Royal Caribbean Announces Major Overhauls for Three Ships in 2026
Cruisers can expect a “wave” of new experiences in 2026 as Royal Caribbean prepares to upgrade three of its most popular ships.
The cruise line has announced that Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas will be “amplified” with expanded dining, entertainment, and activity options starting in spring 2026.
Each ship will receive a redesign that adds new venues and updates to existing favorites, particularly for passengers sailing to Alaska, Europe, and the Caribbean.
The announcement is part of Royal Caribbean’s ongoing Royal Amplified program, which began in 2018 to modernize older ships across the fleet.
“Royal Caribbean continues to raise the bar on delivering the best of every vacation with revolutionary ships and top-rated exclusive destinations,” said Jay Schneider, chief product innovation officer.
“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,” he added.
The upgrades include redesigned pool decks, expanded nightlife, new restaurants, and activities.
The three ships will also rotate homeports and regions throughout 2026. The 226,838-gross-ton Ovation of the Seas, which can accommodate up to 5,606 passengers, will return to Alaska for 7- to 13-night itineraries. It will be the first Quantum-class ship to offer land-based Cruisetour packages.
Additionally, the 226,963-gross-ton Harmony of the Seas, carrying up to 6,687 guests, will transition from Europe to Florida for Caribbean sailings.
The 154,407-gross-ton Liberty of the Seas will offer summer itineraries from Southampton, England, for its 3,798 passengers before heading to Galveston, Texas, for the winter season.
New Onboard Features
Ovation of the Seas will add a reimagined pool deck featuring private casitas and whirlpools, new dining options like Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, already popular on several Oasis-class vessels, and Izumi Teppanyaki, found on many Oasis and Quantum-class ships.
It will also add the tropical-themed tiki bar, Pesky Parrot, which debuted on Utopia of the Seas in 2024.
Entertainment will include the brand-new Sound Cellar music venue and a larger Casino Royale.
The ship will also debut upgraded accommodations, including the Ultimate Family Suite and Panoramic Suite.
Read Also: Royal Caribbean Ships By Age: Newest to Oldest
For Harmony of the Seas, guests will find a refreshed Caribbean-themed pool deck and adults-only Solarium, additional nightlife options, and new dining options like the Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse, which is currently a highlight of Allure of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas.
The vessel will also add the Ultimate Family Suite and feature the largest Casino Royale in Royal Caribbean’s fleet of 28 ships.
Harmony of the Seas will begin its upgraded season in Europe before relocating to Port Canaveral for 5- and 7-night Caribbean cruises, including stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay and the soon-to-open Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.
Finally, Liberty of the Seas will offer a redesigned pool area with The Lime & Coconut poolside bar and new shaded casitas, as well as a new Royal Escape Room and an onboard Starbucks.
Dining additions will include Izumi Teppanyaki and the popular Mexican-inspired El Loco Fresh.
The ship will sail 7-night European itineraries from Southampton to destinations like Norway, Belgium, and Denmark before it transitions to Galveston to begin Western Caribbean sailings.
These will include visits to the new Royal Beach Club in Cozumel, scheduled to debut in 2026, a year before the cruise line intends to complete its second Perfect Day location in Mexico.
Royal Caribbean Announces Major Overhauls for Three Ships in 2026