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A Garden on the Waves: Designing Central Park for Icon of the Seas | Cádiz, Spain

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, features an extraordinary Central Park—a lush, football-field-sized garden oasis at sea. This ambitious project involved transporting 60 trees, 9,000 understory plants, and four large vertical gardens across 15 semi-truck trailers. The garden offers passengers a serene retreat during the day and transforms into a vibrant dining and entertainment hub at night, with plant selections reflecting the ship’s dynamic color palette and thriving in the unique conditions of a traveling mega-ship.

The installation presented numerous challenges, from navigating USDA plant restrictions and international shipping logistics to overcoming the ship’s ever-changing microclimates. The centerpiece—a 22-foot tree—was craned into place, while other plants were sourced globally, including smaller specimens from Asia. Custom planter modules weighing up to 200 pounds each were carefully staged like a puzzle, requiring meticulous engineering and teamwork. Despite these complexities, the team completed the installation within a tight 10-day timeline.

An innovative irrigation system was integrated to support plant care by in-house horticulturalists, while the design team collaborated with artists, lighting experts, and contractors to create a visually stunning space. Central Park not only provides a peaceful retreat for the ship’s 7,600 passengers but also elevates their experience with its sensory and aesthetic appeal.

Project details

  • Client - Royal Caribbean Group
  • Sector - Hospitality
  • Location - Cádiz, Spain
  • Project Lead - Yuko Frazier and Matt Hills
  • Project Team - Ajay Santilli, Yuko Frazier, 12 US-based contractors, and 32 Spain-based contractors
  • District Name - Ambius Project Development
  • Service - Plantscaping & Green Wall
  • Solution - Large-scale Green Makeover

 

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