Last fall, the US shipping company Royal Caribbean secured construction slots at Meyer Turku, but now a firm order has been placed elsewhere: The French shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique is building the new “Discovery” ships.
The Royal Caribbean Group is the number 2 in the global market and operates 69 ships under brands such as Royal Caribbean Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea as well as the shipping companies Tui Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises via a joint venture with the Tui Group. In 2027, the company will also enter the river cruise industry with Celebrity River Cruises. In the past, newbuilding orders had been awarded to various shipyards, including Chantiers de l’Atlantique, the Italian group Fincantieri and Meyer Werft or its subsidiary Meyer Turku, where ships of the “Icon” class are currently being built and where RCL had only secured construction sites until 2036 in the fall through a cooperation agreement.
The shipping company has now announced that agreements have been reached with Chantiers de l’Atlantique (CdA) in Saint-Nazaire, France: They include two firm orders with options for four more ships. The first ship of the class is scheduled to enter service in 2029, the second in 2032. Financial details were not initially published, nor were graphic representations of the ships.
Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, said: “Through our partnership with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, we are leveraging France’s world-class shipbuilding ecosystem and innovative technologies to once again revolutionize the industry for decades to come.” According to the shipping company, the partnership “builds on a tradition that began in 1985” when Chantiers de l’Atlantique built the first Sovereign-class ships for the Royal Caribbean Group – the Sovereign of the Seas, the Monarch of the Seas and the Majesty of the Seas. These were later followed by the Oasis class, the Harmony of the Seas, the Edge series from Celebrity Cruises and now the new Discovery class from Royal Caribbean. In total, there have been 21 ships for the Royal Caribbean Group over the past four decades
“The Discovery Class presents a bold new concept that puts our guests at the center. It offers extraordinary, unique experiences – from innovative design to immersive moments. Every detail is designed to surprise and delight guests in unexpected ways as they sail to breathtaking destinations around the globe,” added Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean.
“Partnering with Jason and Michael to realize the Discovery Class gives us the opportunity to showcase the future of shipbuilding. Together we are shaping a new generation of ocean voyages that will lead the industry into a more innovative future,” said Laurent Castaing, CEO of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, proudly.
