World's largest cruise ship sets sail and emissions concerns

The Icon of the Seas, owned by Royal Caribbean International and carrying nearly 8,000 passengers, sails from Miami. It is built to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is cleaner-burning than traditional marine fuel but poses a greater risk of methane emissions.

Icon of the Seas during its delivery to Royal Caribbean in Turku, Finland. Photo: Royal Caribbean

Methane emissions concerns

Environmental groups say methane leaks from ship engines are an unacceptable risk to the climate because of its short-term harmful effects.

“It’s a step in the wrong direction,” said Bryan Comer, director of the Maritime Program at the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), an environmental policy think tank. “We estimate that using LNG as a marine fuel will result in 120 percent more life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions than diesel,” he said.

In terms of warming impact, methane is 80 times worse than carbon dioxide (CO2) over 20 years, making cutting those emissions seen as key to curbing global warming in the short term.

Football star Lionel Messi, who plays for Inter Miami, has been chosen as the mascot for the Icon of the Seas. Photo: Royal Caribbean

Cruise ships like the Icon of the Seas use low-pressure, dual-fuel engines that leak methane into the atmosphere when burned, according to industry experts. Royal Caribbean says its new ship is 24 percent more carbon efficient than the global shipping regulator, the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

According to a 2024 study funded by ICCT and other partners, cruise ship engines have an estimated average methane emission of 6.4%. The IMO sets a methane emission standard of 3.5%.

According to the Cruise Line International Association, of the 54 ships ordered between January 2024 and December 2028, 63% are expected to run on LNG. Currently, about 6% of the 300 cruise ships are powered by LNG.

Maritime masterpiece

The Icon of the Seas, which is about 1,200 feet (365 meters) long and weighs 250,800 tons, is a maritime masterpiece. It is a colorful, ornate structure that looks like a multi-tiered birthday cake.

The back of the ship looks like a multi-tiered birthday cake. Photo: Royal Caribbean

When the $2 billion ship arrived in Miami to blaring music on January 10, after crossing the Atlantic from its shipyard in Turku, Finland, it was greeted with a special welcome. So many people and vehicles turned out to see the ship that traffic was brought to a standstill along the Miami Beach Causeway, which runs parallel to the cruise ship channel.

Soccer superstar Lionel Messi, who plays for Miami-based club Inter Miami, was even present at the ship's launch as the Icon of the Seas's mascot. He was also chosen as the "godfather" at the christening of the 20-deck ship on January 23.

The Icon of the Seas is officially the world's largest cruise ship after surpassing Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, which debuted in early 2022 and measures 1,188 feet long and has a gross tonnage of 235,600 tons.

Passengers on the first voyage, a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, are already sold out. Passengers are expected to be kept busy if they want to explore the full range of services on this giant ship. And speaking of passengers, the ship can carry up to 7,600 guests, along with 2,350 crew members.

And the giant ship seen from above, with entertainment areas such as swimming pools and water parks, along with extremely luxurious dining and entertainment services. Photo: Royal Caribbean

Among the attractions on this behemoth is Category 6 - a 17,000 square foot water park, currently the largest at sea and spanning Decks 16 and 17. The ship also has the first infinity pool at sea, as well as the largest swimming pool at sea and the largest ice skating rink at sea.

Some 50 musicians and comedians will entertain passengers with ensembles including the largest orchestra at sea, as well as animal shows. More than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges on Icon of the Seas will provide guests with extremely luxurious and expensive services.

There are 28 different accommodation types on board, with rooms ranging from 1,600 square feet plus cabins, starting at $3,600 per week for two people. There are also special suites with wraparound decks, movie theaters, outdoor hot tubs and spiral slides to travel between decks, costing an average of $100,000 per week and accommodating eight people.

There are also countless impressive works of engineering and art on display throughout Icon of the Seas, including the 82-foot-tall glass and steel AquaDome, which includes a stage where divers perform underwater acts.

Bui Huy (according to RCI, CNN, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/tau-du-lich-lon-nhat-the-gioi-kiet-tac-hang-hai-lionel-messi-va-moi-lo-ve-khi-thai-post282757.html