Wedoany.com Report-Sept. 4, Royal Caribbean’s LNG-powered cruise ship, Legend of the Seas, has been floated out at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. The launch ceremony took place on August 29, 2025, after which the vessel was moved to the outfitting dock, where finishing work will continue for just under a year. Delivery to Royal Caribbean is scheduled for the summer of 2026.

Casimir Lindholm, CEO of Meyer Turku, said: “Legend of the Seas continues the state-of-the-art Icon Class, which allows the Finnish maritime industry to showcase its unique expertise at its best. The shipyard, Royal Caribbean, and an extensive network of partners work together to develop the processes and concepts from ship to ship. Alongside its sister ships, Legend of the Seas will also mark an important milestone in increasingly responsible shipbuilding.”

The Legend of the Seas is the third vessel in Royal Caribbean’s Icon class. Measuring 365 meters in length and nearly 50 meters in width, it has a gross tonnage of around 248,000. The first ship in the series, Icon of the Seas, was delivered in November 2023, followed by Star of the Seas in July 2025.

The fourth ship in the class, currently under construction and yet to be named, is expected to be completed in 2027. Royal Caribbean’s agreement with Meyer Turku also includes options for the construction of a fifth and sixth ship in the Icon series, extending the program further into the next decade.

The Icon class represents the first ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet to run on liquefied natural gas. For Legend of the Seas, energy efficiency has been enhanced with the installation of next-generation TSDF main engines. In addition, the ship incorporates shore power connections, waste heat recovery systems, and other advanced features aimed at improving operational performance and reducing environmental impact.

The development of the Icon-class vessels demonstrates a collaboration between Royal Caribbean, Meyer Turku, and a broad supply chain network, bringing together expertise in advanced shipbuilding. The Legend of the Seas highlights continued progress in adopting new energy technologies in the cruise industry while maintaining large-scale passenger capacity and onboard amenities.

With its size, design, and LNG propulsion system, Legend of the Seas represents both continuity and innovation within the Icon class. The vessel’s float-out marks a significant milestone on its path to completion, further reinforcing Meyer Turku’s position in advanced cruise ship construction and Royal Caribbean’s efforts to expand its fleet with more energy-efficient and technologically advanced ships.

By the time of its delivery in 2026, Legend of the Seas is expected to serve as an important addition to Royal Caribbean’s global operations, offering large-scale cruise capacity while reflecting ongoing advancements in efficiency and sustainability in modern shipbuilding.