release dates for 2026 Itineraries

[JasonOasis]

I love short cruises and I understand why Royal is placing more ships in the short cruise market 3-5 day.  We've decided to make September for the forceable future on Utopia B2B2B cruise (love Utopia) but I need them to release the full Caribbean schedule for November 2026. I don't want a 3-5 night cruise I want 7 nights B2B on an Oasis Class ship sailing out of Florida and not on Harmony.  If not I guess I'll have to go with Symphony out of Galveston which isn't bad but I Galveston is not my favorite port to depart from.  

We have our 2025 cruise booked we have our winter cruises for 2026 book and we also have Legend of the Seas booked for January 2027 but we have nothing book for November 2026 and that's when we like to go for 14 nights straight but 14 nights on Icon or Star is out of the question at those prices. Even though we make decent money I can justify the cost of 14 nights in a suite on Icon or Star. 

[Lovetocruise2002]

2 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

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

LOL! You lost me half way through reading. Just let me know lol

2 hours ago, WannaCruise said:

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 . 

Christmas gives you more options at least but really awful pricing. For us, because Christmas 24/25/26 is not an option, I was counting on the sailings that were leaving on the Monday (28th of 2026). Little did I know, this time around, the typical M/F sailings for 3/4 nighters are completely out of whack and none of those dates worked for us with being back in time for work. In the end we found only one (HM 12/19/2026) that I could actually do but even that one is not ideal because I would have to work until the 18th. Also, the girls will both be in university by then and they might not even be done by the 18th. So Hubby and I decided to ditch the freeloaders and just book for the 2 of us. It might mean hightailing it out of work on the 18th, go straight the airport and take a late flight to Florida to make the cruise the next day. But there was nothing else.

[OCSC Mike]

Just now, Lovetocruise2002 said:

You lost me half way through reading. Just let me know lol

How rude! There was a teaching story and a Canadian reference in there!

Will do.

[Lovetocruise2002]

13 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

How rude! There was a teaching story and a Canadian reference in there!

Will do.

I caught the Canadian reference

[Lucky]

I'm a little surprised they aren't going to have an Icon-class ship do short cruises.

On another note, I wish they would rotate the ships a little bit more. I'm dying to go on Utopia but really don't want to do a 3 or 4-night Caribbean.

[Southern Dan]

20 minutes ago, Lucky said:

I'm dying to go on Utopia but really don't want to do a 3 or 4-night Caribbean.

Christmas 2026 will feature Utopia’s first 7 Nt cruise!

[Lucky]

17 minutes ago, Southern Dan said:

Christmas 2026 will feature Utopia’s first 7 Nt cruise!

Oooh, I missed this one. Unfortunately, its a one-off though. And with it being a Christmas cruise there's no way I'd ever convince my wife to go on that since our kids are younger.

[OCSC Mike]

13 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Just let me know

Well my TA was supposed to be on that March Star cruise too but he switched to a 6N on Legend (said it was cheaper and the travel was better for their schedule). So if I wind up on it, you should feel extra special that it's just to meet you now. The fact that it was already a strong possibility and less expensive than trying Star in the summer has far less to do with it.

[Sweety]

13 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

LOL! You lost me half way through reading. Just let me know lol

Christmas gives you more options at least but really awful pricing. For us, because Christmas 24/25/26 is not an option, I was counting on the sailings that were leaving on the Monday (28th of 2026). Little did I know, this time around, the typical M/F sailings for 3/4 nighters are completely out of whack and none of those dates worked for us with being back in time for work. In the end we found only one (HM 12/19/2026) that I could actually do but even that one is not ideal because I would have to work until the 18th. Also, the girls will both be in university by then and they might not even be done by the 18th. So Hubby and I decided to ditch the freeloaders and just book for the 2 of us. It might mean hightailing it out of work on the 18th, go straight the airport and take a late flight to Florida to make the cruise the next day. But there was nothing else.

I almost book this cruise. I am waiting next week to see if Marnier is departing from New Orleans.

[OCSC Mike]

11 minutes ago, Sweety said:

I almost book this cruise. I am waiting next week to see if Marnier is departing from New Orleans.

@Lovetocruise2002 Can you believe she might choose Mariner over meeting you (and likely me)?

@Sweety Mariner is a sentimental ship for me but come on... it's Star with RCBlog friends!

[Shari]

21 hours ago, Sweety said:

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

Don't you mean you need a cruise?

[Lovetocruise2002]

8 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

 So if I wind up on it, you should feel extra special that it's just to meet you now. 

Too much pressure lol

8 hours ago, Sweety said:

I almost book this cruise. I am waiting next week to see if Marnier is departing from New Orleans.

HM 12/19/26 or ST 3/14/27?

8 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

@Lovetocruise2002 Can you believe she might choose Mariner over meeting you (and likely me)?

@Sweety Mariner is a sentimental ship for me but come on... it's Star with RCBlog friends!

I think @Sweety might be talking about the HM sailing....either way, I would be great to finally meet the one who I always think of when I eat Red Velvet Cake!

