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. 

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 world's largest and Royal Caribbean's most environmentally friendly cruise ship was floated out at the Meyer Turku shipyard.
 
The dry dock, the 365-metre-long Icon of the Seas had resided up until now, was flooded, to allow the ship to exit for the first time. The huge dry dock gates were opened, and the ground-breaking new ship was floated out to the outfitting pier where it will stay until it's sea trials in 2023.

Image: Meyer Turku

Royal Caribbean International released episode 2 of its “Making an Icon” monthly video series, featuring the cruise line’s brand-new ship, Icon of the Seas.
 
At present, very Little is known about the highly anticipated new ship, which is currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. Icon of the Seas, which is expected to be the world’s largest cruise set, and Royal Caribbean International’s first ship powered by liquified natural gas (LNG) is scheduled to enter service in Autumn 2023.

Photo: Janne-Petteri Kumpulaine

Royal Caribbean International is expected to premiere episode 2 of its "Making an Icon" series of online monthly videos, featuring the cruise line’s brand-new ship, Icon of the Seas.
 
Little is known about the ship, which is currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. Icon of the Seas, which is expected to be the world’s largest cruise set, is scheduled to enter service in Autumn 2023.

Adventures aboard the world’s newest wonder are on the horizon for vacationers of all ages. Today, Royal Caribbean International took delivery of Wonder of the Seas, the next highly anticipated and innovative ship in the cruise line’s award-winning lineup.

Marking the completion of three years of construction, a traditional flag-changing ceremony took place in Marseille, France, with shipyard partner Chantiers de l’Atlantique. Wonder will make its official debut in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 4, to begin sailing 7-night cruises to the Caribbean before heading to Barcelona, Spain; and Rome to offer summer adventures in the Mediterranean.

Welcoming Wonder to the Royal Caribbean family was Royal Caribbean Group Chairman Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley, and Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France.

“Wonder of the Seas will energize cruising in a bolder and bigger way. Adding this ship to our already best-in-class fleet elevates the company in continuing to lead the industry with new features and innovation,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “This is one more way that we’re delivering world-class and memorable vacations, responsibly, to guests around the world.”

“Taking delivery of Wonder of the Seas is the culmination of 30 months of ingenuity and partnership across more than 2,000 committed crew members and workers who are among the best at what they do,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Along with taking the revolutionary Oasis Class ships to a new level of wonder, innovation and adventure, Wonder sets the stage for the spring and summer vacations families and all travelers alike are looking forward to in the new year. The combination of brand-new features and favorites that span thrills, entertainment, dining and nightlife is unparalleled, and it’s what will make our latest and most innovative ship the world’s newest wonder and the ultimate vacation in the Caribbean and Europe.”

“Wonder of the Seas represents a new step forward in the Oasis Class ships. Our teams have worked under difficult conditions but in a very united way to finally make major changes that enhanced the ship performance,” said Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique. “Wonder is really an outstanding new ship.”
Highlights to Uncover on Wonder.

The fifth in Royal Caribbean’s revolutionary Oasis class of ships, Wonder has adventures across eight unique neighborhoods – a Royal Caribbean first – in store for vacationers of all ages. The young and the young at heart can discover, wonder and make memories in a variety of ways and places designed for family bonding and me time, including:

• Suite Neighborhood – The new, eighth neighborhood offers Royal Suite Class guests an elevated Suite Sun Deck in a new location, complete with a plunge pool, bar and plenty of loungers and nooks to kick back; along with favorites such as Coastal Kitchen, the private restaurant; the Suite Lounge, and the largest Ultimate Family Suiteyet to host a family of 10.
• The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar – The new hotspot serves up southern staples and new twists on classics for brunch, dinner and in the late night, including savory johnnycakes, southern fried chicken, crab beignets, and shrimp and grits. Completing the experience is live country music, farmhouse-style decor, a collection of American whiskeys and spiked shakes.
• Wonder Playscape – The underwater-themed play area for kids is a whole new adventure with slides, climbing walls, games, an interactive mural activated by touch and imaginative puzzles.
• The Vue Bar – The happiest of happy hours can be found at the new cantilevered bar that offers panoramic ocean views by day, and after sunset, it shines bright with a colorful mosaic canopy.
• Caribbean Pool Deck – At the center of the Caribbean vibes is The Lime & Coconut, alongside the trio of high-speed waterslides, The Perfect Storm; kids aqua parkSplashaway Bay, Casitas, in-pool loungers, live music; and more.
• El Loco Fresh and Cantina Fresca - The grab-and-go spot for Mexican delights, like made-to-order tacos, burritos and quesadillas, now debuts Cantina Fresca. The dedicated bar serves a selection of "aguas frescas," margaritas and other Mexican staples.
• 
  

Other returning favorites on board Wonder include Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Royal Caribbean’s latest twist on the Italian trattoria; the tallest slide at sea, The Ultimate Abyss; the newly designed, dedicated kids and teens spaces at Adventure Ocean, Social100 and The Patio; the FlowRider surf simulator, twin rock-climbing walls, the Central Park neighborhood lined by more than 20,000 real plants; and more.
​
Upcoming U.S. and Europe Cruises

• Sailing from Fort Lauderdale – Wonder will set sail to the Caribbean from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale between March and April 2022. The 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries include visits to the cruise line‘s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, The Bahamas; Roatan, Honduras; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• Sailing from Barcelona and Rome – Starting in May, the new Oasis Class ship charts course for summer vacations in the Mediterranean. The 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises will visit marquee destinations like Naples and Florence, Italy; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; and Provence, France.
• Sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida – Year-round adventures on Wonder begin in November 2022, when the newest addition to the Royal Caribbean lineup cruises to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral. The destinations vacationers have in store range from Perfect Day at CocoCay and Philipsburg, St. Maarten, to Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Cozumel, Mexico.

An update on the impact of the latest Covid-19 variant, Omicron, has been provided by the Royal Caribbean Group, the parent company of a handful of the world’s leading cruise lines.
 
The cruise giant stated that more infectious variant has caused significant problems, leading to cruise booking cancellations and disruption for the company. Ormicron is becoming the dominant strain in many countries around the world.

The 168,666 gross tonne Odyssey of the Seas, which is currently under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, has had a giant name painted on its hull.
 
The name painted on the bow of the ship measures more than 87 metres in length. That’s longer than eight double decker buses! The ‘O’ alone, in Odyssey of the Seas measures 11.2 metres in height.

The new world’s largest cruise ship, Wonder of the Seas, has been floated out of the dry dock at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.
 
At high tide on 05 September 2020, the 5,448-passenger ship was transferred from the dry dock where it was built, to a nearby basin for the outfitting to commence, expected to last around six months.