Royal Caribbean Group has entered into a series of agreements with Chantiers de l’Atlantique to secure the construction of its new Discovery Class ships at the shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.
The agreements include two firm orders, with options for four additional ships. The first ship is scheduled to enter service in 2029, followed by a second delivery in 2032.
The Discovery Class programme extends a long-standing relationship between Royal Caribbean Group and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, which began in 1985 with the construction of the Sovereign Class vessels. Since then, the shipyard has built 21 ships for the group and is currently constructing two more, including Oasis 7 and Celebrity Xcite.
Royal Caribbean Group said the new agreements form part of its longer-term fleet development plans across its cruise brands. The Discovery Class will add to the group’s pipeline of new ships, alongside planned developments across ocean, river and land-based vacation products over the coming years.
Chantiers de l’Atlantique is one of the world’s largest cruise ship builders, with experience delivering multiple ship classes for Royal Caribbean Group and other operators. The latest agreements reinforce the group’s reliance on the French shipyard as a core partner in its global shipbuilding programme.
Royal Caribbean Group said the collaboration also supports its focus on technology and sustainability, although the ship orders remain subject to customary conditions.
Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, said: “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.”
Laurent Castaing, CEO of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, added: “Partnering with (Royal Caribbean Group) 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.”
