Royal Caribbean has posted its new 2025-2026 deployments for the Short Caribbean and Los Angeles cruise markets.

Short Caribbean cruises, as well as those departing from Los Angeles, in 2025 and 2026 are now available to book. 

For the first time in recent memory, two Royal Caribbean ships will offer sailings from California to Mexico, ranging from 3 to 8 nights: 

• Navigator of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas

Additionally, the following ships will make short Caribbean sailings to the Eastern and/or Western Caribbean:

• Wonder of the Seas
• Utopia of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Mariner of the Seas
• Jewel of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas
• Enchantment of the Seas

The new sailings are available to book immediately.

If you're ready to begin planning your next vacation, here's a breakdown of what is offered. 

Short Caribbean sailings

Wonder of the Seas

The second largest cruise ship in the world, Wonder of the Seas, will begin offering short cruises on September 1, 2025.

Royal Caribbean shook up the short cruise market when it announced Utopia of the Seas would enter service with just short cruises.  Both Utopia and Wonder are Oasis Class cruise ships and among the largest ships in the world.

Typically, big new cruise ships sail 7-night cruises, but Royal Caribbean wants to dominate the short cruise market by offering weekend sailings on its best ships in a bid to attract new cruisers.

Wonder will continue offering 7-night cruisers from Port Canaveral until the end of August, and then moves to Miami to start the 3- and 4-night cruises.

Utopia of the Seas

Utopia of the Seas will continue offering short cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida.

Select sailings include stops at Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Short Caribbean voyages are ideal for those seeking a shorter getaway or who might be new to cruising and cannot commit to the idea of spending a week on a ship. 

Jewel of the Seas

It's not just Royal Caribbean's big ships getting into the weekend cruise market, as Jewel of the Seas will also offer 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises.

Jewel will sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida between April 2025 and October 2025 to offer weekend cruises.  This means Jewel will remain in the United States instead of going to Europe for the summer of 2025.

Liberty of the Seas

When Jewel of the Seas concludes her short cruise sailings, Liberty of the Seas will pick them up.

Liberty will offer cruises from Port Everglades between October 2025 and March 2026. Sailings will visit Nassau, Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Mariner of the Seas

If you'd like to take a short Caribbean cruise from Galveston, Mariner of the Seas has sailings for you.

Mariner will offer primarily 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean cruises that visit ports in Mexico. There's also a few holiday cruises in December that are 7-nights for Mariner.

With Mariner of the Seas making short sailings to the Western Caribbean from Galveston, it's also convenient for those who live nearby and don't want to have to pay for airfare.

5-night cruises will visit Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, while 4-night voyages will only visit Cozumel. 

Freedom of the Seas

In addition to Wonder of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas will offer short cruises from Miami.

In April 2025, Freedom wraps up her tenure in Fort Lauderdale before shifting back to Miami.

Freedom will sail 3-6-night cruises, with a 9-night sailing over New Years 2026.

Enchantment of the Seas

Short cruises from Tampa will be available on Enchantment of the Seas for the entire year. There's a mix of 4- and 5-night getaways to the western Caribbean and The Bahamas. 

Highlights of the destinations in store include Belize City, Belize; Cozumel, Costa Maya, Nassau and Roatan, plus a lineup of vacations that visit Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Cruises from Los Angeles

Quantum of the Seas

Quantum of the Seas will be homeported in Los Angeles year-round offering cruises to Mexico and Catalina Island. She will be the biggest cruise ship Royal Caribbean has ever based on the west coast.

Rumors had been swirling about a second ship being added to the LA market, and it turns out the rumors were true.

Taking a cruise from the West Coast promises stunning coastal landscapes, world-class cuisine, and vibrant ports of call, such as Cabo San Lucas, which is a popular cruise port as well as a land-based vacation spot. It's known for having a party atmosphere, wildlife, and unique rock formations. 

Note that when visiting via cruise ship, you'll have to tender from the ship to shore. You'll have to wake up early to collect your ticket, so you do not waste the day onboard. 

