The commencement of a new holiday era is scheduled for January 2024 with the debut of RCI-Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, marked by an iconic kick-off.
Revealing the sports icon Lionel Messi as the official Icon OTS, the world's largest cruise line anticipates Messi's presence at a naming celebration in Miami Florida as he assumes the role of welcoming the new ship.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Lionel Messi, Royal Caribbean International's Icon of Icon, stated he was "thrilled and honoured to join the Royal Caribbean family to celebrate the arrival of the game-changing Icon of the Seas."
"Icon is beyond anything else that’s out there for family holidays, with incredible never-before-seen features, all designed for making memories together.”
Messi's appointment follows the recent announcement of the unprecedented partnership between Royal Caribbean and Inter Miami CF, where the cruise line serves as the Club’s Main Partner and Official Holiday Partner. The arrival of Icon will also be celebrated as the next phase of the partnership unfolds, with details to be disclosed at a later date.
Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, highlighted that Icon OTS is "the culmination of more than 50 years of delivering memorable holidays, and it’s set to live up to its name in more ways than one when it changes the travel industry in January 2024.”
The maritime tradition will see Messi participating in the ship's naming ceremony planned for January 2024 in Miami. Icon OTS will have the honor of receiving safekeeping from Messi, symbolizing protection for the new ship, its crew, and the millions of families destined to create lasting memories on board in the years ahead.