Royal Caribbean Takes Delivery of Icon of the Seas

After over seven years of vision and 900 days of meticulous design and construction by a team of experts, Royal Caribbean International has welcomed the highly anticipated Icon of the Seas in a grand celebration at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. The world’s largest cruise line held a ceremony where representatives signed the official documents just two months ahead of the ship’s January 2024 debut in Miami.

The momentous event was attended by more than 1,200 crew members and workers, along with Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley, and Meyer Turku CEO Tim Meyer.

This transfer of ownership, also known as the delivery of a new ship, between Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku marked the incredible achievements made over two years of construction. These feats include the installation of the AquaDome, the largest glass and steel structure ever placed on a cruise ship, as well as an unprecedented amount of onboard water features, such as seven pools, six record-breaking waterslides, and more. Icon of the Seas will now sail from Turku to Cadiz, Spain, where Royal Caribbean will apply the final touches to create the ultimate vacation experience before heading to Miami.

Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean, said: “Welcoming Icon of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family is a remarkable accomplishment years in the making for thousands of innovators, engineers, architects and designers.

“Seven years ago, we had an ambitious idea to create the first vacation truly made for every type of family and adventurer; now, it’s in our hands, and in this final stretch, we’ll bring it all to life for the biggest debut in our history in January 2024.”

Each seven-night Eastern or Western Caribbean adventure aboard Icon of the Seas showcases idyllic Caribbean destinations and an unprecedented day of thrills and relaxation at Royal Caribbean’s award-winning private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Additionally, in January 2024, the allure of Perfect Day will be enhanced with the introduction of the private island’s first adult-only retreat, Hideaway Beach. This all-day experience boasts a private beach and pools, new dedicated areas for refreshments, exclusive cabanas, live music, and more.