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Gary Shteyngart's Week of Splashing Doom on the World's Biggest Cruise Ship

Source: theatlantic.com

TL;DR

Royal Caribbean launched the Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, packed with 7,600 passengers and endless water slides, roller coasters, and bars.
It cost $2 billion to build and burns 63,000 gallons of fuel daily, sparking debates on whether it's fun or folly.
The ship embodies America's craving for excess amid climate anxiety, turning a vacation into a floating theme park.
Critics call it a "gigantic polluting monster," but passengers love the thrill.

The story at a glance

Aboard the Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's colossal new cruise liner, reporter Gary Shteyngart endures a week of water-soaked chaos to probe America's obsession with mega-vacations. This dispatch arrives as the ship debuts in 2024, challenging notions of joy in an era of environmental limits.

Key moments & milestones

2019: Royal Caribbean announces the Icon-class project amid booming cruise demand.
2022: Construction ramps up in Finland, with the hull growing to 20 decks high.
January 2024: Icon of the Seas sets sail from Miami on its maiden voyage, instantly becoming the largest cruise ship ever.
Ongoing: Daily operations include 250,000 meals served and 1 million gallons of water produced, testing the ship's sustainability claims.

Signature highlights

The ship's Category 6 water slide hurtles riders down six stomach-churning stories at breakneck speed - the tallest at sea.
20 bars and restaurants cater to every whim, from a Surfside kiddie zone to an adults-only AquaDome with robotic whales.
Fuel efficiency boasts a 24% reduction per passenger compared to older ships, yet it still guzzles more daily than some towns.
Gary Shteyngart, soaked and exhilarated, captures the vibe: families screaming on the Frightening Bolt coaster amid a "floating city" of indulgence.

Key quotes

"This is the new normal of American happiness." - Gary Shteyngart, reflecting on the ship's excesses.

"It's like Disney World, but on water - and bigger." - A passenger aboard Icon.

Why it matters

The Icon redefines leisure as engineered spectacle, fueling a $50 billion cruise industry while intensifying scrutiny over emissions equivalent to a million cars annually. It signals how corporations chase profit through scale, even as climate pressures mount. Watch for regulatory pushes on green tech and whether passengers' thrill-seeking sustains this behemoth amid rising seas.