Royal Caribbean Confirms a Brand-New “Discovery Class” of Cruise Ships

Royal Caribbean just made a big move that signals its next era is already taking shape.

In a fresh announcement, the company confirmed it’s developing an all-new ship class—one that’s meant to push design and onboard experiences forward in a noticeable way.

What Royal Caribbean Actually Announced

Royal Caribbean Group says it has signed agreements with French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique to construct a new class of ships called Discovery Class for Royal Caribbean.

This is not a concept sketch or a “maybe someday” plan—the agreements lock in real ship slots at one of the most respected cruise ship yards, based in Saint-Nazaire, France.

Two Royal Caribbean cruise ships docked side by side in bright turquoise water, viewed from a rocky shoreline under a clear blue sky.

Two Ships Are Confirmed, and More Could Follow

The agreements include two firm ship orders, with options for up to four additional Discovery Class ships.

Those “options” are basically reserved placeholders that Royal Caribbean can choose to convert into full orders later, depending on strategy and the usual behind-the-scenes checks.

Royal Caribbean Group also notes that the orders are contingent upon customary conditions, which is corporate-speak for “there are still boxes to tick.”

The Timeline

Royal Caribbean says the first Discovery Class ship is set to debut in 2029, with a second ship scheduled for delivery in 2032.

That’s a long runway, but it’s normal for a brand-new ship class. Design, engineering, and build schedules for ships this size are measured in years, not months.

Aerial view of a cruise ship docked at the CocoCay private island in the Bahamas with colorful water slides, pools, and a lagoon. — CocoCay in the Bahamas

What the Executives Are Hinting at

Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group’s CEO, called Discovery Class “a showcase of what’s possible when design meets purpose,” and said the company plans to use new technology and its shipyard partnership to “reimagine the industry.”

Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, added that Discovery Class is a “bold new concept” with “cutting edge design” and “immersive moments,” with every detail built to surprise guests.

Why the Shipyard Choice is Part of the Story

Chantiers de l’Atlantique has been building ships for Royal Caribbean Group since the 1980s, starting with the original Sovereign Class trio: Sovereign of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas, and Majesty of the Seas.

The shipyard says it has built 21 ships for the group over the past four decades, and it’s currently constructing two more ships for the wider portfolio, Celebrity Xcite and Oasis 7.

Aerial view of Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas cruise ship sailing in calm blue water near a lush, mountainous island coastline in Haiti. — Symphony of the Seas (Oasis Class Ship)

What We Don’t Know Yet

Royal Caribbean hasn’t shared the ship size, passenger capacity, ship names, or the “signature features” that usually define a new class.

So for now, Discovery Class is more of a promise than a preview—but the language points to a ship designed around experiences and destinations, not just bigger numbers.

What to Watch for Next

The next clues will likely be early concept art, a naming announcement, and the first construction milestones (steel cutting, keel laying, and float-out).

Once those start popping up, we’ll get a clearer sense of whether Discovery Class is built for mega-ship thrills, smarter itineraries, or something in between.