Royal Caribbean going even bigger on its biggest ships.
An announcement was made late on Monday night by Royal Caribbean Group that it has ordered two more Icon Class ships.
The unnamed newly ordered vessels, referred to for now as Icon 6 and Icon 7, will be constructed at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.
The two new ships will be delivered in 2029 and 2030.
Royal Caribbean Group had slots reserved for options to build Icon 6 and Icon 7, but now they've exercised those options and those plans are confirmed.
The Icon Class ships are the biggest in the world, measuring an 250,800 gross registered tons and can carry a maximum of 7,600 passengers. There are 28 different stateroom categories.
This is a clear indication Royal Caribbean believes its Icon Class formula is working, and it's betting heavily that demand for these mega-ships will continue well into the next decade.
A major expansion of ships
The addition of orders for Icon 6 and 7 come less than a year since they ordered Icon 5. That's a significant jump in the orderbook.
Icon of the Seas made headlines for all the right reasons when she debuted in 2024, and it was clear that this class was a revolution. Icon ships are now the new standard bearer that all new ships are judged against, regardless of line.
Legend of the Seas is set to debut this summer, which will be the third Icon Class ship. Hero of the Seas will join the fleet in 2027, followed by Icon 5 in 2028.
This means Royal Caribbean will build the most of any class of ships with the Icon Class (tied with Oasis Class). As a company as focused on profitability as Royal Caribbean Group, that's no coincidence that the experience is matching up to sales.
Why Royal Caribbean is doubling down
This isn’t just about building more ships. It’s about doubling down on a strategy that has clearly resonated with cruisers and the marketplace.
The Icon Class was designed as a "white paper" ship, which means they designed it from the ground up without a starting basis. Instead of simply adding more features, the company has focused on creating distinct "neighborhoods" onboard, each with its own identity, atmosphere, and purpose.
Part of the genius of these ships is that they work on so many levels, including families. It's a true multi-generational ship because families, couples, seniors, and kids can all find plenty to do. Often, together. That comes in the form of a massive water park, adults-only spaces, and high-end dining and entertainment.
That broad appeal has translated into strong demand.
Royal Caribbean executives have repeatedly pointed to the Icon Class as a key driver of bookings, pricing power, and overall guest satisfaction.
What we know about Icon 6 and 7
If you're looking for what will be different about Icon 6 or 7, you'll have to wait a bit longer for those answers.
Royal Caribbean has not yet announced names, where they will be based, or any features. It's really just confirmation that they will build two more ships than they had previously disclosed.
Based on the pattern of Icon Class ships thus far, it's safe to assume Royal Caribbean will employ a strategy of maintaining much of the core Icon Class experience, but experiment with tweaks and changes to make it even better.
As an example, Hero of the Seas will see pools added and expanded, which reflect guest feedback from Icon and Star of the Seas.
Expect a similar evolution with future ships that take into account lessons learned from earlier vessels.
