Royal Caribbean orders new Discovery Class ships from Chantiers de l’Atlantique

Royal Caribbean Group has confirmed plans to introduce a new class of cruise ships, known as the Discovery Class, under a series of agreements signed between its subsidiary Royal Caribbean International and Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France.

The agreements include two firm ship orders, with options for a further four vessels. The first Discovery Class ship is scheduled to enter service in 2029, followed by a second delivery in 2032. The orders remain subject to customary conditions.

“The Discovery Class represents our continued commitment to shaping the future of vacations,” said Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. “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,” he added.

The announcement extends a shipbuilding relationship between Royal Caribbean Group and Chantiers de l’Atlantique that dates back to 1985, when the French yard constructed the Sovereign Class vessels Sovereign of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas, and Majesty of the Seas.

Since then, the partnership has encompassed multiple ship generations, including the Oasis Class and Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series.

Chantiers de l’Atlantique has delivered a total of 21 ships to Royal Caribbean Group over the past four decades and is currently building two additional vessels for the group, including the seventh Oasis Class ship and Celebrity Xcel.

“The Discovery Class introduces a bold new concept that puts our guests at the centre of it all,” said Michael Bayley, President of CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “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.”

Chantiers de l’Atlantique described the project as an opportunity to advance shipbuilding innovation at scale.

“Royal Caribbean Group has been keenly focused on disrupting the vacation industry with their innovative and bold vacation offerings,” said Laurent Castaing, CEO of Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

“Partnering with [Royal Caribbean] 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,” he added.

Royal Caribbean Group is currently expanding its broader portfolio across ocean, river, and land-based vacations. The company has outlined plans for multiple new ships across different segments over the next several years, alongside the development of eight land-based destinations by 2028.

These initiatives form part of a wider multi-year strategy aimed at diversifying its vacation offerings and strengthening its integrated loyalty and digital platforms.

The Discovery Class programme is expected to play a central role in that strategy, reinforcing Royal Caribbean Group’s global shipbuilding network while incorporating new technologies and sustainability-focused design approaches.

Further details on ship specifications, capacity and deployment have not yet been disclosed.