Meyer Turku Celebrates Fifth Icon Keel Laying

Posted onAuthorChris Owen

  • Official Keel Laying: Meyer Turku celebrated the ceremonial placement of the first steel block for Royal Caribbean’s fifth Icon-class ship.
  • Scheduled 2028 Debut: Physical construction is underway in Finland, with the vessel slated to officially enter service in 2028.
  • Time-Honored Maritime Tradition: Newly minted coins were placed beneath the hull block during the ceremony to guarantee good fortune for the ship.
  • Decades-Long Partnership: The milestone highlights a successful three-decade collaboration between Royal Caribbean and the Finnish shipyard

The remarkable expansion of modern fleet innovation reached another major milestone as Meyer Turku officially hosted the keel-laying ceremony for Royal Caribbean’s fifth Icon-class vessel. Held at the renowned Finnish shipyard, the traditional ceremony marked the official start of physical hull assembly for the upcoming ship, which is scheduled to make its highly anticipated public debut in 2028.

During the celebration, shipyard and cruise line executives placed the first major modular steel building block into the dry dock, establishing the foundational backbone of the vessel. Following a cherished maritime custom, newly minted coins were positioned beneath the massive steel structure to bring good fortune and prosperity to the ship throughout its construction and future voyages. This milestone underscores the enduring partnership between Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku, a collaboration spanning over thirty years and dozens of successful vessel deliveries.

As construction ramps up over the next two years, the upcoming ship will benefit from the accumulated expertise of the entire class program, ensuring continuous design enhancements. While specific features and the official name remain under wraps for future announcements, the vessel will ultimately combine the best elements of a beach retreat, a resort escape, and a high-energy theme park. With additional sister ships locked into long-term framework agreements, this milestone highlights a bright, forward-thinking future for world-class cruise shipbuilding.