Royal Caribbean Group has officially ordered two new cruise ships from Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire. Named the "Discovery Class," this new generation of vessels marks a significant step in the American group's industrial and tourism strategy, while also confirming the French shipyard's key position in the global cruise industry.
Summary
Why Royal Caribbean confirms its choice of Saint-Nazaire
According to the specialized press, Royal Caribbean Group signed an agreement on January 29th for the construction of two firm orders for the future "Discovery Class" ships, with four options. Delivery of the first ship is scheduled to begin in 2029.
This decision is part of a long-term industrial relationship between Royal Caribbean and Chantiers de l'Atlantique, which is regularly chosen for the construction of large capacity ships with a strong technological component.
Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, says this new class "represents our continued commitment to shaping the future of vacations," highlighting the importance of design, innovation, and environmental performance in future ships.
For his part, Michael Bayley, president and CEO of the Royal Caribbean International brand, speaks of a "bold concept that puts passengers at the heart of everything", without yet detailing the technical or commercial characteristics of the upcoming units.
An industrial partnership built over nearly forty years
The Discovery Class order is part of a collaboration that began in 1985 with the Sovereign Class. Since then, Royal Caribbean Group has entrusted more than twenty ships to Chantiers de l'Atlantique, including several iconic units such as Harmony of the Seas.
Currently, two other ships from the group are under construction in Saint-Nazaire: an Oasis series unit for Royal Caribbean International and an Edge class ship for Celebrity Cruises.
Laurent Castaing, Managing Director of Chantiers de l'Atlantique, emphasizes that this new project will "show the future of shipbuilding. Together, we are shaping a new generation of holidays at sea.".
A strong industrial and economic signal
The announcement was also welcomed by public authorities. President Emmanuel Macron reacted on the social network X, noting that each cruise ship represents approximately eight million hours of work, mobilizing thousands of direct and indirect jobs over several years.
At this stage, neither the exact capacity nor the tonnage of the Discovery Class ships has been released. Initial technical information is expected to be unveiled at a later date.
A comprehensive development strategy for Royal Caribbean Group
This order is part of a broader diversification strategy for the group. Royal Caribbean Group plans in particular to expand its network of private destinations, with a target of eight sites by 2028, through the Perfect Day and Royal Beach Club.
Furthermore, the group confirmed its entry into the river cruise market from 2027 with the launch of Celebrity River Cruises, thus expanding its offering beyond ocean cruising.
Summary table of the Discovery Class project
| Element | Known data | Calendar |
|---|---|---|
| Project name | Discovery Class | Announced in January 2026 |
| Number of ships | 2 firm ships + 4 options | Delivery from 2029 |
| Construction site | Chantiers de l'Atlantique (Saint-Nazaire) | Construction to come |
| Industrial impact | Approximately 8 million working hours per ship | Over several years |
| Strategic objective | Fleet renewal and innovation | Long term |
What this changes for tourism professionals
For distributors, agencies, and tour operators, the Discovery Class represents the future arrival of new, high-value cruise products with entirely new concepts. These ships are expected to enrich their catalogs starting at the end of the decade.
For France, this contract strengthens the visibility of national industrial know-how on the global cruise market, while consolidating the local economic ecosystem around Saint-Nazaire.
Key takeaways
- Royal Caribbean Group orders two new cruise ships from Chantiers de l'Atlantique.
- The Discovery Class marks the launch of a new generation of ships.
- The first delivery is expected from 2029.
- Each ship represents a major industrial impact in France.
- The group is simultaneously pursuing its diversification into private destinations and river tourism.
Updates
- January 2026: Official signing of the contract between Royal Caribbean Group and Chantiers de l'Atlantique.
- From 2029: deliveries of the first Discovery Class ships are expected.
Sources
https://www.royalcaribbeangroup.com
https://www.chantiers-atlantique.com
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