Royal Caribbean Repositions Oasis-Class Ship From Texas to Florida

Royal Caribbean is shaking up its 2027 deployment plans with a major change for Symphony of the Seas. Quite than crusing from Galveston, Texas, as initially deliberate, the ship will now be crusing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

To be clear, the Oasis Class ship shouldn’t be being taken out of service, however merely moved to a different homeport to supply Caribbean itineraries. Visitors booked on impacted voyages shall be contacted with additional particulars as they pertain to their particular person sailings.

“Beginning in 2027, Symphony of the Seas will reposition from Galveston, Texas, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, providing 6- and 8-night Caribbean holidays,” Royal Caribbean confirmed to Cruise Hive.

“This repositioning permits us to proceed delivering the unbelievable experiences visitors love whereas thoughtfully evolving our deployment technique.”

Which Symphony of the Seas Cruises Are Impacted?

The precise date of the redeployment has not been introduced. Symphony of the Seas was initially deliberate to be in Galveston from Might 3, 2026 by way of no less than January 2028.

From Texas, she was to offer Western Caribbean itineraries starting from 4-8 nights, relying on the crusing date. Ports of name on her schedule in 2027 included Costa Maya, Roatan, and Cozumel, with visits to Cozumel, Nassau, and Good Day at CocoCay on longer sailings.

Homeporting from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale as a substitute, Symphony of the Seas could start providing Japanese Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries, in addition to some doable different choices such because the occasional Southern Caribbean crusing.

It’s not uncommon for cruise strains to rethink vessel deployment plans based mostly on total operational wants, the recognition of various itineraries, scheduling availability for various ports of name, and even dry dock or refurbishment schedules.

Icon of the Seas in Galveston

Texas cruisers will nonetheless be thrilled to notice that plans haven’t modified for Icon of the Seas and the large 248,700-gross-ton ship will nonetheless be crusing from Galveston from mid-August 2027. The ship shall be providing 6- and 8-night cruises related to people who had been scheduled for Symphony of the Seas.

These sailings will go to Costa Maya, Roatan, and Cozumel on the 6-night itineraries with a day at sea each to start and finish every cruise.

In the meantime, the 8-night cruises could have an additional day at sea and can go to Cozumel and Costa Maya, however will even head east to get pleasure from a full day at Good Day at CocoCay within the Bahamas.

This distinctive choice will enchantment to many visitors who get pleasure from Galveston as their homeport of selection however who could really feel a bit overlooked of extra numerous itineraries.

Learn Additionally: What Are Royal Caribbean’s Icon-Class Cruise Ships?

In the mean time, Icon of the Seas stays homeported in Miami, the place she has been since her debut in January 2024. There isn’t a indication that the ship shall be heading to the Lone Star State any sooner than deliberate in 2027.

Liberty of the Seas in Texas

Royal Caribbean has additionally confirmed that Liberty of the Seas will stay crusing from Galveston as deliberate in 2027, providing shorter cruise choices with 4- and 5-night itineraries.

“Royal Caribbean’s longstanding dedication to Texas stays robust. Galveston stays a key homeport for us, with Icon of the Seas, providing 7-night holidays, and Liberty of the Seas, now providing 4- and 5-night sailings, all from Texas in 2027,” the cruise line mentioned.

“We stay up for providing visitors crusing from Galveston thrilling itinerary choices and revolutionary ships for years to return.”

The Freedom Class Liberty of the Seas will arrive in Texas on the finish of October 2026, following her summer season crusing from Southampton.

The smaller ship will provide completely Western Caribbean itineraries with visits to Cozumel on her 4-night cruises. The 5-night sailings will go to each Costa Maya and Cozumel.

Liberty of the Seas is scheduled to stay homeported from Galveston effectively into 2028, and deployment plans previous that date haven’t but been introduced.