Royal Caribbean International’s new Icon of the Seas is resonating well in the family cruise market, and is currently sailing at 132 percent occupancy, according to Michael Bayley, president and CEO of the Royal Caribbean brand.
With the ship’s double occupancy at around 5,600, a 132 percent load factor would mean there approximately 7,400 guests aboard, with staterooms utilizing third and fourth berths, and sometimes more.
Cruise industry terminology means that a cruise ship is 100 percent full at double occupancy, meaning two guests in each stateroom.
How does that compare to the Royal Caribbean Group fleet? While the company does not break out individual brands, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Silversea, TUI and Hapag Lloyd; Royal Caribbean Group reported occupancy of 108.2 percent for the second quarter of 2024, compared to 105 percent for 2023.