Royal Caribbean Group has reached a long-term framework agreement with Finland's Meyer Turku that secures rights to build ships at the yard through 2036, the cruise giant announced Tuesday.
Royal Caribbean Group also confirmed an order for Icon 5 to be delivered in 2028, subject to financing, and added an option to build Icon 7. An option to build Icon 6 was previously announced.
The multi-year agreement strengthens Royal Caribbean Group's relationship with one of the world's largest and most modern shipyards specializing in cruise ships.
"As we continue to reimagine the future of vacations, we are excited to continue collaborating with Meyer Turku to grow the Icon Class—a first-of-its-kind series that delivers exceptional vacation experiences—and position us to usher in a new era of innovation that will disrupt the vacation sector through 2036," Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty said in a statement.
"This is an exciting time for our company, and we are proud to launch this new stage in our history with our esteemed partners, Meyer Turku, the Finnish government, and the Finnish maritime cluster."
Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo called the agreement "excellent news" for his country. "The longstanding collaboration between Royal Caribbean Group and Meyer Turku will continue to have a significant positive impact on Finland's economy, creating jobs across the country and energizing our unique maritime ecosystem."
"Our strong shipyards, industrial networks and leading research institutions around them, deliver innovative and sustainable world-class ships, making Finland an attractive destination for future investment," added Sakari Puisto, Minister of Economic Affairs of Finland.
The Meyer Turku shipyard has built 25 ships for Royal Caribbean Group since the mid-1990s, including its most recent two Icon class ships, Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas.
A third Icon ship, Legend of the Seas, is scheduled to set sail next summer, with Icon 4 slated to be delivered in 2027.
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