Royal Caribbean Is Building a Brand-New Kind of Cruise Ship

Royal Caribbean is getting ready to introduce an entirely new kind of ship—and while the first one won’t arrive until the end of the decade, the announcement signals where cruising is headed next.

This week, Royal Caribbean Group confirmed it’s building a brand-new class of ships called Discovery Class, designed to change how guests experience destinations around the world. Two ships are officially on order, with room for four more, and construction will take place at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France—one of the most respected shipyards in the world.

The first Discovery Class ship is expected to debut in 2029, with a second following in 2032. While Royal Caribbean isn’t sharing many specifics just yet, the messaging is clear: these ships are being designed with destinations front and center, rather than simply getting bigger for the sake of it.

“The Discovery Class represents our continued commitment to shaping the future of vacations,” said Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, noting that the ships are meant to bring guests closer to the places they visit through thoughtful design and new technology. In other words, this isn’t about cramming in more slides or attractions—it’s about rethinking how a ship can enhance the journey itself.

Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean, echoed that idea, calling the Discovery Class a “bold new concept” focused on immersive moments and one-of-a-kind experiences. The goal, he said, is to surprise guests in ways they haven’t seen before, while still sailing to some of the most breathtaking destinations in the world.

Related: Royal Caribbean Might Start Building Smaller Ships Next

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The choice of shipyard is also telling. Chantiers de l’Atlantique has built some of the most influential cruise ships of the past four decades, including Royal Caribbean’s original Sovereign Class ships in the 1980s, the Oasis Class giants and Celebrity Cruises’ EdgeSeries. In total, the yard has delivered more than 20 ships for the company—and is currently building even more.

For Stewart Chiron, also known as The Cruise Guy, the introduction of a new class may signal a subtle but important shift for Royal Caribbean.

Related: These Are the 10 New Cruise Ships Everyone Will Be Talking About in 2026

“Royal Caribbean has spent the last decade perfecting the megaship,” Chiron said. “What’s interesting here is the opportunity to think differently—potentially smaller, sleeker ships that can go to more places and solve some of the challenges the industry is facing right now.”

Chiron notes that a new class could also give the company flexibility it hasn’t had in recent years, particularly as some of the world’s busiest ports begin limiting ship size or redirecting traffic to secondary, satellite ports.

He added that the move may also create a natural pathway to refresh parts of the fleet. “A class like this opens the door to updating older ships and rethinking where something like the Quantum Class fits long-term,” Chiron said, pointing to the growing need for ships that balance scale with access.

For travelers, the Discovery Class is an exciting glimpse of what cruising will look like in the 2030s. As Royal Caribbean continues to expand across ocean cruises, river cruising and private destinations on land, these ships appear to be the next piece of that puzzle.

Related: MSC Cruises Announces a New Class of Mega Ships with an Adventurous Name

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