Royal Caribbean execs and some select travel agents were invited to witness the ceremonial laying of the first parts of the structural backbone of what will be, by far, the largest, most expensive and most advanced cruise ships ever built, Royal Caribbean's 220,000 ton "Genesis" ships. They gathered in Turku to watch the 540 ton hull section lowered into place. According to tradition Royal Caribbean and shipyard execs affixed coins underneath the section as a good luck gesture.<br /><br />The next big step in the construction will be about a year from now when the finished hull is floated once the drydock is filled. Between now and then there should be more and more info released regarding the ships including their official names. Royal Caribbean has confirmed that neither of the ships will be named Genesis of the Seas. Naming will probably take place around May 2008 and itineraries will also surface sometime next year.