Royal Caribbean International has announced that sports star Lionel Messi will be the official “Icon” of its upcoming cruise ship Icon of the Seas.
As the new ship’s Icon—a role similar to a godparent on other cruise ships—the most decorated fútbol player in history will welcome Icon of the Seas at an exclusive celebration in January 2024 in Miami.
Per maritime tradition, Messi will participate in Icon‘s naming ceremony, bestowing safekeeping onto the new vessel, her crew, and the millions of families that will sail aboard in the years to come.
Messi says he’s thrilled to join the Royal Caribbean family
Widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time, Lionel Messi has set a long list of records throughout his career, including winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or award eight times and being named TIME‘s 2023 Athlete of the Year. Messi ushered in a new era of fútbol in the United States when he joined new Leagues Cup champion Inter Miami CF.
“I’m thrilled and honored to join the Royal Caribbean family to celebrate the arrival of the game-changing Icon of the Seas,” Lionel Messi remarked. “Icon is beyond anything else that’s out there for family vacations, with incredible never-before-seen features, all designed for making memories together.”
“It’s that ability to make such a widespread impact and change the status quo that the Icon of Icon must personify, and Lionel Messi has proven to be the perfect example of that for years in the world of sports and most recently in introducing a new era of excitement and passion for fútbol in Miami and the U.S.,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.
Messi’s new role follows the recent announcement that Royal Caribbean and Inter Miami CF have formed an unprecedented partnership, with the cruise line serving as both the Club’s official vacation partner and its main partner. The cruise stated in a press release that Inter Miami CF will also celebrate the arrival of Icon with the next phase of their partnership.
Read more: Royal Caribbean and Inter Miami Announce Partnership
Icon of the Seas will debut in January
Setting sail on her maiden voyage on January 27, 2024, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas will feature elements from beach retreats, resort escapes, and theme park adventures. As the inaugural vessel in the Icon Class, the new ship will introduce a range of firsts and enhanced favorites, including Thrill Island with the largest waterpark at sea.
Cruisers can experience Icon‘s assortment of six waterslides, seven pools, the first neighborhood designed for young families, and more than 40 dining and bar options.
The unveiling of this highly anticipated new ship in October 2022 resulted in the cruise line’s single largest booking day and the highest volume booking week in its then 53-year history.
“Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of delivering memorable vacations, and it’s set to live up to its name in more ways than one when it changes the vacation industry in January 2024,” Bayley remarked.
Related: Royal Caribbean Reveals Reimagined Dining on Icon of the Seas
Icon will sail 7-night cruises year-round in the Caribbean from Miami, visiting ports like Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.
Coming to CocoCay in January 2024 is the destination’s first adults-only oasis, Hideaway Beach. The new area will feature a private beach, pools, exclusive restaurants and bars, private cabanas, and live music.
More news about Royal Caribbean
- Lionel Messi Named Icon of Icon of the Seas
- Icon of the Seas Officially Joins Royal Caribbean Fleet
- Royal Caribbean Reveals Name of Next Icon Class Ship
- Royal Caribbean Reveals Adults-Only Hideaway Beach on Perfect Day at CocoCay
- Royal Caribbean and Inter Miami Announce Partnership
- Royal Caribbean Reveals Details About Utopia of the Seas
What do you think about sports Icon Lionel Messi becoming the Icon of Icon of the Seas? Are you excited about this new Royal Caribbean ship? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
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