MIAMI, 8 September 2026 – Royal Caribbean’s Hero of the Seas has floated for the first time at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, marking the latest construction milestone for the fourth ship in the cruise line’s Icon Class lineup.
The vessel is scheduled to debut from Miami in August 2027. Following the float-out, Hero of the Seas moved to the outfitting pier at Meyer Turku, where construction will continue over the next year.
Hero of the Seas moves to outfitting pier
The float-out involved filling the ship’s dry dock with more than 90 million gallons of water overnight before Hero of the Seas was moved to the outfitting pier.
The milestone also featured the ceremonial firing of a cannon, a maritime tradition, before the ship experienced its first moments afloat. Work will now continue at the outfitting pier as Hero of the Seas progresses towards its planned entry into service.
Watch: Hero of the Seas floats out at Meyer Turku
Eight neighbourhoods planned aboard fourth Icon Class ship
Hero of the Seas will feature eight neighbourhoods, bringing together established Icon Class experiences and new additions. The ship will have nine pools and 28 dining venues. Its dining line-up will feature the new Orleans Parrish Supper Club, while accommodation options will include the three-deck Ultimate Family Treehouse.
Among its attractions will be Crown’s Edge, which combines a skywalk and zip line experience 154 feet above the ocean. The onboard offering will also feature the new Coconut Cove pool and The Hideaway, an adults-only area, alongside dining, bars and entertainment across the ship.
Hero of the Seas will become Royal Caribbean’s fourth Icon Class ship, expanding the lineup with a combination of returning concepts and newly introduced experiences.
Seven-night Caribbean cruises from Miami
From August 2027, Hero of the Seas is scheduled to operate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami with every sailing visiting Perfect Day CocoCay in The Bahamas. The ship’s move from dry dock to the outfitting pier marks the next stage of construction at Meyer Turku as work continues towards its Miami debut.
Source: Official Press Releases from Royal Caribbean Press Centre, 8 September 2026, Miami.
