Select Your Region

Press Releases

View All Releases Download

ROYAL CARIBBEAN’S FIFTH ICON CLASS VACATION BEGINS TO TAKE SHAPE

January 2026 – Royal Caribbean’s fifth Icon Class ship has officially started construction with the first cut of steel. Representatives from Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku celebrated the ship's first milestone with a traditional steel-cutting ceremony at the shipyard in Turku, Finland.

MIAMI, Jan. 20, 2026 – A new iconic adventure has officially begun. Royal Caribbean celebrated a major moment with the first cut of steel for the fifth ship in the record-breaking Icon Class, marking the start of construction on the new vacation experience set to debut in 2028. The milestone was celebrated with a time-honored steel-cutting ceremony at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, bringing together leaders and partners from both the Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku teams. The initial cut of steel kicks off the official start of production and the multiyear journey ahead, where thousands of experts across design, naval engineering, architecture and more will come together to make the world’s best family vacation a reality.

The newest revolutionary vacation will continue the Icon Class legacy of delivering the world’s best family vacations with an all-encompassing combination of experiences – from beach escapes, resort getaways and the theme park thrills. The fifth Icon Class ship joins the expanding lineup that includes Legend of the Seas, debuting in July 2026 in Europe, and a soon-to-be-named fourth Icon Class ship arriving in 2027, with options in place to build a sixth and seventh.

More details about the fifth Icon Class ship will be shared at a later date.

*NOTE TO EDITOR: Media can access photos of the milestone for the fifth Icon Class vacation at www.RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com/images/.

About Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean, part of Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), has delivered memorable vacations for more than 50 years. The cruise line’s game-changing ships and exclusive destinations revolutionize vacations with industry-leading innovations and an all-encompassing combination of experiences, from thrills and ways to chill, to dining and entertainment, for every type of family and vacationer. Voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 23 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards, Royal Caribbean makes memories with adventurers across more than 300 destinations in 80 countries on all seven continents, including the vacation brand’s Perfect Day at CocoCay and Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas, plus four new signature destinations joining the growing lineup by 2027.

Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on X and visit www.RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to book, vacationers can visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com, call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN or contact their travel advisor. 

Related Images

January 2026 – Royal Caribbean’s fifth Icon Class ship has officially started construction with the first cut of steel. Representatives from Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku celebrated the ship's first milestone with a traditional steel-cutting ceremony at the shipyard in Turku, Finland.
January 2026 – Royal Caribbean’s fifth Icon Class ship has officially started construction with the first cut of steel. Representatives from Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku celebrated the ship's first milestone with a traditional steel-cutting ceremony at the shipyard in Turku, Finland.
January 2026 – Royal Caribbean’s fifth Icon Class ship has officially started construction with the first cut of steel. Representatives from Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku celebrated the ship's first milestone with a traditional steel-cutting ceremony at the shipyard in Turku, Finland.
January 2026 – Royal Caribbean’s fifth Icon Class ship has officially started construction with the first cut of steel. Representatives from Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku celebrated the ship's first milestone with a traditional steel-cutting ceremony at the shipyard in Turku, Finland.
January 2026 – Royal Caribbean’s fifth Icon Class ship has officially started construction with the first cut of steel. Representatives from Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku celebrated the ship's first milestone with a traditional steel-cutting ceremony at the shipyard in Turku, Finland.
January 2026 – Royal Caribbean’s fifth Icon Class ship has officially started construction with the first cut of steel. Representatives from Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku celebrated the ship's first milestone with a traditional steel-cutting ceremony at the shipyard in Turku, Finland.
January 2026 – Royal Caribbean’s fifth Icon Class ship has officially started construction with the first cut of steel. Representatives from Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku celebrated the ship's first milestone with a traditional steel-cutting ceremony at the shipyard in Turku, Finland.
January 2026 – Royal Caribbean’s fifth Icon Class ship has officially started construction with the first cut of steel. Representatives from Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku celebrated the ship's first milestone with a traditional steel-cutting ceremony at the shipyard in Turku, Finland.
Health and safety protocols, guest conduct rules, and regional travel restrictions vary by ship and destination, and are subject to change without notice. Due to evolving health protocols, imagery and messaging may not accurately reflect onboard and destination experiences, offerings, features, or itineraries. These may not be available during your voyage, may vary by ship and destination, and may be subject to change without notice.