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The Independent
4 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 Daily News
30-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Celebrity Cruises invests over $250m. to its Solstice Series ships
Celebrity Cruises invests $250 million to modernize Solstice Series ships, launching new spaces, dining, and stateroom upgrades starting in 2026. MIAMI – Celebrity Cruises is making its classic Solstice Series ships new again. The brand is investing more than $250 million to modernize these best-in-class ships, starting with Celebrity Solstice in 2026. Guests can look forward to eight new experiences, including four new-to-sea spaces, and many redesigned favorites which elevate everything that makes these ships unforgettable. Bold, bow to stern innovations include reinvented outdoor escapes with enhanced views, new restaurants and entertainment designed to create moments of connection with loved ones, as well as a redesigned stay with all new stateroom categories and ship-wide stateroom upgrades. Celebrity Solstice will be the first of the Solstice Series ships to be made new again, welcoming guests for reimagined vacation experiences starting in March 2026. Extraordinary itineraries will take guests around the world – from the breathtaking nature of Alaska, the serene beaches of Hawaii and Fiji, to the best of Southeast Asia. Plus, guests will have the opportunity to sail 110-nights through more than 55 unrepeated ports on The Grand Voyage from September to December 2026. On board, endless new experiences from morning to night will make the journey just as exciting as the destinations. Plus, all 1,479 staterooms on Celebrity Solstice are getting an upgrade, offering more ways to feel at home when miles away at sea. 'Our Solstice Series ships represent the best of classic cruising, and now we're elevating this vacation experience even further by adding brand new experiences and enhancements at every turn,' said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. 'Guests will enjoy more ways to explore and restore, all while staying true to what made our guests fall in love with these ships in the first place.' A remixed vacation routine Boulevard Lounge – Good times and glamorous vibes will take center stage at this brand-new, intimate entertainment venue. With always-on programming, from interactive daytime activities like new game shows and trivia to elevated evenings of candlelit concerts and dueling pianos, this cabaret-inspired lounge offers a dramatic new take on showtime. Boulevard Bar – Just steps away from the lounge, guests can pull up a seat for handcrafted cocktails before or after the show—or both. Celebrity Barcade – Guests should bring their A-game to this new, elevated sports bar, the perfect place to both watch and play games. Guests can catch their favorite sports teams from multiple screens positioned so well they'll never miss a pass; or challenge their friends to a round of billiards, darts, or their favorite retro board game. New culinary delights to fall in love with all over again Trattoria Rossa – Step into an Italian hideaway that blends opulence with modern design to experience a restaurant that bursts with charm from every corner. The perfect setting to reignite date night, guests will have a front row seat to the action with authentic tableside preparations of dishes inspired by Italian classics, including fresh pasta made from scratch daily. Fine Cut Steakhouse – The Forbes Travel Guide-rated, Edge Series favorite steakhouse will bring upscale dining with service that's elevated to an art form. There's something for everyone at Fine Cut Steakhouse, which offers 30-day dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood, the elevated service Celebrity is known for, and elegance at every turn. Fresh views for a front row seat to every destination Sunset Park – Transforming the top deck of Celebrity Solstice, guests can enjoy unparalleled views from this half acre outdoor oasis. Plus, with elevated cuisine, refreshing cocktails, lawn games, open-air concerts and more, a day at the park never looked so good. guests can enjoy unparalleled views from this half acre outdoor oasis. Plus, with elevated cuisine, refreshing cocktails, lawn games, open-air concerts and more, a day at the park never looked so good. New private cabanas – Relax with sweeping ocean views and more shade, while dedicated attendants cater to your every whim. Expanded Sunset Bar – Drink in the views along with a refreshing cocktail, as every hour is happy hour. Unwind in style at The Retreat, reimagined Enhanced Suites – A completely reimagined stay at The Retreat awaits, making the most elevated experience at sea even better, as Celebrity Solstice will sail with enhanced suites. will sail with enhanced suites. All-new Retreat Sundeck – Unwind in style at an all-new sundeck with ample outdoor seating and shade, exclusive for guests of The Retreat. Guests will relax carefree in an oversized hot tub, as they enjoy prime views from the top of the ship. Redesigned Retreat Lounge – The perfect place to enjoy a light bite or catch up with friends over drinks, reserved for guests of The Retreat. Enhanced accommodations with upgrades to every stateroom Refreshed AquaClass Staterooms – A fully immersive, next-level wellness vacation awaits. Every room is updated with spa-inspired elements – from massaging shower heads, aroma therapy diffusers, in-room yoga mats, luxurious robes and slippers, and even a pillow menu for the perfect night's sleep. AquaClass guests can also enjoy complimentary access to the all-new Relaxation Lounge at The Spa. Four brand-new stateroom categories – New stateroom categories offer more ways to stay: The Panoramic Infinite Veranda Suite, Deluxe Panoramic Oceanview Suite, Panoramic Ocean View Suite and Deluxe Panoramic Ocean View. These new stateroom categories are available to book starting mid-June. Bow to stern enhancements also include a design refresh to many more venues: Café Al Bacio, Cellar Masters, World Class Bar, Martini Bar, Pool Bar, Passport Bar, Blu – exclusive to AquaClass guests, Luminae – exclusive to guests of The Retreat, the Fitness Center, and Camp at Sea. Guests will enjoy all of these enhancements on Celebrity Solstice vacations starting in March 2026 with unforgettable Asia and Australia itineraries, followed by summer sailings in Alaska. In September 2026, Celebrity Solstice will also bring guests on a once-in-a-lifetime, 110-night Grand Voyage from Canada to Southeast Asia, providing the ultimate way for guests to indulge their sense of wanderlust, all while enjoying the award-winning service and amenities that Celebrity is famous for.
