The journey begins with a culture of dreaming and designing. The Group’s expansive team of naval architects, designers, and engineers work together over the course of one to two years to envision what the future of cruising could look like. They consider guests' needs, as well as new features and experiences that will set their ships apart. Through extensive planning and simulations, these ideas are translated into detailed blueprints that guide every phase of construction.  

Once the design is finalized, the project moves to the manufacturing stage at select shipyards – Meyer Turku in Turku, Finland; Meyer Weft in Papenburg, Germany, and Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France – based on the size of the ship the Group is building. The process kicks off with a steel cutting ceremony, a maritime tradition, marking the official start of construction. Steel is then cut into smaller sections called blocks, which are prefabricated in controlled facilities nearby. These blocks are transported to the shipyard, where they’re carefully assembled and welded together to form the ship’s hull and main structure. Heavy machinery and large crane lifts help piece these sections together like a giant puzzle. 

 

As the main structure takes shape, the focus shifts to finishing the exterior and interior. The hull is painted and detailed, while cabins and public spaces, like restaurants, lounges, and entertainment venues, are built simultaneously. Many of these interior rooms are constructed in nearby facilities, then transported to the ship and fitted into place. 

Afterwards, the vessel undergoes a float out, where the dry dock is flooded, and the ship gently floats for the first time. Following a successful float out, the vessel heads out for sea trials to test performance and safety systems in real-world conditions. These rigorous evaluations ensure the ship meets all operational standards. 

 

Once approved, the ship moves into its final stages, including painting, adding artwork, and outfitting with supplies. The vessel is thoroughly cleaned, furnished, and prepared for its debut voyage. The delivery day is charged with excitement, as Royal Caribbean Group can officially welcome a new ship to their expansive fleet. The new ship is then set to deliver unforgettable vacations to guests around the world. 

From design to debut, building a cruise ship is a complex, multi-year process that exemplifies innovation, teamwork, craftsmanship, and a spectacular feat of engineering. Royal Caribbean Group’s efforts culminate in a unique, state-of-the-art, engineering marvel of a ship, ready to turn the vacations of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations. 

 

For more information on how Royal Caribbean Group builds their cruise ships, check out the first episode of Engineering the Experience: How is a Cruise Ship Built.