Royal Caribbean’s next Icon-class mega ship floated for the first time at Meyer Turku in Finland on September 2, 2025, then shifted to the outfitting quay, according to People. The float out is a major step in shipbuilding and a clear signal that cruises are still scaling up after a record rebound.
In our view, this milestone is more than a yard ritual. It shows how the cruise industry keeps leaning into size, spectacle, and efficiency tech to win families and first-timers while trying to tame emissions.
A mega float out that speaks to the moment for cruises
The vessel is billed as the world’s largest cruise ship at about 250,800 gross tons, with room for roughly 7,600 guests and 18 decks, People reported. It features 22 elevators, seven pools, and a roster of over-the-top attractions that have become the Icon-class signature. Meyer Turku, the Finnish yard that built Icon of the Seas, confirmed the float-out phase has begun in recent updates on its news page.
Royal Caribbean is targeting a summer 2026 delivery. People said inaugural voyages are slated for the Mediterranean from Barcelona, followed by Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale, a typical deployment pattern for big hardware in year one. Trade titles like Seatrade Cruise News and The Maritime Executive have tracked the Icon-class build sequence and yard milestones over the past two years, underscoring the broader fleet-expansion arc.
We think the timing makes sense. Cruise demand has outpaced 2019 levels, and new ships are filling far in advance. The industry’s recovery is no longer a question of if, but of how to serve more guests while managing environmental and port capacity strains.
The size, features, and what guests can expect
Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class formula blends waterpark thrills, marquee shows, and large family cabins with sprawling food and beverage choices. People highlighted several headline features on the new ship, including a supersized Royal Bay pool area, a glassy AquaDome for shows, and a Category 6 waterpark.
This is the playbook: big, busy, and Instagram-ready. In our view, the line is betting that concentrated, weatherproof entertainment keeps families on board and spending on sea days, even as itineraries add marquee ports.
Quick stats at a glance
- Approximate gross tonnage: 250,800 GT (People)
- Passenger capacity: about 7,600 at max (People)
- Decks: 18 (People)
- Elevators: 22 (People)
- Pools: 7, including an oversized Royal Bay (People)
- Yard: Meyer Turku, Finland
- Planned delivery: Summer 2026 (People)
LNG power, emissions, and the tradeoffs
Royal Caribbean has positioned the Icon class as a bridge to cleaner operations, with dual-fuel engines capable of running on liquefied natural gas and shore power. The company says the class also layers in energy-saving hull and HVAC systems. Details on the exact configuration for this ship were not yet fully public at writing, but the platform direction is consistent with prior Icon builds.
On the upside, LNG cuts sulfur oxides, particulate matter, and can significantly reduce nitrogen oxides, according to the International Maritime Organization. That delivers immediate air quality benefits for port cities and coastal communities. Shore power plugs, when available, also remove stack emissions in port.
The rub is methane. Environmental groups argue that slip from upstream and engine operations can erode climate gains versus very low sulfur fuel oil. In our view, LNG remains a transitional option, not an endpoint. The real test will be how fast cruise lines move toward drop-in bio-LNG, methanol readiness, or future e-fuels as supply scales, and how well they control methane losses in the meantime.
Port readiness and crowd questions in the Med and Caribbean
Barcelona and Fort Lauderdale are equipped to handle mega ships, and both have expanded terminals and shore power plans. Still, the arrival of another 7,000-plus guest ship raises familiar questions about crowding and scheduling at popular stops.
Local officials have been tightening rules on bus flows and berth allocations in European hotspots. We think the itinerary will lean on big-capacity ports and staggered calls with other giants to ease pressure. The ship’s massive onboard programming also helps by making sea days feel like destination days.
If the Med summer of 2026 follows recent patterns, expect careful slotting at marquee ports around the Western loop and a shift to private island or high-capacity Caribbean ports after the Atlantic crossing. That mix balances guest demand with throughput reality.
The business bet and what to watch before summer 2026
The float out starts the intensive fitting-out phase, then sea trials, then delivery. The timeline can flex, but the process is well worn at Meyer Turku.
Cruise demand remains a tailwind. Global passenger counts topped pre-2020 levels in 2023 and kept rising in 2024, according to industry data compiled by the Cruise Lines International Association. CLIA’s latest outlook shows continued newbuild investment and strong forward bookings as more first-timers try cruise vacations. See CLIA’s research hub for trend detail and methodology.
In our view, the risk is not demand, but volatility in fuel pathways, port regulations, and financing costs. If LNG gives way to methanol or another fuel in the late 2020s, retrofits and supply contracts will matter. We also expect lines to keep pitching the biggest ships as value platforms that hold pricing power as onboard spending rises.
What we will track next
- Sea trials timing and any propulsion updates
- Shore power use at Barcelona and Fort Lauderdale
- Methane mitigation steps disclosed by the yard or engine makers
- Booking pace and pricing versus Icon of the Seas cohorts
- Any change to the ship’s working name before delivery
Bottom line
The float out in Turku is a clear green light for Royal Caribbean’s next act in the Icon playbook. It is a big bet on cruises as a family crowd-pleaser and a careful step on cleaner tech that still has open questions. If execution stays tight, summer 2026 could mark another very loud debut.
- Another Icon-class giant is moving from build hall to outfitting in Finland.
- LNG and shore power cut local air pollutants, but methane remains a concern.
- Barcelona and Fort Lauderdale can handle the traffic, with careful scheduling.
- Demand tailwinds support the scale, yet fuel and port policies add risk.
Not yet clear: the final registered name. Consumer coverage uses the working name reported by People, but Royal Caribbean has not publicly confirmed a final naming on its press channels at time of writing.
