ROYAL CARIBBEAN WILL AMP UP MEMORY-MAKING ON OVATION, HARMONY AND LIBERTY OF THE SEAS IN 2026

Rhea-AI Summary

Royal Caribbean (RCL) announced plans to amplify three ships - Ovation, Harmony, and Liberty of the Seas - in 2026 as part of its Royal Amplified program. The upgrades include new dining venues, enhanced pool decks, expanded casinos, and additional accommodation options. Ovation of the Seas will offer 7-13 night Alaskan adventures with Cruisetour experiences. Harmony of the Seas will operate in Europe before relocating to Port Canaveral for Caribbean itineraries, including visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay. Liberty of the Seas will sail from Southampton offering European cruises before moving to Galveston for Western Caribbean routes. The renovations follow the successful amplification of Allure of the Seas and align with Royal Caribbean's expansion plans, which include four new exclusive beach destinations opening through 2027.

Positive

• Major fleet upgrade program demonstrates company's commitment to enhancing guest experience
• Addition of revenue-generating venues like expanded casinos, new dining options, and premium accommodations
• Strategic deployment of ships to popular destinations in Alaska, Caribbean, and Europe
• Integration with new exclusive beach destinations enhances destination portfolio and revenue opportunities

Negative

• Significant capital investment required for ship renovations
• Potential revenue loss during dry dock periods for renovations
• Increased operational costs from new amenities and services

Insights

Cruise Industry Analyst

Royal Caribbean's triple ship amplification signals strategic investment in guest experience to drive revenue growth and maintain competitive edge.

Royal Caribbean's announcement to amplify three ships simultaneously in 2026 represents a significant acceleration of their Royal Amplified program, which began in 2018. This triple investment signals the company's confidence in continued strong cruise demand and willingness to commit substantial capital to fleet modernization.

The comprehensive upgrades across Ovation, Harmony, and Liberty of the Seas strategically target high-value revenue drivers: premium dining venues (Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, Izumi Teppanyaki, Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse), beverage outlets (The Lime & Coconut, Pesky Parrot tiki bar), and expanded casino spaces. These additions have proven to drive onboard spending, a crucial profit center beyond ticket revenue.

The introduction of Ultimate Family Suites across multiple ships continues Royal Caribbean's successful strategy of adding premium accommodations that command significantly higher per-night rates. Combined with the expanded Panoramic Suite offerings, these premium cabins improve yield management flexibility.

The timing aligns perfectly with Royal Caribbean's expansion of private destinations, creating a synergistic effect between renovated ships and exclusive port experiences. The integration of new ships with the upcoming Royal Beach Clubs in Paradise Island and Cozumel demonstrates cohesive long-term planning aimed at controlling more of the vacation experience while generating higher margins than typical port calls.

By deploying these amplified ships strategically across Alaska, Europe, and Caribbean markets, Royal Caribbean is protecting its competitive position in key cruise regions while maximizing year-round utilization through seasonal redeployment. This refresh cycle ensures the fleet remains competitive against newer vessels from rivals without the full capital expenditure of new builds.

The three game-changing ships will be decked out with bolder thrills, unmatched chill and more ways to dine and drink

MIAMI, June 18, 2025  /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Caribbean is tripling the adventure in 2026 when it debuts three newly amplified vacations on Ovation, Harmony and Liberty of the Seas. The fan-favorite ships are set to be reimagined with bold new experiences while visiting must-see destinations across Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean. Vacationers have more choices than ever before for all-out adventures starting spring 2026 and can book the vacations now on Royal Caribbean's website.

"Royal Caribbean continues to raise the bar on delivering the best of every vacation with revolutionary ships and top-rated exclusive destinations. The Royal Amplified program gives our guests the best of Royal Caribbean with new-to-class culinary options and experiences, entertainment and thrilling adventures, paired with the hospitality and service Royal Caribbean is known for," said Jay Schneider, chief product innovation officer, Royal Caribbean. "After seeing incredible success and guest satisfaction with the amplification of Allure of the Seas, we're excited to bring three new amplifications to our fleet in 2026."

With new thrills and laidback chill, bolder ways to dine and drink, leveled-up nightlife, and more ways to stay, families and adventurers can max out memories on a lineup of unmatched experiences:

Ovation of the Seas
Vacationers can go all out with amplified experiences on Ovation, including a revamped pool deck with private casitas and a new whirlpool. To refuel, there's a variety of international cuisine to indulge in from Tuscan favorites at Giovanni's Italian Kitchen to hibachi at Izumi Teppanyaki. The celebrations continue with tropical cocktails at the Pesky Parrot tiki bar, making its Quantum Class debut; dancing at the brand-new Sound Cellar; and more slots and games at the expanded Casino Royale. Along with new accommodations like the Ultimate Family Suite and Panoramic Suite, the upcoming experiences join a lineup of returning Quantum Class favorites like the Ripcord by iFly skydiving simulator and SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity space at sea.

Ovation will take adventure to the next level at sea and on land with getaways to Alaska, where vacationers can take in the wonders of the Last Frontier on 7- to 13-night Alaskan adventures starting spring 2026. Plus, Ovation returns to the region as the first in the action-packed Quantum Class lineup to deliver immersive adventures on land with multi-night Cruisetour experiences. 

