Key Aspects:
- A new Oasis-class ship has officially begun construction with the first steel cut on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
- The seventh ship in the famed class is being constructed at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France.
- Passengers will have to wait until the vessel’s projected 2028 delivery to set sail.
Royal Caribbean has begun construction on its next Oasis-class ship, marking the first major milestone for the seventh vessel in the series.
The first piece of steel was cut on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, officially launching the build process for the as-yet-unnamed ship scheduled to debut in 2028.
Representatives from Royal Caribbean Group and the shipyard attended the event, which signals the moment naval architects and engineering teams move from design to physical construction.
The Oasis class first entered service more than a decade ago and has remained a major part of Royal Caribbean’s growth strategy. Each ship has introduced updates to the class’s size, layout, and onboard offerings, keeping guests comin back for more.
The seventh Oasis-class ship follows the 226,838-gross-ton Oasis of the Seas, which launched the class in 2009, and the 236,473-gross-ton Utopia of the Seas, which joined the lineup in 2024 as the sixth sister ship and first to be offering short-break sailings from Florida.
While Royal Caribbean has not yet released specifics for the new ship, including features or a name, the cruise line says details will be announced as construction progresses.
The next months will see the hull, blocks, and sections of the ship come together and precedes keel-laying, block assembly, float-out, and sea trials before delivery to Royal Caribbean in 2028.
The Oasis class vessels introduced Royal Caribbean’s “neighborhood” concept, which divides the ships into multiple themed districts, each designed for a specific type of activity. One of the most recognizable examples is Central Park, an open-air garden lined with live greenery and specialty restaurants at the heart of the ship.
Read Also: What Are the Different Oasis-Class Cruise Ships?
The Boardwalk area brings the atmosphere of a coastal amusement district with family-friendly entertainment and casual dining, while the Royal Promenade serves as the ship’s interior main street, featuring bars, retail shops, and entertainment.
Oasis 7 steel cutting at Chantier de l’Atlantique (Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean Group)
When Utopia of the Seas debuted, it featured a new neighborhood: the Suite Neighborhood. This exclusive area includes amenities for suite guests like a private lounge, sun deck, and restaurant.
We’ll have to wait and see what new additions will be a feature of this seventh ship, as well as its passenger capacity. With 5,668 passengers welcome on Utopia of the Seas, the new ship is expected to match, if not exceed, that capacity.
Royal Caribbean Group Celebrates Triple Achievement
While the start of construction was a major headline, it wasn’t the only milestone Royal Caribbean Group celebrated in France on Thursday.
At the same shipyard, the company also took delivery of Celebrity Xcel, the newest Edge-class ship for Celebrity Cruises. That handover moves the vessel from the construction phase into operational preparation ahead of its entry into service.
Celebrity Xcel is designed to be methanol-capable, part of Royal Caribbean Group’s move toward lower-emission ship technology.
Celebrity Xcel’s first voyage will be a 4-night preview cruise to Cozumel, Mexico, on November 9, 2025, followed by a 5-night maiden voyage to Bimini Islands, Bahamas, and Cozumel on November 18.
In addition, a steel-cutting ceremony was held for Celebrity Xcite, the newly named sixth ship in the Edge class. Delivery is scheduled for 2028.
Appeared first on: Cruisehive.com
