Royal Caribbean begins construction of 5th Icon Class ship with planned 2028 debut

Royal Caribbean International has begun construction of its fifth Icon Class ship, marking the first steel-cutting during a ceremony at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland.

The steel cutting is the first of a series of production milestones for the vessel, which is scheduled to enter service in 2028.

The ceremony brought together senior representatives from Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku and signals the transition from design and planning into full-scale construction.

While Royal Caribbean has not yet announced the name, layout, or specific features of the fifth Icon Class ship, the vessel will be built on the same design platform as the existing and forthcoming ships in the class.

Icon of the Seas, the US$2 billion class leader, entered service as the largest cruise ship ever built in 2024.

Icon Class ships are arranged across 20 passenger decks and include a wide range of public venues, accommodation categories, and entertainment spaces.

Across the class, the design incorporates dozens of cabin types alongside large-scale bars, lounges, restaurants, theatres, and casinos distributed throughout the ship.

Icon of the Seas features seven swimming pools, among them a 40,000-gallon pool described by Royal Caribbean as a “lake,” as well as six water slides integrated into a multi-level outdoor activity zone.

At promenade level, the ship offers a carousel and what the cruise line has described as the largest ice arena at sea.

Dining and beverage offerings are a central component of the Icon Class concept, with more than 40 restaurants, bars, and casual outlets spread across the ship. Entertainment programming is supported by a large onboard cast, including 50 musicians and comedians, as well as a 16-piece orchestra.

The class is powered by liquefied natural gas, a lower-emissions marine fuel.

The fifth Icon Class ship will follow Legend of the Seas, which is scheduled to debut in Europe in July 2026, and a fourth Icon Class vessel due to enter service in 2027.

Royal Caribbean has also confirmed that options remain in place for the construction of a sixth and seventh ship in the class, underlining its long-term commitment to the platform.

Further details regarding the fifth ship’s design, capacity, and itinerary plans are expected to be announced closer to delivery, as construction progresses toward its planned 2028 debut.