Royal Caribbean is buoying up its operations, with plans to launch seven new cruise ships over the next six years.
Now that Legend of the Seas has launched, Royal Caribbean has even bigger plans on the horizon. The family-friendly cruise line — known for its record-breaking ships — will welcome seven new ships to its fleet by 2032, including the first-ever Discovery Class vessels.
Founded in 1968, Royal Caribbean has grown into one of the world's largest cruise operators. And over the years, they have developed a cult-like following of cruisers who are "Loyal to Royal," welcoming over seven million passengers aboard their fleet in 2025.
Today, the cruise line operates 30 ships globally, sailing to destinations such as the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Asia, and beyond.
In July, Royal Caribbean officially welcomed its newest ship, Legend of the Seas, to the family. Legend's debut marks the first time that an Icon Class ship has offered regular voyages in the Mediterranean.
"With Legend of the Seas, we are bringing to life our most legendary vacation yet as we continue to push the boundaries with more of what guests know and love," said Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.
"Those looking to get the most out of their vacation can have it all with Legend's combination of adventure-packed experiences and incredible destinations in Europe and the Caribbean."
Looking ahead, the company doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon. In fact, they've announced plans for a major fleet expansion, with seven Oasis, Icon, and Discovery Class ships set to join the fleet over the next six years.
The upcoming additions will continue Royal Caribbean's push to redefine the cruise experience, introducing new innovations, attractions, dining venues, cabins, and more.
New Royal Caribbean ships on order (2027-2032)
Royal Caribbean has confirmed orders for seven new ships through 2032, though some details about the upcoming vessels remain limited.
For example, the cruise line has only announced the name of its next Icon Class ship — Hero of the Seas — while additional details about other ships and their features have yet to be revealed.
That said, here's a rundown of the New Royal Caribbean ships on order over the next six years:
- Hero of the Seas, Icon Class (2027)
- Unnamed Oasis 7, Oasis Class (2028)
- Unnamed Icon 5, Icon Class (2028)
- Unnamed Discovery 1, Discovery Class (2029)
- Unnamed Icon 6, Icon Class (2029)
- Unnamed Icon 7, Icon Class (2030)
- Unnamed Discovery 2, Discovery Class (2032)
Royal Caribbean's aggressive expansion plans
What's particularly interesting about the proposed timeline is how the company has doubled down on ship launches in 2028 and 2029.
Royal Caribbean plans to introduce multiple new vessels during those years, with two ships scheduled to debut each year (Oasis 7 and Icon 5 in 2028, followed by Discovery 1 and Icon 6 in 2029).
This expansion would mark one of the company's most ambitious periods of growth, allowing Royal Caribbean to add to its record-breaking ship classes and introduce its highly anticipated Discovery Class product.
Not only that, but this strategy is slightly unusual in the cruise industry, with most lines spacing out new ship launches to balance financial commitments and manage construction timelines with the shipyards.
Carnival Cruise Line, for example, has five ships on order through 2033. Unlike Royal Caribbean, Carnival's launches are spread out over several years, starting with Carnival Festivale in 2027.
After that, Carnival Tropicale will join the fleet, followed by three Project Ace class ships in 2029, 2031, and 2033.
Similarly, Norwegian Cruise Line is tied with Royal Caribbean on future ship orders, with seven new vessels expected to join the fleet between 2027 and 2037.
However, unlike Royal Caribbean's more concentrated expansion strategy, Norwegian's new ships are spread out across a decade. Norwegian Aura is scheduled to debut in 2027, followed by additional vessels arriving throughout the 2030s, including the line's biggest vessels yet.
Moreover, most of Norwegian's upcoming launches are spaced roughly every other year. For instance, after the debut of a new Prima Class ship in 2028, Norwegian will launch a new ship class in 2030. Additional ships from that class will then join the fleet in 2032, 2034, and 2036.
Having delivered unforgettable vacations for nearly 60 years, Royal Caribbean is ready to usher in a new era of cruising, one that sees a rapid fleet expansion, introduces new ship classes, and continues to redefine what's possible at sea.
