Royal Caribbean International’s highly anticipated cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, has reached a significant milestone in its construction journey. The keel-laying ceremony, a traditional maritime event that marks the official start of the ship’s physical construction, took place at Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.
The keel laying was a grand event, attended by senior executives and teams from both Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku. A 3,000-ton crane lifted a massive steel block, which was placed into the ship’s building dock, and on top of freshly minted coins representing the shipyard and cruise line. The coins are meant to bring luck during construction and will be given to Icon’s captain and crew before setting sail.
“Five years ago, we started dreaming of Icon of the Seas, and now the next phase of this iconic adventure is beginning,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “As this game-changing ship takes shape, excitement from families, travelers, travel advisors, and our partners continues to build. Later this year, we’ll reveal the lineup of firsts and favorites that will set a new standard for vacations come fall 2023.”
At the ceremony, the teams behind the construction of Icon were joined by several high-level executives from Royal Caribbean Group, including Jason Liberty, president and CEO, and Richard Fain, chairman. Bernard Meyer, managing partner of Meyer Group, and Tim Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku, were also in attendance.
Icon of the Seas will set sail in fall 2023 with the latest innovations and signature features that Royal Caribbean’s teams have imagined and reimagined in bold, new ways. The ship will be the first of three Royal Caribbean ships to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the cleanest fossil fuel available to cruise ships today. Icon will also feature shore power connection and waste heat recovery systems, which will repurpose excess energy to help power the ship’s operations. This will be a significant step forward in Royal Caribbean’s journey towards a clean energy future.
In conclusion, the keel-laying ceremony of Icon of the Seas was a historic event marking the official start of the ship’s construction journey. With its innovative features and commitment to clean energy, Icon is sure to set a new standard for vacations. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure on this iconic ship!