Construction of the sixth ship in Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis Class, and the first to be powered by LNG, is now underway in Saint-Nazaire, France.
At the steel cutting ceremony, the cruise line revealed that the upcoming ship will be named Utopia of the Seas. This first Oasis Class ship powered by LNG is scheduled to begin operation in Spring 2024..
Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International, said: “We are excited to begin construction on Utopia of the Seas. On the sixth Oasis Class ship, vacationers can look forward to the signature combination of Royal Caribbean experiences and many brand-new adventures that have and continue make the Oasis class of ships the ultimate vacation for guests of all ages.”
Laurent Castaing, GM Chantiers de l’Atlantique, said: “Today we are building together with Royal Caribbean International the future of the cruise ships. It is said that Utopia of the Seas will be greener than her sister ship Wonder of the Seas being one the less CO2 emitting vessel per passengers and day of the world with a total power installed in the ship of more than 90 MW using six engines.”
By introducing the first LNG-powered Oasis Class ship, the cruise line will take another step toward a clean-energy future after its first LNG ship, Icon of the Seas, debuts in fall 2023. The company says that the use of the cleanest fossil fuel available to cruise ships today and additional environmentally friendly applications on board Utopia will boost energy efficiencies and further reduce emissions overall.
