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| Harmony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis-class ship. |
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has signed a memorandum of understanding with French shipbuilder STX France for a fifth Oasis-class ship for Royal Caribbean International, slated for delivery in the spring of 2021, and two additional Edge-class ships for Celebrity Cruises, scheduled for delivery in the fall of 2021 and 2022.
Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., cited the response to the arrival of the line’s newest Oasis-class ship, Harmony of the Seas, as one of the factors behind the decision. Additionally, the two new Edge-class ships for Celebrity Cruises will build on the line’s Solstice-class vessels.
Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, said that there has been strong interest in the line’s new Edge class, even though the first ship in the Edge class is two years away from delivery.
Harmony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest Oasis-class ship, will homeport in Barcelona, Spain, and embark on the first of 34 seven-night sailings in the western Mediterranean on June 7. In November 2016, Harmony will arrive at its homeport of Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, FL, from where it will offer seven-night eastern and western Caribbean sailings. The ship will join Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, sailing from Port Canaveral and Port Everglades, respectively, on the east coast of Florida.
The first of Celebrity Cruises’ new Edge-class ships is expected to be delivered in fall 2018, with a second vessel on order for early 2020. The new ships, which will be designed to build on the brand’s experience with its Millennium- and Solstice-class vessels, will have a capacity of 2,900 guests. The ships will also be designed with sustainability in mind, benefiting from new technologies to drive significant fuel efficiency and an ongoing process to ensure the extensive use of sustainable materials.
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.