MIAMI — Royal Caribbean Group has announced plans to introduce a new class of cruise ships as part of a long-term expansion of its global vacation portfolio.
A series of agreements has been signed with the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France, to build the cruise company’s upcoming Discovery Class ships.
The agreements include two firm ship orders, with options for an additional four vessels. The first Discovery Class ship is scheduled to debut in 2029, followed by a second delivery in 2032.
“The Discovery Class represents our continued commitment to shaping the future of vacations. These ships will be a showcase of what’s possible when design meets purpose, ultimately bringing the world closer to our guests,” said Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “Through our partnership with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, we are leveraging France’s world class shipbuilding ecosystem and new technology to, once again, reimagine the industry for decades to come.”
The partnership builds on a decades-long relationship between Royal Caribbean Group and the French shipyard, which dates back to 1985 with the construction of the Sovereign Class. Since then, Chantiers de l’Atlantique has built multiple generations of ships for the group, including vessels within the Oasis Class and Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series. In total, the shipyard has constructed 21 ships for Royal Caribbean Group over the past four decades. It is currently constructing two additional ships for the Group, including Oasis 7 and Celebrity Xcite.
The Discovery Class announcement comes as Royal Caribbean Group continues to roll out a multiyear portfolio of new vacation offerings spanning ocean, river and land-based experiences. The company has outlined plans that include multiple new ships across brands, expanded land destinations and further development of its digital ecosystem and loyalty platform by 2028.
Royal Caribbean Group says the latest agreements also reinforce its commitment to sustainability and advanced shipbuilding technology, while strengthening its global shipbuilding network. The ship orders remain subject to customary closing conditions.
Lead image caption: Royal Caribbean Group ships — Credit Royal Caribbean Group
