The naming ceremony was a little less flamboyant than many of its predecessors, a little like the cruise industry itself has been post pandemic.
The bottle smash against the bow of Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas marked a historic moment as it became the world’s largest cruise ship.
Lionel Messi was the headliner at the naming ceremony, placeng a soccer ball atop a stand to symbolically start the breaking of a champagne bottle against the ship’s bow, a traditional potent for good luck.
Speaking in Spanish, he officially named the ship Icon of the Seas and offered a blessing for its passengers: “It’s a great honour for me and I know what it means for the city of Miami and the entire world. So, I name this ship Icon of the Seas. God bless you and all of the people who will sail with her.”
The ceremony highlighted the special connection between Messi and the ship, adding an exciting element to the historic event at PortMiami.
The ship offers a unique fusion of experiences, including beach retreats, theme park adventures, and luxurious resort escapes, with impressive features like 20 decks, seven pools, and record-breaking water slides, the Hideaway, a suspended infinity pool, and the AquaDome neighborhood with stunning ocean views.
Icon of the Seas is the first in Royal Caribbean’s new Icon Class, with two more ships planned for the future, and it will embark on its inaugural cruise exploring the Caribbean later in January. Prices start at €1,700 per person.
