2026 Summer Caribbean Sailings

[asquared17]

2 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

A TA can get in and complete the hold. The website was messed up for me too. 

i've finally got a hold for a suite guarantee on icon!! but would really honestly prefer an oasis class for the value tbh. i'm shocked they're not showing anything other than adventure and icon out of FLL/MIA for december 2026/feb 2027 at this point. like what's the big secret with o-class??

[Lovetocruise2002]

Just now, asquared17 said:

i've finally got a hold for a suite guarantee on icon!! but would really honestly prefer an oasis class for the value tbh. i'm shocked they're not showing anything other than adventure and icon out of FLL/MIA for december 2026/feb 2027 at this point. like what's the big secret with o-class??

I don’t know….comparing Sky class on IC/ST vs Allure sky class, Allure is not cheaper. It’s way more. And even Adventure which has no Royal Suite Class was not as good value as ST/IC for the months I looked at.

[asquared17]

1 minute ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I don’t know….comparing Sky class on IC/ST vs Allure sky class, Allure is not cheaper. It’s way more. And even Adventure which has no Royal Suite Class was not as good value as ST/IC for the months I looked at.

i'm seeing this now and i can't believe how insane the prices are. how can this even be??

i guess they're trying to make that amplification money back and FAST.

[caffeinated]

Help me!

Which ports are better? Aruba, Curacao, Perfect Day 

or

St. Kitts, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, Perfect Day?

[asquared17]

3 minutes ago, caffeinated said:

Help me!

Which ports are better? Aruba, Curacao, Perfect Day 

or

St. Kitts, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, Perfect Day?

i'm a big fan of an additional port stop (so 4 versus 3) AND a real sucker for st. maarten because of my love for the holland house, where we get a day pass to spend at the beach every time. so i'd vote the st. maarten option and get the extra port stop.

[smokeybandit]

I'll be curious how this works out for RC with these prices. A cruise I did this year will cost nearly 3x as much in 2026.  

[Southern Dan]

22 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I'll be curious how this works out for RC with these prices. A cruise I did this year will cost nearly 3x as much in 2026.  

There is only so high you can go with these prices before there is pushback from the customers.  

[smokeybandit]

12 minutes ago, Southern Dan said:

There is only so high you can go with these prices before there is pushback from the customers.  

When the cheapest room on Adventure costs the same as the cheapest room on Icon, there's bound to be problems.

[twangster]

Historically cruises are least expensive when they first release but...  come to think of it, it makes sense to start out with super high prices.  

They can always lower rates to stimulate bookings but starting new releases with low prices is basically leaving money on the table.  

By starting off with high prices they have the opportunity to maximize revenue.  

By starting off with low rates that is revenue lost that can never be captured later.  

Don't shoot the messenger...

[smokeybandit]

14 minutes ago, twangster said:

Historically cruises are least expensive when they first release but...  come to think of it, it makes sense to start out with super high prices.  

They can always lower rates to stimulate bookings but starting new releases with low prices is basically leaving money on the table.  

By starting off with high prices they have the opportunity to maximize revenue.  

By starting off with low rates that is revenue lost that can never be captured later.  

Don't shoot the messenger...

I mean it makes sense. It's just a gamble I have to take that a cruise would come down. I'd really not have to cut a cruise from the calendar due to these new prices.

 

And with that, I wonder what percentage of people ever reprice their cruises after initially booking. It's possible that number is low, so RC is taking a different approach with the schedule release.

[twangster]

16 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I mean it makes sense. It's just a gamble I have to take that a cruise would come down. I'd really not have to cut a cruise from the calendar due to these new prices.

 

And with that, I wonder what percentage of people ever reprice their cruises after initially booking. It's possible that number is low, so RC is taking a different approach with the schedule release.

For a long time the prices in the cruise planner have been high for cruises that are in the distant future then they would have sales which had cruise planner prices that were more reasonable, if you knew to check back often.  I bet many people never check back and reprice while some do.

Perhaps they are taking this approach with cruise fares.

[Gilligan]

Curious how much it will drop if book through a TA

[Matt]

 

[smokeybandit]

And the new cruises are gone again if you filter on Caribbean

[Vlad]

12 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Just grabbed 4 holds before they disappeared! Now to make some choices. Decent price on ST for March 2027. 

What is descent price? 

[skywalk640]

3 hours ago, twangster said:

Historically cruises are least expensive when they first release but...  come to think of it, it makes sense to start out with super high prices.  

They can always lower rates to stimulate bookings but starting new releases with low prices is basically leaving money on the table.  

By starting off with high prices they have the opportunity to maximize revenue.  

By starting off with low rates that is revenue lost that can never be captured later.  

Don't shoot the messenger...

