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New Neighbourhoods and Features for Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas

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Royal Caribbean’s New Icon of the Seas will feature eight neighbourhoods, including five brand-new adventures and three bold, returning favourites.

The company said that each one is a destination in and of itself filled with an array of experiences, live entertainment and ways to grab a bite and a drink so that everyone can make memories their way every day.

Thrill Island – Vacationers can test their limits, scale new heights and reach top speeds at the centre of thrill. This lost island adventure is home to highlights like Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea, with six record-breaking slides: Pressure Drop and its 66-degree incline make it the industry’s first open free-fall slide; the 46-foot-tall Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea; Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, the first family raft slides at sea with four riders per raft; and Storm Chasers, cruising’s first mat-racing duo. Living on the edge takes a new meaning with Crown’s Edge. Part skywalk, part ropes course and part thrill ride, it culminates in a surprising, shocking moment that will see travellers swing 154 feet above the ocean.

Chill Island – Among the seven pools on board, four are in this three-deck slice of paradise. There’s a pool for every mood, each with prime ocean views: the vibrant Swim & Tonic, the line’s first swim-up bar at sea; Royal Bay Pool, the largest pool at sea; Cloud 17, an adults-only retreat; and the serene, infinity-edge Cove Pool. Plus, The Lime & Coconut returns with four locations, including Royal Caribbean’s first frozen cocktail bar.

Surfside – Introducing a neighbourhood made for young families from end to end, where adults and kids ages six and under will want to stay and play all day. Grownups can soak up the endless views at Water’s Edge pool, as they keep an eye on the kids at Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay. Only steps away are dining options, places to lounge, a bar, the signature carousel, an arcade, Adventure Ocean, and Social020 for teens.

The Hideaway – Tucked away, this neighbourhood 135 feet above the ocean combines the good vibes of beach club scenes around the world and the uninterrupted ocean views only a cruise can offer. The first suspended infinity pool at sea is at the centre of it all, and it’s surrounded by a multilevel sun terrace with whirlpools, a variety of seating and a dedicated bar.

AquaDome – Perched at the top of Icon, what’s in store is a transformational place unlike any other. In a tranquil oasis by day, guests can take in wraparound ocean views and an awe-inspiring waterfall as they enjoy a bite or drink. By night, it becomes a vibrant place great for a night out, complete with restaurants, bars and the cruise line’s marquee aqua shows at the next-level AquaTheater. The signature entertainment venue takes artistry and cutting-edge technology to new heights, with a transforming pool, four robotic arms, state-of-the-art projection and more.

In addition, a grander Royal Promenade features its first floor-to-ceiling ocean views, plus more than 15 restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges; a more lush and livelier Central Park has more ways to dine and be entertained; and the largest Suite Neighborhood is three decks of luxury, offering a multilevel suite sun deck – The Grove – that has a private pool, whirlpool and dining, and a two-story Coastal Kitchen.

More returning favourites include experiences like new takes on mini golf at Lost Dunes, rock climbing at Adrenaline Peak, and Absolute Zero, Royal Caribbean’s largest ice arena, and dining venues such as Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar on the Royal Promenade and the Asian-inspired Izumi in Central Park.

The ship will feature 28 stateroom categories, the company said. There are new layouts made for families of three, four, five and more, like the Family Infinite Balcony and Surfside Family Suite – with kid’s alcoves tucked away from the adults – and the three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse, complete with its own white picket fence and mailbox. When it comes to views, among the best are from the brand’s first Sunset Corner Suites and Panoramic Ocean Views in AquaDome.

Taking superyachts to new heights! 

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Radical boat concept features an elevated master cabin with a bar and infinity pool 125ft above the water

The radical concept yacht, called Shaddai, features an owner's cabin that is elevated 125ft above the water, offering complete privacy
The radical concept yacht, called Shaddai, features an owner’s cabin that is elevated 125ft above the water, offering complete privacy

An Italian designer has come up with a radical concept that aims to take superyachts to new heights – if someone is bold enough to build it for one of the world’s tycoons.

With a towering perch that contains the master suite, the 492-ft Shaddai would bring the owner and his or her guests from sea to sky, where they would enjoy jaw-dropping views of their surroundings.

The elevated cabin has a 1,130 square foot terrace and is 125ft above the water, giving the owner an extreme sense of power with views like never before on a superyacht.

