Keel laying of the third Icon Class cruise ship: Royal Caribbean continues construction at Meyer Turku

On Monday, October 7, 2024, the keel was laid for the third newbuild of the Icon Class at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. The shipyard recently made the official announcement. The sister ship, the Star of the Seas, had left the building dock just a few weeks earlier. This is currently being prepared for its entry into service in summer 2025.

Royal Caribbean International has so far only revealed a few details about the third ship in the Icon Class, which was launched in January 2024. Neither the name nor specific information about the new ship, which will join the ranks of Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, is known. The first sections of the ship have been under construction at the shipyard near Turku since the start of construction on January 12, 2024.

According to Tim Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku, “Icon 3” is an important project for both the shipyard and the partners involved. He emphasized that the combination of experience and expertise of the sister ships had significantly accelerated and optimized the construction process. According to Meyer, the ship should offer an innovative vacation experience and inspire the tourism market.

It is expected that the Royal Caribbean newbuild, which will enter service in 2026, will be equipped with the typical features of the Icon Class. These include the Aquadome with the Aquatheater, the Chill Island pool area, the action-packed Thrill Island water park, the family-friendly Surfside area and the central heart of the ship, the Royal Promenade. Other specialized areas will also be part of the facilities.

The Icon Class ships hold the title of the largest cruise ships in the world, a position occupied since 2009 by the Oasis Class, also part of the Royal Caribbean fleet. In addition to the third ship currently under construction, the shipping company has already ordered a fourth Icon Class ship from Meyer Turku, which is scheduled for delivery in 2027. There are also options for the construction of a fifth and sixth ship in this series.