Oct 21. Royal Caribbean (RCL) is unveiling its next ship, Icon of the Seas, in 2024, which will be the largest cruise ship in the world.
Why this matters: With a cruise port in Central Florida, new ships will generate new people coming to the region. This may lead to more revenue for hotels, restaurants and other local businesses.
The ship, being built in Finland, will be 1,198 feet long with an internal volume of over 250,000. It will add over 2,300 jobs for the cruise industry and can have over 5,000 guests each sailing, with a maximum occupancy of 7,600. It will start sailing from Miami when completed.
One other record this ship will break is having the world’s largest water park at sea. It will have six water slides and the first open free-fall water slide at sea. The ship also will have seven swimming pools on board.
The current largest cruise in the world is Wonder of the Seas by Royal Caribbean, which was built this year. It will start its first voyages from Port Canaveral next month.
Source: Miami Herald
