The new world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas, has left the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, to undertake its first sea trials.
 
The giant new ship, still under construction, left the shipyard on the morning of 19 June 2023, a day later than planned due to strong winds in the area. The ship was assisted by four tugboats when leaving the berth at the shipyard.

Featured Image: Royal Caribbean International Press Centre

Icon of the Seas is to be tested over a series of days during the sea trials. More than 450 specialist personnel are on board, working to carry out crucial, preliminary tests with the ship’s main engines, hull, lifeboats and safety equipment and bow thrusters.
 
A second series of sea trials will take place later this year to further test the new ship, which is the first in a protype design for Royal Caribbean International.
 
The 250,800 gross tonne ship is expected to debut in January 2024. A delivery date to Royal Caribbean International is yet to be confirmed. Icon of the Seas will sail round-trip cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Miami, Florida. 

​PortMiami, known as ‘the cruise capital of the world’, recently celebrated its busiest cruise passenger day ever.
 
On 09 April 2023, a record breaking 67,594 cruise passengers passed through the port, sailing on eight different cruise ships.

Featured Image: PortMiami Facebook

The launch of the new world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas nears closer. The brand-new ship, which is currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard, is expected to begin its first sea trials in mid-June 2023.
 
Sea trials are one of the most important milestones in the construction of a new ship, as it nears completion. The sea trials, which usually last several days, allow a way for all the ship’s features to be tested, which cannot be tested while in port. It’s also period when noise and vibration levels can be monitored.

Royal Caribbean International has released its latest episode in its ‘Making an Icon’ video series, featuring the construction of its newest and largest cruise ship yet, Icon of the Seas.

In episode 4, the cruise line gave a more in depth look at the exciting new neighbourhood, the AquaDome.

Image: Royal Caribbean International

The 171,598 gross tonne MSC Meraviglia has begun her debut in North America.
 
The 4,488-passenger ship called into New York City, docking at the Manhattan Pier on 07 October 2019. MSC Meraviglia is the largest cruise ship ever to visit Manhattan.

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced Kelly Clarkson as Godmother to its newest ship, Norwegian Encore, which is set to debut in Miami in November 2019.
 
The announcement was made on the ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’. The cruise line’s President & CEO, Andy Stuart appeared on the daytime television show aired in the United States, to invite Kelly Clarkson to be Godmother to Norwegian Encore.

Royal Caribbean International’s newest cruise ship, Odyssey of the Seas is to homeport at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in November 2020.
 
The ship, the second Quantum-Ultra class for the cruise line, will sail on its inaugural cruise from Port Everglades on 05 November 2020.

Cruise lines have been offering their help to the Bahamas following the devastating Hurricane Dorian.
 
Between the major cruise lines which are providing help, the major cruise corporations, including Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Carnival Corporation, MSC and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, have already committed over £4 million.

Cruise lines with ships in the Caribbean are working quickly to make changes to cruise itineraries to keep their ships out of the way of Hurricane Dorian.
 
The Hurricane has been intensifying and was recently upgraded to a category 4, with sustained winds of 130mph as it makes landfall with the east coast of Florida on 02 September 2019.

Norwegian Encore, currently under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, was floated from the building hall on 17 August 2019.
 
The 169,145 gross tonne ship, which is due to join the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet later this year, was floated out during the early hours, with the assistance of tug boats.