On longer sailings from Los Angeles, you'll visit Cabo San Lucas, whereas on shorter ones you will sail to the nearby Ensenada, Mexico and/or Catalina Island.

Read more: Guide to weekend cruises: Tips for taking a 3-night Royal Caribbean cruise

Navigator of the Seas

Navigator of the Seas returns to Los Angeles for another season to split the Mexican Riviera sailings with Quantum.

Navigator will still offer short 3- and 4-night cruises, but lean more into the longer sailings that go further south down the Baja Peninsula.

Navigator has been in the LA market since cruises restarted in 2021.

Upcoming deployments

The remainder of the posted deployment schedule covers cruises to China, Australia, and Singapore through April 2026. They're set to be released the weeks of March 11, April 8, and May 13, respectively. 

It's important to remember that the sailings could be released at any point within that week; they're not bound to be published on the first day of the listed week.

For example, Singapore cruises are set to launch the week of May 13; however, they could be released on May 16 or 17. 

Additionally, all itineraries are subject to change without notice.

Royal Caribbean has officially released 2025 and 2026 voyages from the Northeast and Long Caribbean cruises. 

You can visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's award-winning private island in the Bahamas, Canada/New England, Bermuda, and more from cities like New York, Baltimore, and Boston on five different ships:

• Symphony of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas
• Vision of the Seas
• Brilliance of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas 

If you're looking to take a port-intensive Southern Caribbean cruise, you'll want to look at sailings onboard Brilliance of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas from San Juan in November and December. 

Allure of the Seas will be returning to Galveston, Texas after a stint in Florida making longer voyages to the Caribbean following her Royal Amplification in early 2025. 

And, finally, Serenade of the Seas will spend late 2025 and early 2026 making 7- to 11-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. 

Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members are able to book on Royal Caribbean’s website starting today, while the official opening for the general public is Thursday, February 15. 

Ready to begin planning your next vacation? Here's a breakdown of new offerings in 2025 and 2026. 

Bayonne/New York City

Three ships will offer cruises from Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey in 2025, the largest being Symphony of the Seas. 

Symphony will sail from Cape Liberty from April to October, similar to 2024. Afterward, the ship will return to Miami. Guests have numerous different voyages to choose from, with the shortest being 7 nights and the longest 9. Examples of itineraries include: 

• 7-Night Bahamas & Perfect Day: Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida; Nassau, Bahamas; Perfect Day at CocoCay
• 9-Night Eastern Caribbean: Labadee, Haiti; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten

Odyssey of the Seas will sail on cruises ranging from 7 to 14 nights in January, February, March, April, November, and December 2025. There will be 7- and 8-night sailings to The Bahamas, including Perfect Day at CocoCay, as well as longer cruises to the Southern and Eastern Caribbean. 

Odyssey will also make a single transatlantic cruise from Bayonne visiting Ponta Delgada, Azores; Málaga, Spain; Cartagena, Spain; Valencia, Spain; and Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Italy. 

Finally, Liberty of the Seas will be the only ship to sail from Cape Liberty in 2025 to Bermuda on 4-, 5-, 6, and 9-night cruises. Like Odyssey, you can also choose to sail to the Eastern Caribbean; however, what sets Liberty of the Seas apart is her offerings to Canada and New England: 

• 9-Night Canada & New England: Boston, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine; Saint John (Bay of Fundy), New Brunswick [Overnight]; Halifax, Nova Scotia  
• 9-Night Canada & New England: Boston, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine; Sydney, Nova Scotia; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John (Bay of Fundy), New Brunswick
• 9-Night Canada & New England: Boston, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine; Sydney, Nova Scotia; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John (Bay of Fundy), New Brunswick [Overnight]

Bayonne is an exciting embarkation port because it's located just miles from New York City. Whether you want to extend your cruise with a jam-packed pre- or post-cruise stay, there are endless ways to customize your cruise vacation while also budgeting time to visit the Big Apple. 

Read more: Bahamas cruise guide

Baltimore

Since Baltimore is a much smaller port, you won't find any mega-ships like Symphony of the Seas sailing from Maryland. 

