A humorous look at how Royal Caribbean’s colossal cruise ship Icon of the Seas manages to stay afloat!
There are still some great discussions on Twitter/X every once in a while. Some are super-useful and informative, but occasionally there’s a thread that is packed with great and funny replies.
In response to a video about Icon of the Seas, user @edmsillygoose made a request:
need someone to mansplain to me how this thing is able to float https://t.co/slXEl0wNCS
— 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐫 (@edmsillygoose) August 19, 2024
A couple of people took the assignment a little too literally:
Simple really!
— Stephen Fielding (@SRFielding72) August 19, 2024
Ah, the age-old question of how something as gargantuan as a cruise ship doesn't just go "glub glub" and sink to the bottom of the ocean. Here's the lowdown:
1. **Archimedes' Principle**: This is the real MVP. It states that any object placed in a fluid (like…
But there were some fantastic funny replies too, which definitely made the thread worth reading!
Here’s a look at some of the best ‘definitely real’ reasons why Icon of the Seas stays afloat:
1. Thoughts and prayers
‘Thoughts and prayers’ are apparently all that you need to keep a cruise ship floating on the water.
But does everyone onboard need to think about the ship floating, or pray for it to stay up? What happens if someone gets distracted?
Or is it just the thoughts and prayers of the captain? Maybe that’s why they’re paid so well – to always stay focused on using their brains to keep the ship afloat!
2. Iconic legs
Turns out, the real secret behind the ship’s buoyancy is its impressive set of iconic legs. Forget complicated engineering or displacement – the ship just gracefully wades through the ocean on its oversized limbs, like some sort of stylish aquatic flamingo.
It raises the question: do the legs get tired after a long journey? Maybe there’s a secret team of masseuses onboard, dedicated solely to giving the ship’s legs a well-deserved break after hours of elegant striding across the waves.
3. Magic
It’s as simple as that – magic. While the engineers might try to convince you with their fancy jargon and science, we all know it’s really just a sprinkle of pixie dust and a flick of the wand.
No need for hulls, stabilisers, or propellers when you’ve got good old-fashioned sorcery keeping the ship afloat.
4. Floating devices
It’s a well-kept secret that the real buoyancy magic happens at the stern, where dozens of brightly coloured helium balloons keep the ship bobbing along.
It’s so obvious once you think about it. Why else would cruise ships need to stay so far from shore? They can’t risk anyone seeing the balloon setup!
And next time you’re on board, try and sneak a peek over the back. If the wind’s just right, you might catch a glimpse of a rogue balloon trying to float away.
5. Clouds
Clouds aren’t just for dramatic sunsets and holiday snaps – they’re the real reason cruise ships stay afloat. Like a giant waterbed in the sky, the ship just lounges comfortably on a soft, fluffy cloud as it glides across the ocean.
It explains why cruises are so relaxing. The passengers are basically on a floating pillow! The tricky part is making sure the clouds don’t drift away.
That’s why the crew always keeps an eye on the weather forecast – it’s all about cloud management.
6. Neanderthal poetry
In perhaps the most ancient and poetic explanation, our Neanderthal ancestors have cracked the code. With wisdom passed down from the dawn of time, they remind us that it’s all about the big air pockets. Water stays wet, air stays dry, and the boat just… floats.
Simple, right? Who needs modern science when you’ve got the primal power of Neanderthal logic? We can only assume they were also responsible for the earliest cruise designs – probably with fewer decks and a lot more mammoths.
7. Help from another Icon
When you’re the Icon of the Seas, who better to keep you afloat than another icon? That’s right – the ship doesn’t rely on engineering or physics, but on the sheer power of Beyoncé’s presence. Her energy alone is enough to keep the cruise ship gliding smoothly over the waves.
Forget lifeboats! All you need is a playlist of Queen Bey’s greatest hits, and you’ll stay above water indefinitely. Maybe that’s why the ship has such amazing sound systems – they’re secretly part of the flotation plan!
8. I’m not sure this is right…
Buoyancy? Who needs it when the ship is actually airborne? That’s right – Icon of the Seas isn’t floating on the water at all, it’s just hovering slightly above the surface, like a giant luxurious hovercraft.
The smooth ride? That’s because you’re technically flying the whole time. So next time someone asks how a cruise ship stays afloat, you can confidently tell them it doesn’t. It’s secretly just levitating in style.
9. The animal kingdom pulls its weight
Why rely on man-made propulsion when nature’s finest are happy to help? Beneath the waves, a dedicated team of dolphins is hard at work, pushing the ship along with graceful flips and synchronised swimming.
They don’t just make for great photo ops – they’re the true power behind the ship’s movement! So the next time you spot dolphins frolicking near the bow, just know they’re not playing. They’re clocking in for another shift keeping the Icon of the Seas afloat and moving.
10. Crouching giant
Forget engines and displacement – the real reason the ship floats is thanks to a helpful giant, wading through the ocean like it’s a paddling pool.
With the ship perched delicately on his head, he carefully strolls along the seabed, making sure to keep everything balanced. You can only hope he doesn’t sneeze!
Maybe he’s on the cruise payroll, or maybe he’s just a friendly sea giant who enjoys the steady pace of ocean travel.
Either way, it explains why the ship never seems to struggle, since it’s just along for a ride on a giant’s shoulders.
11. Mythical creatures
That’s right, hundreds of mermaids working tirelessly beneath the surface, holding up the ship like a mythical support crew. They don’t just save sailors from storms – they’ve upgraded to luxury cruise ships now.
Their siren songs might explain why everyone’s so relaxed on board. While passengers sip cocktails and sunbathe, a hidden mermaid workforce is keeping everything in balance. I wonder if they’re included in the daily gratuities you’ve got to pay.
12. Human-generated propulsion
Well, I know that some people do worry about the emissions of a cruise ship…
The next time you’re enjoying the smooth ride on the Icon of the Seas, just remember that somewhere below deck, there’s a hidden team of passengers contributing their share to keep the ship gliding effortlessly over the waves.
13. That’s why you always find them onboard…
The true secret to keeping the ship afloat lies in a vast, hidden army of rubber ducks!
They’re discreetly tucked away under the deck, or all around the ship, creating a buoyant force that ensures the ship stays high and dry. Who knew those little quacking companions were actually the unsung heroes of marine engineering?
Next time you spot a rubber ducky hidden on a ship, remember: it’s not just a toy. It’s a key component in the high-tech floating system of the Icon of the Seas.
14. Ah, the Finns made it so
When in doubt, trust the Finns! Apparently, the real magic behind the Icon of the Seas is that it’s Finnish-made, and the key to its buoyancy lies in the simple command: “Float.”
In true Finnish fashion, they’ve infused the ship with a special blend of craftsmanship and polite, no-nonsense efficiency. It’s a bit like asking a well-trained husky to pull you along – you just tell it what you need, and it delivers.
15. Of course, it’s so simple…
It turns out the secret to floating is as straightforward as it gets: just make the ship’s bottom really big, and voilà, it goes ‘floaty float’. Who knew?
Science is the answer, and you don’t need to understand it to believe. Just say “Science!” and you have solved the problem!
Final word
There you have it – lots of reasons why a cruise ship as big as Icon of the Seas can stay afloat. Don’t trust anyone who tells you it’s displacement. It’s clearly a combination of magic, mermaids, rubber ducks and some human-powered emissions.
Feel free to add your own suggestions too!
Or if you’re interested in the actual answer, I spoke to my friend John who is a cruise ship pilot and he explained everything here: How Cruise Ships Float And Not Tip Over.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.