Perno Shipyard (owned by Meyer Turku Gmbh/Turku Finland) reported that Icon of the Seas, which is the world's largest cruise vessel ever and has been ordered by RCG for RCI-Royal Caribbean International, will undergo sea trials in a month.
This will be a significant event for the newbuild as it will be tested for the first time along with its machinery. The shipbuilder Meyer Turku has announced that the sea trials of the Icon OTS are scheduled to start in mid-June, and although they have already begun testing the power and plant elements on board, it will be the first time that the massive cruise ship will move from the dock under its own power.
Icon OTS was assembled in a drydock and moved out on December 9th, 2022, and the next milestone was the start of its power plant in March. The ship's Chief Engineer, Tuomas Auvinen, reported that the first engine started on March 15th at 11:00, and although it used diesel, it marked a significant moment in the ship's progress.
Icon OTS will undergo a second stage of sea trials later in the construction process, closer to the delivery planned for 2023-Q4.
The ship will be available for previews and will be operating 7-day Caribbean itineraries leaving roundtrip from PortMiami Florida, starting in January 2024 with the maiden voyage on Jan 27th.
Additionally, the second ICON class ship's construction (Star OTS) has already started, with the first steel cut made on February 14th, and it is scheduled for delivery in 2025. A 3rd ship of the class will follow in 2026.