The vessels were ordered from Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft shipyard in Flensburg, Germany in September 2004 for €206.4 million.
According to BC Ferries at this time, this was 40 percent lower than the lowest Canadian shipyard's bid.
This was a controversial decision, which led to Canadian shipbuilders protesting the decision.
The first new Coastal-class vessel, Coastal Renaissance, departed for British Columbia on October 27, 2007, and arrived on December 13, 2007.
She entered service on the Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay run on March 8, 2008.
She was followed by Coastal Inspiration, which left Germany on February 9 and arrived March 25, and Coastal Celebration, which departed on May 9 and arrived on June 18.
The vessels' names were based on submissions received during a "naming contest" in late 2005.

Coastal Renaissance operates on the Swartz Bay to Tsawassen route in winter and Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay during the summer.
Coastal Inspiration operates on the Duke Point to Tsawassen route.
Coastal Celebration travels along the Swartz Bay to Tsawassen route.
On December 20, 2011, Coastal Inspiration collided with the terminal at Duke Point while travelling at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph), damaging the lower vehicle ramp at the terminal and causing damage to the vessel.
16 were injured in the collision and the bow door, the starboard side shell, and the rubbing plate on the ship were damaged.
Coastal Inspiration was then redirected to the Departure Bay terminal with the assistance of a tugboat to disembark passengers and vehicles.
The ship was out of service for 122 days.
The cause of the crash was later found to be crew error.
The vessels were ordered from Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft shipyard in Flensburg, Germany in September 2004 for €206.4 million. According to BC Ferries at this time, this was 40 percent lower than the lowest Canadian shipyard's bid. This was a controversial decision, which led to Canadian shipbuilders protesting the decision. The first new Coastal-class vessel, Coastal Renaissance, departed for British Columbia on October 27, 2007, and arrived on December 13, 2007. She entered service on the Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay run on March 8, 2008. She was followed by Coastal Inspiration, which left Germany on February 9 and arrived March 25, and Coastal Celebration, which departed on May 9 and arrived on June 18. The vessels' names were based on submissions received during a "naming contest" in late 2005.
Coastal Renaissance operates on the Swartz Bay to Tsawassen route in winter and Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay during the summer. Coastal Inspiration operates on the Duke Point to Tsawassen route. Coastal Celebration travels along the Swartz Bay to Tsawassen route. On December 20, 2011, Coastal Inspiration collided with the terminal at Duke Point while travelling at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph), damaging the lower vehicle ramp at the terminal and causing damage to the vessel. 16 were injured in the collision and the bow door, the starboard side shell, and the rubbing plate on the ship were damaged. Coastal Inspiration was then redirected to the Departure Bay terminal with the assistance of a tugboat to disembark passengers and vehicles. The ship was out of service for 122 days. The cause of the crash was later found to be crew error.
Coastal-class ferry