Icon of the Seas Construction Update: First Sea Trials Complete

January 2023 – The world’s best family vacation is one step closer to its highly anticipated debut in January 2024. Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas reached its next major construction milestone in December 2022. With 58 million gallons of water, five tugboats and one cannon shot, watch how the revolutionary ship was floated out of dry dock and into its outfitting pier at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, where it will complete its final stages of construction.

November 2022 – The making of the world’s best family vacation has reached new heights. Watch Icon of the Seas’ AquaDome neighborhood take shape with the installation of a new feat – a 363-ton dome – at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. In a record-breaking lift, it took more than 80 hours to install the single largest glass and steel structure to be lifted onto a cruise ship, which stands at 82 feet tall and 164 feet wide. The dome will broaden vacationers’ horizons with 220-degree, wraparound ocean views and more. Featured among Icon’s eight all-encompassing neighborhoods, the transformational AquaDome will be a tranquil oasis by day and a vibrant hot spot at night, complete with signature, deck-defying aqua shows at the AquaTheater, new restaurants, bars, lounges and nightlife.

May 2023 - In “Making an Icon: Creating Chill Island and The Hideaway,” Royal Caribbean’s innovators across naval architecture, design, food and beverage operations, and product development break down the pools, dining, bars and more that make up the ways to chill on Icon of the Seas. Designing the new Chill Island and The Hideaway neighborhoods came down to engineering more water on the top of a cruise ship than ever before and the purposeful combination of different experiences and vibes for every mood and vacationer. Discover how it was all made possible, from adding five pools – including the first suspended infinity pool at sea – to creating a variety of ways to grab a bite and drinks.

A new era of vacations is here: Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas, the first-of-its-kind combination of the best of every vacation, debuts its all-encompassing lineup of firsts and next-level favorites for every kind of family and vacationer. On 7-night vacations from Miami 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.

November 2023 – *Episode 15 Teaser* One of eight neighborhoods on the record-breaking Icon of the Seas is Central Park, a real park and all that comes with it, including more than 33,500 plants. Go behind the scenes in “Making an Icon: Creating Central Park” as the experts share what it takes to bring to life a park in the middle of the ocean that’s lusher and livelier than ever before. With a new live music venue, windows with champagne and sushi, and even an all-new dining experience that pairs eight courses with music, wine and more, evolving what’s become an all-time favorite was anything but a walk in the park.

November 2023 – One of eight neighborhoods on the record-breaking Icon of the Seas is Central Park, a real park and all that comes with it, including more than 33,500 plants. Go behind the scenes in “Making an Icon: Creating Central Park” as the experts share what it takes to bring to life a park in the middle of the ocean that’s lusher and livelier than ever before. With a new live music venue, windows with champagne and sushi, and even an all-new dining experience that pairs eight courses with music, wine and more, evolving what’s become an all-time favorite was anything but a walk in the park.

November 2023 – *Icon Extra Teaser* Royal Caribbean International's Icon of the Seas debuts the first-ever AquaDome, a tranquil oasis by day and vibrant hot spot by night with restaurants, bars, wraparound ocean views and entertainment in the next-level AquaTheater. A record-breaking milestone in constructing the new neighborhood was installing the single largest glass and steel structure onto the new ship in November 2022 – an 80-hour process from start to finish. Go behind the scenes with the specialists on the ground as it all came together in Turku, Finland.

November 2023 – Royal Caribbean International's Icon of the Seas debuts the first-ever AquaDome, a tranquil oasis by day and vibrant hot spot by night with restaurants, bars, wraparound ocean views and entertainment in the next-level AquaTheater. A record-breaking milestone in constructing the new neighborhood was installing the single largest glass and steel structure onto the new ship in November 2022 – an 80-hour process from start to finish. Go behind the scenes with the specialists on the ground as it all came together in Turku, Finland.

July 2023 – *Episode 11 Teaser* Memorable vacations start with memorable first impressions, and Royal Caribbean International delivers that from the very first step onto Icon of the Seas. In “Making an Icon: Creating Royal Promenade,” the experts show and tell how the heartbeat of the ship has transformed in 25 years since its introduction in 1999. The next generation of Royal Promenade comes together with revolutionary feats in engineering, architecture and design to create a place with experiences for everyone day and night. From the neighborhood’s first ocean views to the seamless connection between two floors of 15-plus new and returning restaurants, bars and lounges, alongside dedicated areas for kids and teens, shows, activities like ice skating, and more, it’s the place to be and be seen.

July 2023 – Memorable vacations start with memorable first impressions, and Royal Caribbean International delivers that from the very first step onto Icon of the Seas. In “Making an Icon: Creating Royal Promenade,” the experts show and tell how the heartbeat of the ship has transformed in 25 years since its introduction in 1999. The next generation of Royal Promenade comes together with revolutionary feats in engineering, architecture and design to create a place with experiences for everyone day and night. From the neighborhood’s first ocean views to the seamless connection between two floors of 15-plus new and returning restaurants, bars and lounges, alongside dedicated areas for kids and teens, shows, activities like ice skating, and more, it’s the place to be and be seen.

June 2023 – *Episode 10 Teaser* Behind Icon of the Seas is the heart and soul of every Royal Caribbean vacation: the dedicated crew. In “Making an Icon: Creating the Crew’s Neighborhood,” get the first look at the new home away from home designed for the 2,350 crew who will bring the world’s best vacation to life. The experts, captain and crew members walk through how they started with a blank slate and designed the evolution of their public spaces and rooms with the help of the crew themselves. From the cruise line’s first room patent to more ways to get together, kick back and celebrate in dedicated spaces across four decks, the neighborhood sets a new standard of home and community for Royal Caribbean’s world-class crew.

May 2023 – Construction on Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas is progressing ahead of its highly anticipated debut in January 2024. On an exclusive construction tour, the world’s best family vacation takes shape from bow to stern across eight neighborhoods, including the home to the largest waterpark at sea - Thrill Island - and Surfside, the first neighborhood designed for young families from end to end.

B-roll of Icon of the Seas under construction