Subscribe now to get our Cruise Planning Guide and the latest updates!
Royal Caribbean has locked in its fifth Icon-class ship, scheduled to arrive in 2028. The order is part of a new long-term deal with Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, which will see Royal Caribbean ships delivered well into the 2030s.
The Icon series is still in full rollout. Icon of the Seas entered service in 2024, followed by Star of the Seas this summer, and Legend of the Seas is scheduled for 2026. Construction has already started on Icon 4 for 2027, and now Icon 5 extends the lineup another year. Royal also holds options for a sixth and seventh Icon, which means the fleet of these record-breaking megaships could continue to grow.
The popularity of Icon-class ships has made the expansion an easy decision. Demand has been strong since Icon of the Seas opened for booking, and each ship is designed to carry more than 5,600 guests with neighborhoods, waterparks, and all the bells and whistles Royal Caribbean is known for. If every option moves forward, millions of passengers a year could be sailing on an Icon ship alone.
At the same time, Royal Caribbean is hinting at what comes next. The agreement with Meyer Turku doesn’t just cover more Icons—it also paves the way for an all-new class of ships, referred to internally as “Discovery Class.” Details are scarce, but the expectation is that these ships may take over for some of the fleet’s older vessels and potentially reach ports that can’t handle the massive Oasis and Icon-class ships.
For now, the focus is on the Icons still in the pipeline, but it’s clear Royal Caribbean is planning for more than just one type of cruise experience. Between the continued investment in megaships and the possibility of Discovery bringing something different to the fleet, the next decade is shaping up to be an ambitious one.
Read more: Royal Caribbean Cruise Tips That’ll Save You Stress
Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean
Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she’s become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She’s always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.
Please visit:
Our Sponsor
