Royal Caribbean Orders Two New Discovery Class Ships with Options for Four More

Royal Caribbean Group just signed agreements with a French shipyard to build a brand-new class of cruise ships. The Discovery Class represents the cruise line’s vision for the future of vacations at sea.

The agreements with Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France include two firm ship orders. Royal Caribbean also has options for four additional ships in this class.

The first Discovery Class ship debuts in 2029. The second ship arrives in 2032. If Royal Caribbean exercises all four options, the class could eventually include six ships total.

What Makes Discovery Class Different

Jason Liberty serves as Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. He emphasized the ships’ focus on bringing the world closer to guests through innovative design.

“The Discovery Class represents our continued commitment to shaping the future of vacations,” Liberty said. “These ships will be a showcase of what’s possible when design meets purpose, ultimately bringing the world closer to our guests. 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.”

Michael Bayley leads Royal Caribbean as President and CEO. He described the Discovery Class as introducing a bold new concept centered around guests.

“The Discovery Class introduces a bold new concept that puts our guests at the center of it all,” Bayley said. “It will deliver extraordinary, one-of-a-kind experiences — from cutting edge design to immersive moments — every detail crafted to surprise and delight guests in ways they’ve never imagined, all while visiting truly breathtaking destinations around the world.”

The Shipyard Behind Discovery Class

Chantiers de l’Atlantique ranks among the world’s most renowned shipyards. The French facility has a long history of building industry-leading ships for major cruise lines.

Over the past four decades, the shipyard built 21 ships for Royal Caribbean Group. The yard is currently constructing two more vessels: Oasis 7 for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Xcite for Celebrity Cruises.

This extensive partnership shows the strong relationship between Royal Caribbean Group and the French shipbuilder. The Discovery Class continues this collaboration into the next decade.

Laurent Castaing serves as Chief Executive Officer of Chantiers de l’Atlantique. He praised Royal Caribbean Group’s innovative approach to vacations.

“Royal Caribbean Group has been keenly focused on disrupting the vacation industry with their innovative and bold vacation offerings,” Castaing said. “Partnering with Jason and Michael to bring the Discovery Class to life is an opportunity to showcase the future of shipbuilding. Together, we are shaping a new generation of ocean vacations that will lead the industry toward a more innovative future.”

Timeline for Discovery Class Ships

The first Discovery Class ship won’t arrive until 2029. That’s still four years away, giving Royal Caribbean plenty of time to finalize designs and features.

The three-year gap between the first and second ships (2029 and 2032) is longer than typical for cruise ship deliveries. This extended timeline might indicate these ships require more complex construction or new technology.

Royal Caribbean hasn’t announced whether it will exercise the options for the additional four ships. Those decisions typically depend on how well the first ships perform and overall market demand.

What We Don’t Know Yet

Royal Caribbean hasn’t revealed specific details about Discovery Class ships. The size, passenger capacity, and specific features remain under wraps for now.

The cruise line also hasn’t announced which destinations these ships will visit or which homeports they’ll sail from. The emphasis on “truly breathtaking destinations around the world” suggests diverse itineraries.

Technical specifications like fuel type, propulsion systems, and environmental features weren’t disclosed. Given the 2029 debut date, these ships will likely incorporate the latest green technology and alternative fuels.

Royal Caribbean’s Growing Fleet

The Discovery Class adds to Royal Caribbean’s already aggressive expansion plans. The cruise line has multiple ship classes under construction across different shipyards.

Icon Class ships represent Royal Caribbean’s current flagship class. Icon of the Seas launched in 2024, with additional Icon Class ships coming in future years.

The Oasis Class remains the world’s largest cruise ship class. Oasis 7 currently under construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique will join this popular class.

Discovery Class appears designed to complement rather than replace these existing classes. Each class serves different purposes and appeals to different types of cruisers.

What This Means for Cruise Travelers

The Discovery Class won’t impact your cruise plans for several years. The 2029 debut date means you’ll be sailing on other Royal Caribbean ships for the foreseeable future.

However, the announcement signals Royal Caribbean’s confidence in the future of cruising. Ordering new ships years in advance shows the company expects strong demand to continue.

The partnership with a world-class French shipyard ensures these ships will incorporate cutting-edge design and technology. Chantiers de l’Atlantique has proven expertise building innovative cruise ships.

The emphasis on “one-of-a-kind experiences” and “immersive moments” suggests Discovery Class will push boundaries in onboard entertainment and activities. Royal Caribbean has a track record of introducing industry-first features that other cruise lines eventually copy.

Royal Caribbean’s Innovation History

Royal Caribbean consistently leads the cruise industry in innovation. The company introduced rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, surfing simulators, and zip lines to cruise ships.

Recent innovations include the largest waterpark at sea (Category 6 on Icon of the Seas) and the Ultimate Abyss dry slide. Royal Caribbean continues finding new ways to surprise and delight guests.

The Discovery Class will likely continue this tradition of firsts. Expect features and experiences that don’t exist on current cruise ships when these vessels debut.

More details about Discovery Class ships will emerge as the 2029 debut approaches. Royal Caribbean typically reveals ship features about two years before launch, so expect announcements around 2027.

For now, cruise enthusiasts can look forward to a new class of ships designed to redefine ocean vacations once again.