[OCSC Mike]

1 minute ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Too much pressure lol

My bad, not good for the introvert persuasion, lol.

1 minute ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I think @Sweety might be talking about the HM sailing

Oh, my bad. I'm not too with it this week. I need a cruise!

[WannaCruise]

On 2/26/2025 at 7:10 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said:

 

Christmas gives you more options at least but really awful pricing. For us, because Christmas 24/25/26 is not an option, I was counting on the sailings that were leaving on the Monday (28th of 2026). Little did I know, this time around, the typical M/F sailings for 3/4 nighters are completely out of whack and none of those dates worked for us with being back in time for work. In the end we found only one (HM 12/19/2026) that I could actually do but even that one is not ideal because I would have to work until the 18th. Also, the girls will both be in university by then and they might not even be done by the 18th. So Hubby and I decided to ditch the freeloaders and just book for the 2 of us. It might mean hightailing it out of work on the 18th, go straight the airport and take a late flight to Florida to make the cruise the next day. But there was nothing else.

We ended up booking the 7 night Harmony Christmas cruise. We don't celebrate the holiday so don't mind a Xmas cruise and actually quite enjoyed the festivities last year. I find it so strange that Royal is scheduling all these short cruises on Oasis class. At least you found a cruise though that works for you. 

Will still see Allure pricing next week when it's released but guessing it's more. Only downside with Harmony is that's our Christmas cruise this December, but can't complain. 

[OCSC Mike]

34 minutes ago, WannaCruise said:

I find it so strange that Royal is scheduling all these short cruises on Oasis class.

I don't find it strange. They have determined that it maximizes profit, which is of course their priority as a for-profit, publicly traded company.

That doesn't mean every cruiser has to be happy about it.

[BB1]

10 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

I don't find it strange. They have determined that it maximizes profit, which is of course their priority as a for-profit, publicly traded company.

That doesn't mean every cruiser has to be happy 

Another consideration is that across all the companies, there are now so many ships and the numbers are greatly increasing. They seem to be running out of ports for them all to go to. I think Royal is smart building all these private stops. It will at least give them somewhere to go as competition continues to increase. Shorter cruises may be one of the most practical ways to deal with this.

[Gilley]

I noticed that Visions of the Seas will be doing cruises from Miami.  What are they replacing it with in Baltimore.

[fireclan]

This is interesting to me as Baltimore is my closest port. Vision is off the schedule in the last quarter of 2026 and then cruises from Ft Lauderdale. I, too, wonder if Baltimore will have a replacement ship.

[ScottD]

Phew, you guys are making my head spin! This is a lot of info...  but now I wanna know what ship goes to Baltimore, I'd love to try a cruise out of there, even if it is an old ship...that's almost as convenient as Bayonne

[smokeybandit]

Grandeur and Rhapsody are the only two Vision/Radiance ships not yet assigned for spring 2027. So likely one of those two.

[JasonOasis]

3 hours ago, BB1 said:

Another consideration is that across all the companies, there are now so many ships and the numbers are greatly increasing. They seem to be running out of ports for them all to go to. I think Royal is smart building all these private stops. It will at least give them somewhere to go as competition continues to increase. Shorter cruises may be one of the most practical ways to deal with this.

I've made it no secret that I love Utopia it's an awesome ship. However I will only do at least a B2B on Utopia because a 3 night or 4 night cruise on its own isn't worth it for me because I live in Chicago.  In the past I've done 3 night cruises on Freedom but that was only because I already had business that was taking me to Miami and thought what the heck why fly home on Friday when I can get on a ship and fly home on Monday.  

To take your most popular class of ships and place at least 3 ships in the 3-4 night Bahamas cruise market is frustrating.  My husband and I love to do 14 night cruise in November, we've been doing 14 total night cruises B2B in November since 2015 we started cruising in 2009.   For Royal to limit my options for a B2B 7 night cruise on an Oasis Class ship to Symphony out of Galveston (not my favorite port) and perhaps Allure (but who knows what Allure is doing to do) is frustrating.  Icon Class ships are so insanely expensive and we like to cruise in a grand suite or higher but I refuse to pay $26,000 - $33,000 dollars for a B2B 14 night on Icon or Star in a grand suite because that's what it would cost.  The same B2B 14 night cruise that we've been doing since 2015 on an Oasis Class ship would cost us depending on the suite (Grand to Owners Suite) $11,000 - $16-,000 dollars.  I get inflation, prices gone up but Icon and Oasis Class ships aren't in the same pricing universe.  Again we make good money we can afford Icon but it's hard to justify those prices for a B2B cruise when I can get in my opinion far more bang for less bucks on an Oasis Class ship if given the option.

We have a cruise book on Legend in January 2027 but it really feels like Royal is trying to push customers in the 7 night cruise market off Oasis Class ships onto Icon Class ships with this move. To be honest if Allure doesn't offer a 7 night cruise itinerary from Florida for November 2026 I will take a look at both MSC and NCL our of Florida first because I shouldn't have to go to Galveston and deal with that to get a 7 night cruise on an Oasis Class ship.  That should not be the only 7 night cruise option available in November 2026 on an Oasis Class ship.   

