On August 29, Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku launched the third Icon-class luxury cruise ship, “Legend of the Seas,” for Royal Caribbean Group. Construction on the ship began in January 2024 and it will soon enter the dock outfitting phase, with delivery scheduled for 2026.
Under the current confirmed contracts, Meyer Turku will build 4+2 Icon-class cruise ships for Royal Caribbean Group. The first ship, Icon of the Seas (248,663 GT), was delivered in December 2023; The second ship, “Star of the Seas” (248,663 GT), was delivered and entered service in July 2025; The third ship, “Legend of the Seas,” was launched during this event; The remaining 1+2 ships were contracted on August 27, 2024, with deliveries scheduled to commence in 2027.
It is understood that Royal Caribbean Group’s Icon-class cruise ships are approximately 365 meters in length, about 50 meters in width, and have a gross tonnage of around 250,000. They feature 20 decks and 2,805 passenger cabins. With double occupancy, they can carry 5,610 passengers, and when all cabins are fully occupied, they can accommodate up to 7,600 passengers, along with 2,350 crew members.
This class of cruise ships will also be equipped with an air lubrication system to reduce hull friction; a robotic hull cleaner, which can remove debris and slime when the cruise ship is docked at ports to prevent increased resistance; shore power connections; and an innovative waste heat recovery system that can convert waste heat into up to 3 megawatts of additional energy.
The hull of the newly launched Legend of the Seas features a parabolic bow design to enhance navigational stability, ensuring smoother cruising. Its propulsion system comprises six liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel engines, three 20-megawatt diesel-electric azimuth thrusters, and fuel cells. The fuel cells serve as a low-emission alternative energy source, supporting onboard power supply and freshwater production.
According to its official website, Meyer Turku, founded in 1737, boasts a 288-year history and is now one of the world’s largest and most advanced shipyards for large cruise and passenger ships. Over the years, the yard has built over 1,300 vessels for shipowners worldwide. Meyer Turku is owned by the German Meyer family, now in its seventh generation of management. In addition to Meyer Turku in Finland, the German Meyer family also owns two shipyards: Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, and Neptun Werft in Rostock.