release dates for 2026 Itineraries

[Southern Dan]

Same ones as two weeks ago…going to have to go interior on Legend with those prices!

[JasonOasis]

10 hours ago, Southern Dan said:

Same ones as two weeks ago…going to have to go interior on Legend with those prices!

Try looking at it this way at at $2,029 dollars per person for 8 nights that comes out to $253.63 per person per night.  That price includes a stateroom all you can eat breakfast lunch and dinner, transportation to all those wonderful ports and basic beverages.   Let's say you went with an ocean view balcony and let's assume an ocean view balcony is $3,000 dollars that comes out to $375 dollars per night there are Holiday Inn's that charge more than $375 dollars per night and I still have to buy breakfast, lunch, dinner pay for uber's or taxis.  Yet I can travel hundreds and hundreds of miles on the ocean with everything included for between $253.63 - $375 dollars per night before we add on any add-ons. Of course a suite increases the price dramatically, but when you look at it like what is the cost per night for me at least it does provide some clarity as why the cruise industry continues to say cruising is still the best value vacation because you can't get all of that at that price per day/night on a land vacation.

I'm looking forward to getting on Legend hopefully in January or February of 2027 for an 8 night southern Caribbean cruise should Royal offer the cruise.  I may have to come down to a junior suite or a sunset junior suite at those prices but it still would be a great value.  

[Sweety]

11 hours ago, Southern Dan said:

Same ones as two weeks ago…going to have to go interior on Legend with those prices!

I will be looking at legend also.

[OCSC Mike]

1 hour ago, JasonOasis said:

Try looking at it this way...

That's more or less how I look at cruising. The main issue for me is I can still book ships like Wonder or even a Utopia B2B for much less than that using group rates or catching a GGG sale. We'll likely try Star in 2026-2027 (again with group rates) just b/c it's a new experience (and my wife wants to, lol) but the Icon class prices are still tough to swallow for me. It doesn't help that we are mostly limited to school breaks but nothing I can do about my wife being a teacher.

[Southern Dan]

1 hour ago, JasonOasis said:

Try looking at it this way at at $2,029 dollars per person for 8 nights that comes out to $253.63 per person per night.  That price includes a stateroom all you can eat breakfast lunch and dinner, transportation to all those wonderful ports and basic beverages.   Let's say you went with an ocean view balcony and let's assume an ocean view balcony is $3,000 dollars that comes out to $375 dollars per night there are Holiday Inn's that charge more than $375 dollars per night and I still have to buy breakfast, lunch, dinner pay for uber's or taxis.  Yet I can travel hundreds and hundreds of miles on the ocean with everything included for between $253.63 - $375 dollars per night before we add on any add-ons. Of course a suite increases the price dramatically, but when you look at it like what is the cost per night for me at least it does provide some clarity as why the cruise industry continues to say cruising is still the best value vacation because you can't get all of that at that price per day/night on a land vacation.

I'm looking forward to getting on Legend hopefully in January or February of 2027 for an 8 night southern Caribbean cruise should Royal offer the cruise.  I may have to come down to a junior suite or a sunset junior suite at those prices but it still would be a great value.  

Very good points Jason, and I get it.  My wife however doesn't want to drop 5k+ for a cruise fare though and then you have to add in the internet and deluxe beverage package for another 1500, airfare, excursions, hotel the night prior to the cruise. 

Our 7Nt cruise on Symphony for a week long trip this past Thanksgiving/her birthday was 3k for Oceanview with Large Balcony which is reasonable.  She agreed to do an 8Nt cruise on the amped Allure this year for my birthday/Christmas but only if it was an interior which ended up being the same price at 3k basically.  It is unfortunate that she only wants to travel during the winter during Thanksgiving/Christmas when she has time off because the prices are already jacked up due to the Holidays, both for cruises and airfare.

I think I can convince her to do Legend because the "exciting new ship" factor as well as a different itinerary visiting three new ports for us together at 4k but we'll 100% have to do an interior if she says she is down.

We'll see what happens...

