Royal Caribbean International expects the Icon of the Seas to be a hit when it moves to Galveston, Texas, in 2027, according to Michael Bayley, president and CEO of the brand.

“It’s the best product entering into Texas from the cruise industry in the history of time,” Bayley said on Royal Caribbean Group’s third quarter earnings call on Tuesday.

The Icon of the Seas will become the first Icon-class ship homeported in Galveston, moving from Miami when the new Hero of the Seas takes over the seven-night Miami program next year.

Bayley said the company had already received a strong response from travel partners and expected the ship to be a huge success.

He added that the deployment sets the table for future Western Caribbean itineraries as Royal Caribbean works through its plans in Mahahual and Cozumel in Mexico.

Bayley pointed to guest satisfaction on the Icon-class ships as evidence of pricing power, noting the vessels were generating net promoter scores in the 80s while carrying as many as 7,600 guests.

“It means that they’re having an exceptional time and they’re happy to pay a good price for that experience,” he said.

Bayley also highlighted the brand’s growth in the Asia Pacific region. Royal Caribbean will hold a groundbreaking ceremony in November for its Royal Beach Club in Lelepa, Vanuatu, a destination he said was already proving attractive in the Australian market.

The brand will operate three ships out of Australia in 2027 and four in 2028.

“If you look at our deployment for ‘27, ‘28, you’ll see that we have moved more capacity into Asia-Pacific,” Bayley explained.