The cruise business has been completely booming, and the brand new mega-ships which can be popping out this 12 months are extra subtle and revolutionary than ever earlier than.
In 2025 alone, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises, Movie star Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Virgin Voyages have both launched or are about to debut new ships.
This makes now an ideal alternative to replicate on all of the planning and energy it takes to convey these large marvels to the excessive seas – and Royal Caribbean agrees.
The subject of constructing a cruise ship is the main focus of the primary episode of Royal Caribbean’s new video sequence, known as “Engineering the Expertise,” that premiered on YouTube on July 7, 2025.
Utopia of the Seas, which launched a 12 months in the past in July of 2024, was the star of the quick video.
The completion of the Oasis-class ship was an engineering triumph in its personal proper, with 2,834 staterooms, over 40 eating venues and bars, and main facilities like an ice rink onboard the 236,860-gross ton ship.
The attention-grabbing episode went via the roughly two-year development course of that Utopia of the Seas went via, and that the upcoming Icon-class ships are in the course of now.
Star of the Seas has handed her sea trials and is sort of prepared for her August 2025 launch, whereas Legend of the Seas is way earlier within the course of and gained’t debut till July 2026.
Building all the time begins with a standard steel-cutting ceremony, after which the metal is shipped off to be become blocks.
Subsequent up is the keel laying ceremony in dry dock, which is the official start line of assembling the cruise ship.
The keel is the underside of the ship and form of features like a spine. It’s the first main piece of the ship’s construction and is in the end the bottom for which the blocks are put in upon as soon as they’re pre-fabricated and able to go.
A coin ceremony for good luck can also be held through the keel laying ceremony, throughout which a particular coin is positioned beneath the ship’s keel.
The blocks are often put into place through the first 12 months or so, with the second 12 months (roughly) spent welding all the things collectively and putting in main methods onboard, such because the engines and air con.
As soon as the ship’s construction is full, she strikes on to the massive, public milestones that cruise followers stay up for, equivalent to floating out, present process sea trials, and formally being delivered to the cruise line.
What Occurs Earlier than Building Begins?
Contemplating the large dimension of the cruise ships of right now, it’s actually outstanding that they are often absolutely constructed inside only a couple years.
However in actuality, the method of designing and planning for a brand new ship truly can take nearer to a decade.
Learn Additionally: How Lengthy Does It Take to Construct a Cruise Ship?
The “Engineering the Expertise” episode made positive to indicate some like to the method of brainstorming, designing a brand new ship, and collaborating with naval consultants and designers.
However whereas Royal Caribbean management is closely concerned within the ideation course of, the cruise line companions with expert architects to assist convey their dream to life.
These conversations occur and partnerships are fashioned lengthy earlier than the ship constructing course of truly begins.
Among the many model’s most notable companions is Wilson Butler Architects, which has been closely concerned in creating firsts at sea because the Voyager-class ships have been first popping out.
For instance, this agency helped create the AquaDome for Icon of the Seas, which is the biggest glass dome ever to be put in on a cruise ship.
Relying on the imaginative and prescient for the ship and its dimension, one among three shipyards is given the duty of constructing the vessel as soon as the design is finalized.
The cruise line works with Meyer Turku in Turku, Finland; Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany; and Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France.
As soon as the design is delivered and each specification is nailed down, the shipyard group locations materials orders to organize for the upcoming development, which is a giant endeavor in its personal proper.
And I don’t learn about you, however studying extra in regards to the strategy of taking a cruise ship from an concept to a accomplished vessel has made me much more excited in regards to the new ships launching quickly.
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