Royal Caribbean Confirms Order for Icon 5, Adds Option for Icon 7
Royal Caribbean Group has confirmed a new order for Icon 5, slated for delivery in 2028, while securing an option to build Icon 7 as part of a multi-year agreement with Finland’s Meyer Turku shipyard. The deal expands the cruise line’s already ambitious Icon Class lineup, extending the shipbuilding partnership well into the next decade.
The agreement underscores Royal Caribbean’s strategy to keep growing its next-generation fleet. Two Icon Class ships are already in service — Icon of the Seas launched in January 2024 and Star of the Seas in August 2025. A third, Legend of the Seas, is set to sail in summer 2026, with Icon 4 to follow in 2027. The newly confirmed Icon 5 will continue the series, while options for Icon 6 and 7 give the company the flexibility to expand its order book through 2036.
“As we continue to reimagine the future of vacations, we are excited to continue collaborating with Meyer Turku to grow the Icon Class … and position us to usher in a new era of innovation that will disrupt the vacation sector through 2036,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.
The Turku shipyard has a long history with Royal Caribbean, having delivered 25 ships since the mid-1990s. Each Icon-scale vessel represents one of the largest industrial projects in Finland, employing thousands of skilled workers and contributing more than a billion euros annually to the local economy.
“With the framework agreement now signed, we announce our common plan for the next decade … to build more Icon Class ships and drive the future of shipbuilding over the next decade,” said Casimir Lindholm, CEO of Meyer Turku.
Royal Caribbean’s expansion also highlights the shipyard’s role as a leader in maritime sustainability, with Finland’s shipbuilding industry recognized for developing advanced energy and environmental technologies that accelerate the green transition.
When completed, the Icon Class fleet will not only represent the largest cruise ships in the world but also set the tone for innovation in the sector for the next decade.
Caitlin Sullivan began her career with Caribbean Journal as Arts and Culture editor before shifting to travel full time. She writes frequently on the Caribbean cruise industry, flight networks and broader travel news. Her most frequent Caribbean destination? Nassau.