Harmony of the Seas
Making its way to Harmony is a new Caribbean-inspired pool deck with tropical sips at the new The Lime & Coconut, as well as a refreshed adults-only Solarium. Adventurers can dive into bold bites at more than 20 venues, including Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade for gameday favorites, El Loco Fresh for Mexican delights and the new Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse. Plus, new ways to stay like the Ultimate Family Suite and even bigger nightlife at the largest Casino Royale in Royal Caribbean's fleet create more ways for all kinds of vacationers to make memories.

Harmony will kick off its summer glow-up in Europe before the Oasis Class vacation calls Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, home. Starting winter 2026, vacationers can get away to the Caribbean on 5- and 7-night vacations to locations like Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and Falmouth, Jamaica. Adventurers can also visit the vacation brand's top-rated Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas and purchase their day passes to the all-inclusive Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, debuting December 2025.

Liberty of the Seas
Families are in for all-new experiences for all ages with unmatched chill at the completely reimagined pool deck with The Lime & Coconut and new casitas, and thrills at an all-new Royal Escape Room concept coming to Liberty. There are flavors for all tastebuds from Japanese cuisine and hibachi at Izumi Teppanyaki to tacos and more at El Loco Fresh, along with a new-to-ship Starbucks. It's all combined with returning favorites on deck, like The Perfect Storm waterslides, crave-worthy restaurants and show-stopping entertainment.

Sailing from Southampton in summer 2026, vacationers on Liberty can explore European hot spots with 7-night adventures to places like the awe-inspiring Norwegian fjords, the medieval streets of Bruges, Belgium, and the rich culture of Copenhagen, Denmark. Then, Liberty will head to Galveston, Texas, for the winter season, unlocking more ways for vacationers to explore the Western Caribbean at spots like the vacation brand's Royal Beach Club Cozumel, delivering the ultimate beach day in Mexico when it opens in 2026.

Following the newly reimagined Allure of the Seas, the three soon-to-be-amplified vacations are the latest in the award-winning fleet to be transformed as part of Royal Caribbean's Royal Amplified program, first introduced in 2018.  Royal Caribbean continues to deliver the best vacations to more than seven million people annually with visits to 300-plus destinations across 28 ships, with four more on order. Plus, the vacation brand will continue to expand its destination lineup in the next three years with the addition of four exclusive experiences, including the next bold adventure in Perfect Day Mexico in fall 2027. Joining the lineup are Royal Caribbean's new Royal Beach Clubs in Paradise Island in The Bahamas and Cozumel, Mexico, along with exclusive beach destinations in Labadee, Haiti, and Lelepa in the South Pacific to deliver more ways to bask in paradise.

More information about Royal Caribbean's leading vacations and growing lineup of ships and destinations can be found on Royal Caribbean's website.

About Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean, part of Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), has delivered memorable vacations for more than 50 years. The cruise line's game-changing ships and exclusive destinations revolutionize vacations with innovations and an all-encompassing combination of experiences, from thrills to dining and entertainment, for every type of family and vacationer. Voted "Best Cruise Line Overall" for 22 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards, Royal Caribbean makes memories with adventurers across more than 300 destinations in 80 countries on all seven continents, including the line's top-rated exclusive destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.  

Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on X and visit www.RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to book, vacationers can visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com, call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN or contact their travel advisor. 

*Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release relating to, among other things, expectations on timing and investments in the Royal Amplified Program, specific entertainment and culinary offerings, and future deployment plans constitute forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "will," and similar expressions are intended to help identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations, are based on judgments, are inherently uncertain and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements. Examples of these risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, those included under the caption "Risk Factors" in the most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other SEC filings, copies of which may be obtained by visiting our Investor Relations website at www.rclinvestor.com or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this release, which are based on information available to us on the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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SOURCE Royal Caribbean International

FAQ

What changes are coming to Royal Caribbean's Ovation, Harmony, and Liberty of the Seas in 2026?

The ships will receive new dining venues, enhanced pool decks, expanded casinos, and additional accommodation options including Ultimate Family Suites. Each ship will get specific upgrades like new whirlpools, The Lime & Coconut bars, and various specialty restaurants.

Where will RCL's newly amplified ships be deployed in 2026?

Ovation will sail Alaska itineraries, Harmony will operate European routes before moving to Port Canaveral for Caribbean cruises, and Liberty will sail from Southampton to European destinations before relocating to Galveston for Western Caribbean routes.

What new dining options will be added to Royal Caribbean ships during the 2026 amplification?

New dining venues include Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, Izumi Teppanyaki, Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse, El Loco Fresh, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, and Starbucks on various ships.

How many ships does Royal Caribbean currently operate and what are their expansion plans?

Royal Caribbean operates 28 ships with four more on order, serving over seven million guests annually across 300+ destinations. They plan to add four exclusive beach destinations through 2027.

What is Royal Caribbean's Royal Amplified program?

Royal Amplified is RCL's fleet modernization program introduced in 2018, focusing on adding new experiences, dining venues, and amenities to existing ships to enhance guest experience.