Royal Caribbean has put steel to Finnish soil, or, more accurately, steel to dry dock, as construction officially begins on the fourth member of its much-hyped Icon Class. And yes, a ceremony, coins, and a maritime tradition made cruise executives misty-eyed. At the same time, shipyard workers quietly get on with the real business of welding.
A Ritual Older Than the Cruise Buffet
The keel-laying took place this week at Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, where ocean giants are hammered, bolted, and coaxed into life. As per seafaring tradition, a handful of shiny new coins was laid under the first steel block, an act meant to bring the ship good fortune. If he’s watching, one imagines Poseidon will accept the offering and leave the new vessel unbothered by stray icebergs or engine room hiccups.
The keel itself – an enormous slab of steel and symbolism was lowered into place with all the pomp of a royal christening, though without the champagne bottle (that pleasure is saved for later).
Sisterhood of the Icons
This unnamed newcomer will join the sibling line-up of Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and the rather grandly titled Legend of the Seas. She is due to set sail in 2027, by which time Royal Caribbean will no doubt have thought up a suitably superlative name, preferably one that conveys both majesty and Instagrammability.
Royal Caribbean’s fourth Icon Class vacation has officially started physical construction and marked the milestone with a keel-laying ceremony.
What can passengers expect? More of the “unmatched combination of experiences” the line promises. Translation: ever-taller waterslides, bars where robot arms mix your martini, and restaurants enough to make Las Vegas look under-catered.
Corporate Enthusiasm Meets Shipyard Steel
The collaboration between Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku is now an old and trusted marriage of ambition and engineering. Together, they’ve been building cruise ships that double as floating cities equal parts amusement park, shopping centre, and hotel, with just enough deck space left over to remind you that you’re, in fact, at sea.
As Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group’s President and CEO, has often insisted, the Icon Class represents “a bold new chapter in holidays at sea.” Bold indeed: no other holiday involves quite so much concrete poured into steel disguised as leisure.
Why This Matters (Beyond the Press Photos)
This isn’t just a ship; it’s a statement. The Icon Class has been crafted to keep Royal Caribbean in the headlines and in pole position among its competitors. When she finally launches in 2027, the fourth Icon vessel will be expected to lure the family market, the thrill-seekers, and those who think a cruise isn’t complete without Broadway-style shows and a surf simulator.
And let’s be frank: in a post-pandemic world where cruising has staged a dramatic comeback, building yet another mega-ship is as much about confidence as capacity.
Anchors Aweigh, Eventually
For now, she’s little more than coins beneath a steel block. But those coins glint with centuries of shipbuilding tradition, while the ship herself promises the kind of spectacle Royal Caribbean has built its reputation on.
By 2027, she will have a name, a personality, and no doubt a waiting list. Until then, the keel is down, the welders are busy, and the maritime gods, one hopes, are suitably appeased.
By Prae Lee
