✈ What It’s Really Like on the World’s Biggest Cruise Ship, Flight Deals to Europe & More News From TPG ✈

January 25, 2024

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Peek inside the new icon of cruising

by Gene Sloan, Cruise team lead

If you’re a big-ship cruising fan, you’re surely over the moon with excitement. If you’re a Never Cruiser, you’re no doubt horrified. Either way, you’ve got to admit what is happening this week in the world of cruising is a phenomenon like we’ve never seen before.

Royal Caribbean is unveiling a cruise vessel so big that it has room for seven separate pools, a surfing simulator, a basketball court, a miniature golf course, a zip line and — get this — an entire water park with a record (for a cruise ship) six waterslides. And that’s just on its top decks.

The insides of the 20-deck-high vessel — Icon of the Seas — house more restaurants, bars, lounges and entertainment venues than you could imagine for something that floats on water (we’re talking 40 different venues, but who’s counting?).

This is a ship that can hold up to 7,600 passengers. And, no, that’s not a typo. Add in 2,300 crew members, and there could be nearly 10,000 people on board Icon of the Seas at any given time.

A TPG team that includes cruise team senior editor Erica Silverstein and social media star Colby Kirkpatrick has been getting early access to Icon of the Seas this week in advance of its first sailing with paying passengers Saturday.

Check out their early dispatches from the vessel — and stay tuned for more to come! If you want to get more cruise news delivered right to your inbox, subscribe to the biweekly TPG cruise newsletter.

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Photo Credit: ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY.

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Today’s top stories

Multiple airlines offering deals on winter, spring and fall flights to Europe

Get away to Europe with flights from multiple U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Minneapolis and New York City.

Boeing 737 MAX 9 jets could resume flying in coming days

Alaska Airlines and United Airlines are planning to return their Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft to the skies in the coming days. The airlines received inspection instructions from the FAA.

Flight canceled or delayed? Here’s what to do next

Airline delays and cancellations are happening frequently. Here's how to avoid getting stuck if it happens to you.

How I got $2,900 of expenses covered after the 737 MAX 9 grounding stranded me in Hawaii

When her family was stranded in Hawaii because of the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 grounding, this travel writer turned to her trip insurance.

Chasing American Airlines elite status? Here are 15 ways to earn Loyalty Points

Here's a rundown of all the ways you can earn AAdvantage elite status, including some options which don’t require flying.

The latest

1.	Castaway Cay: A guide to Disney Cruise Line’s private island

2.	United Airlines unveils another new long-haul route for the summer

3.	Strategy shift? Frontier unveils 54 new routes, goes head-to-head with competitors at their big hubs

4.	First impressions of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the new largest ship in the world

5.	Princess Cruises delays the unveiling of its biggest ship ever

6.	Spirit Airlines elite status: What it is and how to earn it

7.	Delta status match challenge is live: How you can earn elite status until 2026

8.	Hilton’s explosive growth gives many more options for travelers

9.	Perfect for the location: What it’s like staying at Hotel X Brisbane Fortitude Valley, Vignette Collection by IHG

10.	The best cruise ship balcony cabins for your vacation at sea

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