Page 35: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (December 2023)

Royal Caribbean Group

I SCON OF THE EAS natural gas (LNG), and the ship also utilizes fuel cell tech- The ship features the largest waterpark at sea, with six nology for some of its onboard power needs. According to slides, as well as nine whirlpools and seven pools on board,

Royal Caribbean, this is expected to slash carbon emissions including the ? rst suspended in? nity pool at sea. The vessel by approximately 30%. Other notable green features include has 40 places to eat and eight distinct "neighborhoods" that a Foreship-designed air lubrication system to reduce hull fric- offer a variety of experience options for passengers. One of tion as well as a robotic hull cleaner that removes debris and the neighborhoods is the “AquaDome”, featuring the single slime when the ship is docked in port to prevent increases in largest glass and steel structure to be lifted onto a cruise ship. drag. Icon is also equipped with a shore power connection and Another innovation is the ship's "Pearl", a 15-meter-diame- a ? rst-of-its-kind waste heat recovery system to turn waste ter round thrill staircase that is part of the ship's load-bearing heat into up to 3 megawatts of extra energy. structure. Following delivery, the Panamanian-? agged ship

At the time of the ship’s delivery, Royal Caribbean Group set sail to Cadiz, Spain, where the cruise line is completing

CEO Jason Liberty said, “Today we are celebrating much ? nishing touches ahead of Icon’s ? rst voyage from its home more than just a ship being completed. We also celebrate that port of Miami at the end of January 2024.

the innovations and dreams created by Royal Caribbean dur- After Icon of the Seas, Meyer Turku will also build Royal ing over 50 years have reached a new peak. Icon of the Seas Caribbean's next two Icon-class cruise ships for delivery in represents everything that can be achieved in responsible va- 2025 and 2026, having already started production of the se- cationing thanks to commitment and strong partnerships.” ries' second vessel, Star of the Seas.

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