Royal Caribbean Confirms 5th Icon Class Ship And Hints at a Whole New Class Coming

The big news is that Royal Caribbean has placed an order for Icon 5, which is set to arrive in 2028. It will be the fifth ship in the line’s Icon Class – their biggest and boldest ships yet.

The Icon Class launched with Icon of the Seas in January 2024, instantly making headlines as the world’s largest cruise ship at 248,663 gross tons and room for more than 5,600 passengers. She was followed by Star of the Seas in August 2025, with Legend of the Seas due in summer 2026. Another yet-unnamed Icon ship is scheduled for 2027, and with Icon 5 now confirmed, the lineup extends into 2028.

Royal Caribbean has also added an option for Icon 7, building on its existing option for Icon 6, meaning the fleet could grow even further if financing is finalised.

Meyer Turku Partnership Extended

Alongside the Icon 5 news, Royal Caribbean revealed it has extended its long-running partnership with Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. The new framework agreement secures shipbuilding rights at the yard through 2036.

Meyer Turku has already delivered more than 25 ships to Royal Caribbean since the 1990s, including every Icon Class vessel. The deal means the Finnish yard will remain central to Royal Caribbean’s growth for at least another decade.

Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, called the agreement a “new era of innovation,” while Meyer Turku’s CEO Casimir Lindholm described it as a “common plan for the next decade” that will sustain thousands of jobs in Finland’s maritime industry.

What Comes After Icon 5?

The Meyer Turku deal isn’t just about keeping the shipyard busy – it also locks in Royal Caribbean’s pipeline for the future. The Icon story isn’t stopping at five ships. Royal Caribbean has already lined up Icon 6 (still conditional on financing) and has now added an option for Icon 7, meaning the class could eventually total seven mega-ships.

But the biggest teaser? Royal Caribbean has confirmed it is working on a brand-new class of ship beyond Icon. While details are still under wraps, reports suggest this could be the upcoming Discovery Class – smaller, more versatile vessels designed to reach ports the Icon giants can’t. If confirmed, Discovery would eventually replace the fleet’s older Vision and Radiance Class ships.

Expanding on Land Too

Aerial view of Perfect Day Mexico, Royal Caribbean’s tropical water park, featuring bold, colorful water slides, a winding lazy river lined with pink and orange umbrellas, thatched cabanas, and a tranquil lagoon surrounded by lush jungle.

It’s not just ships Royal Caribbean is investing in – the cruise line is also building out a portfolio of private destinations to match.

In the Bahamas, the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is set to open in December 2025, transforming 17 acres of Nassau waterfront into an exclusive beach escape.
A second beach club is planned for Cozumel, Mexico, due to open in 2026.
By 2027, cruisers can expect Perfect Day Mexico, complete with a huge waterpark and what’s billed as the world’s longest lazy river.
Royal Caribbean is also going further afield, with a new destination on Lelepa, Vanuatu planned for 2027.

All of this means that by the end of the decade, Royal Caribbean guests won’t just have more ships to choose from – they’ll also have a growing collection of exclusive spots to sail to.

Shipyard Updates: Legend of the Seas & Icon 4

Meanwhile, Meyer Turku is already busy with the next big build. On August 29, 2025, Legend of the Seas floated out of dry dock for the first time – a major milestone in her construction. She’ll debut in July 2026, with Royal Caribbean even adding some earlier inaugural sailings from Rome to meet demand.

The float-out also cleared the way for the keel-laying of Icon 4, keeping the production line moving smoothly as the Icon series grows year by year.

The Bigger Picture

With Icon 5 confirmed, options for Icon 6 and 7, and the promise of a brand-new ship class on the horizon, Royal Caribbean is making sure its future is locked in both at sea and on land. Combined with private beach clubs and new destinations, the cruise giant is positioning itself to dominate the next decade of cruising, offering more ships, more places to go, and more ways to cruise than ever before.