Royal Caribbean International is pushing forward with its next generation of mega ships, confirming it will add two more vessels to its groundbreaking Icon class.
The cruise line announced it has exercised an existing option with Meyer Turku to build a sixth Icon-class ship, while a seventh vessel remains subject to final conditions, including financing. The move secures production slots through the end of the decade and continues one of the industry’s most ambitious shipbuilding programs.
The announcement comes as the third ship in the class, Legend of the Seas, has just taken to the water for the first time. The vessel departed the Turku shipyard in Turku on April 19 for a series of sea trials expected to last about 10 days.
Onboard are around 2,000 engineers, technicians, and specialists, all focused on putting the ship through its paces. During the trials, the team will test navigation systems, evaluate the ship’s performance in open water, and assess its LNG-powered engines. The ship is expected to cover more than 2,400 nautical miles before returning to the yard for final outfitting ahead of its scheduled debut in July.
At 248,663 gross tons, the Icon class represents the largest cruise ships ever built. The first vessel, Icon of the Seas, entered service in early 2024, followed by Star of the Seas, which is set to debut in 2025. Construction is already underway on the fourth ship, Hero of the Seas, scheduled to enter service from Miami in 2027.
Designed to compete not just with other cruise ships but with land-based resorts and theme parks, the Icon-class vessels are built for a wide, multi-generational audience. Each ship stretches approximately 1,196 feet (364 meters) in length and features around 2,800 cabins, accommodating up to 7,600 guests at maximum capacity, supported by a crew of about 2,350.
Onboard offerings are equally expansive, including multiple waterslides, seven pools, 10 whirlpools, and dozens of venues across the ship. Guests can choose from around 20 bars and lounges and 28 dining options. The upcoming Legend of the Seas will also introduce a new supper club concept, while Hero of the Seas is expected to feature design upgrades such as additional pools, a family raft slide, and a new three-story “Ultimate Family Treehouse” accommodation.
Under the current plan, the fifth Icon-class ship is set for delivery in 2028, followed by the sixth in 2029 and the seventh in 2030. The long-term agreement between Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku reserves shipyard capacity through 2036, signaling continued investment in large-scale, experience-driven cruise ships.
For crew members, the expansion means more opportunities, but also the continued rollout of one of the most complex ship classes ever built.
