Royal Caribbean may be close to finalizing orders for new cruise ships, according to French media reports.
according to ReportRoyal Caribbean Group is about to order new cruise ships from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shi shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.[yardinSaint-NazaireFrance[yardinSaint-NazaireFrance
Reports say the new order is for a class of mid- to large-tonnage ships to be built for Royal Caribbean International — more specifically, the cruise line’s long-awaited Exploration level.
The cruise line has been mum on official announcements, but rumors about the Discovery-class ship have persisted for years.
(Image source: Lemaland)
Royal Caribbean began hinting at the launch of a new smaller ship in July 2023. During the Allure of the Seas cruise, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said the company was “deeply considering” expanding its fleet with smaller ships.
Royal Caribbean’s Discovery Class has been one of the most intriguing rumors in the industry for years. Although the cruise line is best known for building mega-ships such as Utopia and Icon of the Seas, many claim these older ships are outdated and not up to the standards of modern travelers.
In September, Bailey appeared to confirm that the Discovery-class program was moving forward, revealing tidbits such as where the cruise line expected to deploy the ships and their estimated size. However, he firmly emphasized that an official announcement could not be made at that time.
For example, Bailey said that the Discovery-class ships would be small enough to pass through the Panama Canal, although he did not give precise measurements.
To date, the largest cruise ship to successfully transit the Panama Canal is the Norwegian Bliss. Based on this fact, it is fairly safe to assume that the Discovery class ships will have a gross tonnage of no more than 168,000 tons and a length of no more than 1,094 feet.
In addition, Discovery ships may not offer routes to markets such as the Bahamas or the Caribbean, which are dominated by Oasis and Icon Class ships, but may instead sail to exotic ports in regions such as the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia, Alaska and the South Pacific.
While details have yet to be confirmed, the promise of a smaller class of ships that combines innovation with access to smaller ports has generated considerable excitement among loyal Royal Caribbean fans.
Read more: Royal Caribbean CEO talks rumored new ship size and where it will sail
What does the order of Discovery class ships mean?
If the French article is correct and official orders for the Discovery class are due for the foreseeable future, it would mean that Royal Caribbean is moving forward with a much-anticipated project to modernize its product by phasing out older ships.
It also marks a strategic shift in Royal Caribbean’s fleet structure, as older ships may be replaced by smaller ships that still feature upgraded features and amenities, such as modern cabins, new dining concepts, innovative entertainment options and more.
That said, based on past projects, even if the Discovery class is ordered soon, it will be several years before passengers see the first ship.
For example, Royal Caribbean ordered the first Icon-class ship in October 2016. Steel cutting for Icon of the Seas will not begin until June 2021, with Icon’s maiden voyage beginning in January 2024.
Likewise, in February 2024, Royal Caribbean ordered The seventh Oasis-class ship From Atlantic Shipyards. The unnamed vessel is not expected to enter service until 2028.
Is there another ship class?
In addition to France’s possible launch of ships of this class, there is another project coming soon.
In September, Royal Caribbean confirmed an order for the fifth Icon-class cruise ship from Meyer Turku Shipyard in Finland. However, the announcement also mentioned the possibility of another ship class.
“This multi-year agreement strengthens Royal Caribbean Group’s relationship with Meyer Turku, one of the world’s largest and most modern cruise ship specialist shipyards, and prepares Royal Caribbean Group for A new, game-changing ship class beyond Icon,” the press release stated.
This could mean, because again this is speculation, that Royal Caribbean is actively planning more than one new class of ships.
While the company is looking forward to at least three Icon Class ships joining its fleet, they also appear to be focused on long-term investments in innovation and fleet diversification.
Furthermore, the reference to a “game-changing” level underscores Royal Caribbean’s desire to maintain its dominance in the cruise industry, a position it has maintained for more than a decade since the launch of Freedom of the Seas in 2006.
Since then, Royal Caribbean has continued to push the boundaries of design, entertainment and technology – both on board and ashore, in private destinations such as Spend a perfect day in CocoCay and Paradise Island Royal Beach Club.
To be clear: We can’t confirm whether Royal Caribbean is planning to build a larger ship than the Icon or is about to formally order a Discovery-class ship. However, it’s clear that Royal Caribbean’s ambitions are helping to shape the future of the cruise industry for decades to come.