Birth of colossus Icon of the Seas: Fascinating images show how the world’s largest cruise ship is built, from the first steel cut to the installation of the 363-ton AquaDome

A fascinating video reveals the birth of a colossus: the building of the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas.

The images show the first steel cut in Turku, Finland, in June 2021 for the completed ship which will undergo sea trials in June 2023 and be delivered in November that year.

In between these moments, the clip shows several eye-opening achievements, including the installation of a 30-meter-long liquefied natural gas tank, the laying of the keel in April 2022 and the hoisting onto the ship of the steel ‘Pearl’, which weighs more . than a Boeing 747.

Another impressive moment in the video is seeing the 363-ton AquaDome being lifted into place by shipbuilder Meyer Turku.

The company noted: ‘At 50 meters [164ft] wide and 25 meters [82ft] At its height, the AquaDome is the largest single-piece glass and steel structure ever lifted onto a ship.” The operation took 80 hours.

The ship happens: an executive presses the start button to begin construction on June 14, 2021

A sign marks the beginning of the 900-day construction process

Royal Caribbeans city-on-the-sea was floated out in December 2022 before her successful sea trials.

Footage from the November episode shows executives and crew celebrating on a ship that almost seems to defy the laws of physics.

Icon of the Seas has 20 decks, 2,350 crew members, 2,805 staterooms, seven swimming pools, nine whirlpools, six record-breaking water slides and space for 7,600 passengers.

Costs? A cool $2 billion (£1.58 billion).

The first sailing of the Icon of the Seas will take place on January 27, a seven-night voyage around the Caribbean.

The installation of a 30 meter long liquefied natural gas tank in August 2021

The keel laying in April 2022. Icon of the Seas was built by shipbuilder Meyer Turku

Icon’s ‘Pearl’ feature, which weighs more than a Boeing 747

Memorable: in May 2022, the Pearl was lifted onto the ship

The Pearl is hoisted onto the ship, which will begin accepting paying passengers on January 27

Prices start at around £1,200, but so far almost all ‘staterooms’ have been booked and paid for, with costs still up for grabs between £4,000 and £6,000.

The Ultimate Family Townhouse is one of the most striking cabins. It can sleep eight people and has its own sundeck and several balconies. Seven nights will set families back a staggering $85,000 (£70,000).

Icon of the Seas, which is five times larger than the Titanic, was recently photographed during a test voyage in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Fare-paying passengers will soon find out if the massive ship lives up to the hype.

The 363-ton AquaDome will be lifted into place by Meyer Turku in November 2022

Water View: In December 2022, Icon of the Seas was floated out

Icon of the Seas has 20 decks, 2,350 crew members, 2,805 staterooms, seven swimming pools, nine whirlpools, six record-breaking water slides and space for 7,600 passengers. She is pictured here during her sea trials

A cheerful feeling: Icon of the Seas was delivered in November 2023 – and the crew looks happy

Boat-iful: This Associated Press image shows Icon of the Seas in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico, on a trial voyage