Cruise giants Carnival and Royal Caribbean place new ship orders worth $3 billion

After financial uncertainty during the shutdown, the cruise industry is experiencing a resurgence with multiple new ship orders.

Following the launches of Carnival Jubilee and Icon of the Seas, the two cruise giants, Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, have placed orders for delivery in 2027 and 2028.

Carnival’s Fourth Mega Ship

Carnival Corporation has recently announced an agreement with German shipbuilder Meyer Werft for a fourth Excel-class cruise ship for its Carnival Cruise Line brand, which is expected to be delivered in spring 2027.

This new 180,000-ton vessel, powered by LNG, will accommodate 6,400 guests, joining the fleet alongside Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee. Carnival pivoted with their mega ships, placing the orders with Meyer Werft instead of the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri.

Carnival’s first mega ship, Mardi Gras, entered service in July 2021 following numerous shipyard delays related to the pandemic.

Thomas Weigend, Chief Sales Officer of the MEYER Group, remarked, “This order is a clear sign that the cruise market has recovered and there is great demand for sea trips.” Meyer Group CEO Bernd Eikens echoed the sentiment of the CSO.

This marks Carnival Corp’s first new ship order in five years, signifying a commitment to fleet expansion and sustainability.

Royal’s Oasis Ship Number Seven

Simultaneously, Royal Caribbean Group announced its plan to add a seventh Oasis Class ship to the Royal Caribbean International fleet.

The construction will be handled by French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique, with the ship slated for delivery in 2028. Chantiers is one of the European shipyards Royal Caribbean Group uses for new builds.

Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty expressed excitement about the future: “While we eagerly anticipate the debut of Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas this summer, we’re already dreaming up her sister ship and the next installation in the brand’s extremely popular Oasis Class.”

Royal Caribbean’s first Oasis ship was launched in 2009 with Oasis of the Seas.

These recent announcements indicate a positive outlook for the cruise industry, showcasing resilience and optimism following the cruise industry shutdown. Both of these agreement awaits financing confirmation.