Instead, Vision of the Seas will offer a variety of different cruises to guests visiting places like Bermuda, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and the Southeast Coast of the United States that range from 5 nights to 12 nights. 

It's perfect for those who prefer a more intimate cruising experience and don't want to deal with the hassle of sailing out of Port Canaveral or Miami, two of the busiest ports in the world:

Read more: What to do in Bermuda on a cruise

Boston

If sipping on craft brews, indulging in fresh seafood, and enjoying the beautiful fall foliage of New England and Canada is more your vibe, look no further than the offerings from Boston. 

Brilliance of the Seas, a Radiance Class ship that launched in 2002, will be the only Royal Caribbean sailing from Boston in the fall of 2025. The majority of her sailings will be 7-night cruises to Canada and New England; however, there will be one unique cruise from Boston to San Juan in November. 

Prior to arriving, passengers will visit Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda; St. John's, Antigua; and Tortola, British Virgin Islands. 

San Juan

After spending the fall up north, Brilliance of the Seas will sail from San Juan in November and December 2025, as well as January, February, March, and April 2026. She'll be joined by Jewel of the Seas. 

Both vessels will primarily sail on 7-night cruises to the Southern Caribbean to ports such as Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; Roseau, Dominica; and Bridgetown, Barbados. 

Galveston

Allure of the Seas will (finally) be undergoing her Royal Amplification in early 2025, so if you've been waiting to book a cruise on Allure, 2025/2026 is the perfect time! 

In March 2026, she'll return to Galveston for 5- and 7-night cruises to the Western Caribbean, visiting ports like Costa Maya, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico; and Roatán, Honduras. 

Before then, however, she'll sail from Fort Lauderdale on 6- and 8-night voyages to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. This means that if you want to take a short cruise onboard, you shouldn't push it off for long. 

Fort Lauderdale

In late 2025, you can find longer itineraries onboard Serenade of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale to exotic places in the Southern Caribbean, as well as shorter voyages to the Western Caribbean:

• 7-Night Western Caribbean: Cozumel, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; Costa Maya, Mexico
• 10-Night Eastern Caribbean: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Johns, Antigua Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

The demand for Royal Caribbean cruises is higher than ever, and if you wait to book your next sailing, you will likely find limited inventory

Not only does booking early ensure that you have access to the lowest prices, but it's also smart if you're hoping to score a specific cabin. Inventory is selling out further in advance, so if you decide to wait until the last minute, you might be disappointed with your options. 

Prices seem to be increasing from week to week, meaning that if you want to lock in the lowest possible rate, your best bet is to go ahead and place the deposit on your 2025 cruise as soon as possible. 

When I went to book a sailing onboard Icon of the Seas for June 2025 in mid-January, I paid $5,125.60, including gratuities, for two in an interior room. At the time of writing roughly one month later, Royal Caribbean's website was advertising the same sailing starting at $5,716.72 before tips. While a cruise onboard Royal's newest vessel, the pricing trend is being seen on ships of all ages. 

If you happen to notice that the price has decreased before final payment, you'll be able to contact Royal Caribbean (or your travel agent) to have the new price honored on your reservation. 

Additionally, if you aren't able to commit to a sailing that far in advance, you can always place a refundable deposit, which will ensure that you don't lose any money in the event that your schedule changes before final payment is due. 

It's not too early to book a Royal Caribbean cruise for 2025 or early 2026.

Royal Caribbean has released its new 7-night Caribbean cruises for the 2025-2026 Caribbean season.

In addition to the 2025-2026 Icon of the Seas cruises already released, Royal Caribbean posted cruises on six other ships.

The new itineraries are loaded into Royal Caribbean's website and available for immediate booking. 

Here's a breakdown of what's new.

Adventure of the Seas will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida and offer 6- and 8-night Caribbean cruises.  Some will go Western, while longer ones will visit the Eastern or Southern Caribbean.

