What's Next for Royal Caribbean International?

PHOTO: Three Oasis-class ships sailing together. (photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean International)

2018-2019 Deployments

When Symphony of the Seas, (already open for reservations), sets sail as the fourth Oasis-class ship, it will mark the line’s biggest-ever lineup ever from Florida, as Royal Caribbean will soon have a new terminal at PortMiami.

Besides the Caribbean, the line will also head to Alaska, Europe, China and exotic locales.

The Symphony will arrive at PortMiami on November 9, 2018, and will depart on its 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries starting on November 17, 2018. While the ship will be the same length as its sister Harmony of the Seas, it will carry an extra 28 cabins and measure in as the largest cruise ship in the world at 230,000 gross registered tons.

Joining Symphony in Miami will be Allure of the Seas in November 2018 as well. Oasis of the Seas will continue to leave from Port Canaveral, Florida and Harmony of the Seas will continue to depart from Port Everglades, Florida.

Cuba and the Caribbean

Later this month, Royal Caribbean International will visit Cuba for the first time, sailing a 5-night cruise from Miami on April 19, 2017. It will send the newly revitalized Empress of the Seas to Havana for overnight experiences and a visit to a UNESCO World Heritage Site on its Cuban sailings. Other opportunities will include seeing Cojimar and the Tropicana and riding in classic cars.

The Empress of the Seas will also feature 4- and 5-night cruises from Tampa in summer 2017 along with Rhapsody of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas' 5- to 7-night Caribbean voyages. Meanwhile, Adventure of the Seas will also depart from Puerto Rico on 7- to 10-night Southern Caribbean itineraries.

From the Northeast, Rhapsody of the Seas will team up with Anthem of the Seas from Cape Liberty, New Jersey in 2017. In the summer, Rhapsody will head out on 7-night cruises to the Bahamas, while Anthem will sail to Bermuda, with the latter to the Caribbean year-round as well on 5-, 7- and 9-night departures.

Alaska and Europe

Explorer of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas will return to Alaska this season. Explorer will showcase 7-,10- and 12-night round trips from Seattle, Washington, while Radiance will alternate 7- to 14-night voyages to and from Vancouver, BC and Seward, Alaska.

In Europe, Jewel of the Seas will sail 9-night Greek Isles itineraries from Rome, Italy, plus 7-night Western Mediterranean plans, as well as 7-night itineraries on the Freedom of the Seas from Barcelona, Spain. The Serenade of the Seas and Vision of the Seas will also traverse Northern Europe and ports such as Copenhagen, Denmark.

Future Fleet

Looking to 2019 and beyond are several more new ships that Royal Caribbean will deploy internationally, starting with a fourth Quantum-class ship in 2019 and a fifth to follow during 2020.

Joining the four aforementioned Oasis-class ships will be a fifth in 2021, and then an entirely new class of vessel will emerge by 2022. Two fuel cell and LNG-powered Icon-class ships will first set sail during 2022 and 2024.