Photo: Royal Caribbean The "leading global vacation company spanning cruise, exclusive destinations, and land-based vacation experiences," Royal Caribbean, announced a new order with Meyer Turku, the Finnish shipbuilding company that "designs and builds cruise ships of the future that cannot be made anywhere else."
The confirmed deal, part of a lengthy framework agreement with the builder and subject to customary conditions, including financing, is aimed at a sixth and seventh Icon Class ship, to be delivered in 2029 and 2030, respectively.
Photo: Royal CaribbeanThe group will continue to have access to Meyer Turku's shipbuilding capacity through 2036, including the previously announced order for Icon 5, which will be delivered in 2028.
Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group: “The Icon Class reflects our bold creativity and engineering excellence that continues to define what a vacation can be. 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.”
Meyer Turku CEO, Casimir Lindholm: “The order of sixth and seventh Icon Class vessels is a significant recognition of Meyer Turku and the Finnish maritime industry's talent and expertise. This milestone represents an important step forward in our partnership with Royal Caribbean Group to develop the shipbuilding sector over the next decade and beyond."
The collaboration between the two companies, spanning over 30 years, has resuted in 25 ships, including two Icon Class ships, Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas . The third ship in the class, Legend of the Seas, will officially debut in July 2026 in the Western Mediterranean, followed by Hero of the Seas in 2027.
The Icon Class is essential for Royal Caribbean's plan to constantly "disrupt the travel sector through purposeful design, world-class technologies, and immersive vacation experiences."
"Through ongoing investments in next-generation ships and an expanding portfolio of land-based destinations from three to eight by 2028, the company continues to broaden the way guests experience vacations across oceans, rivers, and land," the group added.