Luxury Cruising Editorial

Royal Caribbean Group has formally confirmed plans for a brand new ship class for Royal Caribbean International while simultaneously committing to a significant expansion of Celebrity Cruises’ growing river operation.

The company has signed an agreement with Chantiers de l’Atlantique to build two Discovery Class ships, with options in place for up to four further vessels.

The first ship in the new class is scheduled to enter service in 2029, followed by a sister ship in 2032, subject to standard conditions including financing.

While detailed specifications have not been disclosed, the group has previously indicated that they were exploring a slightly smaller next-generation ship, suggesting a shift from the ever-larger ships that have defined the brand since the introduction of the Oasis Class.

“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 of 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 announcement was made alongside the company’s fourth quarter results, which showed adjusted net income of $2.80 per share, in line with market expectations, on total revenues of $4.3 billion.

Discovery Class To Signal Next Phase For Royal Caribbean

Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said the Discovery Class would focus on delivering “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.”

Royal Caribbean Group’s relationship with Chantiers de l’Atlantique dates back to 1985, when the French shipbuilder delivered the then-revolutionary Sovereign Class.

Since then, the yard has built 21 ships for the group, including multiple Oasis Class vessels and Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Class ships. It is currently constructing Oasis 7 as well as Celebrity Xcite.

While the name and early commentary around the Discovery Class have fuelled speculation that the ships could be more destination-focused, Royal Caribbean has not yet confirmed how the new platform will differ operationally from existing classes.

Celebrity River Cruises Fleet Set To Double By 2031

Alongside the ocean ship announcement, Royal Caribbean Group also revealed that it has ordered 10 additional river cruise ships for Celebrity Cruises, taking the planned Celebrity River Cruises fleet to 20 vessels by 2031.

Construction has now begun on the first ship, Celebrity Compass, at TeamCo in the Netherlands. River cruising for the brand will begin in 2027 with Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, followed in 2028 by Celebrity Wanderer, Celebrity Roamer and Celebrity Boundless.

The 2028 European river season is already open for booking, featuring an 80 percent increase in destinations compared with Celebrity’s inaugural 2027 deployment. More than 160 sailings are planned across the Rhine and the lower and upper Danube, including popular tulip time and Christmas markets itineraries.

“Guest demand for Celebrity River Cruises has exceeded our expectations, and expanding the fleet allows us to bring this highly anticipated experience to even more travelers,” Liberty said.

Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises, added: “Our inaugural 2027 Celebrity River Cruises season sold out in under six minutes – a testament to how much guests value the unmatched hospitality and service Celebrity delivers.”

Together, the Discovery Class order and the river cruise expansion underline Royal Caribbean Group’s strategy of investing across multiple segments, balancing innovation in large-scale ocean cruising with a rapid move into the premium river market.

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MSC Cruises has unveiled plans for a substantial expansion of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, confirming a wide range of new guest experiences alongside an extended pier that will allow two ships to dock at the private island at the same time.

Announced on 28th January 2026, the project will see new facilities introduced across the island, with completion targeted for late 2027. The developments are designed to enhance the guest experience while supporting the cruise line’s long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship in The Bahamas.

Ocean Cay, which first welcomed guests in late 2019, has become a cornerstone of MSC Cruises’ Caribbean itineraries. The island was transformed from a former industrial sand excavation site into a marine reserve featuring crystal-clear waters, white sand beaches and a growing marine ecosystem.

What’s Changing At Ocean Cay

Guests visiting Ocean Cay from late 2027 can expect a noticeably expanded offering, with several new areas and attractions planned across the island.

Four new dining venues will be introduced, bringing the total number of places to eat on the island to seven. These will include a signature specialty restaurant, along with additional buffet and food market-style options, building on existing favourites such as Seakers Food Court and the island’s food trucks.

Families will see major enhancements at Seakers Cove, which is being redeveloped into a dedicated family beach area. Planned additions include a children’s playground, splashpad and a ropes course featuring water elements.

Table games such as ping-pong and foosball will also be available, alongside organised activities, tournaments and interactive games aimed at creating a multi-generational beach experience.

For adults seeking a quieter escape, a brand-new adults-only area called Paradise Sands will be added. This space is designed to offer a tranquil beach environment during the day, before transitioning into a sunset-focused venue for cocktails and relaxation in the evening.

The number and variety of cabanas available for rent will also increase, giving guests more choice when it comes to private beachside relaxation.

A new Marine Conservation Experience will be launched as part of the MSC Foundation’s Shifting Perspective initiative.

This hands-on experience will allow guests to engage directly with marine conservation efforts, including coral restoration, scientific research and interactive exploration of ocean ecosystems.

