Royal Caribbean’s 7th Oasis Ship Reaches Keel-Laying Milestone

Royal Caribbean’s next giant Oasis-class cruise ship has reached a major construction milestone in France, as the keel is laid for the seventh vessel in the record-setting series ahead of a planned 2028 debut.

Keel-Laying in France Marks Start of Full Assembly

The latest milestone for Royal Caribbean’s seventh Oasis-class ship took place at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, on France’s Atlantic coast. Reports indicate that a keel-laying ceremony was held on June 11, 2026, when a large steel block was lowered into a dry dock to form part of the ship’s base structure.

The event signals the official start of the vessel’s full hull assembly, following an earlier steel-cutting ceremony that marked the project’s technical launch in late 2025. Publicly available information shows that the new ship will measure roughly 236,900 gross tons, placing it among the largest cruise ships in the world when it joins the fleet.

During the keel-laying, shipyard teams installed the first prefabricated block and carried out the traditional practice of placing coins within the structure, a longstanding maritime ritual understood to symbolize good fortune for the vessel and those who will sail on it.

Construction in Saint-Nazaire is expected to continue over the next two years, with more blocks gradually added to form the full hull and superstructure before interior outfitting begins in earnest.

Still Unnamed, but Squarely in the Oasis-Class Lineup

Although the ship has reached a major physical milestone, Royal Caribbean has not yet announced a name. The vessel is currently referred to in industry coverage as the seventh Oasis-class ship or simply “Oasis 7,” following Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas.

The Oasis class reshaped the modern cruise market when Oasis of the Seas debuted in 2009, at the time becoming the largest passenger ship afloat. Subsequent sister ships expanded the concept with open-air neighborhoods, entertainment venues and a wide range of dining options, framing the class as a floating resort destination rather than a traditional cruise liner.

Published material from Royal Caribbean indicates that the new ship will continue that formula, with multiple themed neighborhoods, large-scale entertainment and extensive family amenities. However, key design details, including specific attractions, dining concepts and stateroom innovations, are expected to be disclosed closer to the ship’s entry into service.

Industry reports suggest that the ship will carry several thousand passengers, in line with existing Oasis-class capacities, offering a mix of Caribbean and potentially European itineraries once it enters commercial operation.

Part of an Aggressive Fleet Expansion Strategy

The keel-laying for the seventh Oasis ship is one piece of a broader expansion program that is reshaping Royal Caribbean’s fleet. The company is simultaneously advancing its newer Icon-class series, with multiple ships either in service or under construction, and additional orders announced for the late 2020s.

According to cruise industry reporting, construction of the seventh Oasis-class vessel follows the recent delivery of Legend of the Seas, an Icon-class ship, and the ongoing build of further Icon vessels scheduled through the decade. The dual track of Oasis and Icon projects illustrates a strategy focused on high-capacity, feature-rich ships aimed at major destinations such as the Caribbean and Europe.

Analysts note that this pipeline of new hardware is designed to meet sustained demand for large-ship vacations, particularly on routes linked to private destinations in the Bahamas and the Caribbean. The continued investment in Oasis-class tonnage, even as the Icon class takes over as the fleet’s largest design, indicates that Royal Caribbean sees room for both styles of mega-ship in its portfolio.

The seventh Oasis-class ship is slated for delivery in 2028, extending the life of a class that has already been in service for more than a decade and continues to anchor the company’s high-profile itineraries.

What Travelers Can Expect From the Next Oasis-Class Giant

While specific onboard features have not yet been detailed, observers are looking to the evolution of earlier ships in the class for clues. Recent Oasis-class vessels such as Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas introduced expanded pool decks, enhanced dining districts, and updated entertainment spaces, signaling a trend toward more diverse experiences within the same overall footprint.

Cruise-focused publications expect the newbuild to build on those changes, potentially refining neighborhood layouts and introducing additional attractions suited to longer days at sea and calls at purpose-built private destinations. Energy efficiency and emissions-reduction technologies are also likely to play a larger role, as the cruise sector works toward stricter environmental targets.

Given its size and anticipated passenger capacity, the ship is expected to offer a wide mix of accommodations, from interior cabins designed for value-focused guests to expansive suites with premium perks. Public information suggests that Royal Caribbean will continue positioning Oasis-class ships as flagship options for family and multigenerational travel, with programming to match.

Itineraries for the seventh Oasis-class ship have not yet been published, but the vessel is widely expected to homeport in major cruise hubs once delivered, offering sailings that leverage the ship’s scale and onboard amenities as a central part of the vacation experience.

Milestone Underscores Ongoing Appeal of Mega-Ships

The keel-laying in Saint-Nazaire highlights the ongoing role of mega-ships in Royal Caribbean’s long-term plans, even as some travelers voice interest in smaller, more traditional vessels. Market watchers point out that ships of the Oasis and Icon classes tend to sail with strong occupancy, supported by demand from families and groups drawn to their resort-like offerings.

For ports and shipyards, the continued investment in large newbuilds has wider economic implications. Construction of a single Oasis-class vessel represents years of work for thousands of employees at Chantiers de l’Atlantique and its suppliers, while homeports and destinations prepare to accommodate an influx of visitors once the ship enters service.

As assembly progresses in France, the seventh Oasis-class ship is set to become a focal point of Royal Caribbean’s lineup toward the end of the decade. The latest milestone suggests that, for now, the era of increasingly sophisticated mega-ships shows little sign of slowing, with the Oasis class remaining a central pillar of that strategy.