On Monday, September 8, 2025, a major milestone took place at Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland as the keel was laid for Royal Caribbean International’s fourth Icon Class cruise ship. The vessel, scheduled for delivery in 2027, will become one of the largest cruise ships in the world once completed.

During the traditional ceremony, the first massive steel block of the newbuild was lowered into the building dock. Representatives of both the shipyard and the cruise line were present to mark the beginning of the physical construction phase. As per maritime tradition, freshly minted coins were placed beneath the keel block to symbolize good fortune for the ship and all who sail on her.

Casimir Lindholm, CEO of Meyer Turku, emphasized the importance of this project:

“Icon 4 is a very significant ship for both the shipyard and our entire partner network. Each luxury cruise ship of this scale generates around 13,000 person-years of employment, and we are constantly seeking new shipbuilders to strengthen our team in every stage from design to completion.”

The keel laying comes shortly after another milestone for the shipyard. Just last week, the Legend of the Seas—the third Icon Class ship—was floated out and moved to the outfitting pier. That progress cleared the way for the next member of the series to begin taking shape inside the construction dock.

The vessel it will join Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and Legend of the Seas in Royal Caribbean’s groundbreaking series of next-generation ships. According to the cruise line, the vessel will continue to push boundaries with an unmatched mix of thrills, relaxation, dining, and entertainment tailored for families and vacationers alike.

With construction now fully underway, the ship will gradually rise block by block over the coming months before delivery in 2027. Royal Caribbean is expected to release more details about the vessel’s design, features, and name in the near future.