You know that feeling when rumors you’ve been hearing for years finally turn into reality? That’s exactly what happened today. Royal Caribbean just made it official: the Discovery Class ships are actually happening, and they’re going to change the game for cruise lovers who want to explore beyond the usual Caribbean and Bahamas routes.
What We’ve Been Waiting For
Let’s be honest: Royal Caribbean has been teasing us about these ships since 2023. We’ve heard whispers, seen speculation on forums, and watched as cruise enthusiasts debated every little detail. But this morning, the cruise line finally pulled back the curtain with a formal announcement that they’ve signed agreements with Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France to build not one, but potentially six Discovery Class ships.
The deal includes two confirmed ships, with the first hitting the water in 2029 and the second following in 2032. Plus, they’ve got options for four more if everything goes well. That’s a pretty strong vote of confidence in this new direction.
So What Makes Discovery Class Different?
Here’s where it gets interesting. For years, Royal Caribbean has been all about going bigger: Icon Class ships that hold 7,600 passengers, massive Oasis Class vessels that are essentially floating cities. Don’t get me wrong, those ships are incredible. But they can’t get everywhere.
The Discovery Class takes a different approach. These are mid-sized ships, specifically designed to be small enough to sail through the Panama Canal (that means under 168,000 gross tons, for the ship nerds out there). What does that mean for you? Access to ports that those mega-ships simply can’t reach.
Why This Matters for Your Next Cruise
If you’ve been cruising for a while, you might have noticed that the mega-ships tend to stick to tried-and-true routes. Caribbean? Check. Bahamas? Absolutely. But what if you’ve done those itineraries already and you’re craving something different?
That’s exactly the gap Discovery Class fills. These ships are being built with the purpose of bringing travelers to places that require a smaller vessel. We’re talking about:
- Intimate Mediterranean ports with rich history
- Scenic Alaskan passages that larger ships skip
- Remote South Pacific islands
- Northern Europe’s charming coastal towns
- Emerging Asian cruise destinations
The size also means you’ll probably get a more personalized experience. Fewer passengers typically translates to easier embarkation, less crowded venues, and a somewhat different vibe than you’d find on a 5,000+ passenger ship.
What Can You Expect Onboard?
While Royal Caribbean is keeping most of the specific details under wraps for now, they’re making some bold promises about these ships. They’re calling the Discovery Class “a bold new concept that puts guests at the center of it all,” with extraordinary experiences ranging from cutting-edge design to immersive moments.
Translation? Expect Royal Caribbean to pack these ships with innovations we haven’t seen before, while keeping them purposefully sized for those hard-to-reach destinations. Think of it as the best of both worlds: Royal Caribbean’s signature wow-factor experiences and amenities, but on a vessel that can actually take you places the big ships can’t go.
The Bigger Picture
The Discovery Class isn’t replacing Royal Caribbean’s mega-ship strategy. The cruise line still has three more Icon Class ships and that seventh Oasis Class ship on order, all arriving by 2028. What Discovery Class does is round out the fleet, giving travelers options based on what kind of experience they’re after.
Want the biggest, most activity-packed ship with every amenity imaginable? Icon or Oasis Class has you covered. Looking to explore more exotic, off-the-beaten-path destinations with a slightly more intimate feel? Discovery Class is your answer.
The ships might also end up replacing some of Royal Caribbean’s oldest vessels, like the Vision and Radiance Class ships. Some of those have been sailing for nearly 30 years, so it’s probably time for an upgrade.
Now for the reality check: that first Discovery Class ship won’t debut until 2029, which means we’ve got a solid three years of waiting (and speculating) ahead of us. If history is any guide—Icon of the Seas was ordered in 2016 but didn’t set sail until 2024—building these ships takes time.
What This Means for You
If you’re someone who loves to cruise but has been feeling like you’ve “been there, done that” with the usual routes, the Discovery Class is being designed with you in mind. It’s Royal Caribbean acknowledging that not everyone wants to sail on a ship with 7,000 of their closest friends. Sometimes, you want to explore somewhere new, somewhere special, somewhere that requires a different kind of ship to get there.