The world's largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, received her official designation from football legend Lionel Messi at the AquaDome, an exclusive venue reserved for RCI-Royal Caribbean International. The AquaTheater, a marvel of design located within the ship, took center stage in the AquaDome. The ceremony featured a dazzling performance with high divers, aerialists, and Scotland’s Red Hot Chili Pipers, who showcased their talents with electric guitars, drums, and bagpipes.
Initially conceived as the ultimate family retreat, the ship underwent a 7-year construction process. Michael Bayley (RCI's President and CEO) expressed delight in labeling Icon of the Seas as an engineering masterpiece and the company's foremost aspiration. The ceremony also paid tribute to longstanding patrons, such as the Carter family, multigenerational crew members, and other families affiliated with Royal Caribbean.
Icon OTS, representing over 50 years of innovation, stands as a pioneering creation pushing the boundaries of human creativity, according to Jason Liberty, President and CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group. The Meyer family, 7th-generation shipbuilders, were recognized for their groundbreaking contributions, and the late Ed Stefan, the founder of Royal Caribbean, was commemorated. In a symbolic gesture, Captain Henrik Loy presented a football to Lionel Messi, who used it to christen the ship as Icon of the Seas, delivering a brief speech in Spanish before using the ball to trigger the breaking of a champagne bottle on the ship's bow.
Messi and his teammates participated in the customary ship-naming ceremony at a separate event, acknowledging Messi as the ship's godfather or "icon," as part of the collaboration between Inter Miami and Royal Caribbean. The ship, initially named the Icon of the Seas, made history on her maiden voyage, measuring 1,198 feet and claiming the title of the world's longest cruise ship.
Earlier in the day, Royal Caribbean unveiled its partnership with Inter Miami and showcased the team's new black uniform for the 2024 season within the ship's theater. Messi and his colleagues, along with Jorge Mas, Inter Miami's owner, revealed the jersey featuring the Royal Caribbean insignia. Messi and Inter Miami planned matches in Saudi Arabia as part of their global preseason tour.
The celebration underscored the significance of the collaboration between Inter Miami and Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean's Chief Marketing Officer, Kara Wallace, highlighted the decision to name the ship Icon of the Seas, aligning it with Lionel Messi's unparalleled skill and global influence. The Icon of the Seas, accommodating approximately 10,000 guests, will be based in Port Miami, boasting remarkable features such as a record-breaking water park and 20 decks. The event marked the dawn of a new era in cruise ships and football partnerships, bringing together two South Florida superstars, Royal Caribbean and Lionel Messi, in a confetti-filled extravaganza.