Lionel Messi Named Official Icon for Royal Caribbean’s Revolutionary Icon of the Seas
By Benjamin Webster
Royal Caribbean International is gearing up for a historic launch of its groundbreaking Icon of the Seas in January 2024, promising a new era in vacations. The world’s largest cruise line has revealed soccer legend Lionel Messi as the official Icon of Icon of the Seas. Messi, widely recognized as one of the greatest players of all time, will play a central role in the exclusive naming celebration for the revolutionary ship in Miami.
Known for his numerous achievements, including eight Ballon d’Or awards and TIME’s 2023 Athlete of the Year, Messi has been a key figure in transforming soccer in the U.S. since joining Royal Caribbean partner Inter Miami CF. Icon of the Seas has also made waves with its record-breaking moments, including the largest booking day and highest volume booking week in the cruise line’s history following its reveal in October 2022.
Icon of the Seas is designed to redefine vacations, offering an unprecedented combination of beach retreats, resort escapes, and theme park adventures. Boasting six record-setting waterslides, seven pools, a family-friendly neighborhood, and over 40 dining and entertainment options, Icon aims to cater to every type of family and adventurer without compromise.
Lionel Messi expressed his excitement about joining the Royal Caribbean family and celebrating the arrival of Icon of the Seas. The collaboration follows the recent partnership announcement between Royal Caribbean and Inter Miami CF, where the cruise line serves as the Club’s Main Partner and Official Vacation Partner.
Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, highlighted Icon of the Seas as the culmination of over 50 years of delivering memorable vacations, set to make a profound impact on the vacation industry in January 2024. Messi’s role as the Icon of Icon aligns with the ship’s mission to change the status quo and redefine the vacation experience.
As part of maritime tradition, Messi will participate in the iconic naming celebration for Icon in January 2024 in Miami, bestowing safekeeping onto the new ship, its crew, and the millions of families expected to create lasting memories onboard.
Icon’s appeal extends beyond its onboard experiences, with sun-soaked destinations featured in 7-night Eastern or Western Caribbean adventures from Miami. The itinerary includes stops in picturesque locales like St. Maarten, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and St. Thomas, as well as a thrilling day at Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Adding to the allure is the debut of Hideaway Beach, the island’s first adults-only oasis, offering an exclusive beach experience with pools, cabanas, live music, and more.
