Cruise News
Royal Caribbean news, ship updates, and itinerary changes, covered as they happen.
November 13, 2026
Legend of the Seas adds Cozumel and Costa Maya to Western Caribbean sailings
Royal Caribbean revised Legend of the Seas' six-night Western Caribbean sailings earlier this year, and the first of them departs November 22 with Cozumel and Costa Maya on consecutive days, replacing Falmouth, Jamaica, and a sea day.
November 13, 2026
Radiance of the Seas leaves Tampa before boarding on November 14 sailing
Royal Caribbean has told guests on Radiance of the Seas' November 14 sailing from Tampa that the ship will briefly leave port for scheduled maintenance before they board. Early arrivals will be turned away, and everyone must be aboard by 3 p.m.
November 12, 2026
10 Cruise Booking Mistakes to Avoid
Booking a cruise looks simple until the extras, deadlines, and fine print show up. These are the 10 mistakes we see cruisers make most often, and how to book smarter instead.
November 12, 2026
Voyager of the Seas swaps Ensenada for a Cabo overnight
Rough weather off Ensenada has Royal Caribbean swapping ports on Voyager of the Seas' November 13 sailing from Los Angeles: the Ensenada call becomes a sea day, and Cabo San Lucas becomes an overnight instead.
November 11, 2026
Royal Caribbean's new credit card may beat The Key for frequent cruisers
The Royal ONE Plus card costs $99 a year and includes priority boarding through the suite line and priority luggage delivery, plus a 60,000-point sign-up bonus worth about $600 in onboard credit.
November 10, 2026
Legend of the Seas gets her name tomorrow in Fort Lauderdale
Royal Caribbean's newest ship opens her Caribbean season from Port Everglades, with retired Gen. Lori J. Robinson doing the naming honors on Veterans Day.
November 9, 2026
Bliss Cruise charters Wonder of the Seas for sold-out seven-night Caribbean sailing
Bliss Cruise has taken over all of Wonder of the Seas for a sold-out seven-night Caribbean sailing, with 5,802 guests aboard for the November 9 departure from Miami.
November 8, 2026
Ovation of the Seas crew member rescued after nine hours in the Pacific
Two fishermen pulled a crew member from Ovation of the Seas out of the Pacific off Catalina Island after he spent nearly nine hours in the water. He is expected to survive, and the Coast Guard is investigating how he went overboard.
November 7, 2026
Mexico's parks agency calls Royal Beach Club Cozumel unviable
Mexico's protected-areas commission says Royal Caribbean's planned Royal Beach Club Cozumel would damage reefs and turtle nesting grounds inside a national park. The opinion is not binding, and the final call now sits with Mexico's Environment Ministry.
November 6, 2026
Legend of the Seas Diverts for Coast Guard Airlift, Still Due Saturday at 5 a.m.
Legend of the Seas diverted toward Puerto Rico on Wednesday night so the U.S. Coast Guard could airlift a passenger needing emergency medical care. The ship is back on course and still scheduled to reach Fort Lauderdale on Saturday at 5 a.m.
November 5, 2026
Royal Caribbean opens summer 2028 Caribbean sailings on 11 ships
Royal Caribbean has unveiled its summer 2028 Caribbean lineup across 11 ships, including four Icon Class ships, with Hero of the Seas debuting from Miami. Crown and Anchor members can book now, ahead of the general opening later today.
November 5, 2026
Belize Under a State of Emergency, and Royal Caribbean Ships Are Still Calling
Belize has declared a 30-day state of emergency covering parts of Belize City after a sharp rise in violent crime. Royal Caribbean has five Belize City calls this month and has made no changes to them, but officials are telling visitors to carry valid identification and stay vigilant.
November 4, 2026
Royal Caribbean Cyber Season Deals: Up to $1,000 Off, and the Biggest Savings End Monday
Royal Caribbean's Cyber Season sale runs November 6 through December 7, with up to $1,000 off select sailings, free fares for third and fourth guests, onboard credit up to $150, and 60% off the second guest. The top instant savings tier is a Beat the Clock offer that closes Monday, November 9.
November 3, 2026
One-way cruisers face a new CDC attestation before flying home
Starting tonight at 11:59 p.m. ET, every U.S.-bound flight requires a signed CDC attestation confirming the traveler has not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the past 21 days. Travelers without one can be denied boarding.
November 3, 2026
MSC Poesia Detained in Miami, Nov 1 Sailing Canceled
The U.S. Coast Guard detained MSC Poesia at PortMiami on Sunday after inspectors found deficiencies on board. On Tuesday morning the captain told guests the 11-night sailing is canceled, with full refunds and a future cruise credit.
November 2, 2026
Royal Caribbean Has a Big Week Ahead: Summer 2028 Caribbean, Black Friday Sale, and Legend's Florida Debut
Three things to watch this week: the first wave of seven-night summer 2028 Caribbean itineraries, the start of the Black Friday sale, and Legend of the Seas arriving in Fort Lauderdale on November 7.
