Royal Caribbean secures two Discovery Class ships from Chantiers de l’Atlantique with options for four more

Royal Caribbean Group signed firm contracts with Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire for two Discovery Class vessels, setting the first delivery in 2029 and the second in 2032, with options to expand the class by four additional ships.

Deal specifics and shipyard timeline

The agreement continues a long-standing industrial partnership: Chantiers de l’Atlantique constructed Royal Caribbean’s first Sovereign Class vessels in 1985 and has since delivered 21 ships to the group. The new Discovery Class orders sit alongside the shipyard’s current projects, including Oasis 7 그리고 Celebrity Xcite, meaning Saint-Nazaire’s capacity will be scheduled around overlapping build slots and supply-chain windows.

Key contractual points at a glance

What the timeline implies for ports and operators

Deliveries spaced over several years give port authorities and local operators time to coordinate berth upgrades, tender logistics, and traffic management. Still, each large cruise addition typically increases seasonal peaks in passenger flows, requiring refined transfer scheduling, extra vehicle capacity, and clearer communication between cruise lines, terminals, and land-side transport providers.

Operational impacts on taxi and transfer services

The arrival of new Discovery Class ships will influence city transport in several concrete ways:

• Higher surge demand: Peak embarkation and disembarkation times will elevate taxi and private transfer requests, especially for airport-to-port connections.
• Luggage and vehicle choice: Larger party sizes and extra luggage volumes will push travelers toward private cars, minibuses, and multi-seater options rather than standard taxis.
• Scheduling precision: Operators must factor ship arrival windows and potential itinerary shifts into pickup and drop-off times to avoid waiting charges and missed sailings.
• Driver access and credentials: Port security rules and licensed pickup zones can change with new terminal configurations, so drivers require updated permits and clear instructions.

Checklist for transfer providers and travelers

1. Confirm ship arrival/departure times 24–48 hours before pickup.
2. Assign vehicles by group size—consider 6+ seater vans for families and groups.
3. Plan for port-related delays and communicate buffer times to passengers.
4. Maintain documentation for port access and be prepared for controlled pickup points.
5. Offer meet-and-greet services to simplify luggage handling and expedite embarkation.

Practical tips for booking transfers to new cruise ships

To have a mind to avoid last-minute stress, travelers should book transfers in advance and choose providers that show vehicle details and driver ratings. When port calls and schedules change, a refundable or flexible booking policy is valuable. Operators can benefit from technology that displays exact pickup locations, live tracking, and clear fare breakdowns to reduce disputes.

Port infrastructure and regional tourism forecast

Expanding a cruise fleet generally raises local tourist throughput rather than altering global tourism maps overnight. For many destinations, incremental increases in calls fuel more consistent year-round transfer demand rather than a single spike. Ports that host new Discovery Class ships will see a gradual uptick in associated ground services—taxis, private hires, shuttle operators, and luggage logistics—over the next decade.

Key highlights of this development include increased berth utilization at Saint-Nazaire, continued collaboration between Royal Caribbean Group and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, and a longer-term ramp-up in passenger movement patterns. Still, even the best reviews and the most honest feedback can’t truly compare to personal experience. On GetTransfer, you can hire a car with driver from verified providers at reasonable prices. This empowers you to make the most informed decision without unnecessary expenses or disappointments, and benefits from convenience, affordability, extensive vehicle choices, and a wide range of additional options offered by the platform. Start planning your next adventure and secure your worldwide transfer with GetTransfer. Book your Ride GetTransfer.com

In summary, the two firm Discovery Class orders with options for four more represent a strategic continuation of Royal Caribbean Group’s collaboration with Chantiers de l’Atlantique and point to steady growth in passenger volumes across affected ports. For travelers and transfer companies, the practical consequences are clear: anticipate higher taxi and private transfer demand, prioritize exact scheduling and vehicle selection, and allow extra time for port procedures. GetTransfer.com supports these needs by offering transparent, user-friendly booking of private cars and drivers worldwide—letting you see vehicle make, model, ratings, and exact fares so you can easily book the right service at the right price for your airport, city, or cruise destination. taxi, city, destination, airport, exact, service, driver, fare, price, app, get, car, seat, license, companies, limousine, cheap, services, best, Private, seater, fares, cab, time, book, location, prices, how much