Where do Royal Caribbean cruise ships get built?

From Finland to France: Tracing the Birthplaces of Royal Caribbean’s Giant Ships

Royal Caribbean International has become synonymous with innovation and grandeur in the cruise industry. Their ships, particularly the awe-inspiring Oasis-class vessels, are floating cities packed with entertainment, dining, and cutting-edge technology. But have you ever wondered where these behemoths of the sea actually come from? The story is one of transatlantic collaboration and the expertise of two of the world’s leading shipbuilding nations.

The answer to where Royal Caribbean’s largest cruise ships get built isn’t a simple, singular location. Instead, the shipbuilding journey takes us to two distinct regions, each renowned for its mastery in constructing massive, complex vessels.

The first two groundbreaking ships in the Oasis class, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, were born in Turku, Finland, at the shipyard now known as Meyer Turku. This Finnish shipyard has a long and storied history of shipbuilding, with a reputation for quality and precision. Their expertise in handling the intricate engineering demands of these groundbreaking ships was crucial in bringing the Oasis class to life. The Oasis of the Seas, launched in 2008, was a revolutionary achievement, and Meyer Turku played a pivotal role in that success.

However, the production of the Oasis-class behemoths didn’t stop in Finland. As Royal Caribbean expanded their fleet with the equally impressive Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas, the responsibility shifted across the Atlantic to Saint-Nazaire, France, at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard.

This French shipyard, also boasting a rich shipbuilding heritage, took on the mantle of building the later Oasis-class ships, continuing the innovation and pushing the boundaries of cruise ship design. Chantiers de l’Atlantique, known for its ability to handle immense projects and complex maritime engineering, ensured that each subsequent Oasis-class ship continued to raise the bar for the cruise industry.

So, while the first two Oasis-class vessels hailed from Finland, the more recent additions to this impressive fleet were crafted with French expertise. This transatlantic collaboration highlights the global nature of shipbuilding and the specialized skills required to construct these floating marvels.

The next time you marvel at the sheer size and opulence of an Oasis-class Royal Caribbean ship, remember that its story begins in either Finland or France, in the hands of skilled engineers and artisans dedicated to creating unforgettable vacation experiences at sea. The blending of Finnish precision and French innovation has given rise to some of the most iconic and impressive cruise ships in the world, setting the stage for the future of cruising.