The world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Icon Of The Seas, arrived in Miami on Wednesday night ahead of its maiden voyage next week, which will be attended by journalists and influencers, as well as the world's biggest soccer star – Leo Messi, who will be the ship's presenter.
The audience's maiden public cruise will depart on January 27 and will pass through the Caribbean, Jamaica, Mexico and Royal Caribbean's private island, Coco Cay in the Bahamas. The launch price for future cruises via Norma, Royal Caribbean's official representative in Israel, is 7 nights on Passover, starting at $1,750 per person in a double room with balcony.
See you there? The Icon Of The Seas, Photo: Royal Caribbean - PR
Udi Schnabel, CEO of Norma, told Israel Hayom that upon arrival at Coco Cay, the ship will inaugurate the new strip of beach and hold a huge beach party for the entire crew, just before the start of the historic cruise season from its home port of Miami.
"This is a historic and exciting day, and after so many years of anticipation, the best family vacation in the world will be underway," he said. "We have witnessed demand and even the largest volume of orders in the last three months, both for ICON and for our other ships sailing in the Caribbean and Europe. Israelis are rediscovering cruises to the Caribbean and also from the United States, now that there is no longer a need for a visa."
10 thousand passengers. The Icon Of The Seas, Photo: Royal Caribbean - PR
Icon Of The Seas, which has a maximum capacity of 10,40 passengers, is expected to have no less than 20 new restaurants, 18 floors (7 of which will be dedicated to guests), 9 pools, climbing walls, mini golf, entertainment complexes, a transparent walking path over the sea, 6 Jacuzzi pools, <> water slides and more. "It won't be something anyone has seen before," Schnabel said.
He said tickets for the cruise ship sold out almost entirely a year ahead, with only a few rooms left. "The demand was so great that if you try to find an interior room today, it will cost NIS 8,000 per person a week, and all this stems from demand. We are among the few that have a few dozen rooms for the upcoming Passover. We also have rooms for October 19th at cheaper rates, ranging around $1,200 per person in a double room for 7 nights."
"Huge demand." The Icon Of The Seas, Photo: Royal Caribbean - PR
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