The highly anticipated new Icon of the Seas cruise ship from Royal Caribbean International is continuing to add one-of-a-kind new features ahead of its debut next year.
The latest innovation that travelers got a behind-the-scenes look at is the AquaDome.
This unique feature is a blend of theater and solarium. By day, it is a tranquil experience. A true solarium. By night, it is transformed into a vibrant entertainment complex.
The AquaDome spans more than 355,000 square feet. It extends from Deck 14 to 20, weighing in at 367 tons, and is built up from multiple modules made out of steel, glass and aluminum panels. It took a whopping eight months to finish.
“The AquaDome is probably the most complex space we have ever built. This is one of the biggest milestones. It’s the largest lift ever in the shipbuilding industry. It’s a testimony to the innovation and creativity of the teams. It is everything that we’ve ever wanted to create. And the incredible feeling that wow, we did it together,” Royal Caribbean said in a statement.
The area will illuminate at night.
Staying with the aquatic theme, the AqueDome will also feature divers and offer food and beverages to passengers.
Icon of the Seas recently completed its second phase of sea trials. There is still some construction to be done, but about 90 percent of the ship is complete.
The vessel is expected to debut in early 2024.
This week, Royal Caribbean opened bookings for its 2025-26 Caribbean sailings, which will include sailings aboard Icon of the Seas from Miami.
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