Meyer Turku Installs The Pearl on Royal Caribbean's Icon 4

Meyer Turku has marked another visible step in building Royal Caribbean International’s fourth Icon-class cruise ship, currently known as Icon 4, by installing a major architectural feature called The Pearl at its shipyard in Turku, Finland. The shipyard has also begun lifting the first modular stateroom cabins into place as the ship’s assembly continues toward an expected debut in 2027.

The Pearl installed as the Royal Promenade takes shape

Meyer Turku shared images of The Pearl being lifted into the ship, a key element in the Icon-class Royal Promenade area. The structure is designed to serve multiple roles at once, including acting as a load-bearing component and a staircase connection between Decks 5 and 6, linking the promenade with the Pearl Café.

The shipyard said the installation required careful handling, with the structure wrapped for protection during the lift and placement. The feature is asymmetrical, with two visible entry points intended to connect different deck levels once surrounding public spaces are completed. On Icon 4, the larger lower entrance is planned for Deck 5, while a smaller upper entrance is planned for Deck 6.

Beyond circulation between decks, The Pearl is designed to support nearby areas and help bring light into the ship’s interior.

A kinetic centerpiece with a functional job

The Pearl first drew attention during the build of Icon of the Seas, when early shipyard visuals did not immediately make its purpose obvious. On Icon-class ships, it is presented as a kinetic art installation positioned at the heart of the Royal Promenade, combining lighting, motion, and reflective effects that shift over the course of the day.

Royal Caribbean has described The Pearl as a 16-meter (52.5-foot) diameter centerpiece with color-changing illumination and dynamic patterns. In addition to its design role, it functions as a structural element and guest staircase.

Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean International’s Chief Product Innovation Officer, said the feature was designed to deliver multiple experiences at once. “The Pearl has a lot of different purposes,” Schneider said. “It’s a bit art, a bit sculpture, a bit experience, a bit wow but all in an architectural marvel.”

Modular cabin installation begins

Meyer Turku has also started installing accommodations on Icon 4 through prebuilt modular stateroom units. The shipyard marked January 9, 2026, as the date the first cabins were hoisted onto the vessel, and later summarized the milestone in a January 13 Facebook update.

Icon 4 is planned to have 2,800 staterooms. Meyer Turku said the cabins and bathroom units are built as completed modules and then transported to Turku for installation, accelerating interior construction once the hull and deck structures are ready.

The modular staterooms are produced by Piikkiö Works, a company within the shipyard group, at a facility in Piikkiö, Finland, before being delivered to the shipyard for lifting into the growing superstructure.

How Icon 4 fits into the Icon-class pipeline

Royal Caribbean placed the order for the fourth Icon-class ship in August 2024, an agreement that also included options for a fifth and sixth ship in the class. Construction activity accelerated in 2025, and a keel-laying ceremony was held in September 2025 as the project moved into the assembly phase.

• August 2024: Royal Caribbean ordered the fourth Icon-class ship, with options for additional units.
• September 2025: A keel-laying ceremony marked the start of the assembly phase.
• January 9, 2026: Meyer Turku began lifting the first modular cabins into place, later recapped in a January 13 Facebook update.
• Late 2026 (expected): A float-out milestone is anticipated, when the ship enters the water for the first time, typically about a year before delivery.
• 2027 (expected): Sea trials, final outfitting, and entry into service are expected ahead of the ship’s debut.

At the same shipyard, Legend of the Seas is also under construction and is scheduled to enter service in July 2026. Meyer Turku has also cut steel for a fifth Icon-class ship as planning continues for additional vessels.

Planned size, capacity, and propulsion

Icon-class ships are listed at 248,663 gross tons and are among the largest cruise vessels in operation. For Icon 4, published figures indicate capacity of roughly 5,600 guests at double occupancy, with maximum capacity rising to around the mid-7,000s when all berths are in use.

Like the other ships in the class, Icon 4 is planned to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and to incorporate alternative energy technology, including fuel cells intended to generate electrical power.

The wider Icon-class lineup includes Icon of the Seas (2024), Star of the Seas (2025), and Legend of the Seas (2026). The ships are built around distinct onboard areas, including neighborhoods such as Surfside for families and The Hideaway for adults, along with attractions that include surf simulators, rock climbing, and expansive waterparks.

Commercial details still to be announced

As structural components and cabin modules are integrated, Meyer Turku’s next major construction milestone will be float-out, followed by sea trials and final outfitting before delivery to Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean has not yet announced Icon 4’s official name, homeport, inaugural itineraries, or an opening date for bookings.

While sister ships have operated itineraries focused on the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and European routes, Icon 4’s deployment has not been confirmed. Additional announcements are expected as the ship approaches float-out and, later, sea trials ahead of its anticipated 2027 debut.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is The Pearl on Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class ships?

The Pearl is a 16-meter (52.5-foot) diameter kinetic art installation in the Royal Promenade area that also functions as a load-bearing structure and a staircase linking Decks 5 and 6. It incorporates color-changing lighting and reflective effects designed to shift throughout the day.

How does Meyer Turku construct Icon-class ships using modular cabins?

Meyer Turku installs prebuilt stateroom and bathroom modules directly into the ship as construction progresses. The cabin modules are produced by Piikkiö Works in Piikkiö, Finland, then delivered to Turku for lifting into the superstructure.

How many staterooms is Icon 4 expected to have?

Icon 4 is planned to have 2,800 staterooms, with cabin installation beginning in January 2026 as the first modular units were hoisted aboard.

What fuel will Icon 4 use?

Icon 4 is planned to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and to include alternative energy technology such as fuel cells intended to generate electrical power.

When is Icon 4 expected to enter service?

Icon 4 is expected to debut in 2027. Before entering service, the ship is expected to reach major milestones including float-out, sea trials, and final outfitting, followed by delivery to Royal Caribbean.