Royal Caribbean Group is preparing to usher in a new era of vacation experiences with the introduction of Discovery Class – a next-generation ship lineup for Royal Caribbean that reflects the company’s continued evolution as a global vacation leader.  

 

Developed in partnership with the renowned Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, Discovery Class represents a fresh approach to ship design and guest experience. Two ships have already been officially ordered, with the first expected to debut in 2029 and the second in 2032.   

 

Discovery Class represents a forward-looking evolution of the Royal Caribbean vacation experience – one that places greater emphasis on how guests explore, connect, and immerse themselves in the world. Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Jason Liberty has described the new class as an opportunity to “redefine how Royal’s guests experience the world,” blending thoughtful design with purposeful innovation. 

 

Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley, reinforces that vision, noting that Discovery Class is designed around guests from the outset, with one-of-a-kind experiences, immersive moments, and thoughtful surprises woven into every aspect of the journey – both onboard and ashore.   

 

For Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Discovery Class represents the future of shipbuilding. Shipyard CEO Laurent Castaing has highlighted the collaboration as a reflection of shared ambition – bringing together advanced engineering, creativity, and a commitment to shaping what the next generation of vacations can look like.  

 

The partnership builds on a long-standing relationship between Royal Caribbean Group and the French shipbuilder, further strengthening ties rooted in innovation, craftsmanship, and scale.  

 

Discovery Class joins a wider ecosystem of new offerings Royal Caribbean Group is rolling out over the next several years. Over the coming years, the company plans to introduce multiple new ocean and river ships, expand to eight land-based destinations by 2028, and deliver an increasingly seamless digital experience that connects every touchpoint of the vacation journey.  

 

With Discovery Class, Royal Caribbean Group isn’t simply adding new ships to its already impressive fleet – it's continuing to shape the future of global vacations and what it means to be a vacation industry leader, continuing its legacy of innovation across land and sea.