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Month: June 2023

Royal Caribbean takes world’s largest cruise ship Icon of the Seas out for its first spin

Royal Caribbean takes world’s largest cruise ship Icon of the Seas out for its first spin

Royal Caribbean knew its new ship could float, but now the cruise line knows Icon of the Seas can move from point A to point B and back.

The cruise line took Icon of the Seas out for its first sea trials last week venturing out from the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, where it has been under construction for the last two years.

The 20-deck, 250,800-gross-ton, 1,198-foot-long cruise ship surpasses the size of Oasis-class ships like Wonder of the Seas, and is set to arrive to Miami late this year before it begins sailing with customers in January 2024.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas sailed the open ocean for the first time while completing its first sea trials off the coast in Turku, Finland in June 2023. The ship is headed to PortMiami this fall with its first customer sailings set for January 2024. (Royal Caribbean, Handout)
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas sailed the open ocean for the first time while completing its first sea trials off the coast in Turku, Finland in June 2023. The ship is headed to PortMiami this fall with its first customer sailings set for January 2024. (Royal Caribbean, Handout)

The line said more than 450 specialists spent four days earlier this month running through tests of its main engines, bow and propellers, noise and vibration levels ahead of a second set of planned sea trials.

The ship, which got its first taste of water when it was floated out in December 2021, is back in the shipyard now, and work will continue on interior spaces up through its arrival to Florida in the fall. The cruise line plans a series of preview cruises in December and January ahead of its first regular itineraries that begin on Jan. 28. read more

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice is latest Orlando chain to land new CEO

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice is latest Orlando chain to land new CEO

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice has appointed a new CEO to run the chain of 116 shops, the latest Orlando-based company to have a new face in charge.

Michael Keller was revealed as Jeremiah’s new CEO and president in a news release Tuesday. Keller’s experience includes working as CEO and president of Pearson Candy Company as well as chief marketing officer of International Dairy Queen, the release said.

“Jeremiah’s has grown at an incredible pace,” said Jeremy Litwack, founder of privately held Jeremiah’s, in the release. “After 27 years and more than 100 locations opening and operating, I feel that now is the time to pivot my focus, opening the door for new leadership with the skillset and background necessary to take our brand to the next level.”

Litwack expects to serve as a “brand ambassador” going forward.

Jeremiah’s was founded in 1996 and started franchising in 2019. It has shops in Florida, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Colorado, Nevada, Tennessee, Alabama and Texas. read more