Progress Report: Construction of Royal Caribbean’s Newest Ship in Finland

The construction of Royal Caribbean International’s new Star of the Seas is making progress at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.

This ship is part of the Icon Class and weighs 250,800 tons. It is expected to begin its service in the Caribbean in mid-2025.

Meyer Turku has recently announced a significant development with the installation of the ship’s AquaDome.

This feature, which is placed on the top deck, is the largest singular glass and steel structure ever installed on a ship in one piece, according to the shipyard.

The meticulous lifting process spanned several hours and demanded utmost precision to keep the structure perfectly level, as stated by Meyer Turku.

Having been introduced first on the Icon of the Seas earlier this year, the AquaDome is now a signature feature of Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class ships.

The AquaDome offers panoramic 220-degree views of the ocean and includes a variety of bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues such as the iconic AquaTheater.

Royal Caribbean notes that the 363-ton dome is among the most eagerly awaited features of the Star of the Seas, standing 82 feet tall and 164 feet wide.

Due to make its debut in August 2025, the ship will embark on cruises from Port Canaveral for its inaugural season.

The seven-night itineraries include travel to both the Western and Eastern Caribbean, featuring stops at Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, as well as other ports like Cozumel and Puerto Rico.

After the Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean plans to launch a third Icon-class ship in the spring of 2026.

The company has further confirmed their intention to construct a fourth ship in this series at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.

In a deal announced in late August, the upcoming 5,610-guest ship is scheduled for delivery in 2027, with additional options for two more Icon-class vessels included in the agreement.