Grandeur of the Seas will be based in Tampa, and offer 7-night cruises to The Bahamas and Western Caribbean.

Harmony of the Seas will sail from Galveston, Texas and offer 6, 7, and 8-night Caribbean cruises.

One change with this itinerary is you will be able to sail from Galveston and visit Perfect Day at CocoCay in addition to ports in Mexico, if you sail on the 8-night cruises.

Icon of the Seas will continue to be based from Miami, Florida and alternate between 7-night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day at CocoCay and 7-night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day at CocoCay itineraries.

Independence of the Seas will offer 7-night Caribbean cruises from Miami, Florida.

Oasis of the Seas will be based from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and offer 6 and 8-night Caribbean cruises.

Rhapsody of the Seas will split her time between Tampa and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

While in Tampa, Rhapsody will sail to the Western Caribbean. In San Juan, she will offer cruises to the Southern Caribbean.

More Caribbean cruises coming next month

As you can see, there's still pieces of the deployment puzzle left to be unveiled, and we can expect more cruises to be released in early December.

Royal Caribbean will release the second phase of its 7-night Caribbean cruises during the week of December 4th.

What does that mean exactly? No one is exactly certain.

There's speculation among cruise fans Star of the Seas sailings will be released in this phase, with the expectation she will be based out of Port Canaveral. Royal Caribbean has made no confirmation or announcement in regard to its plans for Star of the Seas.

Star of the Seas will be the second Icon Class cruise ship, and could become the world's largest cruise ship if she is built slightly larger than Icon of the Seas.

The only facts we really know about Star of the Seas is that it will start sailing sometime in Summer 2025.

When will the other 2025 itineraries be released?

More Royal Caribbean cruises will be posted in the coming months.

• Week of December 4, 2023: 7-night Caribbean (Phase 2)
• Week of February 12, 2024: Short Caribbean, Los Angeles & Northeast 
• Week of February 19, 2024: Long Caribbean

Keep in mind the sailings could be released at any point within that week, and not necessarily on the first day of the listed week.

Why it's a good strategy to book a cruise now for 2025

It might seem crazy to book a cruise today for over two years from now, but it's one of the best money-saving strategies out there.

Cruise ships book quickly, and the more cabins that sell out, the higher prices go. So booking a cruise now can lock in a better fare than you might find next year.

Moreover, booking early gives you the choice of almost any cabin on the ship.

Certain highly desirable cabins, such as suites, get booked faster than others.  You could get the perfect room now that satisfies what you're looking for in cabin location, category, or size.

Read more: Royal Caribbean suites guide

Combine the lower prices with bargain hunters looking for suites, and you'll find a lot of veteran cruise fans booking up highly sought after cabins on popular sailings, such as holidays.

Planning on booking a 2025 cruise? These stories will help:

• 5 things to look for before you book a cruise
• What is the cheapest month to go on a cruise?
• Should I take a short or a long cruise?
• Why you shouldn't book the cheapest cruise you can find
• The best time to go on a Caribbean cruise

Royal Caribbean released new 2024-2025 cruises from the northeast United States and additional Caribbean sailings today.

As part of its scheduled deployment announcement, new sailings across 13 ships were posted.

Royal Caribbean’s 2022-2023 Northeast and Winter Caribbean cruises open for bookings today, February 23.

Let's dig into what Royal Caribbean published.

Northeast

There will be a new face from the New York City area when Odyssey of the Seas arrives in Cape Liberty.

Odyssey of the Seas will sail from Rome on her Transatlantic crossing and start regular service from Bayonne, New Jersey.  

Odyssey will sail from Bayonne between November 2024 and at least April 2025.

The new ship, which was launched in 2021, will offer a variety of 7-12 night cruises to destinations in the Caribbean and Bahamas.

Symphony of the Seas will also sail from the New York City area.

She will finish up her season in Fort Lauderdale, before moving up to Bayonne in May 2024.  From then, Symphony will offer 7- and 9-night cruises to the Caribbean, Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Liberty of the Seas will sail from Bayonne between May and October 2024, offering cruises to Bermuda, Canada and the Caribbean.

