Icon of the Seas, world's biggest cruise ship built by Royal Caribbean Group, embarked on its maiden voyage in January 2024 after nearly a decade of planning and construction. Stretching almost 1,200 feet long and weighing around 2,50,000 gross tons, this floating city has replaced Titanic as the new symbol of maritime grandeur.

Royal Caribbean Group announced plans for a revolutionary new fleet called Icon Class in 2016. The company aimed to surpass all previous cruise ships in size, luxury, technology and environmental consciousness. Meyer Turku Shipyard in Finland constructed the first vessel of this fleet over ten years. The ship can accommodate more than 7,000 passengers at once, making it almost twice the capacity of Titanic, which carried around 3,300 people.

Construction involved sophisticated engineering to integrate advanced technology with luxurious interiors. The vessel stands as tall as a 20-storey building, roughly equivalent to four football fields placed end to end. Its weight equals approximately 35,000 elephants combined. Star of the Seas, an identical twin sister ship, will begin its maiden voyage in August 2025. Two more sister ships, both named Legend of the Seas, are scheduled for launch in 2026 and 2027.

The ship divides into eight themed neighbourhoods, each offering distinct experiences. Chill Island provides relaxation with four pools and sunset-view loungers. Thrill Island houses the world's largest floating water park. The Hideaway features a suspended infinity pool and private seating for romantic settings. Surfside caters exclusively to families with kid-specific water slides, playgrounds and cartoon-themed zones.

Aquadome crowns the vessel with a massive glass dome containing the world's largest floating water theatre. Royal Promenade forms a modern commercial district at the ship's centre, complete with shops, cafés, restaurants and live music venues. Nearly 30,000 plants create a park-like atmosphere in this area. Suite Neighbourhood serves VIP passengers with private pools, exclusive restaurants and premium lounge facilities.

Accommodation options range from budget-friendly to ultra-luxurious across 2,805 uniquely designed cabins. Standard interior and balcony rooms include smart TVs, air conditioning, private bathrooms, storage space and premium bedding. Royal Loft Suite, Sunset Corner Suite and panoramic ocean-view suites serve guests seeking elevated comfort.

Ultimate Family Townhouse stands as the most famous accommodation option. This triplex suite spans three storeys and includes a private slide, cinema screen, kids' playroom, two bathrooms and a separate dining area. Some suites feature private jacuzzis, balconies and ocean-facing infinity pools. VIP suite guests receive personal butler service available round the clock for meals, show bookings and other requirements.

More than 40 restaurants, cafés and bars serve Italian, Japanese, American and Indian cuisine. Breakfast offerings include European bakery items and fresh fruits. International buffets dominate lunch service. Dinner options range from romantic candlelit meals overlooking the sea to convenient room service available anytime.

Entertainment facilities prevent monotony during week-long voyages. A Broadway-style theatre, ice-skating arena, live music performances and DJ parties keep passengers engaged. Climbing walls, mini-golf courses and massive video game zones provide active recreation. Children enjoy cartoon-themed parks, live shows and slide-filled playrooms. These amenities transform Icon of the Seas into a genuine floating entertainment city.

A week-long journey starts at approximately 2,000 USD per person, equivalent to about 2.2 lakh Bangladeshi taka. Prices vary based on cabin type, dining choices and season, potentially reaching 3 to 4 lakh taka. High-end suite categories cost between 35 lakh taka and several crore taka.

Environmental features distinguish this vessel from conventional cruise ships. The ship operates on Liquefied Natural Gas, which produces significantly less sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and carbon emissions compared to traditional diesel or heavy marine fuel. LNG reduces both environmental and noise pollution, minimising harm to marine life.

An advanced wastewater treatment system filters and reprocesses daily liquid waste from bathrooms, kitchens and other areas. This recycling process reduces overall water consumption substantially. The ship incorporates a fuel-cell-supported power system as experimental technology. This system uses hydrogen or other clean fuels to generate electricity.

Royal Caribbean Group owns Icon of the Seas, though three major asset management firms hold 20 percent of shares collectively. Vanguard, BlackRock and State Street, often called the Big Three, maintain major stakes in thousands of global companies. Their portfolio includes Apple, Facebook, Google, Tesla, Amazon and Coca-Cola. These investment giants exert considerable influence over the global economy through their vast holdings.

Icon Class vessels represent a new era in cruise ship design and passenger experience. The combination of unprecedented size, luxury amenities and environmental technology sets new industry standards. Royal Caribbean continues expanding this fleet to meet growing demand for premium cruise experiences.