The keel of Icon of the Seas that will be the first unit in the Icon class of ships for Royal Caribbean International was laid at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland on 4 April.

The LNG powered ship will have an estimated gross tonnage of 200,000 and it is due for delivery in the autumn of next year.

Michael Bayley, CEO of Royal Caribbean International said in a statement that the company would disclose details about the new ship later this year and added that these would change the perception people have about the cruise industry.

Royal Caribbean International is part of the Royal Caribbean Group.

Photo: Meyer Turku CEO Tim Meyer at the start of the ceremony