Royal Caribbean International has posted a video of the installation of the first of the two LNG fuel tanks that the new Icon of the Seas will boast.
The fuel tank – which Royal Caribbean brands are “game-changing” – weighs 307 tons and measures 90 feet (27 meters) in length. According to the cruise line, they are the largest LNG (liquefied natural gas) fuel tanks in the cruise industry.
The 5,000-passenger ship will be the cruise line’s first ship powered by LNG. Its construction is underway at Meyer Turku shipyard. The vessel is set to debut in fall 2023.
The cruise line said that LNG makes for “virtually zero sulfur dioxides and particulates” and a “significant reduction in nitrous oxides.” The ship will also use shore power connectivity to remove emissions while connected at the port, as well as advanced waste heat recovery systems that repurpose heat to be used as energy onboard.
The Icon of the Seas is the first ship in the cruise line’s new Icon Class. Royal Caribbean said that the vessel will “make waves” with a mix of innovations and adventures “cruising’s never seen before.”
The ship will be a significant milestone in the cruise line’s journey to becoming emission-free and building a “clean-energy future,” Royal Caribbean wrote.
“Decades of continuous improvement in energy efficiency and ocean conservation will be evident throughout the Icon,” the cruise line shared.
Port Tampa Bay and Royal Caribbean International will celebrate the return of cruising on Saturday with the arrival of the Serenade of the Seas, a week ahead of her first commercial cruise and first revenue cruise from the port in more than 18 months.
Port Tampa Bay will welcome Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas to Cruise Terminal 6 before she departs on her maiden voyage next Saturday.
“The return of cruising will have a far-reaching impact on our region, with many small and local businesses standing to benefit,” the port said, in a statement. “Business Research & Economic Advisors estimated that a 3,000-passenger ship generates an average of $334,000 in passenger and crew onshore spending per call in a homeport city. The development of Sparkman Wharf, Water Street, Armature Works, and other hotels, dining, shopping, and entertainment projects in Tampa continues to boost the attractiveness of the bay area as a homeport. Cruise visitors to Tampa have the convenience of accessing a nationally top-ranked airport, secure parking garages – just steps away from all three cruise terminals, world-class beaches, and local attractions like Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, and Ybor City.”
With its cruise restart plan picking up pace, the Royal Caribbean Group will achieve a major milestone in August.
By the end of the month, more than half of the group’s 61-ship fleet have will be back in commercial service.
The 34 vessels sailing around the world mean 56% per cent of the company’s fleet is now operating with passengers in several destinations.
This fall, more ships, homeports and itineraries are set to return. Here are the latest plans, brand by brand:
Royal Caribbean International Status: 13 ships in service; three more to follow through October Ships: Quantum of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas in service; Oasis of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas set to follow Regions: Asia, Caribbean, Bahamas, Mediterranean, United Kingdom and Alaska
More than half of the Royal Caribbean International 25-ship fleet has now returned to commercial service.
With 13 active vessels, the brand is currently sailing to several destinations around the world, including the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Asia and Alaska.
In September and October three additional ships are set to resume service, including the Oasis of the Seas.
Celebrity Cruises Status: Seven ships in service; two more to follow in September and October Ships: Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Flora, Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Xpedition and Celebrity Equinox in service; Celebrity Summit and Celebrity Xploration set to follow Regions: Mediterranean, Caribbean, Bahamas, United Kingdom and the Galapagos
In North America, the Celebrity Summit recently completed a series of Caribbean sailings from St. Maarten.
The vessel is now poised to return to the United States, offering short cruises to Mexico and the Bahamas.
The Celebrity Edge, the Celebrity Equinox and the Celebrity Millennium are also in service in Europe, while other ships are in operation in Europe and the Galapagos.
TUI Cruises Status: Six ships in service Ships: Mein Schiff 1, Mein Schiff 2, Mein Schiff 3, Mein Schiff 4, Mein Schiff 5 and Mein Schiff 6 Regions: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Greece and Italy
Silversea Cruises Status: Three ships in service; two more to follow Ships: Silver Origin, Silver Moon and Silver Muse in service; Silver Shadow and Silver Spirit set to follow Region: Galapagos, Mediterranean, Alaska, Northern Europe and British Islands
After completing its first season in Iceland, the brand is now ready to add new itineraries in the Mediterranean, British Islands and Northern Europe.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Status: Five ships in service Ships: Europa 2, Europa, Hanseatic Nature, Hanseatic Inspiration and Hanseatic Spirit Region: the Mediterranean and Northern Europe
Germany-based Hapag-Lloyd Cruises currently has all of its five-ship fleet in commercial operations. The luxury brand is presently offering several different itineraries in the Baltic, the Norwegian Fjords and the Mediterranean.
The new Hanseatic Spirit was the most recent addition to the active fleet. Recently delivered, the expedition vessel departed Hamburg on its inaugural cruise on August 26.
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