Yeah, in the last earnings call, they allude to the fact that they feel like they left some money on the table, so I'm not surprised that the initial prices are higher than before. This is a direct quote from Jason Liberty during the earnings call Q&A:

 

Jason T. Liberty -- Chief Executive Officer

Yeah. And Matt, if I could just add one point to it. Obviously, our yield management tools get smarter and better every day. And when we look back, whether we look back at the same time last year or even the year before, we would obviously look at that and say we had some regret.

We left revenue on the table. The tools would have said, we should have slowed a little bit our bookings. But we -- I think we're probably a little bit more conservative in that. And so I think we're building more and more confidence in these tools we're in line with our book position at the same time last year, way ahead of where we were in 2019.

We're at higher rates. And so I think we're not looking to wake up and be able to say, Oh, look, we're booked ahead of same time last year on a volume standpoint. We're here wanting to make sure that we optimize our revenue for 2025 and beyond. And that's ultimately what's most important is to drive yield growth and strong margin returns.

[Gilligan]

Will they possibly add more?

[Lovetocruise2002]

6 hours ago, Vlad said:

What is descent price? 

Depends on what you are looking at. But for us, sky class fell within our price range quite nicely for Royal’s newest ship. And way better value compared to Adventure. 

[smokeybandit]

16 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Depends on what you are looking at. But for us, sky class fell within our price range quite nicely for Royal’s newest ship. And way better value compared to Adventure. 

It's odd (though maybe not really if RC is going for high prices to start, then will equalize later) that Icon ship prices aren't much different than they are for 2024/2025, yet the older ships are skyrocketing.

[asquared17]

the older ships being so expensive is wild to me 

[Vlad]

5 minutes ago, asquared17 said:

the older ships being so expensive is wild to me 

Yes, exactly, now it seems like if you can't afford Icon, you can't afford much of else. Not even older ships 

[smokeybandit]

Honestly airlines are doing this now, too. United would have insane prices once they extend their schedule. Southwest used to have cheap prices on schedule release, but now theirs are expensive, too.
 

So I think I'm buying into the high rates for some older ships just being a marketing ploy, and they'll normalize later.

[caffeinated]

8 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

I mean it makes sense. It's just a gamble I have to take that a cruise would come down. I'd really not have to cut a cruise from the calendar due to these new prices.

 

And with that, I wonder what percentage of people ever reprice their cruises after initially booking. It's possible that number is low, so RC is taking a different approach with the schedule release.

Most likely, the majority of people aren't even aware that they can reprice. If it wasn't for me being on FB groups/cruise boards, I would never even think of checking the price

[Vlad]

Just now, caffeinated said:

Most likely, the majority of people aren't even aware that they can reprice. If it wasn't for me being on FB groups/cruise boards, I would never even think of checking the price

I'd new cruises start this high, most probably there won't be any repricing. 

Prices would continue to go up. 

Prices only go down if sales fall. And ships are sailing full now. 

[smokeybandit]

12 minutes ago, Vlad said:

And ships are sailing full now. 

Yes, at 2022-2023 prices.  Not that I think ships will suddenly be empty. But you can't double and triple prices and expect to keep them full. But you can take that money up front ( from people who don't care about price or don't know about repricing) that Liberty said RC left on the table, then normalize prices to keep ships full.

[smokeybandit]

Oasis and Indy cruises are loaded.

[asquared17]

still nothing for me but i will keep refreshing.

[Vlad]

2 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Yes, at 2022-2023 prices.  Not that I think ships will suddenly be empty. But you can't double and triple prices and expect to keep them full. But you can take that money up front ( from people who don't care about price or don't know about repricing) that Liberty said RC left on the table, then normalize prices to keep ships full.

I thought the same, but Icon proved that people would pay any prices. Very much ridiculous prices. Royal realized that people are idiots, and keep raising prices. 

Disney been doing that for a very long time. Small ships, family of 4, ten thousands dollars... With much less things to do then in Royal new ships for the kids. 

[smokeybandit]

8 minutes ago, Vlad said:

I thought the same, but Icon proved that people would pay any prices. Very much ridiculous prices. Royal realized that people are idiots, and keep raising prices. 

 

Icon was the latest and greatest. I can't see the public happily paying the same price for a 2001 used car when they can get that 2025 for the same price.

[RCIfan1912]

Well I see the 2026 cruises from Cape Liberty NJ were just released and holy cow prices are through the roof. Extremely, extremely disappointed. Oasis is back up here, so Symphony out and Independence is here, so no Liberty. Overall though even this far out prices are WAY, WAY high. 

[Southern Dan]

I’m going to patiently wait and hope there is a Trans Atlantic on Icon 3 for fall 2026.  The only catch is my wife probably won’t be able to go due to time off…this shouldn’t be a problem for me to go solo however our anniversary is 11/5 which means I won’t go because I am a smart man.

[Lovetocruise2002]

3 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

It's odd (though maybe not really if RC is going for high prices to start, then will equalize later) that Icon ship prices aren't much different than they are for 2024/2025, yet the older ships are skyrocketing.

