Fast forward to August 2025, and a truly innovative event was happening on Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. The cruise industry is having its own historic moment. Icon of the Seas, the largest ship in the world, proudly welcomed its new sister Star of the Seas. This momentous meeting went on to become a pivotal point in maritime history. Both ships are a part of Royal Caribbean’s rapidly expanding Icon Class family. They seek to turn the world of luxury cruising on its head with ground-breaking designs and unparalleled amenities.
Star of the Seas had an inauspicious start to its official service, which began in August 2025. Itineraries travel the Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean to build excitement. Unfortunately, this expansion is part of an increasingly common pattern in the cruise industry. It aims to receive more than 37 million passengers by 2025. Cruising is the hottest thing going. In contrast, Royal Caribbean is aggressively growing its fleet and has the most ships on order in company history.
The Rise of Icon Class Ships
The Icon Class family is now represented by the Icon of the Seas, and the Star of the Seas. Fortunately, a fourth member started construction on September 8! This mega-ship, still unnamed, will stretch over 1,000 feet long, and carry around 5,610 passengers in a double-occupancy configuration. Royal Caribbean is really raising the bar on what they offer. This move in the cruise industry underscores a lucrative pivot to mega-ships with opulent offerings.
These new ships are finding waters increasingly crowded with growing demand for cruise vacations. Travelers’ desire for unique experiences coupled with the demand that travelers are creating are driving this growth. Cruise Lines International Association representatives promote the booming ocean cruise industry. They cite a tripling in the level of consumer demand. As Royal Caribbean continues to push the envelope, it’s a reflection of their commitment to innovation and putting passengers first.
Surf Tourism and Its Economic Impact
Besides the positive changes in cruising, the global surf tourism industry is booming. In 2024, it brought in $68.3 billion, with estimates showing it could bring in upwards of $95.93 billion by 2030. Areas with an established surf culture are working to take advantage of this trend. Meanwhile, Siargao in the Philippines is positioning itself as the new “surf capital.” It’s designed to draw surfers from everywhere in the world.
In much the same way, Surf Abu Dhabi has become a player, announcing that it has discovered “the ideal wave” for surfing aficionados. This destination offers an exciting pool experience featuring six waves for a fee of $950, translating to just over $150 per wave. These emerging surf tourism hubs have figured out how to attract a more adventurous, active demographic looking for adventure but maybe a little bit of R&R.
A Bright Future for Cruising and Surfing
These boats are all set to dive into their promising adventures. They will provide unprecedented standards in luxurious cruising and economically energize areas that benefit from heightened tourism. Cruising and surf tourism are perfectly matched each other to build a new wave in travel. This digital and cultural transformation personalizes experiences to meet the needs and wishes of today’s travelers.
