Royal Caribbean Group orders fifth Icon, secures shipbuilding slots at Meyer Turku through 2036
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 23 September 2025 23 September 2025
Royal Caribbean Group, a global vacation leader that is redefining the future of vacations, today announced a long-term framework agreement with Meyer Turku that secures Royal Caribbean Group’s rights to build at the yard through the next decade. As part of this agreement, Royal Caribbean Group also confirms an order for Icon 5 to be delivered in 2028, subject to financing, and adds an option to build Icon 7 (in addition to the previously announced option to build Icon 6). This multi-year agreement strengthens Royal Caribbean Group’s relationship with Meyer Turku, one of the world’s largest and most modern shipyards specializing in cruise ships, and readies Royal Caribbean Group for a new, game-changing class of ship beyond Icon.
“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,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “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.”
To date, Meyer Turku has built, and Royal Caribbean Group has launched two Icon Class ships with Icon of the Seas (January 2024) and Star of the Seas (August 2025), with the third Icon ship – Legend of the Seas – scheduled to sail next year (Summer 2026). Icon 4 is scheduled to be delivered in 2027.
Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm added: “With the framework agreement now signed, we announce our common plan for the next decade in cooperation with Royal Caribbean Group and other key partners to build more Icon Class ships and drive the future of shipbuilding over the next decade. I am extremely proud of the recognition that these orders bring to the skilled personnel at Meyer Turku and to the Finnish maritime industry expertise.”
Orders beyond Icon 5 are subject to Royal Caribbean Group's exercise of the options and execution of firm construction agreements, which are expected to be subject to customary conditions including financing.
Known for its history of delivering best-in-class ships, the Turku shipyard has built 25 ships for Royal Caribbean Group since mid-1990s. The buildout of each cruise ship of this scale is the largest single industrial project in the country, employing approximately 13,000 people at Meyer Turku and in the shipyard’s network which brings Finland more than a billion euros in added value per year. With Meyer Turku and the Finnish maritime industry at the forefront of developing energy and environmental technologies that accelerate green transition, their efforts are strengthening Finland's international competitiveness and reputation as a country with a large network of specialized companies for cruise shipbuilding, extraordinary design capability, cutting edge technology, and demanding project management.
“This new framework agreement is excellent news for Finland. 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,” said Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland.
“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.
With a differentiated ecosystem that currently includes a pipeline of nine new ships, seven total land-based destinations by 2028, plus unique experiences and a seamless digital ecosystem, Royal Caribbean Group is in the midst of revealing its multi-year pipeline of new vacation offerings that span ocean, river and land-based vacations, solidifying its position as a vacation innovator.
Innovation in European rivers – Celebrity reveals its new Compass and Seeker
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 03 September 2025 03 September 2025
Celebrity Cruises, part of Royal Caribbean Group, is introducing transformative ships with open decks, spacious staterooms, multiple dining options and its signature elevated hospitality to the Rhine and Danube rivers – offering guests the chance to river vacation The Celebrity Way. Priority Booking Access is now open for 2027 sailings on the groundbreaking Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker.
"Starting today, guests can place a fully refundable $500 deposit to claim a stateroom on one of these two new ships, which combine the iconic design of Celebrity’s Edge Series ocean ships with European charm, and feature a patent-pending, industry-leading design that offers more space to vacation, all while ensuring a smoother, more relaxing sailing experience," the cruise line said in the press release.
“Celebrity River Cruises ships will be the most innovative on the river, with a patent-pending industry-leading design that offers more space to vacation while bringing guests even closer to destinations,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. “With about half of our guests having experienced or intending to take a river cruise, we know guests are going to love sailing Europe’s Rhine and Danube rivers The Celebrity Way on our fleet of elevated, cutting-edge ships.”
Revolutionary open decks expand guests’ horizons
Celebrity River Cruises features the intuitive design the brand is known for on ocean, connecting guests to the world around them like never before. Revolutionary open decks offer the most usable outdoor space of any river ship and remain accessible throughout the entire journey, immersing vacationers in uninterrupted, 360-degree views.
Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker offer guests the chance to dine floating above the river on the Magic Edge – the first-ever cantilevered dining pods – while enjoying regional, destination-driven culinary offerings. Transformative shade structures, furniture and a top-deck bar and grille, maximize guests’ time on deck while offering zones for every mood, whether it be socializing or disconnecting, in a space designed for year-round comfort. Plus, an infinity-edge plunge pool invites guests to cool off while taking in the sights. These flexible public spaces ensure guests enjoy more of their time outside at destinations, and on the journey in between.
Uniquely elegant staterooms offer more room to vacation
Innovative stateroom design delivers intuitive storage, enhanced configuration, king sized beds in every stateroom and spacious balconies to make guests feel at home on the river. Five boutique stateroom categories, each bathed in natural light and deeply connected to surroundings, are designed not just for staying but for living with residential interior design, king-sized beds, and the most in-room amenities on the river. All guests can enjoy complimentary stocked mini bars and destination-inspired amenities, which elevate a serene stay wrapped in the comfort of luxury linens, bedding, bathrobes and slippers. Suite guests also enjoy a dedicated, on-demand butler through ‘Butler Chat,’ complimentary exclusive dining, room service and happy hour experiences, complimentary laundry once each sailing, and priority booking for shore excursions.