New England will have a new option when Grandeur of the Seas offers cruises from Boston to primarily Canada, although she does have a 15-night Greenland cruise too.

View the 2024-2025 Northeast itineraries:

• Grandeur of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas

Winter Caribbean

Additional Caribbean sailings were also released today. These new sailings are between fall 2024 and spring 2025.

Symphony of the Seas will move from New York down to Miami and offer 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.

Serenade of the Seas will call Tampa home once again, offering 5- and 9-night Caribbean cruises.

Radiance of the Seas will also sail from Tampa after completing a 16-night Panama Canal cruise.  She'll then offer 7-night sailings.

Rhapsody of the Seas has 7- and 8-night cruises from San Juan, Puerto Rico that will visit the Southern Caribbean.

Oasis of the Seas will be based in Port Everglades and offer mostly 6- and 8-night sailings around the Caribbean.

Over in Galveston, Jewel of the Seas will offer 9-11 night cruises to the Western Caribbean.

Grandeur of the Seas will sail from Fort Lauderdale, beginning in November 2024.

Following her transatlantic from Barcelona, Explorer of the Seas will offer cruises from Miami. These are all longer sailings, with lengths of 10-12 nights.

New Orleans will get a Royal Caribbean ship in 2024 when Brilliance of the Seas starts service.

Brilliance will take a 14-night Panama Canal crossing and then offer 7-night cruises from New Orleans between October 2024 and March 2025.

View the Winter Caribbean itineraries for 2024-2025:

• Brilliance of the Seas
• Explorer of the Seas
• Grandeur of the Seas
• Jewel of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Radiance of the Seas
• Rhapsody of the Seas
• Serenade of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas

More deployments coming this spring

Royal Caribbean has a few more deployments to come, but you'll have to wait a few more months.

New cruises from Australia and Singapore will come in May and July, respectively.

No date is yet set when China sailings might go on sale.

Planning on booking a cruise? These stories will help:

• 2023 Royal Caribbean Cruise Planning Guide
• Picking a Cruise Line and Ship
• 25 best Royal Caribbean tips, tricks & hidden secrets
• 5 Costly lessons learned on a cruise (and how to avoid them!)
• Top 10 Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas hidden secrets
• The differences between Royal Caribbean's ships
• How to choose the right Caribbean cruise sailing

Royal Caribbean has released its Short Caribbean sailings for April 2024 — April 2025, which are now available for booking.

Royal Caribbean's website has been updated with the new itineraries, which are available to book immediately.

Eight cruise ships have new sailings you can book through mid-2025.

Short Caribbean sailings

Allure of the Seas will continue offering 3- and 4-night weekend cruises from Port Canaveral that visit Nassau, Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Enchantment of the Seas will sail from Tampa and offer primarily 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean cruises to destinations in Mexico, and Grand Cayman. 

There's also a 10-night Southern Caribbean sailing included.

Read more: What is the best time to cruise to the Caribbean?

Grandeur of the Seas will also sail from Tampa and offer 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean cruises.   

Independence of the Seas will offer more of a variety of short Caribbean cruises, including 4-, 5- cruises. Independence will sail from Miami, Florida.

Read more: How different is a 3-night vs 4-night cruise?

Liberty of the Seas will continue offering 3- and 4-night short Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas.

Mariner of the Seas will shift to Galveston, where she will offer 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean cruises.

Navigator of the Seas will remain in Los Angeles and offer a mix of 3- and 4-night cruises along with 7-night Mexican Riviera cruises.

Read more: I tried my first 3-night cruise, here's how it went

After completing a transatlantic from Barcelona, Voyager of the Seas will sail 4- and 5-night cruises from Port Canaveral.

View the full Short Caribbean 2024-2025 sailings:

• Allure of the Seas
• Enchantment of the Seas
• Grandeur of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Mariner of the Seas
• Navigator of the Seas
• Voyager of the Seas

Read more: Should I take a short or a long cruise

The release of the short Caribbean sailings is the first of the new spring deployments.

