Royal Caribbean International’s 7,600 passenger vessel will operate Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami, calling into the line’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. 

Until its official debut on 27 January, Icon will continue making its final preparations in the US port. 

Icon features eight “neighbourhood” areas including a “stay-all-day neighbourhood” designed for families with young children, more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges, seven pools and nine whirlpools. 

The ship, built at Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, also has six waterslides and is 365 metres long. 

Footballing superstar Lionel Messi has been named the official ‘icon’ of the new ship and will make an appearance at its naming ceremony in Miami later this month. 

In a statement to announce the Inter Miami player as the ship’s "icon", Royal said: “The icon of Icon will have the honour of bestowing safekeeping onto the new ship, its crew and the millions of families who will create memories of a lifetime onboard in the years to come.”