Every detail is designed to bring guests closer to destinations, as Celebrity’s revolutionary Infinite Veranda concept, made famous on Edge Series ocean ships, connect guests to the breathtaking landscapes around them at the touch of a button. The first-ever Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites feature a separate living area and a ceiling window for unbeatable natural light. Vista Balcony Suites and Balcony staterooms offer private escapes with an enhanced design for more usable outdoor space to enjoy a coffee or unwind after a day on shore. Guests can discover new views without ever leaving their room from an Infinite Balcony stateroom that brings the outside in, while River View staterooms offer generous natural light for the perfect space to relax.
Introducing more flavors to savor on the river
Designed for every mood and any taste at any moment, guests will enjoy flavorful dining at eight restaurants and bars – including Celebrity-favorite venues Martini Bar, Sunset Bar and Café Al Bacio - offering the most choice and variety on the river, all served with the unmatched hospitality Celebrity Cruises is known for.
Destination-driven menus that evolve throughout each itinerary immerse guests in local delicacies – from locally baked morning pastries to regionally inspired dinners. Guests can savor the day on their own time with complimentary breakfast room service and flexible, all day dining access that offers the only 24/7 meal options on the river.
World-class destinations experienced like never before
33 seven-night sailings on the Rhine and Danube rooted in place, culture and connection will take guests through the heart of Europe’s culture, history and unforgettable cities, and invite guests to taste regional wines, walk cobbled village streets, and enjoy the new perspective each day offers. Guests will enjoy a tale of many cities as multiple ports per day – combined with overnight experiences – invite them to explore in a whole new way.
From private wine tastings in Austria to thermal baths in Budapest, or cycling the riverbanks of the Danube, every experience is designed to bring out what is rare, real, and remarkable. Guests will see Budapest lit by night, sail the Wachau Valley, and discover hidden gems that feel like their own.
Plus, elevated pre- and post-cruise stays – available to book in early 2026 – extend guests' time in iconic cities like Prague and Budapest, all seamlessly arranged and elevated The Celebrity Way.
Industry-leading ship design offers an uninterrupted experience
With an unrivaled exterior profile, Celebrity River Cruises will turn heads while maintaining respect for the scenery and history of destinations. Celebrity River Cruises will set sail with an innovative hull, delivering a lightweight versatile design that improves river navigation, delivering the most seamless vacation experience in the industry.
Pushing the boundaries of leisure travel, Celebrity’s fleet of river ships advances Royal Caribbean Group’s decades-long commitment to sustaining the planet. The ships are equipped with the best-in-class hybrid propulsion system, as well as waste management systems, alongside advanced technology to reduce noise and vibration.
Hurtigruten reports strong growth in North American summer sales and global financial results
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 28 August 2025 28 August 2025
Following a successful restructuring earlier this year – including its split from expedition cruise company HX – Hurtigruten, the leading operator of Norwegian coastal voyages, is now charting its own course as a standalone company. With a fleet of 10 ships serving Norway’s coast and land-based tour operations in Svalbard, Hurtigruten has reported its first financial results since the separation.
In North America, this summer’s sales momentum has been especially strong, with booked revenue from June 1 to August 28 up 15% year-over-year. This growth has been driven by a remarkable 72% increase in Signature product series bookings, underscoring the appetite from U.S. and Canadian travelers for authentic, immersive experiences along Norway’s iconic coastline and Svalbard.
“North America remains one of Hurtigruten’s most exciting growth markets, and we’re delighted to see such powerful momentum this season. Travelers are increasingly seeking destination immersion and meaningful exploration – and that’s exactly what we deliver 365 days a year,” comments Carly Biggart, Head of Hurtigruten in the Americas.
Globally, Hurtigruten has released its first-half 2025 figures, reporting a 60% increase in EBITDA, up from EUR 27 million to EUR 43 million compared to the same period the previous year. Total revenue grew 14% to EUR 250 million, with occupancy rates improving from 66% in H1 2024 to 70% in H1 2025.
“This growth is a testament to the successful establishment of the 'new' Hurtigruten, which now solely serves the Norwegian coast and Svalbard. Our commitment to providing the iconic experience of Norway has resonated with our guests, and we are excited about the future as we continue to see strong demand,” said CEO Hedda Felin.
“We would like to thank our guests for choosing Hurtigruten, our partners for their collaboration, and our dedicated employees for their commitment. Together, we are setting new standards in the travel industry and creating unforgettable journeys through Norway's breathtaking landscapes in a time where more sustainable destinations become increasingly popular,” Felin added.
Well positioned to meet strong demand
Looking ahead, Hurtigruten expects continued growth in EBITDA and occupancy rates, reflecting strong demand and positive booking trends. As of August 26, Hurtigruten’s booked ticket sales for the full current year are up by 11% compared to the same time in 2024. Similarly, Hurtigruten’s booked ticket sales for 2026 are up by 12% compared to the year ahead bookings at the same time last year.
During the first half of 2025 Hurtigruten restructured and significantly strengthened its balance sheet. The book equity now stands at EUR 85 million and the Company’s EUR 411 million term loans matures in 2030. The Group’s total cash position was EUR 112 million at the end of the first half of 2025.
Reducing environmental impact
As a part of Hurtigruten’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, the company is continuously looking at ways to modernize the fleet. During the first half of 2025, MS Nordlys completed a significant upgrade to battery-hybrid propulsion, making it the fourth Hurtigruten ship to run on hybrid power. In addition, Hurtigruten reduced its Scope 1 emissions per guest by 9%, and significantly reduced SOx emissions by 45% (2024 figures compared to 2023).
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