Third Icon-class cruise ship
ordered for RCL

U.S. cruise line Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL) said it has entered into an initial agreement with Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku to order a third Icon-class cruise ship. The Icon class is about 200,000gt and carries 5,000 passengers. The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2025.
The ship will be a repeat of two sister ships to be delivered in 2022 and 2024 and will have extensive clean technology including liquefied natural gas (LNG9 propulsion. The new order is dependent upon financing being arranged. The Icon class is about 200,000gt and carries 5,000 passengers.They will contain a wide range of energy-saving features including LED lighting, energy-efficient glass, energy-efficient appliances, re-use of engine waste heat to heat water for
hotel and galley operations plus use of cold seawater to chill water on board to reduce the load placed on air-conditioning units "We have designed a class of ships powered by liquefied natural gas that leverages the latest, environmentally friendly applications,” said Mr Richard Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises. “We believe that innovative shipbuilding can reduce our carbon footprint and boost energy efficiencies to help to build a cleaner future." The construction of the first Icon-class vessel will begin at Meyer Turku shipyard in the spring of 2020.