The world's soccer icon will usher in a new era in vacation thinking when Royal Caribbean International's revolutionary Icon of the Seas makes its debut in January 2024. The world's largest cruise line has announced that the world's soccer icon will sports Lionel Messi will also be officially the “Icon of Icon of the Seas”. The most successful footballer in history will welcome the new ship in an exclusive baptism ceremony that will take place in Miami.
Widely considered the greatest of all time, Messi has broken and continues to break a long list of records throughout his career, including winning the prestigious Ballon d'Or eight times and being named Athlete of the Year 2023 by the magazine TIME for marking the beginning of a new era in soccer in the United States after signing for Inter Miami CF (Royal Caribbean partner and new Leagues Cup champion). In its own right, Icon of the Seas has also set records for him. Its introduction in October 2022 sparked the highest number of bookings in a single day and the highest volume of bookings in a week in the cruise line's 53-year history, confirming that vacationers are now more than ever looking for a getaway that Combine the best of each type of vacation: whether relaxing on the beach, taking a resort getaway, or enjoying an adventure at a theme park. With six record-breaking water slides, seven pools, the first neighborhood designed for young families, more than 40 different dining, drinking and entertainment options and much more, Icon is the place where all types of families and adventurers can make memories together and on your own.
“I am delighted and honored to join the Royal Caribbean family to celebrate the arrival of the revolutionary Icon of the Seas,” said Lionel Messi, Royal Caribbean International’s “Icon of Icon.” “Icon takes the concept of family vacations a step further with incredible features never seen before, all designed to create memories together.”
Messi's new role follows the recent announcement of the unprecedented agreement between Royal Caribbean and Inter Miami CF, in which the cruise line is the Principal Partner and the Club's Official Vacation Partner. United by the feeling of leadership, passion and creating unforgettable moments for fans and travelers, Royal Caribbean and Inter Miami CF will also celebrate the arrival of Icon with the next phase of their partnership, details of which will be announced soon.
“Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of creating memorable vacations, and is ready to live up to its name in multiple ways when the vacation industry changes in January 2024,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal. Caribbean International. "It is that ability to make such a wide impact and change the status quo that the Icon of Icon must embody, and Lionel Messi has proven to be the perfect example of this over the years in the world of sport and, more recently, by introducing a new era of excitement and passion for soccer in Miami and the United States."
As part of a long maritime tradition, Messi will participate in the iconic christening celebration of the Icon in January 2024 in Miami. As the “Icon of Icon” she will have the honor of granting protection to the new ship, her crew and the millions of families on board who, over the next few years, will make lifelong memories.
Whether you mean "family vacation" Whether it's a family getaway, a couple's getaway or a getaway with friends, everyone will be able to create memories and experiences in their own way every day with Icon's comprehensive range that includes both new and next-level favorites across its eight neighborhoods. Each of them is a destination in itself full of experiences, live shows, restaurants, bars and much more.
The best vacations in the world will be completed with different destinations, bathed in the sun, that travelers can visit throughout the year aboard Icon. Each 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean adventure from Miami will island-hop to idyllic locations throughout the Caribbean such as Philipsburg in St. Maarten; Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico; and Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas and an incomparable day of excitement and relaxation on Royal Caribbean's award-winning private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas. Additionally, in January 2024, the island's first adults-only oasis, Hideaway Beach, will offer a complete experience with a private beach, pools, places to drink and snack, exclusive cabanas, live music and much more.