October 31, 2026
Royal Caribbean Reports Onboard Spending Above Expectations
Royal Caribbean Group says onboard spending is running stronger than expected, with half of guests now millennial or younger and loyalty members accounting for 40 percent of guests.
October 30, 2026
Anthem of the Seas Returns to Sydney for Encore Australian Season
Anthem of the Seas sailed into Sydney on October 30 for her encore Australian season, 21 sailings from three-night getaways to New Zealand voyages, alongside Quantum of the Seas in Brisbane.
October 30, 2026
Royal Caribbean Cancels All Labadee Visits Through April 2028
Royal Caribbean has cancelled every remaining visit to Labadee, Haiti through April 2028, updating 44 itineraries across nine ships. Affected sailings swap Labadee for other ports or sea days, and prepaid shore excursions booked through the line will be refunded automatically.
October 30, 2026
Liberty of the Seas Returns to Galveston Fresh Off Her 2026 Amplification
Liberty of the Seas has crossed the Atlantic from Southampton and is homeporting in Galveston again, sailing 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean cruises to Cozumel and Costa Maya through April 2028 after her spring 2026 Royal Amplified refit.
October 29, 2026
Icon Class Cabins Get Smarter: App Controls Now Run 8,400-Plus Staterooms
Honeywell's connected cabin system now powers more than 8,400 staterooms across Icon, Star and Legend of the Seas, letting guests adjust climate, lighting and room features from the Royal Caribbean app anywhere onboard.
October 28, 2026
Royal Caribbean Beats Q3 Forecast and Raises Full-Year Outlook
Royal Caribbean Group topped Wall Street expectations in the third quarter, with adjusted earnings of $6.57 per share and revenue up 9 percent to $5.6 billion, and raised its full-year 2026 outlook to $17.85 to $17.95 per share.
October 28, 2026
Legend of the Seas Crosses the Atlantic for Its Fort Lauderdale Debut
Legend of the Seas called at Cadiz on Wednesday and is now on the nine-day open-ocean leg of her first transatlantic crossing, due in Fort Lauderdale on November 7, with a new three-night CocoCay sailing added on November 8.
October 27, 2026
Three Royal Caribbean ships diverted to Canada in two weeks
Independence of the Seas leaves Saint John today after its Bermuda sailing was rerouted, the third Royal Caribbean ship sent to Canada in two weeks.
October 26, 2026
Utopia of the Seas Is Not Sailing to Mexico This Week: The Swap Email Was Fake
A message circulating online claimed Utopia of the Seas swapped its October 26 Bahamas sailing for Cozumel. Royal Caribbean told Cruise Hive no such change was sent, and the sailing keeps its Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay calls as scheduled.
October 25, 2026
Legend of the Seas pulls a loyalty dining perk for its first transatlantic sailing
Diamond Plus members on Legend of the Seas will not get their buy-one-get-one specialty dining benefit on the transatlantic sailing that begins October 25. Royal Caribbean cites exceptionally high specialty dining demand and fully booked restaurants, and is offering a $25 Island Vibes dinner at Surfside Eatery instead.
October 25, 2026
Anthem of the Seas Loses Icy Strait Point on Its First Alaska Sailing of 2027
Royal Caribbean has removed Icy Strait Point from Anthem of the Seas' first Alaska sailing of 2027, a May 7 roundtrip from Vancouver, and replaced it with a sea day. The line cites speed restrictions, Ketchikan loses two hours as well, and prepaid excursions for the cancelled port will be refunded automatically.
October 24, 2026
Harmony of the Seas Swaps Its Bahamas Port Days on Oct. 24 Sailing
Harmony of the Seas reshuffled its Oct. 24 sailing from Port Canaveral, moving Nassau to Sunday, Oct. 25 and Perfect Day at CocoCay to Tuesday, Oct. 27. No ports were dropped and the ship still returns Oct. 29, with excursions rebooked or refunded as onboard credit.
October 24, 2026
Some Category 6 Slides Are Closed on Icon and Star of the Seas. Here Is What We Know
Royal Caribbean confirmed in April 2026 that a few Category 6 water slides on Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas are closed for maintenance, and guest reports since then say the closures change from sailing to sailing. Here is what is actually known, and how to plan around it.
October 23, 2026
Storm Josephine Reroutes Independence of the Seas: Bermuda Out, Saint John In
Subtropical Storm Josephine forced Independence of the Seas' October 24 sailing to skip Bermuda and head to Saint John, New Brunswick for an overnight stay instead. Guests receive up to $500 in refundable onboard credit per cabin.
October 23, 2026
Navigator of the Seas Trades Los Angeles for Singapore: Season Starts October 29
After five years of year-round sailing from Los Angeles, Navigator of the Seas has repositioned to Asia. She arrives in Singapore on October 29 to start a season that now runs through October 2027, with short cruises to Malaysia and Thailand and longer sailings that reach Vietnam.
