomas, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Icon of the Seas will offer alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages that will include Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas. Also coming to Perfect Day in January 2024 is Hideaway Beach, the private island’s first adults’ only space complete with a private beach and pools, live music, cabanas and more.