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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