Over the next few months,  more sailings will be released for the 2024-2025 season, although changes to the deployment schedule are possible.

Royal Caribbean's deployment schedule is as follows:

• Week of February 20, 2023: Winter Caribbean
• Week of May 1, 2023: Australia
• Week of July 24, 2023: Singapore
• TBD: China

Planning on booking a new cruise? These stories will help:

• Is it worth it to book a short 3-night cruise?
• What was added to each Royal Caribbean ship during its Royal Amplified refurbishment
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• Why taking a weekend cruise is a great escape

Royal Caribbean will replace Oasis of the Seas in Cape Liberty with the newer and slightly larger Symphony of the Seas.

The cruise line released on Thursday its Year-round and Summer Caribbean sailings for the 2024-2025 cruise season.

A very noticeable change for summer 2024 is Symphony of the Seas deployment to Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey. Many cruise fans were curious which ship would replace Oasis of the Seas since it was previously announced Oasis of the Seas was headed to Europe in 2024.

The new itineraries are loaded into Royal Caribbean's website and available for immediate booking. 

Read more: How to choose the right Caribbean cruise sailing

Here's a look at the new itineraries and what you can expect if you'd like to book a cruise now.

Adventure of the Seas will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida and offer 6- and 8-night cruises that visit the Eastern and Southern Caribbean.

Enchantment of the Seas will sail from Tampa in the summer and offer primarily 7-night cruises to the Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Freedom of the Seas will sail from Miami between May and July 2024 offering short 3- and 4-night cruises.

Then in late July, she will move to Port Everglades, Florida and move away from short cruises to offer 6- and 7-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

Harmony of the Seas will remain in Galveston to offer 6-, 7-, and 8-night Western Caribbean cruises.  Notably, the 8-night cruises will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, which has not traditionally been offered from Galveston.

Icon of the Seas will sail from Miami. Her deployment was already announced when her sailings went on sale earlier this year.

Liberty of the Seas will offer longer cruises from Cape Liberty, with Bermuda and Eastern Caribbean cruises.

Liberty will also offer cruises to Bermuda and Canada/New England.

Vision of the Seas will continue to sail out of Baltimore, Maryland and offer 8-night Southeast Coast cruises along with 12-night cruises to the Southern Caribbean. 

There are also cruises to the Bahamas and Bermuda, along with Canada sailings.

Wonder of the Seas will continue sailing year-round out of Port Canaveral with alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.

View all the new 2024-2025 year-long and summer Caribbean itineraries:

• Adventure of the Seas
• Enchantment of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas (Long)
• Freedom of the Seas (short)
• Harmony of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Vision of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas

When will the other 2024 itineraries be released?

Royal Caribbean has not announced when the rest of the 2024-2025 cruises will be released.

Historically, Royal Caribbean typically releases its new itineraries in two batches: first around November/December, and then again in the spring around March/April.

Suffice to say, it is not likely to get anymore deployments before the end of the year.  When Royal Caribbean does release a new deployment schedule, we will share that here on this site.

Why booking a 2024 cruise now is so important

Booking a cruise more than two years in advance might seem crazy, but the reality is it's one of the best times to book a cruise.

There are two compelling reasons to book a cruise super early, especially when new itineraries are released.

First, certain stateroom categories that usually in high-demand will be readily available when new cruises are released. Suites are especially limited, and typically are the kind of cabin that get booked up quickly.

Second, some of the best rates can be found when booking well in advance.

Since cruise fares are based on supply and demand, prices tend to be lowest when new itineraries are released because inventory is at its greatest. 

Combine the lower prices with bargain hunters looking for suites, and you'll find a lot of veteran cruise fans booking up highly sought after cabins on popular sailings, such as holidays.

Planning on booking a 2024 cruise? These stories will help:

• 5 things to look for before you book a cruise
• What is the cheapest month to go on a cruise?
• Should I take a short or a long cruise?
• Why you shouldn't book the cheapest cruise you can find
• The best time to go on a Caribbean cruise

You can book a Royal Caribbean cruise for summer 2024 beginning today!

