The laying of the keel is a major step in the construction of the Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship scheduled to launch in the fall of 2023. The ceremony took place at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland and was attended by executives from Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku.
At the keel-laying ceremony, a historic maritime tradition, a 3,000-ton crane lifted a massive steel block and placed it on the new ship's construction dock, atop newly minted coins representing the shipyard and shipping company. The coins are a symbol of good luck during construction. Once completed, they will be retrieved and presented to the captain and crew of the Icon before it sets sail.
“Five years ago, we began dreaming about the Icon of the Seas, and now the next phase of this iconic adventure begins,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “As this game-changing ship takes shape, the excitement of families, travelers, travel agents, and our partners grows. In the coming months, we will unveil the list of firsts that will set a new standard for vacations starting in fall 2023.”
At the ceremony, the teams involved in the construction of the Icon were visited by Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group; Richard Fain, Chairman of Royal Caribbean Group; Bernard Meyer, Managing Partner of Meyer Group; and Tim Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku.
The Icon will set sail next year with the latest innovations and exclusive features, including a shift to cleaner energy. It will be the first of three Royal Caribbean ships to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), a major step in Royal Caribbean's journey toward a clean energy future.
