Meyer Turku launches Royal Caribbean’s Hero of the Seas
The new cruise ship is the fourth vessel in a series being built for Royal Caribbean International.
Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku has launched Hero of the Seas, a cruise ship ordered by Royal Caribbean International. The vessel is the fourth in a series under construction for the cruise line. Icon of the Seas, the first ship in that series, was handed over in 2024.
Upon completion, Hero of the Seas is expected to measure 1,196 feet long and 159 feet wide. It is planned to have more than 2,800 cabins and accommodate 5,600 guests.
The propulsion system is set to include six dual-fuel engines capable of running on liquefied natural gas, along with five bow thrusters, three diesel-electric azimuthing thrusters and fuel cells.
Planned attractions include a waterpark with six slides, five pools, an ice-skating rink, a rock-climbing wall, miniature golf and a skywalk. A dome-shaped entertainment area is also expected to feature floor-to-ceiling windows and an indoor waterfall.
Royal Caribbean’s plans also call for more than 40 bars and restaurants, a casino and multiple live-entertainment venues. The ship will be arranged into eight main guest areas, which the cruise line calls neighbourhoods.