Although it has not officially departed, the world's largest cruise ship, launched in June, has already caused controversy over its design.
The Icon of the Seas, known as the world's largest cruise ship, is 365 meters long, nearly 100 meters longer than the Titanic, has a total of 20 decks and a maximum capacity of nearly 10,000 people including all passengers and crew. In July, some images of the stern of the cruise ship were circulated on social media, creating mixed opinions. The artist who designed the ship described the ship as decorated with bright colors, the highlight being the water park area with overlapping slides on the top floor.
There are mixed reviews about the space in the stern of the world's largest cruise ship. Photo: Royal Caribbean International
After images of the ship were released to the media in June, many criticized the design. Some commented that the yacht's interior was messy and the water park area "looked like a pile of food." Some even compared the ship to the images of hell in paintings by Hieronymus Bosch, a famous Dutch Renaissance artist.
Psychologists have offered an explanation for why some people have bizarre fantasies after viewing a simulation of the Icon of the Seas. Tom Davis, a psychology professor at the University of Alabama, said that this is not actually a real photo. The simulation gives the impression that the ship is short, but tall, with many blocks stacked on top of each other, surrounded by rough seas.
The image creates a feeling of narrowness, which many people perceive in a negative perspective. This comes from the fact that some tourists are haunted by bad experiences after drifting at sea.
"The sight of this ship can trigger memories of adventure and disaster films at sea like Jaws, The Poseidon Adventure or Titanic, which can be scary for some people who have never been on a cruise. For those who have experienced it, they can look at it in a more open way," explains Tom Davis.
According to Adam Cox, a psychologist and phobia expert, the general description of the Icon of the Seas as being "five times the size" of the Titanic could suggest a potentially larger disaster, especially since the tragedy with the Titanic submarine happened not long ago.
"The negative comments come from a place of wanting to prevent a similar tragedy," said Adam Cox.
The rear area of the ship with its overlapping cubes also creates a sense of claustrophobia. Some people will easily imagine the ship as a place where thousands of passengers are trapped, not a relaxing vacation.
The bright colors of the mock-up make the ship look like a toy, raising questions about its safety. A more neutral design might have given it a different feel.
Ross Klein, a tourism expert and sociologist at Memorial University of Newfoundland, said the controversial design was a step forward for Royal Caribbean, the Miami-based cruise company that owns the ship.
"The rendering is a bit comic book-like, with a mystical feel. However, it is an innovation in ship design for the company after 25 years of operation," said Ross.
A Royal Caribbean spokesperson would not comment on the controversy, but said that since the company announced Icon of the in October 2022, there has been an “incredible response,” leading to the largest number of reservations in the company’s history. Some trips have already sold out, with prices starting at around $2,000 per person for a seven-day cruise. Many travel experts say the ship has the potential to be a moneymaker, raking in $10 million a week.
Bich Phuong (According to CNN )
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