I completely understand the financial side of the decision where Royal is able to make more money over the same seven day period by operating a 3 and 4 night cruise than they would make operating a single 7 night cruise. But to limit your customers options on your most popular class of ship is insanity and it really tests the loyalty people like myself have to Royal.  I'm Diamond+ but I'm still a long ways away from pinnacle on Royal and I'm only 45 years old my husband is 40.  Royal is really testing the limits of our loyalty with these changes to Oasis Class.  Why limit the choices of people who are loyal to Royal and loyal to Oasis Class ships and people who are willing to pay Oasis Class prices just to chase a handful of first time cruisers who may or may not may not become loyal Royal cruisers.  

[Sweety]

Will there be a ship out of NOLA?

[smokeybandit]

1 minute ago, Sweety said:

Will there be a ship out of NOLA?

Supposedly Mariner.

[Sweety]

1 minute ago, smokeybandit said:

Supposedly Mariner.

I love Jamie's.

[Sweety]

Only looking at Mariner and Allure tomorrow with one eye open.

[OCSC Mike]

9 minutes ago, Sweety said:

Only looking at Mariner and Allure tomorrow with one eye open.

Yeah, I was just thinking @Sweety doesn't have enough cruises booked.

Go get 'em! I'm sufficiently jealous of both your retirement and your cruise list.

[Lovetocruise2002]

On 2/26/2025 at 4:56 PM, WannaCruise said:

Yeah... I would love to book Allure but with the refurb I expect it to be more than Oasis and Harmony .

Allure Christmas/NYE pricing out. Not good. Going to stick with my HM booking. 

[asquared17]

46 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Allure Christmas/NYE pricing out. Not good. Going to stick with my HM booking. 

i just looked at allure pricing for kicks and giggles and laughed myself out of the room. 

holy cow. 

[smokeybandit]

Still a couple ships that show up as available in 2027, but no results returned. Mariner for one.

[Southern Dan]

Looks like Baltimore is getting shut out of Winter 26-27 sailings.  When was the last time Baltimore was without a ship homeporting there?

[WannaCruise]

9 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Allure Christmas/NYE pricing out. Not good. Going to stick with my HM booking. 

Yeah too bad. Royal has gotten nuts with their prices .  We have a decision to make. Allure comes in at $200 more for us. Not a big difference but our Harmony booking is already $1200 more than we typically pay. (Recently we've been booking by a third party which comes out much less than Royal). And leaving on a Wednesday will probably be an advantage when it comes to flights. Probably stick with Harmony...but that's what we're doing this Xmas. Itinerary is nice though. Would love to return on Allure though...and after the refurbishment would be nice. 

[smokeybandit]

Still some good prices out there. A GS on Mariner in spring 2027 under $6k for 3.

 

Now with all ships released except 3 that have Asia/Oz written all over them, no more Baltimore after Oct 2026?

[Sweety]

Just now, smokeybandit said:

Still some good prices out there. A GS on Mariner in spring 2027 under $6k for 3.

 

Now with all ships released except 3 that have Asia/Oz written all over them, no more Baltimore after Oct 2026?

Looked at Mariner for spring 2027. Went with Oasis to make it a seven day cruise in April 2027.

[smokeybandit]

Thanks RC for sending me an email just now advertising as an "Advance Notice" for the 2026-2027 booking window.
 

 

[Matt]

4 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Thanks RC for sending me an email just now advertising as an "Advance Notice" for the 2026-2027 booking window.
 

 

It's so silly they perpetuate this myth C&A members get any kind of advanced notice or access for new deployments

[Matt]

Have the seasonal Caribbean been released? I can't find any resources on it

[Gilley]

11 hours ago, Southern Dan said:

Looks like Baltimore is getting shut out of Winter 26-27 sailings.  When was the last time Baltimore was without a ship homeporting there?

You don’t think they are sending a replacement to Baltimore once Visions leave.

[Southern Dan]

3 minutes ago, Gilley said:

You don’t think they are sending a replacement to Baltimore once Visions leave.

I mean, all Vision and Radiance Class ships are accounted for so unless they are going to buy back Majesty of the Seas or build Discovery of the Seas in 15 months I don't see how this is possible.  Just surprised because from all I've heard in multiple places on the internet, the sailings out of Baltimore sell extremely well.

[smokeybandit]

Interesting itinerary for Christmas 2026.

 

Indy stopping at Falmouth and Grand Cayman, which is typical of course. Then Bimini which is not uncommon, but not too many cruises go there. But also Ocho Rios.

[Gilley]

4 minutes ago, Southern Dan said:

I mean, all Vision and Radiance Class ships are accounted for so unless they are going to buy back Majesty of the Seas or build Discovery of the Seas in 15 months I don't see how this is possible.  Just surprised because from all I've heard in multiple places on the internet, the sailings out of Baltimore sell extremely well.

I love sailing out of Baltimore.  I sure hope they send a ship back my way.