Each new Royal Caribbean () - ship pushes the boundaries set by the previous one. Wonder of the Seas takes the company's Oasis-class ships to places they have never visited.
Wonder of the Seas, which is home to the largest ship in the world, utilizes the neighborhood concept used on Oasis-class ships. Alongside the Boardwalk and Central Park outdoor areas found on its sister ships, Wonder adds a suite neighborhood, which gives Royal Caribbean a new level of opportunity to offer its high-end passengers.
The new ship also has a much-improved adults-only Solarium, a bar on the pool deck that cantilevers over the ocean, as well as a new Mason Jar southern restaurant and bar concept.
It enables room design to be enhanced, particularly when it comes to USB ports (something that isn't found on older ships) and space that is more effectively used in order to maximize storage.
Wonder of the Seas isn't revolutionary, but these things are combined to make the ship a significant advancement compared to the previous Oasis-class ships.
Royal Caribbean is working on the Icon of the Seas, the first ship in the new Icon class, out of the next Oasis-class ship.
At a recent news conference, the company has kept the details of Icon of the Seas close to the vest.
Royal Caribbean (Image Source)
What We Know So Far About the Icon of the Seas
Icon of the Seas will be the first of a new class of ship in 2025 and 2026, according to Royal Caribbean. The original ship in the class is currently being constructed by Meyer Turku, a Finnish shipyard. It is expected to be delivered by 2023.
Following a ceremonial celebration of its keel-laying ceremony, the firm said in a news release:
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Icon will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) the cleanest fossil fuel used today. Combining LNG with a range of proven technologies, such as shore power connection and waste heat recovery systems that recycle excess energy to assist the ship's operations, Icon will be the next significant step in Royal Caribbean's quest for a clean-energy future.
LNG has become the focus of what Royal Caribbean has shared about the new vessel.
In his remarks during the keel-laying, Bayley hints at what's to come with Icon of the Seas.
"We started dreaming of the Icon of the Seas five years ago, and now the next phase of this iconic adventure is beginning," he said. "As this game-changing ship takes shape, the excitement from families and travelers alike, travel advisors and our partners continues to build. Later this year, well reveal the lineup of firsts and favorites that will set a new standard for vacations in the fall 2023."
Details about the Icon of the Seas are in the Royal Caribbean.
During an April 25 news conference in Miami, Bayley did not say much there.
"The Icon of the Seas will be sailing in the Caribbean," said a senior resident. "Additional deployment details will be revealed at a later date, with itineraries going into sale 12 to 18 months before the ship's first cruise."
Customers and cruise enthusiasts alike may think about the Icon of the Seas being deployed from the United States. It gives details on how the ship will be designed.
Wonder of the Seas was constructed with the intention that it would be deployed in China. It also has a variety of design features, such as a second casino area ostensibly for high rollers (but not being used that way) suited to this market.
Now that the company has decided from which ports Icon of the Seas will be sailing, the new ship may be built with finishes geared towards American customers.
The whole thing is a little bit, but it's important when considering that a cruise ship serves as a temporary residence for passengers. Consequently, the little things also matter.
The following is the case:
