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Royal Caribbean Group has hired a French shipbuilder to construct its next Oasis Class ship for the company’s cruise line.
The Miami-based cruise operator (NYSE: RCL) announced it entered into an agreement with Chantiers de l'Atlantique on Feb. 15. Chantiers de l'Atlantique, based in Saint-Nazaire, France, will construct Royal Caribbean International’s seventh Oasis Class cruise ship. The upcoming ship’s name wasn’t revealed with the announcement.
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The cruise line noted its order is contingent upon financing, which is expected to be completed later in 2024. The ship is expected to be ready by 2028.
“While we eagerly anticipate the debut of Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas this summer, we're already dreaming up her sister ship and the next installation in the brand's extremely popular Oasis Class,” Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty said in a statement.
Royal Caribbean International introduced its Oasis Class in 2009 with the company’s Oasis of the Seas ship. The cruise line expanded the ship class with the debut of Allure of the Seas in 2010, Harmony of the Seas in 2016, Symphony of the Seas in 2018 and Wonder of the Seas in 2022.
Utopia of the Seas is slated to sail its maiden voyage in July 2024.
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Chantiers de l'Atlantique built four of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships, starting with Harmony of the Seas.
“This order signals Royal Caribbean Group's continued confidence in our partnership that has delivered some of the most innovative ships at sea,” Chantiers General Manager Laurent Castaing said. “We look forward to building upon this relationship as we help bring this ship to life.”
Royal Caribbean Group operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises. The 55-year-old cruise operator’s global fleet surpasses 60 ships.
Across its brands, Royal Caribbean Group said it has eight ships on order as of Dec. 31, 2023.
Royal Caribbean Group’s stock traded at $117.82 in the early afternoon Thursday, a 1.15% increase from the previous day’s closing price.
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Passenger capacity
Rank | Prior Rank | Cruise Ship |
---|---|---|
1 | 1 | MSC Seashore |
1 | 2 | MSC Seascape |
3 | 3 | Oasis of the Seas |