The ‘Icon of the Seas’, currently the world’s largest cruise ship, embarks on its maiden voyage amidst rising popularity for cruising. Setting sail from Miami, it holds the capacity to accommodate 8,000 passengers on its 20 decks. This remarkable vessel, operated by Royal Caribbean International, is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a cleaner-burning alternative to traditional marine fuels. However, this innovation does not come without drawbacks, as environmental groups have raised concerns about methane emissions, known as ‘methane slip’, during the combustion process. Methane, which has a significantly higher warming effect than carbon dioxide, poses a substantial climate risk when leaked into the atmosphere.
Despite the looming environmental concerns, Royal Caribbean emphasizes the ship’s efficiency—a remarkable 24% above the standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). At the same time, environmentalists caution against adopting LNG, as research suggests that using LNG could lead to over twice the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to marine gas oil. Advances in technology by Wartsila, the developer of the ship’s engines, have significantly reduced methane emissions by up to 90% compared to the past few decades. Nonetheless, there’s a growing awareness within the industry regarding methane, prompting advocacy for further reduction of these potent emissions.
Within the ship, guests will experience a floating expanse of leisure and luxury, as revealed in its christening attended by global soccer icon Lionel Messi. The ‘Icon of the Seas’ features eight unique neighbourhoods, offering a diverse array of vacation experiences from beach retreats and resort escapes to theme park adventures. Highlights include Category 6 waterslides, Crown’s Edge thrills, an array of dining options, and plentiful entertainment across multiple venues. Royal Caribbean, while recognizing LNG as only one component of their environmental strategy, continues to explore alternative fuels, promising to evolve with the market for more sustainable solutions.