Royal Caribbean Confirms "Discovery Class" Smaller Ships
In a surprise move for a line known for "world's largest" vessels, Royal Caribbean International officially confirmed today that it will build a new class of smaller cruise ships called the "Discovery Class."
Two ships have already been ordered from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, with the first set to debut in 2029. While specific dimensions weren't released, CEO Michael Bayley confirmed the ships will be small enough to fit through the Panama Canal, allowing them to easily transition between the Caribbean in winter and Alaska in summer.
This "Discovery Class" represents a pivot toward destination-focused cruising, aiming to reach "truly breathtaking" ports that are inaccessible to the line's massive Icon or Oasis Class ships. The move is being hailed as a "bold new concept" that puts immersive experiences and cutting-edge design at the center of the journey. This reflects a growing 2026 trend where luxury travelers are looking for the amenities of a mega-ship but in a more intimate, "exploratory" setting.
Today's announcement also included a production timeline: while the Legend of the Seas (the next Icon Class ship) will launch in late 2026, the Discovery Class will serve as the next generation of "flexible" vessels. This dual-strategy allows Royal Caribbean to dominate both the "floating theme park" market and the growing "destination immersion" sector. For long-time cruisers, the return to a smaller ship size is a welcome development that promises more variety in itineraries.
For the 2026 traveler, this news means that the future of cruising is becoming more diverse. While the Legend of the Seas will offer the "world's largest waterpark at sea" in Barcelona this December, the Discovery Class will eventually offer more "off-the-beaten-path" adventures.
As the cruise industry continues to break records, Royal Caribbean's "Discovery" announcement today is a clear signal that smaller, more agile ships are the next big thing in luxury travel.
