Sailing from Miami, the Icon of the Seas Embarks on its Maiden Voyage as the World’s Largest Cruise Ship.
The Icon of the Seas, a massive vessel measuring 365 meters (1,197 feet) in length with 20 decks and a capacity for up to 7,600 passengers, is currently embarking on a seven-day journey through the Caribbean. Owned by the Royal Caribbean Group and constructed at a shipyard in Turku, Finland, this Bahamas-registered ship, valued at $2 billion (£1.6 billion), boasts seven swimming pools, six water slides, and an array of amenities including more than 40 restaurants, bars, and lounges.
However, environmental concerns surround the Icon of the Seas, which relies on liquefied natural gas (LNG) as its power source. Critics argue that the LNG-powered ship poses a risk of leaking harmful methane into the atmosphere. Despite LNG being a cleaner alternative to traditional marine fuels like fuel oil, there is a possibility of gas escaping, leading to methane emissions. Methane is known to be a significantly more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, trapping 80 times more heat over a 20-year period.
Bryan Comer, the director of the Marine Programme at the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), expressed reservations about the choice of LNG, stating, “It’s a step in the wrong direction.” According to a report by the ICCT, methane emissions from LNG-fueled ships surpass current regulatory assumptions, with estimates suggesting over 120% more life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to marine gas oil.
In response, Royal Caribbean contends that the Icon of the Seas exceeds the energy efficiency standards set by the International Maritime Organization for modern ships by 24%. The company also aims to introduce a net-zero ship by 2035.
The cruise industry, a rapidly expanding sector of tourism, has garnered significant interest from young people. The Cruise Lines International Association reports that the cruise industry contributed $75 billion (£59 billion) to the global economy in 2021.
Adding a touch of glamour to the Icon of the Seas, Argentine football icon Lionel Messi, currently playing for Inter Miami, participated in the ship’s naming ceremony. Messi placed a football on a specially built stand, triggering the traditional “good luck” breaking of a champagne bottle against the vessel’s bow on Thursday.
