Spectrum of the Seas is one step closer to completion. Having undergone a unique construction process, Spectrum’s FERU (Floating Engine Room Unit) mega-block which was built in Rostock, Germany travelled 296 nautical miles down the River Ems to the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany to be joined with the rest of the ship, which is scheduled for delivery in 2019.

With a unique construction process underway, mega-blocks of Royal Caribbean's Quantum Class ship are built in Neptun Werft (Rostock, Germany) and transferred via hydraulics onto a pontoon, which will travel down the Ems River to the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Watch the ship's FERU (Floating Engine Room Unit) make the roughly eight-hour move in preparation for its journey. Designed specifically for the Chinese market, Spectrum is scheduled for delivery in 2019.

Royal Caribbean has provided a new photo update of its next two cruise ships that are under construction.

First up is Symphony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's cnewest Oasis-class ship, under construction at the STX shipyard in France. The ship is scheduled to be delivered in March 2018.

Photos by Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean also showed some photos of Spectrum of the Seas.  Specifically, we have a look at a large block from Spectrum of the Seas as it is prepared to transfer from the Neptune shipyard down the River Ems to the Meyer Werft shipyard. Spectrum is scheduled for delivery in 2019.

Photos by Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Spectrum of the Seas, keel laying ceremony took place at the Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock, Germany today. During the ceremony, newly minted coins were placed under the keel and will stay in place there until the end of the ship’s construction. Once the ship is near to completion, the coins are retrieved and presented to the ship’s Captain and crew to be placed onboard the ship. According to maritime tradition, the coins are said to bring luck to the ship during its construction process and then to its Captain and crew when she is sailing out at sea.

In Papenburg, Germany, the keel laying of Royal Caribbean's Spectrum of the Seas was celebrated earlier today.

Photo: Margit Wild

The keel-laying marks the official start of construction for Royal Caribbean's first Quantum Ultra Class ship.

As part of maritime tradition, a lucky coin was placed under the first block.  There will be a total of 74 blocks that will make up Spectrum of the Seas.

Spectrum of the Seas is set to debut in 2019 and will be the first Quantum Ultra ship that will specifically be designed for guests in China and the Asia-Pacific region, and will feature cutting-edge and unprecedented experiences and amenities.