Royal Caribbean's cruise ship, Hero of the Seas, has reached an important stage of construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland with the installation of its massive AquaDome, one of the ship's most recognizable features.
The impressive glass-and-steel structure measures approximately 25 meters (82 feet) high and 50 meters (164 feet) wide, making it the largest single-piece glass and steel structure ever built for a cruise ship. Positioned above the bridge, the AquaDome will become one of the ship's signature attractions, offering panoramic ocean views during the day and transforming into an entertainment venue at night.
The completion of the AquaDome marks one of the final major construction milestones before the ship moves into the next phase of outfitting. Shipyard workers will now continue installing the ship's interior spaces, technology, and guest amenities ahead of its launch.
Hero of the Seas is the fourth vessel in Royal Caribbean's highly successful Icon Class, a new generation of ships designed to combine family attractions, entertainment, dining, and resort-style experiences on an unprecedented scale. The vessel is expected to enter service in the summer of 2027, with its inaugural voyages sailing from Miami.
While the ship follows the overall design of its sister vessels, Royal Caribbean has introduced several new features exclusive to Hero of the Seas. Among the additions are redesigned adults-only pool areas, including what the company says will be the largest swim-up bar at sea. Guests will also find new family raft slides in the Thrill Island neighborhood, an expanded tropical pool experience, and a three-story Ultimate Family Treehouse suite created for larger families traveling together.
Dining will also receive new additions, including the Orleans Parish Supper Club, where guests can enjoy multi-course meals paired with live jazz performances and handcrafted cocktails.
The progress of Hero of the Seas also highlights the long-term partnership between Royal Caribbean and the Meyer Turku shipyard. Following the recent delivery of Legend of the Seas, the yard will continue building one Icon-class ship each year through at least 2030. A broader agreement between the cruise line and the Finnish shipbuilder secures future construction work well into the next decade.
Once completed, Hero of the Seas is expected to begin year-round Caribbean cruises from Miami in 2028, further expanding Royal Caribbean's fleet of Icon-class ships. As construction continues, each new milestone offers a glimpse of what will become one of the world's largest and most advanced cruise ships.
