Finland’s Meyer Turku yard has kicked off construction on the second of three LNG-powered cruise ships for Royal Caribbean International.
To mark the construction start, the yard held a steel-cutting ceremony for the Icon Class ship on Wednesday at its facility in Turku, according to a statement by Royal Caribbean International, a unit of Royal Caribbean Group.
The US-based cruise line said that the soon-to-be-named ship would set sail in 2025.
Such as its siter ship, Icon of the Seas, it will have a tonnage of about 250,800 GT and enough room for up to 5,610 passengers.
Meyer Turku launched the 365 meters long LNG-powered giant, Icon of the Seas, in December last year.
Royal Caribbean International and Meyer Werft claim this is the world’s largest cruise ship and the shipbuilder in Turku plans to deliver the vessel at the end of 2023.
According to Royal Caribbean International, the ship would debut from Miami in January 2024, sailing year-round, 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations.
This new Icon Class series of ships will comprise three luxury liners and Meyer Turku plans to deliver the third ship in 2026.