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Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. fleet of ships continues to expand with a new order for three additional vessels to be built during the next six years.
In an announcement from its Miami headquarters, RCL said it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the STX France shipyard in Saint-Nazaire to build a fifth Oasis-class ship and two additional ships for its tantalizingly mysterious Project Edge class.
“The response to the arrival of Harmony of the Seas is staggering, eliciting excitement from eager cruisers from markets on both sides of the Atlantic,” said Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain. “And Edge class is one of the most highly anticipated new projects, following the high bar of Modern Luxury design set by its predecessor, the Solstice class.”
The Edge class, which will be part of Celebrity Cruises’ upscale fleet, already had two ships on order – for delivery in 2018 and 2020 – and is to add its third and fourth ships in the fall of 2021 and 2022, respectively.
The fifth Oasis-class ship is scheduled for delivery in the spring of 2021.
The Oasis class includes the world’s largest cruise ships, while Project Edge vessels keep their onboard focus on superlatively luxurious cabins, amenities, hospitality and especially culinary experiences.
While joining Fain in announcing plans for the new builds, STX France Managing Director Laurent Castaing noted the range represented by the two included classes.
“It is especially exciting to collaborate on such diverse projects from Oasis to Edge, both marvels in their own space,” Castaing said.
The new order is contingent upon the completion of such customary conditions as documentation and financing. Final contracts, including definitive payment schedules, are expected within the quarter.