ONBOARD ICON OF THE SEAS -- How much bigger can Royal Caribbean build its cruise ships?
During a press conference following the naming ceremony for Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship on Earth, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty was asked if future ships will be bigger.
Liberty sidestepped the question but pointed out that port constraints dictate how big Royal Caribbean can go.
From left, Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty and director of brand public relations Lyan Sierra-Caro at a press conference on Icon of the Seas. Photo Credit: Andrea Zelinski
Many ports around the world have designed their facilities to accommodate Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships, compelling the brand to keep the Icon class to a similar footprint, he pointed out.
The Icon is 250,800 gross tons, 6% larger than the Wonder of the Seas, the brand's most recent Oasis-class ship that previously held the title of world's largest cruise ship.
Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean's senior vice president of sales, trade support and service, said she doesn't expect to see a significant size increase throughout the Icon class.
"Probably maybe an inch or two, you know, a little bit bigger, but they're not going to grow major," she said.
The second ship in the class, Star of the Seas, is under construction and due to enter service in summer 2025.