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World’s largest cruise ship set to begin voyage from Port of Miami

By Jessica Goodman, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Royal Caribbean International’s highly anticipated Icon of the Seas arrived in Miami for the first time ahead of its official debut on Jan. 27. Welcomed with fanfare by air, land and sea, the first-of-its-kind combination of every vacation features an all-encompassing lineup of firsts and next-level favorites for every kind of family and vacationer. On 7-night vacations to the Caribbean, adventurers can experience highlights like six record-breaking waterslides, an adults-only retreat, seven pools, the first neighborhood designed for young families, 40-plus ways to dine, drink and be entertained; and more.

Icon of the Seas 1 Royal Caribbean International’s highly anticipated Icon of the Seas arrived in Miami for the first time ahead of its official debut on Jan. 27. (Hand-out/Royal Caribbean International)

By Jessica Goodman, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

MIAMI — The largest cruise ship in the world is expected to begin its first journey Saturday from the Port of Miami.

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Royal Caribbean’s “Icon of the Seas” is about as long as the height of the Empire State Building, at approximately 1,200 feet, according to The Associated Press.

The cruise ship is heading on its first weeklong island-hopping trip from South Florida, according to the AP. The cruise line said that the trip starts on Saturday.

The ship can carry up to around 8,000 people, according to The New York Times. It is made up of eight “neighborhoods” that have amenities including a 55-foot waterfall, six water slides and more than 40 restaurants, bars and entertainment spaces. It also has an ice-skating rink and seven swimming pools, according to the AP.

“‘Icon of the Seas’ is the culmination of more than 50 years of dreaming, innovating and living our mission – to deliver the world’s best vacation experiences responsibly. She is the ultimate multigenerational family vacation, forever changing the status quo in family travel and fulfilling vacation dreams for all ages on board,” Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty said. “With Lionel Messi presiding over the ship’s naming, we are thrilled and honored to have someone iconic for delivering memories for millions of fútbol fans around the world and who values making iconic memories with his family even more.”

The cruise ship was first revealed in October 2022, the AP reported. It led to one of the single largest booking days as well as the highest volume booking week in the history of the Royal Caribbean.

Soccer star Lionel Messi and his Miami teammates helped celebrate the ship on Tuesday, the AP reported.

“Family is everything to me, and it was exciting to take part in welcoming what is the world’s best family vacation to Miami,” Messi, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of “Icon,” said in a statement. “Everything I’ve seen on ‘Icon of the Seas’ is next level. There are experiences for the whole family to make memories that they’ll remember forever.”

“We did it! After seven years of pursuing the bold vision to create a one-of-a-kind vacation for every type of family and adventurer, ‘Icon of the Seas’ has become a reality,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Officially naming Icon marks more than the introduction of a new ship; it is the start of a new era of vacations, and we’re excited to see tens of millions of families and friends make their mark with memories they create together and on their own adventures without compromise.”

For more information about the Icon of the Seas cruise or to book a trip, visit Royal Caribbean’s website.

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