October 22, 2026
Ad Watchdog Backs Royal Caribbean's Gratuity Fine Print
The National Advertising Division found Royal Caribbean's booking flow clearly tells guests that gratuities are optional and removable, while recommending clearer disclosures in the learn-more tab and at checkout. Royal Caribbean says it has implemented the recommendations.
October 21, 2026
No, Royal Caribbean Is Not Making Gratuities Non-Removable
A fake press release dated October 19 claiming daily gratuities can no longer be removed at Guest Services is circulating on social media. Royal Caribbean's actual policy still lets guests adjust or remove gratuities at Guest Relations before disembarkation.
October 19, 2026
Royal Caribbean Makes Drink and Spa Gratuities Optional
Royal Caribbean's website now states the automatic gratuities on drinks, specialty dining, and spa services are optional and can be removed at Guest Relations.
October 18, 2026
Royal Caribbean Warns of 90-Minute Boarding Waits in Europe Under New EU Biometric Checks
Royal Caribbean says guests on the October 25 Odyssey of the Seas and October 31 Explorer of the Seas transatlantic sailings should expect boarding in Europe to take 90 minutes or more as the EU's new biometric Entry/Exit System requires face-to-face fingerprint and facial scans for every passenger.
October 18, 2026
Oasis of the Seas Swaps Bahamas for Halifax as Storm Reroutes October 18 Sailing
Royal Caribbean has rerouted Oasis of the Seas' October 18 seven-night sailing from Bayonne, New Jersey, to Halifax, Nova Scotia, canceling Port Canaveral, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and Nassau as an East Coast storm makes the Bahamas run unsafe.
October 17, 2026
Freedom of the Seas Returns to Southampton for Summer 2028
Royal Caribbean confirmed Freedom of the Seas will sail a second straight summer from Southampton in 2028, May through October, with short breaks to nine-nighters from 460 pounds per person. General bookings opened October 15, 2026.
October 17, 2026
Vision of the Seas Skips Bermuda for Saint John, Guests Cannot Disembark
Vision of the Seas traded its Bermuda call for an overnight in Saint John, New Brunswick, where guests cannot disembark, after a storm system made the Bermuda route unsafe. Affected guests receive onboard credit based on stateroom type.
October 16, 2026
Hurricane Simon Pulls a Second Ship Into Its Wake
Hurricane Simon has pulled a second ship into its wake off Mexico's Pacific coast: Carnival Panorama cancelled its Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan calls, joining Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas on a rewritten Mexican Riviera itinerary.
October 15, 2026
Royal Caribbean to Sail Europe Year-Round for the First Time in 2028-29
Royal Caribbean is sailing Europe year-round for the first time: Rhapsody of the Seas pairs summer Turkey-and-Egypt sailings with winter cruises to the Canary Islands, Morocco and Portugal in 2028-29.
October 14, 2026
Thailand Wants More Royal Caribbean Port Calls
Thailand's tourism authority met with Royal Caribbean Group last week to push for more port calls, floating new cruise routes around Phuket and Laem Chabang.
October 13, 2026
Voyager of the Seas Drops Puerto Vallarta, Returns to Cabo San Lucas a Second Time
Hurricane Simon forced Voyager of the Seas to drop Puerto Vallarta, so the ship returns to Cabo San Lucas today for a second full-day call. Guests get $50 to $250 onboard credit per stateroom.
October 12, 2026
Bayley Won't Commit to a Royal Beach Club Cozumel Opening Date
Asked during a Q&A on the President's Cruise when Royal Beach Club Cozumel will open, Royal Caribbean president Michael Bayley declined to name a date. The company's website lists December 2026; CEO Jason Liberty told investors to expect early 2028.
October 12, 2026
Caribbean Cruise Fares Are Falling for Early 2027
January sailings are down to $748 on average from $846 last year, with Caribbean capacity up 11.5 percent. Winter 2027 is shaping up as a buyer's market.
October 11, 2026
Disney Tests Wristbands Instead of Key to the World Cards
Disney Cruise Line handed out plain silicone wristbands for stateroom access on the Disney Treasure sailing from Port Canaveral, skipping Key to the World cards entirely in a limited trial.
October 11, 2026
Navigator of the Seas Cancels Its May 2027 Tokyo-to-Los Angeles Sailing
Royal Caribbean cancelled Navigator of the Seas' 18-night Tokyo-to-Los Angeles sailing on May 12, 2027, extending its Singapore season instead. Booked guests can rebook or take a full refund.
October 10, 2026
Wall Street Flips on Royal Caribbean: Jefferies Upgrades to Buy
Jefferies upgraded Royal Caribbean to Buy ahead of October 27 earnings, calling it their best buy in the space. Shares are up 22% since the Sandals deal was announced.