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The Independent
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
The three Royal Caribbean mega cruise ships set for an upgrade in 2026
Three popular Royal Caribbean cruise ships are set for an upgrade next year to add features such as new suites, pools, bars and restaurants. The cruise line has announced that Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, which will be sailing from Southampton next summer, will enter dry dock for improvements in early 2026. The revamp follows upgrades – or what Royal Caribbean describes as 'amplifications' – made to Allure of the Seas earlier this year, which the brand said has proved popular with passengers. Here is what passengers can expect. Ovation of the Seas Launched in 2016, the 4,182-capacity Ovation will have a refit in Singapore from early March 2026. The vessel is set for a revamped pool deck with private casitas and a new whirlpool spa. Popular venues from other vessels, such as Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, Izumi Teppanyaki, the tiki-themed Pesky Parrot bar, and a new nightlife venue called Sound Cellar, will also be added to the Quantum-class ship. A new Ultimate Family Suite and Panoramic Suite will also be added. The ship is due to operate Alaska sailings from spring 2026. Harmony of the Seas The 5,479-capacity Harmony will enter dry dock in Navantia, Cadiz, from early March 2026. Harmony, which launched in May 2016 and ranks among the largest cruise ships in the world, will also get a new Ultimate Family Suite and will welcome a Caribbean-inspired pool deck with tropical drinks available at the new The Lime & Coconut, as well as a refreshed adults-only Solarium. The Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, Mexican restaurant El Loco Fresh and the new Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse are also being added. Royal Caribbean is also promising the largest Casino Royale on board. Harmony is due to return to service with sailings from Barcelona around the Mediterranean in May before heading to Port Canaveral for Caribbean cruises in winter 2026. Liberty of the Seas Liberty will be refurbished in Brest, France, from late April 2026. It is one of the oldest ships in the fleet, launched in 2007 with capacity for 3,798 passengers. The ship's last refit was in 2011. Changes will include a new pool deck with The Lime & Coconut and new casitas or wooden cabins by the pool. A Royal Escape Room is being added along with Japanese cuisine from Izumi Teppanyaki and tacos from El Loco Fresh. A Starbucks is also coming to the ship. Once complete, UK passengers will be able to enjoy the newly refurbished Liberty of the Seas during sailings from Southampton next summer. Jay Schneider, chief product innovation officer for Royal Caribbean, said: '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' programme 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. '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.'
Travel Weekly
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Travel Weekly
Three Royal Caribbean ships will get upgrades in 2026
Changes are in store for Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas next year, including new accommodations, entertainment and dining. Royal Caribbean will refresh the pool decks on all three ships, with the Ovation and Liberty getting new private casitas. Ovation will also get a new whirlpool while Harmony and Liberty will get a new bar, The Lime and Coconut. Harmony's solarium will also get a refresh. Entertainment changes on Ovation include a new venue for dancing, Sound Cellar, and an expansion of the Casino Royale. Harmony's Casino Royale will be expanded and become the largest in the Royal Caribbean fleet. The cruise line is also adding an escape room on the Liberty of the Seas. Harmony and Ovation are both getting new accommodations options, one of which will be the Ultimate Family Suite, a two-story space with a slide and other family-focused amenities which is currently only offered on Symphony of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas. Panoramic suites with floor-to-ceiling windows will be added to the Ovation. For dining, the cruise line is introducing food and bar options found on newer ships to these three vessels. The tiki bar Pesky Parrot and Giovanni's Italian Kitchen are coming to Ovation of the Seas. Harmony of the Seas will gain the Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade, Mexican restaurant El Loco Fresh and Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse. Izumi Teppanyaki as well as El Loco Fresh will be added to Liberty of the Seas. Royal Caribbean did not provide details on when the ships will undergo renovations.
