Royal Caribbean will welcome an all-new series of ships, dubbed the Discovery Class, beginning in 2029. Very few details about the vessels are currently known, but the cruise line has ordered two ships from the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France, with the second scheduled for delivery in 2032. The companies have also agreed to options for an additional four ships to follow.
"The Discovery Class represents our continued commitment to shaping the future of vacations,” said Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO of parent company 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.”
Neither the first ship’s name nor its specifications have been shared as of yet, but the class is described as capable of visiting a wide range of international destinations, leading to speculation that they will be smaller in size than the line’s recent largest cruise ships in the world.
"The Discovery Class introduces a bold new concept that puts our guests at the center of it all,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean. “It will deliver extraordinary, one-of-a-kind experiences — from cutting edge design to immersive moments — with every detail crafted to surprise and delight guests in ways they’ve never imagined, all while visiting truly breathtaking destinations around the world.”
In the meantime, Royal Caribbean and Chantiers de l’Atlantique are celebrating a collaboration that began in 1985 with the introduction of the line’s Sovereign Class: Sovereign of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas. Since then, the two have partnered on several ships in the Oasis Class, including Harmony of the Seas.
"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 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.”
