WORLD NEWS ‘Hero Of The Seas’ Introduces Next Level Water Leisure Experiences
New Olympic Pool Makes Splash In Queensland
Royal Caribbean has revealed ‘Hero of the Seas’, the fourth Icon Class ship and bold evolution of family adventure arriving in Miami in August 2027. As part of the game-changing Icon Class that combines beach retreats, resort escapes and theme park thrills, Hero will raise the bar with more records and iconic ways for families to make lifelong memories. “Icon Class truly set a new standard for family vacations, and Hero of the Seas takes that vision even further,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean. “With more water, more thrills and more choices for all ages, we’re continuing to build on what our guests love about Royal Caribbean and delivering the experiences families are looking for when vacationing together.” Holidaymakers can dive into nine distinct pools – the most at sea – including family-friendly spaces, a new Caribbean-inspired pool, three adults-only options, the largest swim-up bars at sea and more. Hero will introduce Coconut Cove, an all-new pool steps away from the tropical Caribbean bar, The Lime and Coconut. With in-water loungers and poolside service for refreshing drinks, vacationers can kick back with views of the Central Park neighbourhood’s lush greenery. The Hideaway adults-only oasis will now feature two pools, including the largest swim-up bar at sea for tropical cocktails and an in-water DJ booth for nonstop party vibes. Familiar favorites will be revamped with more room to splash and unwind at the expanded Swim & Tonic pool and swim-up bar for adults, plus new water features at Splashaway Bay, the aquapark designed for young kids in the Surfside family neighbourhood. Active guests can catch waves on the FlowRider surf simulator or at Category 6 – the largest waterpark at sea – adventurers can take on two new family raft slides, including the first funnel raft slide at sea, along with new twists on the mat-racing Storm Chasers duo.
A new Olympic-sized swimming pool in Queensland, Australia, delivered by Logan City Council, is set to give budding young gold medalists a headstart on their careers. The 50-metre, eight-lane pool officially opened recently at the Beenleigh Aquatic Centre and is the second in the City of Logan that is Olympic-sized. Mayor Jon Raven said the AUS$24.7m redevelopment could be the starting point for future local Olympians. “The City of Logan is where the likes of Mollie O’Callaghan and Jodie Henry started their Olympic journeys. Now, the next generation of local Olympians will have the same opportunity to swim in elite conditions,” said Mayor Raven. “The upgraded Beenleigh Aquatic Centre has arrived well ahead of the 2032 Games and will service our city well into the future. “This milestone is a win for our entire community, not just our competitive swimmers. Between new barbecues and a play area for the kids, our new Beenleigh Aquatic Centre will be an attraction for families to enjoy on weekends, school holidays and hot days.” The upgrade includes an expanded children’s water play area, shaded seating areas, barbecues, modern changeroom facilities, a kiosk and accessible and family-friendly amenities. New solar panels have been installed and stormwater harvesting enabled to ensure the centre is sustainable into the future. The new centre also has additional accessibility features for people living with a disability, with a pool ramp designed to improve safety, independence and compliance. The AU$24.7m project was funded through the SEQ Liveability Fund under the SEQ City Deal, with Logan City Council investing AU$15m, alongside a combined AU$9.7m in funding from the Australian Government and Queensland Government.
Fluidra And European Aquatics Join Forces Fluidra, a global leader in equipment and connected solutions for the pool and wellness sector, and European Aquatics, the governing body for aquatic sports in Europe, have signed an agreement to launch two programmes aimed at modernising aquatic facilities and expanding access to swimming education. The initiative addresses two of the sector’s main challenges: the aging stock of public pools and the lack of infrastructure limiting access to swimming in certain regions. This alliance marks a further step in the relationship between European Aquatics and Fluidra, which has until now focused on the sponsorship of aquatic
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events and the development of competition pools, and is now expanding into initiatives with greater social impact. The ‘Refurbishment Programme’ aims to upgrade existing aquatic facilities through free technical audits across Europe, with no subsequent obligation. Based on these assessments, Fluidra develops improvement proposals focused on optimising operational efficiency, enhancing safety and extending the lifespan of facilities, while also reducing energy consumption. In addition, the solutions incorporate
sustainability and digitalisation criteria to align facilities with current industry standards. Currently, more than 24,000 public pools across Europe show signs of obsolescence, representing a challenge in terms of both efficiency and safety. The second pillar of the agreement focuses on the deployment of mobile pools designed to deliver the ‘Learn to Swim’ programme in areas without access to aquatic facilities. Through this initiative, thousands of people across more than 50 European regions,
including areas in Spain, are expected to learn how to swim thanks to mobile pools installed in locations lacking infrastructure. This model of temporary pools, which are quick to install and equipped with integrated water treatment systems, allows for rotation between different municipalities, enabling a mobile use model and maximising the impact of the investment. This flexible approach makes it possible to bring swimming education to communities that currently lack adequate infrastructure.
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk 09/06/2026 20:51
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