The yacht's elevated owner's cabin has an 1,130 square foot terrace with a bar, dining area and an infinity pool with a glass wall
The yacht’s elevated owner’s cabin has an 1,130 square foot terrace with a bar, dining area and an infinity pool with a glass wall

Designer Gabriel Teruzzi, who tried to think outside the box with his latest concept, said the owner’s cabin – complete with an infinity pool, dining area and bar – would be the perfect place to watch a sunset.

Teruzzi said: ‘From there he can reach the feeling of a higher power, surrounded by the immensity of the sea and sky, reaching the clouds where everything reflects his place in the world: at the top.

The 3,000-square foot beach club features an aquarium in the middle of the room and a glass ceiling that looks up into a swimming pool
The 3,000-square foot beach club features an aquarium in the middle of the room and a glass ceiling that looks up into a swimming pool

Closer to sea level, the main aft deck and a beach club on the lower deck are united by an infinity pool with a glass floor.

The 3,000-square foot beach club features an aquarium in the middle of the room and the main aft deck is filled with the sound of water falling from an infinity pool on the upper deck.

The yacht’s name, Shaddai, is a Hebrew word which is usually translated as ‘almighty’ or ‘omnipotent’ in English.

The main aft deck, where guests relax on sunloungers, is filled with the sound of water falling from an infinity pool on the upper deck
The main aft deck, where guests relax on sunloungers, is filled with the sound of water falling from an infinity pool on the upper deck

Teruzzi said the superyacht’s futuristic shape was inspired by contemporary architecture, adding: ‘To ascend from the ground has been a desire in the human kind since the very beginnings.

‘There are precious examples like the Tower of Babel, the Pyramids in Egypt and today in the magnificent skyscrapers.

‘The wish to touch the clouds continues to be present in the most powerful minds.’

Designer Gabriel Teruzzi said he tried to think outside the box with his latest concept, which was inspired by contemporary architecture
Designer Gabriel Teruzzi said he tried to think outside the box with his latest concept, which was inspired by contemporary architecture

Yacht Club, infinity pool among MSC Divina’s standout features

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Yacht Club, infinity pool among MSC Divina’s standout features

By Tom Stieghorst
MSC Divina infinity poolONBOARD THE MSC DIVINA — With the introduction of the Divina, MSC Cruises continues its steady progress toward creating a cruise brand that Americans can embrace.

The MSC Divina, a 3,502-passenger ship, has checked all the boxes that apply to the large-ship category, from adults-only areas to kids’ facilities, specialty dining areas and varied entertainment.

Plus, there are a few features on MSC Divina that should help it stand out from the crowd.

Its infinity pool on Deck 15 aft is one of the first applications of that resort standby to show up at sea.

The ship’s Formula One auto-racing simulator generated buzz among passengers on a three-night preview cruise from Miami.

And the MSC Yacht Club gives the ship a toehold in the upper-premium segment.

The Yacht Club is MSC’s version of a special-access premium section, first rendered by Norwegian Cruise Line with its Haven area.

On the Divina, it includes 69 cabins and suites, each measuring 295 to 562 square feet; a 30-seat private restaurant, Le Muse; a 141-seat lounge; and a separate pool, pool bar and concierge desk.

The color scheme for the Yacht Club was brown, beige and rust, one of two palates that describe most areas on the ship. The other scheme is black, white, gray, silver and red, with a bias toward smooth, reflective surfaces. Both seem a little dark for a ship that will be doing year-round, seven-night Caribbean itineraries.

MSCDivina-SophiaLorenSuiteBut Rick Sasso, president of MSC Cruises USA, said color schemes are “always a matter of taste. We tend to focus on the tones that blend everywhere, so you don’t have dramatic differences.”

More than colors, Sasso said he obsesses about service, which in the past has been panned by some American guests as underwhelming. The Italian staff on Divina is joined by the typical international crew complement hailing from Indonesia to South Africa.

There was general agreement among those onboard that MSC has made strides with the Divina. Kris Kerns, a CruiseOne agent from Palm Harbor, Fla., said she liked the food, and that the buffet restaurants Calumet and Manitou are notably spacious.

The Eataly on the Divina is a fraction of the size of the extravaganzas in New York and Chicago, but it nevertheless offers a selection of genuine Italian goods in a market nook and scrumptious dishes in the restaurant.

The “Pirates” evening show in the main theater was a fast-paced mix of acrobatics, juggling, contortion, tumbling, magic tricks, and gymnastics.

A collection of 84 giant black-and-white prints of the Italian celebrity scene of the 1950s, including such cinema notables as Brigitte Bardot and Marcello Mastroianni, decorates the ship and gives its Italian theme a nice boost.