Construction has begun on the second ship in Royal Caribbean International's new Icon class.
A steel-cutting ceremony was held Wednesday at Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, where the first of the class -- Icon of the Seas -- is also being built.
The second ship, which has yet to be named, is expected to sail in 2025. Its older sister, the Icon, is scheduled to sail a maiden cruise in January 2024.
Royal Caribbean is positioning the Icon class as a hub of innovation for family vacations. At 250,800 gross tons and what will be the largest ship in the fleet, the 5,610-passenger Icon will offer new neighborhoods (including one designed for young families), 28 stateroom categories (including a three-level eight-person Ultimate Family Townhouse) and six waterslides in what Royal says will be the first true waterpark at sea. Royal said details about the second ship will be released at a later date.
Royal Caribbean said opening sales for the Icon established the line's largest booking day in its 53-year history. The ship will sail seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries that include calls to private island Perfect Day at CoCo Cay.