Royal Caribbean officially started construction on its seventh Oasis class ship, adding yet another megaship to its lineup of record-breaking vessels.
While some celebrated the announcement, many longtime cruisers say they’re growing tired of massive ships and familiar routes. In fact, many are instead hoping for something smaller, like the much-rumored “Discovery Class.”
The next Oasis class ship is once again being built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, and is expected to debut in 2028.
For Royal Caribbean, the decision follows a proven playbook of building bigger ships, increasing capacity, and enhancing the onboard experience that keeps guests coming back.
But for many in the cruise community, the announcement wasn’t necessarily exciting, but rather predictable and uninspiring. Although Royal Caribbean has teased a new ship class of smaller vessels, nothing has been officially announced.
Across social media, longtime cruisers expressed their disappointment and growing boredom with what they see as the same formula being repeated yet again.
“Wow… another one… so how is the probably completely fictional ‘Discovery class’ going?” one Reddit user wrote, referring to the long-rumored next generation of smaller Royal Caribbean ships.
Another commenter said, “In all seriousness, where the heck are they going to send these? The itineraries are so terribly repetitive. Many ports don’t have enough dock space to handle any more ships.”
That kind of reaction reflects a growing divide between Royal Caribbean’s business model and loyal cruisers. The cruise line is focused on maximizing profits and making their vessels the destinations. However, many loyal Royal Caribbean cruisers are craving something different, including smaller and more destination-focused vessels.
Oasis class ships have limitations
The Oasis class fundamentally reshaped the cruising industry when Oasis of the Seas debuted in 2009.
With open-air “neighborhoods,” multi-deck entertainment venues, and capacity for more than 6,000 guests, these vessels became a blueprint for the modern megaship. Each new iteration has refined the concept, from Harmony of the Seas’ Ultimate Abyss slide to Wonder of the Seas’ expanded dining and suite offerings.
But as Royal Caribbean continues to scale upward, many cruisers feel there is an obvious trade-off. Bigger ships have a longer list of limitations for ports and itineraries.
“The future is that the ship is the attraction, not the itinerary,” one Redditor commented. “And the ports that will be prioritized will be private with captive spending. Not a fan.”
That observation aligns with Royal Caribbean’s broader strategy. The line has invested heavily in private destinations such as Perfect Day at CocoCay, Perfect Day Mexico, and the upcoming Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island.
These controlled environments allow the company to capture guest spending while bypassing overcrowded or infrastructure-limited ports. Yet, for many repeat cruisers, that strategy also means fewer fresh destinations.
“Cut it in half and give me two Discovery ships”
Rumors of Royal Caribbean’s Discovery Class have been circulating for years, and many cruisers say it can’t come soon enough.
As the cruise line continues to focus on massive vessels like the Oasis and Icon classes, loyal Royal Caribbean passengers are calling for something smaller, more versatile, and destination-driven.
The cruise line is likely looking to build a mid-sized ship capable of transiting the Panama Canal, visiting ports that can’t handle megaships, and offering more varied itineraries. This could fill a growing gap in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, as the aging Vision and Radiance class ships are showing their age.
With the announcement of a seventh Oasis class vessel, many Royal Caribbean cruisers mentioned their anticipation of the Discovery Class announcement.
“Cut it in half and give me two Discovery ships,” one Reddit user wrote in response to the cruise line’s announcement.
Another replied, “Based on public comments from Royal execs, Discovery is real, but will be around Voyager sizing. Basically to replace their smallest and Voyager class ships as they age out of the fleet with something Panama Canal capable. My personal estimation is we’ll see 6 to 8 of ’em. It won’t be a 1-to-1 replacement.”
“Bring on Discovery Class!” wrote another cruise on Facebook.
“Waiting for a small new ship, after all it’s us seniors that really keep the cruise ships going all year round with more than one cruise a year,” commented another cruiser on Facebook.
Royal Caribbean’s Discovery Class could fill a major gap in the fleet
From a business perspective, the rumored Discovery Class represents both a strategic opportunity and a potential course correction for Royal Caribbean.
As the cruise line continues to dominate the large-ship market with its Oasis and Icon classes, it faces an increasingly narrow operating environment. These massive cruise ships are limited by port infrastructure, tender operations, regional restrictions, and market saturation.
A new class of smaller, more versatile ships could help the brand expand into markets where megaships simply can’t go.
Unlike vessels exceeding 230,000 gross tons, a mid-sized Discovery class ship could offer destination-focused itineraries across Europe, South America, Asia, and the South Pacific.
Many expect the Discovery Class to be similar in size to Voyager or Freedom class, allowing Royal Caribbean to diversify itineraries and tap into new customer bases. These ships would also be Panama Canal–capable, enabling more flexible deployments between the Caribbean, Pacific, and Mediterranean regions.
Financially, the Discovery Class could serve as a hedge against the limitations of Royal Caribbean’s biggest ships. They appeal to a different segment of travelers, such as repeat cruisers, older guests, and those seeking quieter, less crowded experiences.
Why Royal Caribbean keeps building megaships
From a corporate perspective, Royal Caribbean’s strategy remains financially sound. The company’s Oasis and Icon class ships are consistently among its top performers, sailing at full capacity and generating strong onboard spending.
“The Oasis class has no trouble selling out and are the most popular ships next to the Icon class. Royal is also betting on the private island and private club experience,” one Redditor observed.
For Royal Caribbean, building bigger ships is quite lucrative. Larger vessels have more cabins available, more space for additional venues, and more opportunities for onboard spending. This includes specialty dining, drink packages, and exclusive experiences onboard Royal Caribbean’s biggest ships.
But beyond simple capacity, the company has increasingly shifted toward a model where the ship itself becomes the destination.
By designing vessels packed with entertainment, dining, and attractions, Royal Caribbean ensures that guests spend most of their vacation, and their money, within the company’s ecosystem.
This formula has proven remarkably successful, but it also highlights a growing divide for some loyal cruisers.
While Royal Caribbean continues to invest in billion-dollar megaships that prioritize the onboard experience over the itinerary, some cruisers are feeling fatigued, bored, and uninspired by the same strategies.
There’s no denying that Royal Caribbean cruisers are wanting something smaller, more flexible, and more destination-driven. The need for a newer and smaller vessel is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
