Royal Caribbean International’s latest mega ship Icon of the Seas has begun sea trials.
The giant vessel is sailing in the open ocean for the first time ahead of its planned entry into service from Miami in January 2024.
The milestone came ahead of the line preparing to unveil the first details of new sister ship Utopia of the Seas, the company’s first Oasis-class ship to be powered by liquified natural gas (LNG), set for delivery in time for next summer.
Icon of the Seas, capable of carrying up to 7,600 passengers, departed from its shipyard in Turku, Finland, for testing at sea.
More than 450 specialists are on board to carry out preliminary tests with the ship’s main engines, hull, lifeboats and thrusters.
A second round of sea trials later this year will see the vessel “pushed to its limits,” according to the company.