By
Rebecca Gibson |
Royal Caribbean Group has ordered new ships for both its Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity River Cruises brands.
The group ordered two Discovery-class ships for Royal Caribbean International from Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint Nazaire, France. The first is set to debut in 2029 and the second will follow in 2032. The contract also includes an option to build four additional vessels in future.
“The Discovery Class introduces a bold new concept that puts our guests at the centre of it all,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “It will deliver extraordinary, one-of-a-kind experiences – from cutting-edge design to immersive moments – every detail crafted to surprise and delight guests in ways they’ve never imagined, all while visiting truly breathtaking destinations around the world.”
Chantiers de l’Atlantique has built a total of 21 ships for Royal Caribbean Group over the past 40 years. It is currently constructing two ships – Oasis 7 for Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Xcite for Celebrity Cruises.
“Through our partnership with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, we are leveraging France’s world class shipbuilding ecosystem and new technology to, once again, reimagine the industry for decades to come,” said Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.
Laurent Castaing, CEO of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, said: “Partnering with Jason and Michael to bring the Discovery class to life is an opportunity to showcase the future of shipbuilding. Together, we are shaping a new generation of ocean vacations that will lead the industry toward a more innovative future.”
Royal Caribbean Group has also ordered 10 additional river vessels for Celebrity River Cruises, which will be built by TeamCo in the Netherlands.
The order was announced as the shipyard cut the steel for Celebrity Compass, the first of 10 river ships the brand previously ordered in January 2025. The new order will take the fleet up to 20 ships by 2031, making Celebrity River Cruises one of the largest European river cruise operators.
“Guest demand for Celebrity River Cruises has exceeded our expectations, and expanding the fleet allows us to bring this highly anticipated experience to even more travellers,” said Liberty. “Whether guests already love the Celebrity experience or are discovering it for the first time, they now have new ways to enjoy it along some of Europe's most iconic rivers. With Celebrity’s expansion into river, we’re strengthening our connected vacation ecosystem, offering more choice, more access, and more reasons for guests to stay with us – turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.”
Read more: Celebrity River Cruises reveals details about the highlights onboard its first vessels
Celebrity River Cruises is expected to begin sailing in 2027, with Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker debuting that year and sailing itineraries on the Rhine and the Danube. Celebrity Wanderer, Celebrity Roamer and Celebrity Boundless will join the fleet in 2028, when the brand will operate more than 160 sailings to over 50 destinations (including 24 new ports) across Europe.
“Our inaugural 2027 Celebrity River Cruises season sold out in under six minutes – a testament to how much guests value the unmatched hospitality and service Celebrity delivers,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. “To meet this extraordinary demand, we’re thrilled to open 2028 sailings featuring 80 per cent more European destinations, five ships and more than 160 itineraries. There are now more ways than ever to experience Europe’s rivers The Celebrity Way.”