Hero of the Seas completes AquaDome installation at Meyer Turku shipyard

RCI-Royal Caribbean International's Hero of the Seas has achieved a significant construction milestone at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland with the installation of the vessel's AquaDome, one of the defining architectural features of the Icon-class design. The completion of the structure marks a major step forward in the construction programme as the ship progresses toward its scheduled delivery in 2027.

Constructed from steel and glass, the AquaDome measures ~25 metres in height and 50 metres in width, making it the largest single-piece glass-and-steel structure ever installed aboard a cruise ship. Located above the navigation bridge, the enclosed space has been designed to provide panoramic ocean views during daylight hours before transforming into an entertainment venue featuring the AquaTheater after dark.

With the installation complete, construction will now move into the next stage of outfitting. Shipyard teams will continue fitting interior public spaces, accommodation, technical systems and guest facilities ahead of the vessel's launch and sea trials.

Hero of the Seas is the fourth vessel in Royal Caribbean's Icon Class, a series developed to combine large-scale family attractions, entertainment venues, dining concepts and resort-style amenities. The ship is expected to enter service during the summer of 2027 before commencing Caribbean operations from Miami.

While retaining the core design of its sister ships, Hero of the Seas will introduce several features unique to the vessel. These include redesigned adults-only pool areas incorporating what Royal Caribbean has identified as the largest swim-up bar at sea, new family raft slides within the Thrill Island neighbourhood, an expanded tropical pool complex and a three-storey Ultimate Family Treehouse suite designed to accommodate larger family groups. Dining options will also be expanded with the introduction of the Orleans Parish Supper Club, combining multi-course cuisine with live jazz performances and handcrafted cocktails.

The vessel also highlights the continuing collaboration between Royal Caribbean International and Meyer Turku. Following the delivery of Legend of the Seas earlier this year, the Finnish shipbuilder is scheduled to continue producing one Icon-class vessel annually, supported by a long-term agreement that secures construction capacity through the next decade.

Once delivered, Hero of the Seas will further expand Royal Caribbean's Icon-class fleet, reinforcing the company's strategy of introducing increasingly sophisticated LNG-powered cruise ships while maintaining a long-term construction programme at the Turku shipyard.