The largest cruise ship in the world, the icon of the seas, starts sea trials in June

Shipbuilder Meyer Turku has shared an update on the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, which is being constructed in Finland for Royal Caribbean International. The vessel, commissioned seven years ago, is set to undergo sea trials in mid-June to test its machinery and functionality. While the shipyard is currently performing power and facility tests, this will mark the first time the ship sails from dock under its own power.

The Icon of the Seas is a ground-breaking cruise ship for Royal Caribbean International and the wider industry. It will weigh 250,800 gross tons, making it almost 6% larger than the current largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas. The main differences lie in the propulsion system, as the Icon of the Seas is powered by dual-fuel LNG and features six Wärtsilä engines for a total of 67,500 kW, fuel cells, a heat recovery system, and air lubrication on the hull. The vessel also features two massive LNG fuel tanks, weighing 307 tons and measuring 90 feet by 26 feet.

Tuomas Auvinen, chief engineer, reported that the shipyard achieved a major milestone in March when the first diesel-powered engine was started. The upcoming sea trials will test elements that cannot be examined while the ship is docked, focusing on the vessel’s propulsion equipment, main engines, power plant, thrusters, and fin stabilizers.

The Icon of the Seas will have two phases of sea trials, with the second taking place closer to the delivery date in late 2023. The ship is scheduled to enter service in January 2024 to begin performing 7-day Caribbean cruises from PortMiami. The second and third ships in the Icon class are slated for delivery in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

Source: News Network

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