ONBOARD ICON OF THE SEAS — When Royal Caribbean International announced sports icon Lionel Messi would be the official ‘Icon’ of Icon of the Seas, and honour the ship at the naming ceremony in Miami, the rush for invites (almost) rose to the height of garnering tickets to the Super Bowl.

The most decorated fútbol player in history – eight-time winner of the prestigious Ballon d’Or award and TIME’s 2023 Athlete of the Year – Messi sparked a new era of soccer in the U.S. when he joined Inter Miami CF.

Lionel Messi, onboard with Royal Caribbean (photo courtesy RCI)

Icon’s AquaDome converted to the AquaTheater, where acrobatic performers dazzled the audience (Toby Saltzman photo)

Unprecedented in sports and cruise line history, Royal Caribbean recently announced its partnership with Miami CF Club.

The scene onboard the ship last night was stunning as thousands gathered in the AquaDome for the naming ceremony. Royal Caribbean Group’s owners, executives, building and design partners, along with guests – and of course Messi’s entire team, clad in the line’s pink sweatshirts – cheered the sports icon’s arrival.

As he stepped down – from the loftiest floor to the stage – it was magical to follow his gaze, up to the massive dome’s top, and around at the crowds. One could only imagine his thoughts, as if he compared this to his first step on any field.

In maritime tradition, host Mario Lopez introduced a Rabbi and Pastor, who each blessed the ship, its 7,600 passengers and over 2,000 crew. Messi and the audience were then wowed by performances by Scotland’s Red Hot Chilli Pipers and the AquaTheater’s acrobatic performers.

“Icon is the culmination of 50 years of dreaming and innovating to build the world’s best vacation,” said Jason Liberty, President and CEO for Royal Caribbean Group.

With the words “God bless Icon of the Seas and all the people who will sail with her,” Messi set the traditional bottle of Champagne crashing against the ship’s hull, officially naming it Icon of the Seas.

Messi, with Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty and Michael Bayley, CEO of Royal Caribbean international, looks up to the top of the massive AquaDome (Toby Saltzman photo)

Ready for Icon of the Seas’ naming ceremony in the ship’s AquaDome (Toby Saltzman photo)

Scotland’s Red Hot Chilli Pipers perform at Icon’s naming ceremony (Toby Saltzman photo)

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas was unveiled this week in Miami. Click here for more coverage from the mega-ship’s debut