Royal Caribbean orders 6th and 7th Icon Class ship for 2029 and 2030 delivery

Royal Caribbean International has confirmed orders for two additional Icon Class ships, extending its build programme at Meyer Turku into the next decade.

The vessels, referred to as Icon 6 and Icon 7, are scheduled for delivery in 2029 and 2030 respectively, and form part of a broader framework agreement between Royal Caribbean Group and Meyer Turku that secures construction capacity through to 2036.

The agreement builds on previously announced orders, including a fifth Icon Class ship due for delivery in 2028. The seventh vessel remains subject to customary conditions, including financing.

“The Icon Class reflects our bold creativity and engineering excellence that continues to define what a vacation can be,” said Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “Through our long-standing partnership with Meyer Turku, the Finnish government, and the strong Finnish maritime cluster, we are reimagining the industry for decades to come while also delivering meaningful economic impact for Finland.”

The Icon Class represents Royal Caribbean Group’s latest large-ship platform, designed to integrate high-capacity operations with a segmented onboard layout. The ships feature multiple themed areas, or “neighbourhoods”, alongside expanded dining, entertainment, and accommodation offerings.

The class has been positioned as central to the group’s fleet renewal and growth strategy.

Meyer Turku has been the primary builder of the Icon Class, having already delivered Icon of the Seas in January 2024 and Star of the Seas in August 2025. A third vessel, Legend of the Seas, is scheduled to enter service in July 2026, followed by a fourth ship, Hero of the Seas, in 2027.

The long-term agreement underlines the strategic relationship between the cruise operator and the Finnish shipyard, which has built 25 ships for Royal Caribbean Group over more than three decades. The yard and its supplier network employ approximately 13,000 people, contributing over €1 billion annually to Finland’s economy.

Each Icon Class ship is among the largest industrial projects undertaken in the country, reflecting both the scale and complexity of modern cruise ship construction. The vessels incorporate liquefied natural gas propulsion and a range of energy efficiency measures as part of broader industry efforts to reduce environmental impact.

The additional orders also align with Royal Caribbean Group’s wider expansion plans, which include growth across both sea-based and land-based offerings.

The company is developing a portfolio of private destinations, expected to expand from three to eight locations by 2028, alongside its planned entry into river cruising through the launch of Celebrity River Cruises in 2027.