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Just when it feels like Royal Caribbean couldn’t possibly go any bigger, it does.
Construction has officially begun on another Icon Class cruise ship, continuing the cruise line’s rapid expansion of the largest cruise ships ever built.
If you’ve been following Royal Caribbean’s mega-ship plans, this latest update confirms one thing: the Icon era is far from slowing down.
The Icon Class: Already the Biggest in the World
Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class ships currently sit at the top of the cruise industry — literally.
At just under 250,000 gross tons, these vessels are:
- The largest cruise ships ever constructed
- Designed for high-capacity family cruising
- Packed with next-generation entertainment, neighborhoods, and attractions
Right now, Royal Caribbean has:
- Two Icon Class ships are already sailing — Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas
- Two more Icon ships are actively under construction
- And now… a fifth ship officially underway
Steel Cutting Ceremony Marks the Official Start
Earlier this week, Royal Caribbean confirmed that the first piece of steel had been cut for Icon 5, marking the formal start of construction.
The ceremony took place at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland — the exclusive builder of all Icon Class vessels.
In the cruise industry, a steel-cutting ceremony isn’t just symbolic. It signals:
- Finalized ship designs
- Production is officially moving from planning to construction
- A multi-year build timeline is now fully in motion
From this point forward, the ship will slowly take shape over the next two and a half years, involving thousands of specialists across naval engineering, design, architecture, and manufacturing.
What We Know About Icon 5 So Far
While details are still limited, a few key facts are already confirmed.
- The ship is currently unnamed
- It will debut in 2028
- It will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG)
- Delivery is scheduled for summer 2028
Royal Caribbean has not yet announced:
- The ship’s name
- Its homeport
- Its initial itineraries
Those details typically come much later in the build process.
Why the Steel Cut Matters More Than You Think
Steel cutting is the first major construction milestone, but it’s only the beginning.
The next big step will be keel laying, which usually happens 6 to 12 months after steel cutting.
From there, the ship progresses through:
- Hull assembly
- Installation of propulsion systems
- Interior construction
- Final outfitting and sea trials
Royal Caribbean summed up the moment by calling it the official launch of a “multiyear journey” to create what it describes as the world’s best family vacation.
Meyer Turku’s CEO, Casimir Lindholm, also highlighted the importance of the project, saying Icon 5 further proves the shipyard’s ability to design and build the ships of the future.
The Growing Icon Fleet Timeline
Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class rollout is happening fast.
Here’s how the lineup currently looks:
- Icon of the Seas – Already sailing
- Star of the Seas – In service
- Legend of the Seas – Debuting this summer in Europe, then repositioning to Florida
- Fourth Icon Class ship – Launching in 2027 (name to be announced soon)
- Icon 5 – Debuting in 2028
On top of that, Royal Caribbean has options in place with Meyer Turku to build:
- A sixth Icon Class ship
- And even a seventh, if demand continues
In other words, this fleet could grow even larger.
Just How Big Are Icon Class Ships?
To put things into perspective, every completed Icon Class ship so far measures:
- 248,663 gross tons
- Capacity for 5,610 guests at double occupancy
- Thousands more crew members are onboard
That makes them not only floating resorts, but full-scale cities at sea.
What This Means for Cruisers
For cruise fans, this announcement signals several things:
- Royal Caribbean is doubling down on mega-ship cruising
- Demand for large, activity-packed ships remains strong
- More homeports and itinerary announcements are coming in the next few years
If you love ships with massive waterparks, multiple neighborhoods, headline attractions, and endless dining options, the Icon Class is clearly Royal Caribbean’s long-term vision.
The Bottom Line
With steel officially cut for Icon 5, Royal Caribbean has firmly committed to expanding the biggest cruise ship class the world has ever seen.
And with more Icon ships still possible beyond this one, the cruise line isn’t just building ships — it’s shaping the future of family cruising for the next decade.
Now the countdown to 2028 officially begins.
