ROYAL CARIBBEAN GROUP EXPANDS VACATION PORTFOLIO WITH NEW DISCOVERY CLASS TO BE BUILT AT THE CHANTIERS DE L'ATLANTIQUE SHIPYARD IN FRANCE

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.

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

Argus Jan 29 session

+18.65% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – RCL

In the Jan 29 session, RCL gained 18.65%, reflecting a significant positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

The stock surged +18.6% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with R...

Analysis

The stock surged +18.6% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with RCL’s history of constructive responses to strategic growth announcements, such as terminal and brand milestones that saw gains of up to 2.87%. The multi-ship Discovery Class order extends long-term capacity and experience expansion. However, prior news like loyalty enhancements did not always elicit sustained upside, and insider activity showed net selling, so investors could have weighed execution pace, leverage, and capital allocation discipline when reassessing valuation.

Key Figures

Firm ship orders: 2 ships Ship options: 4 ships First Discovery debut: 2029 +3 more

Firm ship orders

2 ships

Discovery Class orders with Chantiers de l'Atlantique

Ship options

4 ships

Additional Discovery Class options in new agreements

First Discovery debut

2029

Scheduled debut of first Discovery Class ship

Second Discovery delivery

2032

Scheduled delivery of second Discovery Class ship

Land destinations

8 destinations

Total land-based destinations targeted by 2028

Expansion horizon

3 years

Pipeline of multiple ocean and river ships over next three years

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 22

5 events

1. Jan 22

   Local accelerator launch

   24h Move

   +2.8%

   Announced Port Partners business accelerator for 15 Seward, Alaska entrepreneurs.

2. Jan 21

   Reputation recognition

   24h Move

   +2.9%

   Named to Fortune World's Most Admired Companies 2026, highlighting innovation momentum.

3. Jan 16

   Earnings call notice

   24h Move

   -0.8%

   Scheduled Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings call and webcast for Jan 29, 2026.

4. Jan 15

   Loyalty program update

   24h Move

   -0.4%

   Introduced Points Choice cross-brand loyalty points movement across cruise brands.

5. Jan 08

   Terminal expansion

   24h Move

   +2.4%

   Broke ground on $345M Cruise Terminal G at PortMiami to boost capacity and experience.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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MIAMI and SAINT NAZAIRE, France, Jan. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) today announced a series of agreements with the Chantiers de l'Atlantique (CdA) shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France to secure the construction of its highly anticipated Discovery Class ships that will redefine how Royal's guests experience the world. The agreements include two firm ship orders with options for four additional ships. The first ship in the class is set to debut in 2029, while the second ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2032.

"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 France's world‑class shipbuilding ecosystem and new technology to, once again, reimagine the industry for decades to come."

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 50% joint venture interest in TUI Cruises, which operates the Mein Schiff and Hapag Lloyd brands.

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.

For further information please see here.

 

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SOURCE Royal Caribbean Group

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) announce about the Discovery Class on January 29, 2026?

Royal Caribbean Group announced two firm Discovery Class ship orders with options for four more. According to Royal Caribbean Group, the first ship will debut in 2029 and the second is scheduled for 2032, built at Chantiers de l'Atlantique in France.

How many Discovery Class ships does RCL plan to build with Chantiers de l'Atlantique?

RCL secured two firm orders and holds options for four additional ships. According to Royal Caribbean Group, the agreements provide flexibility to expand the class depending on market and customary conditions.

When will the first and second Discovery Class ships for RCL be delivered?

The first Discovery Class ship is set to debut in 2029, and the second is scheduled for delivery in 2032. According to Royal Caribbean Group, these dates reflect planned build and delivery timelines with CdA in Saint Nazaire, France.

What does the Chantiers de l'Atlantique partnership mean for RCL's shipbuilding network?

The partnership reinforces RCL's global shipbuilding network and access to French shipbuilding expertise. According to Royal Caribbean Group, CdA previously built multiple classes for the company and will construct the Discovery Class using new technologies.

Are the Discovery Class ship orders for RCL final and unconditional?

No, the ship orders are contingent on customary conditions and not fully unconditional. According to Royal Caribbean Group, the agreements include standard contingencies typical in ship construction contracts.