MIAMI, 14 September 2026 – Royal Caribbean has marked a new construction milestone for its fifth Icon Class ship with a keel-laying ceremony at Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. The vessel is scheduled to debut in 2028, according to the cruise line’s official release.
The as-yet-unnamed vessel is the fifth in Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class, with name and feature details to be revealed at a later date.
Keel lowered into dry dock
During the ceremony, the first major steel building block was placed in the shipyard’s dry dock, where the vessel will continue to take shape over the next two years. The keel forms the backbone of the ship along the bottom and centre of the hull, providing the foundation for the remaining construction work.
Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku also followed a longstanding shipbuilding tradition by placing a layer of freshly minted coins beneath the steel block before it was lifted into position, symbolising good fortune for the ship’s journey ahead.
Fifth Icon Class ship scheduled for 2028
Royal Caribbean said the fifth Icon Class ship will continue the concept established across the class, combining experiences centred on thrills, relaxation, families and entertainment. Further details about the onboard offering are expected to be announced in the coming months.
The ship is scheduled to enter the Royal Caribbean fleet in 2028.
Icon Class expansion continues
The fifth vessel forms part of Royal Caribbean’s continuing expansion of the Icon Class. A sixth ship in the series is scheduled to follow in 2029, with a seventh planned for 2030.
Source: Official Press Releases from Royal Caribbean Press Centre, 14 September 2026, Miami.
