Royal Caribbean International has marked the official start of assembly for its fourth Icon class mega-ship, marking the milestone with a keel-laying ceremony at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.

Scheduled to debut in 2027, the as-yet-unnamed vessel will follow in the footsteps of Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and Legend of the Seas, bringing another next-generation cruise experience to travellers.

The keel-laying, a centuries-old tradition, saw the first steel block of the ship lowered into the dry dock, with coins placed beneath to symbolise good fortune for the vessel, her crew and future guests.

Over the next two years, hundreds more steel block sections will be welded together as the ship gradually takes shape in one of the world’s most advanced shipyards.

Royal Caribbean’s Icon class represents the line’s boldest evolution of the cruise ship to date. The first in the series, Icon of the Seas, made headlines when it entered service in 2024 as the world’s largest cruise ship.

Star of the Seas, which was officially named in Port Canaveral in August 2025, has continued that momentum with features designed to redefine the family holiday. Legend of the Seas will follow in 2026, before the newly laid keel gives rise to the fourth ship in 2027.

While details of the latest vessel are still to come, Star of the Seas offers a strong indication of what travellers can expect. Designed around eight distinct neighbourhoods, each offering a different atmosphere and set of experiences, the ship’s size gives her an area for each type of passenger.

Families with young children gravitate to Surfside, a stay-and-play-all-day space tailored for younger cruisers. Thrill-seekers head for Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea, and Crown’s Edge, a challenge course suspended 154 feet above the ocean.

For relaxation, guests can choose from seven pools, including the line’s first suspended infinity pool, or explore a wide range of dining and bar options, with more than 40 venues across the ship.

Entertainment aboard Star of the Seas includes a full-scale production of Back to the Future: The Musical, alongside performances on ice, water and in the theatre, with the fourth Icon vessels expected to debut her own set of productions as well.

When the fourth Icon class ship launches in 2027, it will extend Royal Caribbean’s ability to offer seven-night Caribbean and wider regional itineraries from Florida and beyond, while also expanding options as the fleet continues to grow.

The newbuild will arrive amid a wave of investment in destinations, including Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau (opening December 2025), Royal Beach Club Cozumel in 2026, and Perfect Day Mexico in 2027.

These shore developments are designed to complement the onboard experience, giving travellers a broader mix of private beach escapes and cultural adventures.