2023-08-13 12:34:46
Seven swimming pools, fifteen bars and restaurants, a water park and even an ice rink: the Icon of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship in the world. The first trip is scheduled for January 2024.
It is the largest cruise ship in the world according to its builders. “The Icon of the Seas”, whose first voyage is scheduled for January 2024, was born at the Turku shipyard in Finland, despite accusations of anti-ecological monstrosity. The liner, commissioned by the shipping company Royal Caribbean, looks like a small town, with its seven swimming pools, its park, its shops and… its ice rink.
With a gross tonnage of 250,800 tonnes, five times the size of the Titanic, it can carry nearly 10,000 people (including 7,600 passengers) and will soon crisscross the Caribbean from Miami. “This ship is to date, according to our information, the largest cruise ship in the world,” said Tim Meyer, CEO of shipbuilder Meyer Turku.
While some criticize this colossal structure for its carbon footprint, others marvel at the sophisticated engineering of this floating tourist destination and are already booking their tickets. A special feature of the new ship, whose construction began in 2021: its gigantic glass dome that covers its bow.
31.5 million passengers
The leisure cruise sector is now recovering slowly following the Covid-19 pandemic. And cruise lines are seeing their customers come back. According to the Cruise Lines International Association, passenger volumes will exceed pre-pandemic levels in 2023 by 31.5 million passengers. “The market is coming back strong,” notes Tim Meyer. Good news for cruise passengers who, during the Covid-19 period, were forced to borrow to survive.
Two other vessels of similar size are in Meyer Turku’s order book. “Over the past decade, we have observed that cruise ships have become larger,” notes Alexis Papathanassis, professor of cruise management at the University of Applied Sciences in Bremerhaven, Germany.
According to Alexis Papathanassis, “large vessels have clear economic advantages” because they reduce the cost of each passenger by making economies of scale.
What the top deck of the ‘Icon of the Seas’ should look like – Royal Caribbean International
Proponents of this race for gigantism also ensure that the energy efficiency of a large ship is greater than that of several small boats combined. But the recovery of the cruise sector, and the proliferation of gigantic boats worries.
“Bigger Than Ever”
If we followed a decreasing logic, “we would certainly build larger cruise ships, but in fewer numbers”, criticizes Constance Dijkstra, specialist in maritime transport within the NGO Transport & Environment (T&E). “But that’s not happening. We’re seeing more and more ships, and they’re bigger than ever,” she said. And although modern ocean liners are taking steps to mitigate emissions through technology – the ‘Icon of the Seas’ runs on liquefied natural gas (LNG) – environmentalists aren’t convinced.
This gas emits less than traditional marine fuels, but “it has dramatic consequences on the climate because of the methane leaks” that it causes, warns Constance Dijkstra. LNG, which is essentially methane, is a potent greenhouse gas that can have a much worse impact on the climate than carbon dioxide. “The problem is that by using LNG as marine fuel, we encourage the development of the gas industry,” she insists.
A CGI overview of the ‘Icon of the Seas’ project – Royal Caribbean International
Other challenges still arise with the emergence of these XXL boats, such as the overcrowding of ports and the lack of infrastructure to manage the influx. And in seeking to increase their passenger capacity, cruise lines tend to reduce crew size. This can be a problem, especially in an emergency. “It is more difficult to ensure evacuation on large ships,” worries Alexis Papathanassis.
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