Royal Caribbean International is turning up the volume on ship upgrades in 2026, with three of its popular vessels, Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, set to receive major enhancements.
The multi-million-dollar investments fall under the cruise line’s ongoing Royal Amplified program and will roll out across different global homeports, including Australia.
Ovation of the Seas returns to Sydney with new family features
Ovation of the Seas will return to Sydney for the 2026–27 summer season, bringing with it a raft of new features designed for multigenerational cruising. The upgrade introduces an expanded pool deck experience, complete with The Lime & Coconut bar, private casitas and a new whirlpool. A redesigned kids’ aqua park will join a suite of enhanced family spaces, including:
- A revamped Adventure Ocean youth program.
- A new Playscape area with climbing walls and interactive puzzles.
- A dedicated teen zone with music, gaming and lounge areas.
- An upgraded SeaPlex zone with bumper cars, a roller-skating rink and new interactive games.
Dining on board will also see an overhaul. New options include Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, Izumi’s expanded teppanyaki experience, and the debut of the Pesky Parrot tiki bar on a Quantum Class ship. Entertainment gets a boost with a new late-night music venue, Sound Cellar, and an expanded Casino Royale.
Despite the changes, the ship’s signature features, including the North Star observation capsule, RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator and FlowRider surf simulator, will remain in place.
Ovation will also continue to offer its popular South Pacific and New Zealand itineraries from Sydney, with Royal Caribbean confirming its return for the local 2026–27 season.
Harmony of the Seas upgrades ahead of Caribbean return
Harmony of the Seas will begin its revitalisation in Europe in mid-2026 before returning to Port Canaveral, Florida, for a series of Caribbean sailings. The ship’s transformation includes:
- A redesigned Caribbean-inspired pool deck with The Lime & Coconut and refreshed Solarium.
- New dining venues including Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, El Loco Fresh, and Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse.
- Updated staterooms and enhancements to the Ultimate Family Suite.
- Expanded Casino Royale.
- Tech-forward entertainment offerings and new laser tag arenas.
Harmony’s 2026–27 itineraries include stops at Royal Caribbean’s exclusive destinations such as Perfect Day at CocoCay and the new Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island in The Bahamas, scheduled to open in December 2025.
Liberty of the Seas relocates to Galveston
Currently sailing from Bayonne, New Jersey, Liberty of the Seas will undergo its transformation in 2025 before repositioning to Galveston, Texas, in time for the 2026–27 cruise season. Its upgrades are designed to align with other recently amplified ships and include:
- A fully redesigned pool deck featuring The Lime & Coconut bar and private casitas.
- New dining options such as Izumi Teppanyaki, El Loco Fresh, and a Starbucks café.
- An all-new Royal Escape Room experience.
- Refreshed accommodations and expanded family offerings.
- Legacy features like The Perfect Storm waterslides retained.
In Europe, Liberty will sail from Southampton in summer 2026, with itineraries to destinations including the Norwegian fjords, Bruges, and Copenhagen, before heading to Texas.
Standardising the guest experience
According to Royal Caribbean, the upgrades are part of a broader strategy to bring consistency and elevated guest experiences across its Oasis, Quantum and Freedom Class ships. With the Royal Amplified program underway since 2018, the cruise line aims to modernise existing vessels while making them more appealing to a broader demographic.
For the trade, that means a more sellable product across more global homeports.
What this means for Aussie agents
Ovation of the Seas remains one of the most significant deployments for Royal Caribbean in the Australian market. The ship’s revitalisation ensures Australian travellers will have access to the latest brand innovations without having to fly offshore. For travel advisors, it provides a refreshed homeport product that aligns with fleetwide enhancements being seen globally.
Marketing assets, updated itineraries and onboard content are expected to be released ahead of the 2026–27 deployment.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Royal Caribbean is continuing to invest in its hardware with a clear strategy to harmonise experiences across the fleet. For Australian agents, a reimagined Ovation of the Seas means more tools to target families and newcomers to cruise, while tapping into the global consistency that drives repeat bookings. For those selling internationally, Harmony and Liberty’s upgrades ensure more options across key American and European gateways.