The new sailings are available to book via Royal Caribbean's website, offering a variety of ships and itineraries during the summer months when Royal Caribbean deploys its cruise ships to the region.

There are sailings between May and October 2024 to book across 6 different ships.

Here is a breakdown of where the ships will be sailing from:

Anthem of the Seas will sail from Southampton, UK and offer cruises of various lengths to destinations in Spain, Portugal, Norway and the Canary Islands.

Explorer of the Seas will sail from Barcelona & Venice to offer primarily Adriatic and Greek Isle cruises.

Jewel of the Seas will sail from Amsterdam and offer 11-, 12-, and 13-night cruises around the British Isles and Iceland. Jewel will also offer Arctic circle sailings, including a 17-night Iceland and Greenland cruise.

Oasis of the Seas will sail from Barcelona and Rome and offer Spain, France & Italy cruises in the Western Mediterranean.

Odyssey of the Seas will sail from Rome to offer Greek Isles and Holy Land cruises to Israel.

Serenade of the Seas will sail from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Barcelona as it participates in the World Cruise.  Two segments of the 274-night world tour will include European stops.

The Ultimate Middle East and Med Cruise begins in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, visiting Greece, Turkey, Croatia and more along the way before reaching Rome. In store on the Ultimate Europe and Beyond cruise, starting in Barcelona, are culture-rich destinations like Spain, Ireland, France and more.

Voyager of the Seas will sail from Ravenna and Rome, Barcelona, and Athens, Greece on 7-night sailings to Greece, the Western Mediterranean, Egypt and Israel.  (Cruises open Friday, Nov. 18)

View the full itineraries here:

• Anthem of the Seas
• Explorer of the Seas
• Jewel of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas
• Voyager of the Seas

This is the second 2024 deployment released so far, as Royal Caribbean released Alaska 2024 cruises last week.

Year-round and summer Caribbean cruises are scheduled to be released during the week of December 12, 2022, with the rest of the 2024 sailings to be released "soon". Historically, this means the rest will be released in the early spring, around March or April.

Booking early can save you money

Thinking about booking a cruise a year and a half away may seem excessive, but it is one of the best ways to get the best price on a cruise.

Generally speaking, the lowest prices for cruises are available when new itineraries are released, such as these Europe 2024 sailings. Over time, prices will go up as more and more cabins are booked up.

If you are interested in a suite, the importance of booking early is even more apparent, as these cabins usually jump up in price quickly after release.

No matter what the price is today, you can always take advantage of a lower price later with the Best Price Guarantee program, which allows for repricing of cruises in case of a price drop up until final payment date. This is available to residents of the United States and Canada, as well as select other nations.

Besides cost savings, booking early also ensures you get the exact cabin you want. A lot of cruise fans gobble up the most desirable cabins when new sailings hit the market, such as suites, extra large balcony rooms and other unique staterooms.

Best Months to Cruise the Mediterranean

From the sunny beaches of Spain to the historic ruins of Greece, there is something for everyone in the Mediterranean. But when is the best time to cruise the Mediterranean?

In general, the best months to cruise the Mediterranean are May, June, September, and October. The weather is warm but not too hot, and the seas are typically calm.

April and May are ideal months to cruise the Mediterranean. The weather is comfortable and the crowds are thin, making it the perfect time to explore everything the region has to offer. 

Overall, these months offer the ideal combination of weather and conditions for a relaxing and enjoyable cruise.

Planning on booking a 2024 cruise? These stories will help:

• 7 tips for a great Mediterranean cruise
• What is the cheapest month to go on a cruise?
• 7 tips for a great Royal Caribbean Baltic cruise
• Why you shouldn't avoid older and smaller cruise ships

Royal Caribbean will keep a cruise ship based on the west coast of the United States for another season.

Royal Caribbean returned to offering cruises from Los Angeles in 2021 after more than a decade away from the region.

Navigator of the Seas will remain homeported from Los Angeles from Spring 2023 through early 2024.

