Finland’s Meyer Turku is moving forward with the construction of the first of three giant LNG-powered cruise ships it is building for Royal Caribbean International in order to deliver the vessel next year.
A launching ceremony took place at the shipyard on December 8 for the 365 meters long Icon of the Seas, according to a statement by Royal Caribbean International, a unit of Royal Caribbean.
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.
The firm previously expected the LNG-powered ship to debut in fall 2023.
Meyer Turku, a unit of Meyer Werft, started building this vessel in June last year, and laid the keel in April this year.
This new Icon Class series of ships will comprise three luxury liners with a tonnage of about 250,800 GT and enough room for up to 5,610 passengers.
Meyer Turku’s website shows that the shipbuilder plans to deliver the second vessel in 2025, followed by the third ship in 2026.
Besides these vessels, Royal Caribbean International has also an LNG-powered ship under construction at French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique.
Earlier this year, Houston-based Eagle LNG Partners revealed a deal under which it it would fuel Royal Caribbean’s LNG-powered cruise ships.