Tejal Somvanshi
On 25th June, a small fire occurred on the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. The ship was docked in Costa Maya, Mexico, when the incident happened. A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean told USA Today that the fire was quickly extinguished and isolated in a crew area. No one was injured.
The smell of smoke alerted passengers and crew, prompting emergency services to intervene. The spokesperson said the ship briefly lost power; however, backup power was immediately activated, and main power systems were restored. Due to the power outage, the ship’s gangway could not be lowered, preventing passengers from disembarking.
According to several passengers, the situation was resolved and everything appears to be fine now. However, witnesses reported a loud explosion that shook the ship and caused a complete power outage. They also stated that passengers were unable to access their rooms, and people outside the ship were not allowed to board.
The Icon of the Seas, based in the port of Miami, departed on Saturday for a one-week cruise of the Western Caribbean. It continued its journey to Cozumel the next day and was scheduled to return to Miami on Saturday, June 29.
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Currently, the cause of the fire is unknown, as well as the severity of the damages. Royal Caribbean emphasized that safety remains their utmost priority, reassuring that incidents like these, though rare, are managed swiftly to ensure the well-being of passengers and crew.
The Icon of the Seas first set sail in January 2024. It is the first ship of the Icon class, with a gross tonnage of 250,800 tons, making it the largest cruise ship in the world by gross tonnage. The ship measures 362 meters in length and 64 meters in width, with 18 decks and 2,867 cabins accommodating up to 7,600 guests and 2,350 crew members.
The ship offers a complete experience with all kinds of services and entertainment. It features a pool and sports zone with waterslides, hot tubs, a surf simulator, basketball and volleyball courts, and a mini-golf course. Additional amenities include a spa, gym, youth zone, and a teen club. The entertainment area includes stages for headline shows, original productions, and ice skating performances.
