On January 19, Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku held a steel-cutting ceremony for the fifth Icon-class cruise ship (Icon 5) being constructed for Royal Caribbean Group. This marks the official commencement of the luxury vessel’s construction phase, with delivery scheduled for summer 2028.
Royal Caribbean Group’s fifth Icon-class cruise ship was effective on September 23, 2025. Meyer Turku still has the sixth and seventh Icon-class cruise ships to be effective. The inaugural Icon of the Seas (248,663 GT) entered service in January 2024, with the second ship, Star of the Seas (248,663 GT), scheduled for delivery in August 2025.
Regarding the cruise ships currently under construction, in addition to the fifth Icon-class cruise ship that recently began construction, Meyer Turku is also simultaneously building the third and fourth Icon-class cruise ships. The third ship, “Legend of the Seas”, is expected to be delivered in the summer of 2026; the fourth Icon-class cruise ship, which is yet to be named, had its keel laid in September 2025 and is planned for delivery in 2027.
It is understood that the Icon-class cruise ship measures approximately 365 meters in length and 50 meters in beam, with a gross tonnage of about 250,000 tons. Featuring 20 decks and 2,805 passenger cabins, it can accommodate 5,610 passengers based on double occupancy. At full capacity, the ship can carry up to 7,600 passengers while also accommodating 2,350 crew members.
This cruise ship will feature an air lubrication system to reduce hull friction; robotic hull cleaners that remove debris and slime while docked to prevent increased resistance; shore power connections; and an innovative waste heat recovery system capable of converting waste heat into up to 3 megawatts of additional energy.
Meyer Turku, founded in 1737, boasts a 289-year history and has evolved into one of the world’s largest and most advanced shipyards for large cruise ships and passenger vessels. To date, it has delivered over 1,300 vessels to owners worldwide. The shipyard commands over 10% of the global cruise ship construction market share, with its order book extending through 2036.
Meyer Turku, founded in 1737, boasts a 289-year history and has evolved into one of the world’s largest and most advanced shipyards for large cruise ships and passenger vessels. To date, it has delivered over 1,300 vessels to owners worldwide. The shipyard commands over 10% of the global cruise ship construction market share, with its order book extending through 2036.