Royal Caribbean Celebrates Keel-Laying of Fifth Icon Class Ship

by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 10:45 AM ET, Mon September 14, 2026

Royal Caribbean celebrated a major milestone in the construction of its fifth Icon Class ship with a keel-laying ceremony at Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland.

The ship is scheduled to debut in 2028 and will be the fifth vessel in Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class. The cruise line has not yet revealed the ship’s name or details about its features, saying more information will be announced in the coming months.

During the ceremony, Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku placed the ship’s first major steel building block in the shipyard’s dry dock, where the vessel will take shape over the next two years. The keel forms the backbone of the ship along the bottom and center of its hull and provides the foundation for the rest of the construction.

The companies also followed a longstanding shipbuilding tradition by placing freshly minted coins beneath the steel block before it was lifted into position, a symbolic gesture intended to bring good fortune to the ship.

“The start of construction for the fifth Icon Class ship reflects the strength of the long-term partnership between Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku,” says Casimir Lindholm, chief executive officer of Meyer Turku. “Building a series of ships allows us to continuously learn, improve and innovate, and each new vessel benefits from the expertise gained throughout the program.”

The fifth ship will join the existing Icon Class lineup, with a sixth ship scheduled to debut in 2029 and a seventh in 2030. Royal Caribbean says the ships are designed to combine attractions and experiences spanning family entertainment, relaxation, resorts, beaches and theme-park-style thrills.