WORLD’S LARGEST CRUISE SHIP SETS SAIL

The biggest cruise ship in the world has departed on its maiden voyage. Leaving the port at Miami, the Icon of the Seas has left for a seven-day island-hopping voyage in the Caribbean.

The first cruise will stop in Saint Kitts and Nevis as well as Charlotte Amalie in the US Virgin Islands.

The ship is owned by the Royal Caribbean Group and is 365-metres long. It features 20 decks, seven swimming pools and six water slides.

The vessel also has more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges.

The ship, registered in the Bahamas, was built in a shipyard in the city of Turku, Finland. It cost a massive $2 billion to build.

To book a ticket on the ship could cost anything between $1,723 and $2,639 during low season. To buy a ticket during the high season around Christmas time will cost you about $5,000 per person.

Although Royal Caribbean has said the Icon of the Seas is 24% more energy efficient than required by the International Maritime Organisation for modern ships, environmentalists have warned that liquefied natural gas-powered ships like this one will leak harmful methane into the air.

Image credit: Skift