That was my thought as well. The two holds I have for Icon (July 2026) and Star (March 2027) are both cheaper than what we paid for Icon inaugural (which I booked upon release). And for me to sail Adventure, Indy, or Allure around those times it would either cost me the same or more, and less value for those older ships since there is no Royal Suite Class. And Allure is just nuts. 

[PPPJJ-GCVAB]

I hear everyone regarding the prices!  I am trying to find a cruise out of Bayonne for my whole family just as we cruised last July…but that was Oasis as well!  The kids and teens really enjoyed Central Park and Boardwalk areas so choosing Independence may not be feasible…or as enjoyable for them!  Looks like I may need to have everyone travel to FLL for an Allure cruise…BUT right now the prices for any cruise are scaring the heck out of me!  

[Vlad]

On 11/19/2024 at 7:25 AM, smokeybandit said:

I'll be curious how this works out for RC with these prices. A cruise I did this year will cost nearly 3x as much in 2026.  

Yes, they are insane! 

Had cheapest inside cabin on Icon, and new prices would make my inside cabin additional $1000

And going on the old 15 yrs old ship isn't huge savings like they used to be. Only slightly less 

Travel agents don't have group rates posted yet, so waiting to see if and how much savings are there. 

 

[PPPJJ-GCVAB]

11 hours ago, RCIfan1912 said:

Well I see the 2026 cruises from Cape Liberty NJ were just released and holy cow prices are through the roof. Extremely, extremely disappointed. Oasis is back up here, so Symphony out and Independence is here, so no Liberty. Overall though even this far out prices are WAY, WAY high.

Totally agree with you!  I did cruise on Indy last year and found it to be a decent ship.  But no matter what, right now I am so sad to see the prices for any cruise!  Cha-Ching $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$  

[Vlad]

4 minutes ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said:

I hear everyone regarding the prices!  I am trying to find a cruise out of Bayonne for my whole family just as we cruised last July…but that was Oasis as well!  The kids and teens really enjoyed Central Park and Boardwalk areas so choosing Independence may not be feasible…or as enjoyable for them!  Looks like I may need to have everyone travel to FLL for an Allure cruise…BUT right now the prices for any cruise are scaring the heck out of me!  

Oasis is coming back to NY for 2026 summer. It's already been posted. 

[RCIfan1912]

2 minutes ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said:

I hear everyone regarding the prices!  I am trying to find a cruise out of Bayonne for my whole family just as we cruised last July…but that was Oasis as well!  The kids and teens really enjoyed Central Park and Boardwalk areas so choosing Independence may not be feasible…or as enjoyable for them!  Looks like I may need to have everyone travel to FLL for an Allure cruise…BUT right now the prices for any cruise are scaring the heck out of me!  

I am blown away, not just by the pricing but a crap ton of cabins were gonna already. But the price is the main concern. We really love quirky cabins, non balcony quirky cabins. We want to try the Central park view rooms, they have the little window of central park with a little bench seat. 7 days Oasis to Coco Cay which is the only true appealing stop is 4,015 ! I mean what the what! We like the promenade view rooms, that's 4 grand. They were just released yesterday!

[Vlad]

Just now, RCIfan1912 said:

I am blown away, not just by the pricing but a crap ton of cabins were gonna already. But the price is the main concern. We really love quirky cabins, non balcony quirky cabins. We want to try the Central park view rooms, they have the little window of central park with a little bench seat. 7 days Oasis to Coco Cay which is the only true appealing stop is 4,015 ! I mean what the what! We like the promenade view rooms, that's 4 grand. They were just released yesterday!

And most probably the prices would continue to increase! 

Because people are not stopping, they keep buying them, so demand isn't going down. Therefore, don't hope for prices to get lower. Even thought most of those cruises 1.5-2 yrs in future. 

[FionaMG]

3 minutes ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said:

I hear everyone regarding the prices!  I am trying to find a cruise out of Bayonne for my whole family just as we cruised last July…but that was Oasis as well!  The kids and teens really enjoyed Central Park and Boardwalk areas so choosing Independence may not be feasible…or as enjoyable for them!  Looks like I may need to have everyone travel to FLL for an Allure cruise…BUT right now the prices for any cruise are scaring the heck out of me!  

At the risk of promoting the competition and getting sent to the naughty room, maybe you need to give MSC a try. They have the Meraviglia sailing out of New York doing essentially the same itinerary as Royal, except they go to their own private island called Ocean Cay.

[Vlad]

1 minute ago, FionaMG said:

At the risk of promoting the competition and getting sent to the naughty room, maybe you need to give MSC a try. They have the Meraviglia sailing out of New York doing essentially the same itinerary as Royal, except they go to their own private island called Ocean Cay.

Been looking into it. Reviews for that ship isn't great.