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The 20-story Icon of the Seas features seven swimming pools, six waterslides, and more than 40 restaurants, bars, and lounges.
The world’s largest cruise ship has set sail from Miami, Florida, on its maiden voyage amid concerns over methane emissions from the ship.
The 365 m (1,197 ft) long Icon of the Seas has 20 decks and can accommodate up to 7,600 passengers. It is owned by Royal Caribbean Group.
The ship will embark on a seven-day voyage to the islands of the tropics.
But environmentalists warn that ships powered by liquefied natural gas leak harmful methane into the atmosphere.
“This is a step in the wrong direction,” Brian Comer, director of ocean programs at the International Council on Clean Transport (ICCT), said, according to Reuters.
“We estimate that the use of LNG as a marine fuel results in more than 120% more lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions than marine diesel oil,” he said.
Although LNG burns cleaner than traditional marine fuels such as heavy oil, there is a risk of leakage.
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The cruise ship has seven swimming pools, many bars and restaurants, and a fun fair on the top deck.
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Thousands of deck chairs line the ship’s vast terraces and poolside areas.
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Inside the ship, sculptures of swimmers hang in the courtyard known as “Central Park.”
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Dozens of cabins overlook outdoor courtyards filled with real trees and plants.
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The onboard water park is called “Thrill Island”
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The central atrium includes a staircase and a sculpture known as “The Pearl.”
Methane, a powerful greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, traps 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide over 20 years. Reducing these emissions is considered important to slowing global warming.
According to media reports, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said the Icon of the Seas is 24% more energy efficient than the International Maritime Organization requires for modern ships. It is reported that. The company plans to introduce net-zero ships by 2035.
On Thursday, Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami, took part in the ship’s naming ceremony. He was seen placing a soccer ball on a specially constructed stand and triggering the traditional “good luck” champagne bottle smashing motion against the bow of the boat.
Icon of the Seas cost $2 billion (£1.6 billion) to make. Today, it boasts seven swimming pools, six waterslides, and more than 40 restaurants, bars, and lounges.
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