A cruise ship, the largest in the world, has not received any passengers on board, but it has already set the internet on fire.
Icon of the Seas will make its maiden voyage in January 2024. This cruise ship is 365 meters long (96 meters longer than the Titanic), 48 meters wide, has 20 total decks and a maximum capacity of 10,000 people, including all passengers and crew.
But when an image of the cruise went viral, there were many reactions, including a lot of criticism. Not everyone interpreted the render (the image of what the ship might look like) as cool. Some described it as a "monstrosity", "a pile of decadence". One user suggested that the name be "Icon of Diseases".
It was also called "too complicated and vulgar", "chaotic, messy" and possibly "unsafe". Some compared it to the ranks of hell.
But what is it about the image that causes such strong emotions?
Tom Davis, a professor of psychology at the University of Alabama, told CNN that reactions can be due to many factors, including anxieties and phobias, as well as personal experiences with resorts and cruises.
Sipas tij, shumë njerëz kanë frikë nga udhëtimet në det të hapur. Përmasat e anijes gjithashtu risjellin kujtime nga lajmet e viruseve deri te filmat si “Jaws” (film horror me peshkaqen) apo “Titanic”.
Sipas Adam Cox, një psikolog dhe ekspert i fobisë, përshkrimi i kroçeres si “pesë herë më e madhe si Titaniku” mund t’i bëjë njerëzit të mendojnë për një fatkeqësi potencialisht më të madhe se fundosja e Titanikut. Aq më tepër pas tragjedisë së fundit në rrënojat e Titanikut, me nëndetësen Titan.
Nivelet në anije krijojnë gjithashtu një ndjenjë klaustrofobie te disa njerëz, vazhdon ai, pasi ata e perceptojnë anijen si një vend ku mijëra njerëz janë të bllokuar.
For Jonathan Abramowitz, a psychologist at the University of North Carolina, reactions are largely based on previous experience with cruises or whether these people prefer a different style of sailing, such as smaller ships, luxury yachts or something in between.
