The world's largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, set sail on its maiden voyage: photos
Today, on January 27, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, embarked on its maiden voyage. The company claims that its ship will usher in a "new era of vacationing."
Royal Caribbean's liner is 362 meters long and can accommodate 9,000 passengers and crew. However, experts note that this type of ship is one of the most polluting modes of transportation, as reported by Bloomberg.
In 2022, Brian Comer, director of the International Council on Clean Transportation's Maritime Program, conducted a study on the carbon footprint of cruising compared to hotel stays and air travel. The analysis revealed that a person embarking on a 1,200-mile (2,000-kilometer) cruise on the most efficient cruise line would be responsible for approximately 500 kilograms of CO2, compared to 235 kilograms for flying and staying in a four-star hotel.
A Royal Caribbean spokesperson stated that Icon is designed to be 24% more efficient than the international standard for new ships. However, according to the rules of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), they must be 30% more energy-efficient than those built in 2014.
A Royal Caribbean spokesperson stated that Icon is designed to be 24% more efficient than the international standard for new ships. However, according to the rules of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), they must be 30% more energy-efficient than those built in 2014.
