The ship, under construction in Finland’s Turku, broke cover on Monday (19 June) as it headed out into open ocean for the first time. Icon is due to debut and enter service, sailing out of Miami, in January 2024 – the first of three new Icon-class ships.

Royal said more than 450 specialists were onboard the ship for its multi-day sea trials to carry out preliminary tests on Icon’s main engines, hull, lifeboats and thrusters. The line added the ship, which will be the world’s largest, would be "pushed to its limits" later this year during a second round of sea trials.

Homeporting in Miami, Icon will sail eastern and western Caribbean itineraries, calling at Royal’s private island – Perfect Day at CocoCay. Headline features of the ship include a suspended infinity pool, family raft water slides and eight "neighbourhoods", including five brand new ones.

Icon is Royal’s 27th ship, and will feature two more decks than the world’s current largest ship, Royal’s 7,084-guest Wonder of the Seas. It has 2,805 staterooms spanning 28 categories, including 14 which are brand new. It will be staffed by a crew of 2,350.