Royal Caribbean paves way for innovative new class of cruise ships

More innovation is on the horizon for Royal Caribbean as it strengthens its relationship with long-time associate Meyer Turku, one of the world’s largest and most fashionable shipyards specializing in cruise ships.

Cementing a new long-term settlement with the Finnish shipbuilder, Royal Caribbean Group has secured the rights to construct at the shipyard through the next decade.

Meyer Turku is the shipbuilder for Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class of the world’s largest cruise ships. The cruise line’s third and fourth Icon Class ships are at present under construction at the shipyard. The two new ships comply with Icon of the Seas, which launched in 2024, and Star of the Seas, which debuted in August 2025.

Not only does this new settlement with Meyer Turku set the stage for additional enlargement of Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class, it readies the cruise line for its next stage of innovation — another class of ships designed to redefine the future of holidays.

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Royal Caribbean confirms fifth Icon Class ship, new ship class to come

With shipbuilding slots now secured through 2036, Royal Caribbean confirmed additional enlargement of the Icon Class and plans to construct a new, game-changing class of ships past Icon.

No particulars about the new ship class have been revealed yet, but Royal Caribbean executives have lately dropped hints about a “Discovery Project” that’s at present in the design course of.

Related: Royal Caribbean just moved up the debut of its next Icon Class ship

“It’s an exciting project. It’ll be a new class of ship. In true Royal Caribbean style, it will be special, it will be innovative. And I think it’ll be something that’ll be a home run from the beginning,” Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President of Sales Vicki Freed said about the Discovery Project during an event on board Ovation of the Seas in June, as reported by RoyalCaribbeanWeblog.com.

But before revealing more on the Discovery Class, the cruise line is including another Icon to the orderbook. As half of the new settlement with Meyer Turku, Royal Caribbean confirmed an order for a fifth Icon Class ship to be delivered in 2028. The cruise line also added an option to construct Icon 7 (in addition to the beforehand announced option to construct Icon 6).

Meyer Turku is at present building Royal Caribbean’s third Icon Class ship, Legend of the Seas (launching in summer time 2026) alongside Icon 4, which is scheduled to be delivered in 2027. Royal Caribbean also has a seventh Oasis Class ship on order for supply in 2028 by French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

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Royal Caribbean has a numerous pipeline of new trip choices

Royal Caribbean Group’s new settlement with Meyer Turku is one pivotal piece in its multi-year pipeline of trip innovation that spans ocean and river cruising, and land-based locations like Perfect Day Mexico opening in 2027.

Across its three manufacturers — Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea — Royal Caribbean’s pipeline consists of 9 new ships, including its first Celebrity river cruise ships. The company’s numerous trip choices also embrace seven whole land-based locations by 2028.

Related: Celebrity Cruises reveals next-level design of new river ships

While the current Royal Caribbean orderbook goes through 2028, the new settlement with Meyer Turku extends through 2036, suggesting that the cruise line is laying the muse for the Discovery Class to drive the next part of Royal Caribbean innovation within that timeframe.

“As we continue to reimagine the future of vacations, we are excited to continue collaborating with Meyer Turku to grow the Icon Class — a first-of-its-kind series that delivers exceptional vacation experiences — and position us to usher in a new era of innovation that will disrupt the vacation sector through 2036,” said Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty. “This is an exciting time for our company, and we are proud to launch this new stage in our history with our esteemed partners, Meyer Turku, the Finnish government, and the Finnish maritime cluster.”

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This story was initially reported by TravelHost on Sep 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the Come Cruise With Me part. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking right here.