Europe - Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International’s new ship, built at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, features more than 40 different entertainment, leisure, and retail spaces, including three primary entertainment venues. The Royal Theatre presents full-scale productions, including the first rendition of The Wizard of Oz at sea; Absolute Zero is a premium ice-skating arena; and the Aqua Theatre features aqua shows put on by a cast of aerialists, high divers, robots and synchronised swimmers.
Two of Icon’s main entertainment venues – Royal Theatre and Absolute Zero – have Robe moving lights at the heart of their installed lighting rigs, while approximately 250 other Robe and Anolis LED fixtures are being used throughout the ship in 10 separate areas.
The various Robe fixtures include iForte, Forte FS and iForte FS, Esprite, Painte, Tetra2, and iSpiider moving lights, plus multiple RoboSpot remote followspot systems throughout the different venues.
The entertainment lighting for Icon’s many different areas was specified by Christopher Vlassopulos, who oversees all entertainment technology across Royal Caribbean’s ships. He worked closely with UK-based lighting consultant and maritime specialist Ben Couling from Tristwell Designs and Nick Mugnani from Skylight Services, together with integrators and installers Control AV based in Finland and also operating in Miami.
The project was coordinated by Robe’s global maritime manager, Tony Perez, working closely with the vacation brand, Tristwell, Skylight, and Control AV in both Finland and Miami. The kit was delivered to Finland via Robe’s Finnish distributor, Lighthouse Entertainment, which played a key role in providing the best support to all involved.
Seating more than 1,200 guests, the proscenium Royal Theatre venue spans decks 4 and 5 at the forward end of Icon, and it currently stages two productions, The Wizard of Oz and Showband! Live.Music.Now.
The music is played live by a 16-piece orchestra, split into two groups and positioned on both sides of the stage.
24 Esprite PCs and 28 Esprite Profiles were chosen as key fixtures, most flown in the overhead rig, with some deployed along the high sides of the stage.
Two Forte FS FollowSpots with motion cameras are running on two RoboSpot controllers positioned on the lighting bridges, with the Forte FS luminaires on the most downstage catwalk.
There are also 32 Paintes in the space, chosen for their small size and powerful output positioned front of house.
Music Hall is a two-story bar, night club and lounge that features a lineup of tribute bands covering numerous genres from jazz to rock. 24 TetraX units are used as one of the main effects due to their continuous pan rotation, flower effects and powerful output. Four LEDBeam 150s in the same venue are strategically positioned to hit the mirror ball.
Absolute Zero is an ice arena located at the aft end of deck 5 and is the largest at sea. It’s the first to feature an oval shape that provides excellent sightlines wherever guests are seated.
Absolute Zero has four Forte FS FollowSpots running in pairs on two RoboSpot systems, which are each positioned at 90° to one another around the rink, used for specials and highlighting soloists as they whizz around.
The Royal Promenade is the heart of Icon and a connector between the Royal Theatre and Absolute Zero at opposite ends of deck 5. It has over 15 restaurants, bars, and lounges.
Nine white Esprites and two RoboSpot systems with four white Motion cameras are rigged on both sides – port and starboard. The RoboSpot system was chosen for its unique flexibility with the BaseStations concealed in a remote room off site from the main Royal Promenade neighbourhood!
Several sets of Anolis Ambiane AP RGBW fixtures complete with 67° lenses are installed in The Attic, Schooner Bar, and Point & Feather.
Aqua Theatre hosts a high-energy water-based extravaganza including 17m- and 10m-high diving platforms, synchronised swimming, robotic arms, and fountain shows. The two dive towers are lit with 12 white iSpiiders rigged underneath the towers and on the inner sides of the stage in between them to great effect.
Up lighting the towers are 12 white Anolis Calumma L MC fixtures. Six white iFortes, two RoboSpots and four IP65 motion cameras are in action for the high diving, slacklining and fountain shows.
Throughout Icon’s Thrill Island and Chill Island – where guests can choose between four pools, nine whirlpools, six record-breaking water slides, and the FlowRider surf simulator among other experiences – are over 60 Anolis Calumma M MC RGBW fixtures, mainly used as accent lights for the structures and water features.
The Calummas were supplied with Robe’s special Harsh Environment coating to withstand the salt, humidity, sea spray and UV conditions.
“Icon of the Seas was a once-in-a-lifetime endeavour, and the involvement of Robe and Anolis on this iconic vacation speaks volumes about the reputation of both brands,” stated Perez.
