{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreid5sk3fflgucgyc4ytby7jurjpulurgk4bf3i7itp37mg4ixkzcgm",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:u3en3lbqxqulbttrgzmw3k6a/app.bsky.feed.post/3mknbk663pzr2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreicpkuhtype5w2an6kucmrmwsgmkwnoig3ths6s2l7hdbkfhdqxrvy"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/webp",
    "size": 133702
  },
  "description": "By locking in scarce shipyard slots for the next decade, Royal Caribbean is signaling confidence in mega-ship demand and tightening the race for new cruise capacity. ",
  "path": "/royal-caribbean-orders-two-more-icon-class-ships-for-2029-30/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-29T14:07:57.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.cruisenews.io",
  "textContent": "_Updated May 22, 2026_\n\nRoyal Caribbean Group has confirmed orders for a sixth and seventh Icon Class cruise ship from Finland's Meyer Turku shipyard, with deliveries scheduled for 2029 and 2030.\n\nThe newbuild agreement extends a production run that already includes multiple Icon Class ships in various stages of construction or delivery. Royal Caribbean said the order sits within a long-term framework agreement with Meyer Turku that secures shipbuilding capacity through 2036, while noting the Icon 7 order remains subject to customary conditions, including financing.\n\n## How the new order fits into Royal Caribbean's Icon Class pipeline\n\nMeyer Turku has already delivered two Icon Class ships to Royal Caribbean: Icon of the Seas in January 2024 and Star of the Seas in August 2025. Additional ships are progressing through the yard's production schedule, including a previously announced fifth Icon Class ship due in mid-2028, followed by the newly confirmed sixth and seventh vessels.\n\nIcon of the Seas entered service after delivery from Turku and launched the Icon Class program for Royal Caribbean. Star of the Seas, delivered in August 2025, maintained what Meyer Turku described as a pace of delivering one completed cruise ship to a customer each year.\n\nLegend of the Seas, the third Icon Class ship, is scheduled to debut in July 2026 in the Western Mediterranean, with sailings from Barcelona and Rome, before redeploying to Port Everglades for Caribbean cruises in November. Hero of the Seas is scheduled to debut at PortMiami in August 2027, followed by the fifth Icon Class ship in mid-2028. Icon 6 is scheduled for delivery in 2029, and Icon 7 is scheduled for 2030, subject to customary conditions, including financing.\n\n## Executive comments point to long-term partnership and industrial impact\n\nRoyal Caribbean positioned the latest order as a continuation of its long-running collaboration in Turku. Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, said: \"The Icon class reflects our bold creativity and engineering excellence that continues to define what a vacation can be.\"\n\nLiberty added: \"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.\"\n\nCasimir Lindholm, CEO of Meyer Turku, said: \"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.\" Lindholm added: \"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.\"\n\n## What Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku have said about Icon Class scale and features\n\nRoyal Caribbean's Icon Class launched in 2024 with Icon of the Seas. Published descriptions of the class cite six water slides, seven pools, eight distinct neighborhoods, and dozens of places to eat and drink on board, along with entertainment and amenity concepts carried across the series.\n\nRoyal Caribbean has cited LNG propulsion across the class. Published specifications for the platform list 248,663 gross tons, accommodations for more than 5,600 guests, and 2,500 crew, while Royal Caribbean descriptions have cited capacity of up to 7,600 guests.\n\nSeparately, technical details reported for Icon Class construction at Meyer Turku describe a platform with more than 2,800 cabins and accommodations for around 5,600 guests, a figure commonly used to reflect occupancy assumptions rather than maximum capacity.\n\n## Reported technical specifications for the platform\n\nRoyal Caribbean has not released pricing for the newly confirmed ships. Industry estimates referenced by Seatrade Cruise News put the cost of the fifth Icon Class ship at about $2.2 billion, a reference point Royal Caribbean has not confirmed as a contract value. Seatrade also said the latest order pushes the firmly contracted cruise ship orderbook to 82 ships valued at more than $90 billion.\n\nFor the newly ordered ships, published specifications cited for the Icon Class platform include overall dimensions of about 1,196 feet by 159 feet (364.75 by 48.47 metres), as well as a parabolic bow design described as intended to improve stability.\n\n## Propulsion and energy systems described for Icon Class construction\n\nReported engineering details for the series describe a propulsion arrangement combining six dual-fuel main engines designed to run primarily on LNG with fuel cells intended to support lower-emission electricity generation and freshwater production. The maneuvering system includes five bow thrusters and three 20MW diesel-electric driven azimuthing thrusters.\n\n## Legend of the Seas moves through sea trials ahead of July 2026 debut\n\nBefore Icon 6 and Icon 7 arrive at the end of the decade, the next milestone for the series is Legend of the Seas, the third ship in the Icon Class. Meyer Turku said the ship recently entered sea trials in the Baltic Sea after departing the yard, with testing focused on propulsion, maneuverability, and safety systems.\n\nMeyer Turku has said the sea trials involve more than 2,000 engineers, technicians, and specialists evaluating the ship under operating conditions, with a program expected to cover roughly 2,400 nautical miles before the vessel returns to Turku for final outfitting and preparations. Another description of the trials characterized the testing as a 10-day program.\n\nRoyal Caribbean has said Legend of the Seas is scheduled to debut in July 2026, with an inaugural Western Mediterranean season sailing from Barcelona and Rome, before redeploying to Port Everglades for Caribbean cruises in November.\n\nOnboard features described for Legend of the Seas include returning concepts such as Central Park, AquaTheater performances, and six water slides, alongside new additions such as the Broadway production Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Additional concepts mentioned include a Hollywood-inspired supper club and Royal Railway immersive dining experiences.\n\n## Why the deal matters for Finland's shipbuilding sector and Meyer Turku's planning\n\nRoyal Caribbean Group and Meyer Turku have worked together for more than 30 years, with Meyer Turku building 25 ships for the cruise company over that period. The Icon Class program has also been tied closely to employment across the shipyard and its supply chain, with Meyer Turku and its supplier network employing approximately 13,000 workers and activity linked to the yard described as contributing more than 1 billion euros annually to Finland's economy. Each Icon ship has also been described as Finland's largest industrial project.\n\nThe latest order was announced alongside Meyer Turku Group Oy's 2025 financial results, which showed turnover of 2.14 billion euros, a 17.2% increase year over year, and adjusted EBIT of 105.1 million euros. Lindholm said: \"The result achieved last year supports us on our path towards a stronger independent company,\" pointing to the delivery of Star of the Seas, confirmed orders and options, and the framework agreement with Royal Caribbean extending through 2036.\n\nMeyer Turku has said three vessels are under construction at the shipyard simultaneously and at different stages of completion. The yard has also noted other recent deliveries, including Mein Schiff 7, delivered in summer 2024 and described as the first ship built at the Turku yard to be methanol ready.",
  "title": "Royal Caribbean Orders Two More Icon Class Ships for 2029-30",
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-22T22:36:26.556Z"
}