To heighten anticipation even more, arguably the greatest footballer of all time – Lionel Messi – will oversee the vessel’s naming ceremony on Tuesday (23 January) “in his role as “the icon of Icon”.
It is understood the Barcelona legend, who now plays for Inter Miami, will deliver a speech and smash a bottle against the ship’s hull in line with maritime tradition.
Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group’s president, candidly revealed on Sunday (21 January) the cruise giant’s senior leadership team in the past had to “really work” to persuade US television stations to cover ship launches – but not this time. In fact, Liberty said television bosses were “begging” to get onboard.