[DMcrusin]

1 hour ago, JasonOasis said:

Try looking at it this way at at $2,029 dollars per person for 8 nights that comes out to $253.63 per person per night.  That price includes a stateroom all you can eat breakfast lunch and dinner, transportation to all those wonderful ports and basic beverages.   Let's say you went with an ocean view balcony and let's assume an ocean view balcony is $3,000 dollars that comes out to $375 dollars per night there are Holiday Inn's that charge more than $375 dollars per night and I still have to buy breakfast, lunch, dinner pay for uber's or taxis.  Yet I can travel hundreds and hundreds of miles on the ocean with everything included for between $253.63 - $375 dollars per night before we add on any add-ons. Of course a suite increases the price dramatically, but when you look at it like what is the cost per night for me at least it does provide some clarity as why the cruise industry continues to say cruising is still the best value vacation because you can't get all of that at that price per day/night on a land vacation.

I'm looking forward to getting on Legend hopefully in January or February of 2027 for an 8 night southern Caribbean cruise should Royal offer the cruise.  I may have to come down to a junior suite or a sunset junior suite at those prices but it still would be a great value.  

I get your thinking and justification, ….only flaw in it is that the Holiday Inn doesn’t charge you an extra room rate for another person added.  That room rate doesn’t bump up to $750 per night!

Either way, if you want to go and can afford it / pay for it, do it….in time the price is forgotten, but the memories remain!

[VC22]

On 2/12/2025 at 10:58 PM, Southern Dan said:

They are up…

 

 

 

 

 

Harmony returning to PC?  I love that ship!  And for weeklong cruises!

[OCSC Mike]

Just now, VC22 said:

Harmony returning to PC?  I love that ship!  And for weeklong cruises!

As a loyal PC cruiser due to proximity, that was a welcome sight and I'll be interested to see the dates and prices for her.

[Sweety]

This blog is very expensive. I just booked Star of the Seas, December 6-13, 2026. My retirement list is growing.

[Austin]

The latest 2 ships are always the highest in terms of cost. Wonder prices are down significantly now and I’m sure Icon will be less costly once Legend goes on sale.

[ckruetze]

On 2/14/2025 at 2:31 AM, Matthew Miller said:

Looks like test bookings for a ship titled "LE" are up right now. Includes Mediterranean and FLL sailings. 

How did you find them? I'm trying but I can't find anything for the Mediterranean other then older/smaller ships.
I used this link https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruises?search=departurePort:BCN&country=USA

Did you use any other search filters?

[FionaMG]

3 hours ago, ckruetze said:

How did you find them? I'm trying but I can't find anything for the Mediterranean other then older/smaller ships.
I used this link https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruises?search=departurePort:BCN&country=USA

Did you use any other search filters?

Test loads typically only stay up for a few hours and then are removed from the website.

These sailings should be fully posted at some point this week.

[Matt]

On 2/14/2025 at 3:43 PM, Sweety said:

This blog is very expensive. I just booked Star of the Seas, December 6-13, 2026. My retirement list is growing.

[ScottD]

On 2/14/2025 at 3:43 PM, Sweety said:

This blog is very expensive. I just booked Star of the Seas, December 6-13, 2026. My retirement list is growing.

Retirement list=growing

Retirement funds=Dwindling 

[Sweety]

I need a 5 day junior suite cruise to keep on track for pinnacle. Come on with the short cruises.

[ckruetze]

1 hour ago, Sweety said:

I need a 5 day junior suite cruise to keep on track for pinnacle. Come on with the short cruises.

Just go for 5 days and you will be two days closer.

[Sweety]

Is the short cruises coming out this week?

[OCSC Mike]

15 minutes ago, Sweety said:

Is the short cruises coming out this week?

Yes... short Caribbean at least.

[JohnK6404]

Slightly off topic, but... any idea if/when Royal will offer that UK itinerary they used to offer from Amsterdam (Scotland/Ireland/Wales)? Maybe move it to RT Southampton?

[FionaMG]

48 minutes ago, JohnK6404 said:

Slightly off topic, but... any idea if/when Royal will offer that UK itinerary they used to offer from Amsterdam (Scotland/Ireland/Wales)? Maybe move it to RT Southampton?

I sincerely doubt Royal will offer that sort of itinerary any time soon although I would love to be proved wrong.  

