Shipyard Chantiers de l'Atlantique announced it will resume production with a limited number of workers present.

The shipyard in France is where Royal Caribbean's next Oasis Class ship, Wonder of the Seas, is scheduled to be built.

Beginning on April 27, the shipyard announced it will start slowly resuming work around the shipyard, in shifts that will limit crew members distance.

Initially, the work will be on a voluntary basis among the workers, with a maximum of 50% of the workers on site. This will extend until May 11.

On May 11, if all production activities are operational, tertiary activities such as design offices will go on mixing on-site and from-home work.

Wonder of the Seas is scheduled to debut in 2021, although there has been no official word yet from either Royal Caribbean or the shipyard, if there will be a delay in delivery.

The next of Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships will be named Wonder of the Seas and set sail from Shanghai – its year-round home.

The next ship to join the leading cruise line’s innovative lineup will be named Wonder of the Seas and set sail from Shanghai – its year-round home.

Under construction in Saint-Nazaire, France, Wonder of the Seas will be the next ship in Royal Caribbean's lineup of innovative ships.  She will debut in 2021 as the world's largest cruise ship and the first of the renowned Oasis Class to sail the Asia Pacific.

Wonder of the Seas also reached an important milestone at its shipyard, where the ship's keel was lowered into place at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard, marking the start of the ship’s physical construction. During what is known as the keel-laying ceremony, a 970-ton block, measuring 155 feet by 65 feet, was lifted onto the building dock with a 1,400-ton crane.

"Royal Caribbean is known for its innovation and constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and an Oasis Class ship in China is proof of that," said Bayley. “Wonder of the Seas will redefine the ultimate vacation and be revolutionary in her own right, and she marks one of Royal Caribbean’s most exciting chapters to come."

More information on Wonder’s itineraries and brand-new adventures will be announced soon. 

Royal Caribbean began construction of its fifth Oasis Class cruise ship today with a steel cutting ceremony.  

Pictured from left to right: Jean-Yves Jaouen, SVP, Operations, Chantiers de l’Atlantique; Florence Mauduit, Oasis Contract Director, Chantiers de l’Atlantique; Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique; Beatrice Siri, Associate Vice-President, Architectural Design and Outfitting, Royal Caribbean; Joseph Pineau, Directo,r Newbuid, Royal Caribbean

Photo Rights : Bernard Biger/Chantiers de l’Atlantique

The steel cutting, marking the official start of construction, took place at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.

Royal Caribbean says the fifth Oasis Class ship will "combine the iconic seven-neighborhood concept that her sister ships feature with a bold and unexpected lineup of thrilling experiences, imaginative dining, unparalleled entertainment and the latest technology."

The unnamed Oasis-class ship is scheduled to be delivered to Royal Caribbean in 2021. She will be delivered following Odyssey of the Seas, which will debut in 2020.

Royal Caribbean announced today it has signed  a memorandum of understanding with STX France to build a fifth Oasis-class ship for delivery in the Spring of 2021.

This order is contingent upon the completion of customary conditions, including documentation and financing. Final contracts, which include the definitive payment schedules, are expected to be completed within the quarter. Capacity increases for 2016 through 2020 remain unchanged.

"The response to the arrival of Harmony of the Seas is staggering, eliciting excitement from eager cruisers from markets on both sides of the Atlantic," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. 

"The Oasis-class ships have delivered beyond expectations each time," said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.  "Harmony of the Seas' warm reception is evidence that growing this class of ship will continue to drive exceptional performance for the brand."

"We are extremely pleased with the recent success of Harmony of the Seas and take great pride in our partnership with Royal Caribbean," said Laurent Castaing, Managing Director of STX France.  "It is especially exciting to collaborate on such diverse projects from Oasis to Edge, both marvels in their own space."

A fourth Oasis-class ship is also being built at STX France, with a delivery date of 2018.

Royal Caribbean placed an order for its third Oasis-class cruise ship late last year and will have the steel cutting for that ship occur on September 22, 2013 at STX France.

Cruise Industry News posted an article that cites supplier reports, a fourth Oasis-class ship will be confirmed by next summer, followed by an order for a fifth Oasis-class ship.

There's been an option for Royal Caribbean to build a fourth Oasis-class ship ever since they signed their contract with STX France for the third ship last year.  If Royal Caribbean exercises their option for a fourth ship, it would be ready for delivery by mid-2018.

For a fifth Oasis-class ship, Royal Caribbean has up to four days prior to the one year anniversary date of the signing for the fourth Oasis-class ship contract.