Royal Caribbean Group has announced that it has reached an agreement with a French company to begin construction of its two new Discovery Class ships, which are set to begin sailing in 2029.
The agreement with Chantiers de l’Atlantique (CdA), a shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, covers the construction of two new ships, with an option for a further four. The first ship is set to debut in 2029, with the second to follow in 2032.
“The Discovery Class represents our continued commitment to shaping the future of vacations”, said Jason Liberty, chairman and chief executive 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.”
Michael Bayley, the line’s president, added that the “new Discovery is meant to put guests at the centre of it all”, promising “cutting-edge designs and immersive moments, every detail crafted to surprise and delight guests in ways they have never imagined, all while visiting truly breathtaking destinations around the world”.
This collaboration builds on a long-standing partnership. CdA first built Royal Caribbean’s iconic Sovereign Class ships in the 1980s and has since delivered numerous vessels for the group, including Oasis-class ships and Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series.
CdA describes itself as a ‘key leader in the design, integration, testing and precise delivery of cruise ships’. Thanks to its R&D and work on offshore wind components, it is a pioneer in the energy transition – credentials that, the shipyard says, position it well for delivering next-generation cruise vessels.
Laurent Castaing, Chief Executive Officer of CdA, said that the Royal Caribbean Group has been “keenly focused on disrupting the vacation industry with their innovative and bold offerings”.
“Partnering with Jason and Michael to bring the Discovery Class to life is an opportunity to showcase the future of shipbuilding,” said Castaing. “Together, we are shaping a new generation of ocean vacations that will lead the industry towards a more innovative future”.
Royal Caribbean Group currently operates a fleet of 69 ships, which sail to over 1,000 destinations worldwide across all seven continents.
Alongside the Discovery Class, the company is expanding its vacation portfolio to include river and land-based experiences, as well as adding more ships to its brands by 2028. By that date, the group plans to grow its ‘Perfect Day’ and ‘Royal Beach Club’ land destination collections from three to eight locations. Starting in 2027, Royal Caribbean Group will also enter the river cruise market with its Celebrity Cruises brand.
During a Travel Weekly webcast in December, Bayley revealed that the new ships will be designed to operate in more ports, particularly in the Mediterranean and Alaska, and transit the Panama Canal. This will significantly reduce repositioning time between regions.
“Through our partnership with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, we are leveraging France’s world-class shipbuilding ecosystem and new technology to reimagine the industry once again for decades to come.”
