Keel Laid for Royal Caribbean’s Exciting 4th Icon Class Ship at Meyer Turku
On September 8, 2025, a significant milestone in ship construction was achieved at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland with the laying of the keel for Royal Caribbean International’s (RCI) fourth Icon Class cruise ship. The new vessel, set for delivery in 2027, is expected to be one of the largest cruise ships in operation.
The keel-laying ceremony adhered to traditional maritime practices, with the first steel block of the ship being lowered into the dock in the presence of shipyard and cruise line representatives. According to maritime custom, newly minted coins were placed beneath the block to symbolize good fortune for the ship’s future.
Casimir Lindholm, CEO of Meyer Turku, highlighted the project’s importance, noting that constructing such a large vessel typically represents around 13,000 person-years of employment. He emphasized the company’s ongoing search for additional shipbuilders for various roles throughout the shipbuilding process.
This event occurred shortly after the float-out of the Legend of the Seas, the third ship in the Icon Class, which was relocated to the outfitting pier the week prior. This transition has opened up construction space for the next ship in the series.
Once completed, the new ship will join its predecessors, Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and Legend of the Seas, in Royal Caribbean’s expanding fleet of next-generation cruise ships. The design will maintain a focus on leisure, entertainment, and family-friendly amenities, with construction now set to proceed block by block ahead of the anticipated 2027 delivery. Further details regarding the ship’s design and name will be announced in due course.
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