Royal Caribbean International has marked a key milestone in its ongoing fleet expansion, cutting the first piece of steel for what will become the seventh ship in its groundbreaking Oasis Class.
Scheduled for delivery in 2028, the yet-unnamed vessel will continue the evolution of the class that transformed modern cruising when Oasis of the Seas entered service in 2009.
The steel-cutting ceremony took place at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, where representatives from Royal Caribbean and the shipyard were joined by teams of naval architects, designers, and engineers to begin construction.
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The event marks the official start of a multi-year build process that will see the line’s newest megaship join a fleet now spanning both the Oasis and Icon classes.
Although few details have been confirmed, the ship is likely to draw inspiration from Royal Caribbean’s newest vessels in the Icon Class, such as Icon of the Seas and Legend of the Seas, merging many of their design and sustainability features with the established elements of the Oasis class.
The new Legend of the Seas, launching in July 2026, features eight themed neighbourhoods, 28 dining venues, a Broadway-style production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and one of the largest waterparks at sea.
Many of these elements, such as immersive dining experiences like the Royal Railway restaurant, the AquaDome performance venue, and LNG propulsion systems, are expected to influence the design of the forthcoming Oasis vessel.
Royal Caribbean has increasingly blurred the lines between its ship classes, adopting the most successful features across the fleet to appeal to families and multi-generational travellers.
The new Oasis ship will follow Utopia of the Seas, which debuts in 2024 as the first LNG-powered vessel in the class, and continues the company’s shift towards more efficient, environmentally responsible operations.
Royal Caribbean Group has committed to achieving a net-zero cruise ship by 2035, a goal that includes investing in waste heat recovery systems and shore power connectivity across its newbuilds.
Further details, including the ship’s name and homeport, are expected to be announced closer to its launch in 2028.
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Appeared first on: Cruisearabiaonline.com