Celebrity might. Otherwise, I think you'd probably need to look at Princess. If I'm not mistaken, they usually do that itinerary at least a couple of times a year.

[CruzOnBye]

Harmony is now available for Fall 2026 out of Port Canaveral. Offering 2 night options too which is kinda cool, even if to tact on to another, longer cruise. I noticed when trying to price out rooms the website isn't showing as much detail as normal. Usually when I look at Interior, for example, it will show "Promanade View" "Central Park View", etc., but for Harmony it's just "Interior" lol. So struggling a little to see what room is what, but I'll defer to my awesome MEI TA to help with that piece. Happy shopping!

[OCSC Mike]

14 minutes ago, CruzOnBye said:

Harmony is now available for Fall 2026 out of Port Canaveral. Offering 2 night options too which is kinda cool, even if to tact on to another, longer cruise.

Interesting that there are so many options for the entire Harmony list... 2N, 4N, 5N, 7N.

The algorithm that puzzles together home port and ports of call was working overtime on that one.

[Matt]

Harmony and Oasis doing short cruises. Lots of others too

 

[smokeybandit]

A 2 night cruise just seems an evil tease.

[Shari]

We broke down and booked a b2b2b on Serenade starting 27 Sep 2026 5 nights out of Vancouver to San Diego, San Diego 2 nights to Ensenada and back, then 7 nights San Diego to Cabo and La Paz and back to San Diego.  Total 14 nights.  Our first b2b2b and ending where our cruising friends live as well as our kids.

[billdauterive]

1 hour ago, Matt said:

Harmony and Oasis doing short cruises. Lots of others too

Ugh!  Personally I'm not liking the trend of more and more short duration cruises.  I get they're trying to dominate the new to cruise market but it doesn't mean I have to like the direction.

[Sweety]

On 2/24/2025 at 7:02 AM, Sweety said:

I need a 5 day junior suite cruise to keep on track for pinnacle. Come on with the short cruises.

I have booked, Oasis (portside), Harmony and Freedom B2B. I am tired and need a nap.

[OCSC Mike]

Just got some group rates from my TA for Utopia Summer 2026 and spring break 2027... Summer 2026 is even worse than this summer. March wasn't as bad but that's the Star sailing @Lovetocruise2002 and my TA will be on plus Star is obviously also cheaper in March than June.

I need to hit the lottery... or at least get some more 20% off gift cards.

[asquared17]

holy COW. no wonder we couldn’t book oasis class out for december 2026 and feb 2027

[WannaCruise]

Ugh...was hoping for some ok prices but everything is $$$.  Doesn't help that we're looking for Christmas 2026.

So are the only family friendly remaining ships to be released Allure, Mariner and Navigator?

[Southern Dan]

33 minutes ago, WannaCruise said:

Ugh...was hoping for some ok prices but everything is $$$.  Doesn't help that we're looking for Christmas 2026.

So are the only family friendly remaining ships to be released Allure, Mariner and Navigator?

Rumors indicate Navigator is going to be out in Australia and/or Asia, Mariner will be sailing out of NOLA and I guess Allure will be in FL doing 7 Nt or alternating 6/8 Nt itineraries.  We’ll find out soon…

[smokeybandit]

The rest of the Caribbean comes out next week. After that, only the Asian/Aussie market is left.

[VC22]

2 hours ago, billdauterive said:

Ugh!  Personally I'm not liking the trend of more and more short duration cruises.  I get they're trying to dominate the new to cruise market but it doesn't mean I have to like the direction.

I agree.  And tbh what little out there for 6/7/8 nights leaves a lot to be desired.  Legend to the Southern Caribbean seems like a dream, but those prices…

Having just gotten off a 10 N from Miami I’d love to see more longer haul from the Florida ports.  Not a fan of the 3/4 nighters and it stinks they have most of the Oasis class doing that over longer.

[Sweety]

58 minutes ago, Southern Dan said:

Rumors indicate Navigator is going to be out in Australia and/or Asia, Mariner will be sailing out of NOLA and I guess Allure will be in FL doing 7 Nt or alternating 6/8 Nt itineraries.  We’ll find out soon…

I hope Mariner is sailing out of NOLA. Here I am planning another cruise.

