Royal Caribbean has officially started construction on its fourth Icon Class ship, marking the milestone with a keel-laying ceremony at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland this week.
The ceremony saw the first block of the yet-to-be-named ship lowered into the dry dock. As part of maritime tradition, a set of freshly minted coins was placed beneath the block to symbolise good fortune for the vessel and its crew.
Royal Caribbean representatives and shipyard teams attended the event, which signifies the official start of physical construction. The ship is expected to take shape over the next two years, ahead of its scheduled 2027 debut.
Fourth ship in the Icon Class lineup
This vessel will join Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas and Legend of the Seas in the Icon Class line. According to Royal Caribbean, the class is designed to offer a wide variety of experiences, combining activities, dining, and entertainment options at a scale intended to attract multigenerational travellers.
The company has described the Icon Class as a “game-changing” approach to cruising, aiming to combine both large-scale thrills and more relaxed, resort-style spaces in one ship.
Timeline for delivery
Construction of an Icon Class ship typically spans several years, starting with keel-laying and continuing through block assembly, outfitting, and sea trials before final delivery. Royal Caribbean has confirmed the new build will be completed in 2027, though further details such as its name, itinerary, and homeport remain under wraps.
What comes next
Royal Caribbean has indicated that more details will be revealed in the lead-up to the ship’s launch. Previous Icon Class vessels have been marketed with a strong emphasis on innovation, entertainment, and family appeal, suggesting the fourth build will follow a similar positioning.
Industry observers will be watching for information on where the ship will be deployed, whether it will sail in North America, Europe, or potentially make an appearance in the Asia-Pacific market.
The construction milestone comes as major cruise lines continue to invest in new builds, despite ongoing cost pressures in shipbuilding and fluctuating fuel prices. The Icon Class represents Royal Caribbean’s largest and most ambitious category of ships, with each vessel designed to carry thousands of passengers.
By 2027, the company’s expanded fleet will increase capacity across multiple markets, giving travel agents additional opportunities to promote premium cruising products to Australian travellers. With demand for cruising continuing to grow, the expansion of the fleet will likely impact future deployment and itinerary announcements, creating new selling opportunities.
KARRYON UNPACKS: A fourth Icon Class ship signals more Royal Caribbean capacity on the horizon. For Australian travel agents, that means fresh opportunities to market high-yield itineraries and prepare for potential Asia-Pacific deployment.
