The world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, began its maiden journey on Saturday as it set sail from Port of Miami in the US.
The vessel runs nearly 1,200 feet (365 meters) from bow to stern.
The ship — which is embarking on a seven-day island-hopping tour through the tropics — was officially christened on Tuesday with help from soccer star Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates.
The Icon was built over a period of 900 days at a shipyard in Turku, Finland. It comprises of 20 decks and can accommodate 7,600 passengers at maximum capacity and a crew of 2,350.
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The Icon is longer than the height of the Eiffel Tower.Image: Rebecca Blackwell/AP/picture alliance
There will be 50 musicians and comedians as well as a 16-piece orchestra on board as the ship goes on its sold-out inaugural voyage.
It also has six waterslides, seven swimming pools, an ice skating rink, a theater and more than 40 restaurants, bars and loungesImage: Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/AP/picture alliance
How is the ship powered?
The $2 billion (€1.84 billion) Icon features the latest technology and, despite its gigantic size, claims to be more eco-friendly than some smaller cruise ships.
The Icon is powered by what the Royal Caribbean Group says is eco-friendly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
Some experts, however, say LNG systems can leak damaging amounts of methane gas into the atmosphere.
People film and wave from South Pointe Park, as Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, sails out of Port Miami on its first public cruiseImage: Rebecca Blackwell/AP/picture alliance
“Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of dreaming, innovating and living our mission — to deliver the world’s best vacation experiences responsibly,” Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty said in a statement earlier in the week.
“She is the ultimate multigenerational family vacation, forever changing the status quo in family travel and fulfilling vacation dreams for all ages on board.”
Witness video captures immediate aftermath of police shooting in Downtown Miami
MIAMI — Video captured by a witness shows what happened after a police shooting that occurred on Saturday in Miami.
It happened outside the Yve Hotel along Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast Second Street.
The video obtained by Local 10 News shows the immediate response to the man being shot.
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Miami’s police chief said the man was causing a commotion outside the hotel, and tasing him didn’t stop him.
After things got physical, one of the officers opened fire on the man.
Authorities said he is recovering and expected to be okay.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the shooting, as is customary when an officer opens fire.
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Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.
David Dwork
David Dwork joined the WPLG Local 10 News team in August 2019. Born and raised in Miami-Dade County, David has covered South Florida sports since 2007.
Jannik Sinner, who is currently the world’s No. 2-ranked player, according to the ATP, faces off against Czechia’s Jiri Lehecka (who is ranked No. 22 in the world) in the final of the 2026 Miami Open on March 29.
This is surely the biggest match of Lehecka’s career to this point. He had won several ATP tournaments (including the 2024 Adelaide International and the 2025 Brisbane International), but neither of those came against an opponent of Sinner’s caliber. Therefore, this win would mean more for Lehecka than any of his past tournament victories.
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Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic | Mike Frey-Imagn Images
As for Sinner, this is just another Sunday on the court. He already won the Indian Wells Open earlier this month, and a win against Lehecka would be his 26th ATP Title. Still, that doesn’t mean Sinner isn’t hungry for another win to add to his staggering resumé and perhaps overtake Carlos Alcaraz for the world’s No. 1 spot.
While Lehecka will have his girlfriend, Lucka Neumannova (aka Lucie), in the stands showing him support on Sunday, Sinner’s girlfriend, Laila Hasanovic, appears to be back in her home country of Denmark.
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Laila Hasanovic | IMAGO / ABACAPRESS
Sinner and Hasanovic have been together at least since the summer of 2025. Before that, Hasanovic (who is a model and fashion influencer) dated Formula 1 driver Mick Schumacher for at least three years, but the couple split up in the spring of 2025.
She is clearly busy with her own career in Copenhagen right now and isn’t able to attend Sinner’s matches while he’s playing in America. But that doesn’t mean she isn’t finding the time to show him support, albeit not in person.
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Laila Hasanovic at the F1 Mexico City Grand Prix when she was dating Mick Schumacher. | IMAGO / Laci Perenyi
Laila Hasanovic Catches Eyes with Outfit Before Jannik Sinner’s Miami Open Final Match
Hasanovic has been active on social media throughout Sinner’s Miami Open run. This was the case once again before his match against Lehecka, as she made a March 28 Instagram post that was captioned, “🫀”.
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The post shows various scenes from Hasanovic’s recent events in Denmark. The fourth photo shows her in an eye-catching skirt and a black shirt. Among the other notable photos show her in two different types of black jackets, and the first photo features a nice checkered coat.
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One would imagine that Hasanovic will be locked in when Sinner takes the court on Sunday, hoping to secure his secong tournament victory of 2026 and perhaps reclaim the world’s No. 1 ranking.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A three-vehicle crash in southwest Miami-Dade triggered a large emergency response Saturday night, leaving 10 people injured, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
MDFR units responded around 8:03 p.m. to the area of Southwest 28th Street and Southwest 107th Avenue after receiving reports of a massive crash.
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Officials said 13 units arrived on scene and found a total of 10 adult patients.
Three people were taken to a local hospital with injuries. One of the passengers, a woman, was pronounced dead at the hospital.
No additional details have been released.
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Pablo Hernandez
Pablo Hernandez is a Digital Journalist at WPLG. He was born in Cuba and has lived in Miami, Florida since 2002.
