Royal Caribbean has reached a major milestone in the development of its next-generation cruise fleet, with construction officially beginning on the fifth ship in its Icon Class.

The cruise line marked the occasion with a keel-laying ceremony at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, where the new vessel will be built. The ship has not yet received an official name but is scheduled to enter service in 2028.

Fifth Icon-Class Ship Takes Shape

The keel-laying ceremony represents the start of the ship’s physical construction. During the event, the first major steel block was positioned in the drydock, marking the beginning of the vessel’s assembly.

Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku also followed a long-standing shipbuilding tradition by placing freshly minted coins beneath the steel block before it was lifted into position. The practice is intended to bring good fortune to the ship and its future voyages.

The new vessel is expected to combine several elements that have become central to the Icon Class, including the atmosphere of a beach retreat, the amenities of a resort and attractions inspired by theme parks. Royal Caribbean has indicated that additional information about the ship’s features will be released in the coming months.

Construction Continues in Finland

Meyer Turku is playing a central role in expanding Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class fleet. The shipyard has already been involved in the construction of earlier vessels in the series, allowing the companies to build on experience gained from each ship.

Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm highlighted the value of the long-term relationship between the shipyard and Royal Caribbean. According to Lindholm, producing multiple ships within the same class allows the teams involved to refine their processes and incorporate lessons learned into subsequent vessels.

The fifth Icon-class ship is expected to spend roughly the next two years in construction before its planned debut in 2028.

More Icon-Class Ships on the Way

The fifth ship is not the final vessel planned for the Icon Class. Royal Caribbean is also preparing for additional ships in the series.

The sixth Icon-class ship is scheduled to follow in 2029, while a seventh is planned for 2030. The construction plans form part of a framework agreement with Meyer Turku that provides Royal Caribbean with access to shipbuilding capacity through 2036.

The latest keel-laying milestone also comes shortly after the fourth ship in the series, Hero of the Seas, reached its own major construction milestone when it was floated out at the Finnish shipyard.

As construction progresses, Royal Caribbean is expected to reveal more information about the fifth Icon-class vessel, including its official name, onboard experiences and other features.

What the New Ship Could Mean for the Cruise Industry

The continued expansion of the Icon Class demonstrates the scale of Royal Caribbean’s ongoing investment in new ships and cruise experiences. Each new vessel provides an opportunity to build on the design and operational knowledge gained from previous ships while introducing additional features for passengers.

With several Icon-class ships planned over the coming years, the program is also contributing to a longer-term pipeline of new cruise capacity. This broader expansion is also reflected in cruise lines introducing new seasonal itineraries and expanding operations in markets such as Brazil. The construction schedule in Finland provides a clear indication that the class will remain an important part of Royal Caribbean’s fleet development strategy.

Conclusion

The keel-laying of Royal Caribbean’s fifth Icon-class ship marks the beginning of another major stage in the vessel’s journey toward its planned 2028 debut. Built at Meyer Turku in Finland, the ship will join an expanding series designed around a combination of resort-style relaxation, beach-inspired experiences and entertainment.

While the ship’s name and full list of features have yet to be announced, additional details are expected as construction progresses. With the sixth and seventh Icon-class ships also planned, Royal Caribbean’s partnership with Meyer Turku is set to play an important role in the company’s fleet expansion over the next several years.