Pier Extension And Future Island Plans

Alongside the guest-facing upgrades, construction has already begun on extending Ocean Cay’s pier. Once completed in late 2027, the extended pier will be able to accommodate two ships at the same time.

As ships dock directly at the island, this will allow more guests to come ashore easily without the need for tender boats.

MSC Cruises also confirmed that work continues on a second private island located next to Ocean Cay. Known internally as Little Cay, the island has not yet been formally named.

According to the cruise line, the destination will follow the same ethos as Ocean Cay, focusing on natural beauty, pristine beaches and ocean-focused experiences, complemented by luxury facilities and water features.

Ocean Cay is already home to more than two miles of beachfront spread across eight beaches and has gained international recognition for both tourism and environmental initiatives.

The island was designated a Hope Spot by Mission Blue in 2023 and is supported by the MSC Foundation’s Super Coral Reefs Programme, which focuses on restoring resilient coral species.

The Marine Conservation Center on the island, which opened in April 2025, continues to serve as a base for scientists, students and visitors, featuring laboratories, interactive pavilions and coral nurseries both on land and underwater.

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Royal Caribbean has confirmed that its third Icon-class cruise ship, Legend of the Seas, will enter service earlier than previously planned, with a brand-new inaugural sailing added for 4th July 2026.

The new voyage brings the ship’s debut forward by a full week from the originally scheduled 11th July maiden voyage and almost a month earlier than the first announced start date of 2nd August.

The move reflects strong progress on construction and outfitting, with the cruise line signalling confidence that the ship will be ready well ahead of schedule.

Guests already booked on the 11th July 2026 sailing have been contacted by Royal Caribbean and offered the opportunity to switch to the newly added earlier voyage, subject to availability. For many, the chance to be onboard for a ship’s first-ever sailing is considered a bucket-list cruise experience.

In an email sent to affected guests, the cruise line said: “We simply cannot wait to show off The Next Icon of Vacations. We have now added one (1) extra sailing, a 7-Night Western Mediterranean Cruise on 4 July 2026, that will be the inaugural sailing to kick off the celebrations for our inaugural season!”

New Inaugural Western Mediterranean Itinerary

The newly added maiden voyage will be a seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise, departing from Rome via Civitavecchia on 4th July 2026.

The itinerary includes calls at Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Florence, before returning to Rome on 11th July.

Legend of the Seas is currently being built at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.

While the vessel still has sea trials and final handover to complete, Royal Caribbean has indicated that progress remains well ahead of expectations, paving the way for the earlier debut.

The cruise line has stressed that the original 11th July sailing is still going ahead as planned and has not been cancelled or altered. Instead, the new departure simply adds an additional sailing at the very start of the ship’s inaugural season.

Options And Protections For Booked Guests

Guests who originally booked the 11th July 2026 cruise specifically to be first onboard are being given priority access to move to the 4th July sailing.

Transfers are being processed on a first-come, first-served basis and will be accommodated in the same stateroom category, or a like-for-like alternative if required.

Royal Caribbean has confirmed that original cruise fares are protected. If the earlier sailing is priced lower than what a guest originally paid, the lower fare will apply and any difference will be refunded to the original form of payment.

Taxes, fees and optional extras such as drinks packages, prepaid gratuities and shore excursions will be re-priced based on the new sailing date.

For guests who booked flights through Royal Caribbean’s Air2Sea programme, the cruise line will adjust air arrangements accordingly.

Those who arranged flights or hotels independently can submit receipts for reimbursement, up to 200 US dollars per person for domestic travel or 400 US dollars per person for international travel.

Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean has reassured guests remaining on the 11th July sailing that their cruise will still be part of the ship’s showcase season.

The email to guests stated: “Not to worry, our 11 July sailing that is part of our showcase will still take place.”

In recent years, cruise lines have increasingly treated an entire inaugural season as a celebration, rather than a single sailing.

Guests across the first several voyages can typically expect commemorative events, special merchandise and onboard surprises, ensuring that more passengers can share in the excitement of welcoming a brand-new ship to the fleet.

Not The First Schedule Change For Legend Of The Seas

This is not the first time Legend of the Seas’ entry into service has been brought forward. In September 2025, Royal Caribbean announced three earlier sailings for the ship, departing on 11th July, 18th July and 25th July.

At that time, similar flexibility was offered to booked guests, allowing them to adjust their sailing dates if they wished.

With the latest update, even more passengers will now have the chance to claim bragging rights as some of the very first guests to sail aboard what Royal Caribbean is positioning as one of the most significant new ships in its history.

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