[smokeybandit]

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from three other Oasis class showstoppers sailing from Florida.

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[Lovetocruise2002]

3 hours ago, asquared17 said:

holy COW. no wonder we couldn’t book oasis class out for december 2026 and feb 2027

No kidding! My head was spinning when my TA was listing the sail dates for me last night. Such odd start/end. Nothing that goes well with the typical school calendar for Christmas/NY. It was either I book something and miss Christmas with the family (not an option), or stuck with a 3 nighter, or not be able to make it back in time for school start in January. I was so frustrated. No dates were working! I finally found a short sailing on HM for late December that works and we decided to go ahead and book it and not bring the freeloaders. No NYE sailing for us December 2026

3 hours ago, WannaCruise said:

Ugh...was hoping for some ok prices but everything is $$$.  Doesn't help that we're looking for Christmas 2026.

So are the only family friendly remaining ships to be released Allure, Mariner and Navigator?

I would not hold my breath for Allure, especially for Christmas. Allure summer 2026 pricing was awful and it's rumoured that she will do 7-night out of Miami. I am willing to bet those high prices will hold for Christmas. If you are willing/able to sail over Canadian Thanksgiving (October 2026), the pricing is decent. I sadly cannot cause not enough time off.

[Lovetocruise2002]

4 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

March wasn't as bad but that's the Star sailing @Lovetocruise2002

So did you book that one yet???

[Jamesszy94]

2 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

The rest of the Caribbean comes out next week. After that, only the Asian/Aussie market is left.

I wouldn't get too excited about the Australian market.

It'll just be the same itineraries that it's offering now, except maybe they'll start stopping in Eden more.

It'll be a combination of:
Hobart/Adelaide, New Zealand, South Pacific, Queensland (Airlie Beach) and then like one Transpacific at the end of the season. - Basically the same thing for the past 3 years.  I guess the thing to get excited about is *which* ship we'll be getting instead. 

[OCSC Mike]

5 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

So did you book that one yet???

My wife is super busy at the moment. My TA can give us 30-day holds on group rate cabins so the current plan is to put Utopia and Star on hold for our usual school break sail dates and figure it out in the next 30 days (or between now and our Easter cruise really).

Utopia is being put on hold as we speak. My wife has to decide on which type of interior she wants for Star so those will follow whenever she's able to look at stuff.

A new wrinkle is that in May 2026, a class that my wife had in both K and 1st grade (don't ask, her principal moved her one year so she demanded to stay with her class since she was not happy about it) will be "graduating" elementary school (finishing 5th grade, I'm not up to date on my Canadian-isms, not sure how similar school works, I'm an ignorant Yank). She's remained close with several of those families and they wanted to have some type of party. When my wife said "it just has to be before whenever our usual June cruise is" some of the families decided they may want to tag along on the cruise... so they may play a role in what we do in June... which could possibly affect our spring break plans. With the prices as they are and me not being as excited about Star as others, I'm not sure if we'll want to book her twice or not.

Sorry for the TLDR version but you know how long-winded I can get. Short version... stay tuned.

[WannaCruise]

17 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

No kidding! My head was spinning when my TA was listing the sail dates for me last night. Such odd start/end. Nothing that goes well with the typical school calendar for Christmas/NY. It was either I book something and miss Christmas with the family (not an option), or stuck with a 3 nighter, or not be able to make it back in time for school start in January. I was so frustrated. No dates were working! I finally found a short sailing on HM for late December that works and we decided to go ahead and book it and not bring the freeloaders. No NYE sailing for us December 2026

I would not hold my breath for Allure, especially for Christmas. Allure summer 2026 pricing was awful and it's rumoured that she will do 7-night out of Miami. I am willing to bet those high prices will hold for Christmas. If you are willing/able to sail over Canadian Thanksgiving (October 2026), the pricing is decent. I sadly cannot cause not enough time off.

Yeah... I would love to book Allure but with the refurb I expect it to be more than Oasis and Harmony .  At this moment best option is 5 night on Freedom but not first choice (and we are going on her next weekend). 

We're specifically looking over Xmas as it's the only time our son can join us. 

I see you are having issues with finding a cruise that works for Dec dates .