Keel Laid for Royal Caribbean’s Fourth Icon Class Ship at Meyer Turku: A New Era in Cruise Innovation

On September 8, 2025, Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, marked an important milestone in shipbuilding with the keel laying of Royal Caribbean International’s fourth Icon Class cruise ship. Scheduled for delivery in 2027, this vessel is set to become one of the largest cruise ships in the world.

The keel laying ceremony adhered to traditional maritime practices, with the first steel block being placed in the dock witnessed by both shipyard and cruise line representatives. Coins were placed beneath the block to bestow good fortune on the ship’s future voyages.

Casimir Lindholm, the CEO of Meyer Turku, expressed the significance of the project for the yard and its partners, stating that a vessel of this magnitude provides about 13,000 person-years of employment. He also emphasized the ongoing search for shipbuilders needed across various roles in the project.

This event follows the recent float-out of Legend of the Seas, the third ship in the Icon Class, which now frees up space for the construction of this new addition. Once complete, the ship will join existing vessels such as Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and Legend of the Seas, continuing Royal Caribbean’s focus on enhancing leisure, entertainment, and family-friendly amenities onboard. The assembly will advance block by block, with further design details and the ship’s name to be announced later.

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