- Extended Fleet Roadmap: Royal Caribbean has confirmed orders for Icon 6 and Icon 7, ensuring a steady stream of new mega-ships through the end of the decade.
- Significant Economic Impact: The partnership with Meyer Turku represents one of the largest industrial projects in Finland, supporting thousands of local jobs and substantial annual revenue.
- Rapid Class Succession: With Legend of the Seas debuting in 2026 and Hero of the Seas in 2027, the Icon Class is quickly becoming the new flagship standard for the brand.
- Strategic Ecosystem Growth: The ship expansion is paired with a plan to grow private land-based destinations from three to eight by 2028, offering a more integrated guest experience.
Royal Caribbean Group has officially solidified its long-term growth strategy by announcing a confirmed agreement with Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku to construct the sixth and seventh vessels in the groundbreaking Icon Class. These new ships are scheduled for delivery in 2029 and 2030, following the massive success of the original Icon of the Seas. This expansion highlights the company’s confidence in the sustained demand for high-capacity, multi-generational vacation experiences that blend cutting-edge technology with unparalleled onboard amenities. Each new vessel will continue the tradition of offering distinct neighborhoods, record-breaking waterparks, and diverse dining options.

The commitment to the Icon Class also represents a significant step forward in maritime engineering and economic partnership. This multi-decade collaboration between Royal Caribbean and the Finnish maritime cluster supports approximately 13,000 workers and contributes over a billion euros annually to Finland’s economy. By securing shipbuilding capacity through 2036, the company is ensuring that it can continue to reimagine what a vacation can be for decades to come. The Icon Class is central to a broader strategy of disrupting the travel sector through purposeful design and immersive experiences that span across oceans, rivers, and land-based private destinations.

For the cruise industry, this announcement is a positive signal of stability and ongoing innovation. The Icon Class has redefined the standard for family vacations, and the addition of two more ships ensures that even more guests will have the opportunity to experience these floating marvels. As the fleet grows, Royal Caribbean remains focused on delivering the best vacations responsibly through a combination of grand scale and personalized service. This bold investment secures the company’s position as a leader in the global tourism market, fostering a connected vacation ecosystem that turns the journey of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.
