Royal Caribbean has launched construction on its newest ship, the first Oasis-class vessel to be powered by liquefied natural gas.
The new Utopia of the Seas, which began construction this month in Saint-Nazaire, France, is slated for completion in the spring of 2024.
“We are excited to begin construction on Utopia of the Seas,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “On the sixth Oasis Class ship, vacationers can look forward to the signature combination of Royal Caribbean experiences and many brand-new adventures that has and will continue to make the Oasis class of ships the ultimate vacation for guests of all ages.”
Royal Caribbean will be debuting its first-ever LNG ship, Icon of the Seas, in fall 2023.
Royal Caribbean first launched its Oasis class in 2009.
“The use of the cleanest fossil fuel available to cruise ships today and additional environmentally friendly applications on board Utopia will boost energy efficiencies andfurther reduce emissions overall,” the company said in a statement.