The “Cruise Capital of the World” welcomed Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, a $2 billion, 1,198-foot, 250,800-ton vessel capable of carrying 5,610 guests.

It is the largest cruise ship in history, featuring six waterslides, seven pools, eight “neighborhoods,” 28 cabin types and 40 dining and drinking destinations. It’s also Royal Caribbean’s most sustainable ship, powered by fuel cell technology and liquified natural gas.

The Icon will homeport year-round at PortMiami, which recorded its biggest business year ever. In fiscal 2023, the port welcomed nearly 7.3 million passengers – a new high 7% more than the harbor’s previous, pre-pandemic record in 2019.