ROYAL CARIBBEAN GROUP EXPANDS VACATION PORTFOLIO WITH NEW DISCOVERY CLASS TO BE BUILT AT THE CHANTIERS DE L'ATLANTIQUE SHIPYARD IN FRANCE
Rhea-AI Summary
Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) agreed with Chantiers de l'Atlantique to build its new Discovery Class ships: two firm orders with options for four more. The first ship is scheduled to debut in 2029 and the second in 2032. The partnership leverages CdA's shipbuilding history and supports Royal Caribbean's multiyear ocean, river and land vacation portfolio, while the orders remain contingent on customary conditions.
Positive
- Two firm Discovery Class ship orders with options for four additional ships
- First Discovery Class ship scheduled to debut in 2029
- Second Discovery Class ship scheduled for delivery in 2032
- Build strengthens global shipbuilding partnership with Chantiers de l'Atlantique
- Supports multiyear portfolio spanning ocean, river and land vacations
Negative
- Ship orders are contingent on customary conditions, creating execution risk
- Long delivery timelines (2029 and 2032) delay revenue realization
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
RCL is up 0.35% while key travel peers like ABNB, CCL, BKNG, CUK, and TCOM show modest declines, suggesting a stock-specific reaction to the Discovery Class announcement rather than a sector-wide move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 22 | Community initiative | Positive | +2.8% | Launch of Port Partners accelerator program supporting local entrepreneurs in Seward. |
| Jan 21 | Reputation recognition | Positive | +2.9% | Inclusion on Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies 2026 list. |
| Jan 16 | Earnings call notice | Neutral | -0.8% | Announcement of Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings conference call schedule. |
| Jan 15 | Loyalty program update | Positive | -0.4% | Introduction of Points Choice cross-brand loyalty option across cruise brands. |
| Jan 08 | Infrastructure expansion | Positive | +2.4% | Groundbreaking of $345M Cruise Terminal G project at PortMiami. |
Recent strategically positive news (terminals, awards, community and loyalty initiatives) has often coincided with positive price reactions, though loyalty-related news once saw a small divergence.
Over the past month, Royal Caribbean Group has highlighted community investment, brand recognition, loyalty innovation, infrastructure expansion, and upcoming earnings. The Port Partners accelerator in Seward, Alaska and the new Cruise Terminal G at PortMiami underscored long-term destination and capacity growth, both followed by gains of 2.8% and 2.36%. Recognition on the Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies list also aligned with a 2.87% rise. Loyalty enhancements and the earnings call notice had mild negative reactions, showing that not all strategic updates translate into immediate upside.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement expands Royal Caribbean Group’s long-term vacation portfolio with two firm Discovery Class ship orders and options for four more, scheduled from 2029 through 2032. It builds on recent milestones in terminals, loyalty, and brand recognition, reinforcing a strategy of capacity growth across ocean, river, and land-based destinations, targeting 8 land destinations by 2028. Investors may watch upcoming earnings, capital allocation disclosures, and execution on the broader newbuild and destination pipeline to gauge the financial impact of this expansion.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
"The Discovery Class represents our continued commitment to shaping the future of vacations. These ships will be a showcase of what's possible when design meets purpose, ultimately bringing the world closer to our guests," said Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. "Through our partnership with Chantiers de l'Atlantique, we are leveraging
This partnership builds on a legacy that began in 1985, when Chantiers de l'Atlantique constructed Royal Caribbean Group's original Sovereign Class ships – Sovereign of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas – and continues today with groundbreaking ship classes, including Oasis Class, from game changing Harmony of the Seas, as well as Celebrity Cruises' Edge Series, and now, Royal Caribbean's new Discovery Class.
"The Discovery Class introduces a bold new concept that puts our guests at the center of it all. 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," added Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean.
Chantiers de l'Atlantique, one of the world's most renowned shipyards, has a long history of building industry leading ships. Over the past four decades, the shipyard has built a total of 21 ships for Royal Caribbean Group, and the yard is currently building two more ships with Oasis 7 and Celebrity Xcite.
"Royal Caribbean Group has been keenly focused on disrupting the vacation industry with their innovative and bold vacation offerings. 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," said Laurent Castaing, Chief Executive Officer, Chantiers de l'Atlantique.
With a differentiated ecosystem that includes a pipeline of multiple ocean and river ships over the next three years plus eight total land based destinations by 2028, unique vacation experiences, an innovative loyalty program, and a seamless digital ecosystem, Royal Caribbean Group is in the midst of revealing its multiyear portfolio of new vacation offerings that span ocean, river and land based vacations, solidifying its position as a vacation innovator.
This collaboration strengthens Royal Caribbean Group's global shipbuilding network and reinforces its commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge technology. The ship orders are contingent upon customary conditions.
For more information on Royal Caribbean Group and its leading vacation brands, visit royalcaribbeangroup.com.
About Royal Caribbean Group
Royal Caribbean Group is a leading global vacation company spanning cruise, exclusive destinations, and land based vacation experiences. The company operates 69 ships sailing to more than 1,000 destinations across all seven continents through its three wholly owned brands – Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea – and a
The Group is expanding its portfolio of private destinations from three to eight by 2028 through its Perfect Day and Royal Beach Club collections, and the company will enter river cruising in 2027 with Celebrity River Cruises. Powered by innovative brands, advanced technology, and an industry leading loyalty program, the company has built a connected vacation ecosystem, turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.
Named to the Fortune World's Most Admired Companies 2026 list and to Forbes' 2026 Best American Companies lists, Royal Caribbean Group is guided by its mission to deliver the best vacations responsibly. For more information, visit royalcaribbeangroup.com.
About Chantiers de l'Atlantique
Thanks to the expertise of its teams and its network of subcontractors, combined with top industrial technology, Chantiers de l'Atlantique is a key leader in the design, integration, testing and precise delivery of cruise ships, naval vessels, electrical substations for offshore wind farms and fleet services. The company is a pioneer in the challenges of tomorrow. Thanks to its research and development, Chantiers de l'Atlantique offers ships with the highest environmental performance, as well as equipment for offshore wind farms, making it a major player in global energy transition.
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SOURCE Royal Caribbean Group
FAQ
What did Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) announce about the Discovery Class on January 29, 2026?
How many Discovery Class ships does RCL plan to build with Chantiers de l'Atlantique?
When will the first and second Discovery Class ships for RCL be delivered?
What does the Chantiers de l'Atlantique partnership mean for RCL's shipbuilding network?
Are the Discovery Class ship orders for RCL final and unconditional?
