Sarah Bretz, ContributorRoyal Caribbean Group announced today that it has signed an agreement with shipbuilder Meyer Turku to order a fourth Icon-class ship. It’s scheduled for delivery in 2027. The agreement also includes options to build fifth and sixth Icon-class vessels.
There is currently just one Icon-class ship sailing, and it’s the largest cruise ship in the world: Icon of the Seas. The second in the class, Star of the Seas, is set to debut next summer. A third, which is not yet named, is scheduled for launch in 2026.
“Building on the incredible momentum and market response to the launch of Icon of the Seas and the excitement for its sister ship, Star of the Seas, coming in 2025, we’re thrilled to join with Meyer Turku once again to expand our roster of Icon Class ships and continue our future growth plans,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “Since its debut, Icon has changed the game in vacation experiences and exceeded our expectations in both guest satisfaction and financial performance.”
Known for its history of delivery exceptional ships, this agreement expands upon Royal Caribbean’s longstanding relationship with Meyer Turku. With this order, Meyer Turku will have built 21 ships for Royal Caribbean Group over 28 years. Royal Caribbean Group’s cruise lines are Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. It also has interest in other lines including TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
“This order is an important milestone for the future of shipbuilding in the maritime network in Finland,” said Tim Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku. “With Icon of the Seas, our team, consisting of the shipyard and partners, have built an extraordinary ship in respect of naval architecture, energy efficiency and customer experience. This is yet another recognition of the professionalism of our personnel and of our leadership in the maritime industry’s innovation and green transition. The options underline the strong outlook of our order book.”
The anticipation for Royal Caribbean Group’s newbuild pipeline continues to grow, with seven new ships on order and two shipyard options. This year alone, the company welcomed four new ships across three lines: Royal Caribbean International, Silversea Cruises, and TUI Cruises.
This order also comes on the heels of the company’s announcement for a seventh Oasis-class ship, which is set to debut in 2028.
The agreement is contingent upon customary conditions, including financing.
Comments
What do you think about the current trend of cruise lines debuting massive cruise ships? Do you welcome more large ships or are you looking forward to new mid-sized or small vessels? Drop us an anchor below and share your opinion!