The plan is to have Navigator of the Seas offer primarily 3- and 4-night cruises from Los Angeles, with scattered 7-night cruises down the Mexican Riviera.

• 3-night Ensenada cruise visiting Ensenada, Mexico only
• 4-night cruises visiting Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico
• 4-night cruise visiting Ensenada, Mexico only
• 7-night Mexican Riviera cruise visiting Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

The new sailings are available to book immediately.

Just like the cruises in 2021-2022, Navigator of the Seas will depart from Los Angeles' World Cruise Center in San Pedro.

Best things to do on Mexican Riviera cruise

If you've never taken a cruise on the west coast, you'll find a side of Mexico that's very different from Cozumel.

Cruises to the Mexican Riviera are known for a wide variety of things to do, including scuba diving, kayaking, days at the beach, and amazing food.

Ensenada

Just over the border from the United States, Ensenada is known for fishing and shopping. 

It's also famous for a natural geyser, known as La Bufadora, where you can go to see and hear this natural wonder.

If you like more of a party vibe, check out Hussong's Cantina. This is the oldest and best known cantina in Baja California, Mexico. It's famous for being reputedly the place where the Margarita was created.

You'll also find a number of wineries in the area that you can tour and sample the local wines.

Catalina Island

Across the bay from Los Angeles is a popular day spot for tourists, where you'll find shopping and restaurants to enjoy.

If you're looking for fun in the ocean, scuba diving is great at Catalina because of the clear waters.

Another popular activity is to rent a golf cart and explore the island on your own. You can take the cart around to visit different spots, like Descanso Beach or the Catalina Casino.

Mazatlan

You'll find a 10-mile long seaside promenade in Mazatlan, where you can sample some great Mexican cuisine. 

There's also the "old town" area of Mazatlan known as Plaza Republica, which has a number of historic sites from the cities origins.

Mazatlan has plenty of lovely beaches in the area, which is perfect for surfing, scuba diving, or just relaxing in the ocean.

Puerto Vallarta

You will find some of the best food in Western Mexico in Puerto Vallarta, which is great for foodies. El Centro, which is the name of the downtown region, features churches with charming colonial detail.

The beaches are a major draw in Puerto Vallarta that offer all sorts of activities.

Cabo San Lucas

You'll take a tender into town where you can choose from golf, swimming, or zip-lining.

Whale watching is a hot activity in Cabo, as humpback whales migrate to the area from December through April.

Royal Caribbean has posted new cruises in 2023-2024 from Panama.

The newly released sailings offer 6- and 7-night Southern Caribbean cruises that begin in either Colon, Panama or Cartagena, Columbia. Sailing from these ports is a first for Royal Caribbean in almost a decade.

Rhapsody of the Seas will sail between December 2023 and April 2024.

Royal Caribbean believes these new itineraries combine the international cuisine, entertainment and nightlife on a single cruise that does not require a travel visa.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley shared the exciting news on Facebook, "I am very excited to announce that starting in 2023, Panama is your newest jumping-off point for the captivating shores of the Southern Caribbean onboard Rhapsody of the Seas."

The new cruises are available to book immediately.

Short Panama Canal Cruises

Not only are there cruises that visit many exotic destinations in the region, but this also offers 7-night Panama Canal crossings.

The 7-night Costa Rica & Panama Canal cruises starts off with a visit to Cartagena before traversing the Panama Canal and spending time in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

Sailings from Cartagena

Something else novel about this new deployment are cruises from Cartagena.

Located in Colombia, Cartagena is known for its romantic colonial architecture and Caribbean coast line.

More deployments to come

There are still more cruises to be announced for the 2023-2024 cruise season.

Royal Caribbean's deployment schedule is as follows:

• Week of April 4: Los Angeles and 9/5-night Miami
• Week of May 16: 7-night Caribbean
• Week of June 6: Singapore

Keep in mind that the deployment schedule is subject to change.

Planning on booking a 2023 cruise? These stories will help:

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• Why you shouldn't book the cheapest cruise you can find