Three Royal Caribbean Ships Are Getting Major Upgrades in 2026
Royal Caribbean has announced that Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas will each undergo a major transformation in 2026 as part of the cruise line’s “Royal Amplified” program.
The upgrades will bring new experiences, updated venues, and refreshed spaces to these ships. While specific details for each ship haven’t been released yet, Royal confirmed that the changes will align with the same level of innovation seen on previously amplified ships like Independence, Navigator, and Freedom of the Seas.
Ovation of the Seas will enter dry dock in April 2026. This is the first time the ship will receive a significant update since it launched in 2016. It’s currently based in the Alaska and Australia markets, and it will continue to sail from Sydney and Seattle when it returns to service.
Harmony of the Seas is scheduled for upgrades in August 2026. While it’s already one of the Oasis-class ships with plenty to offer, this refresh will likely bring in new venues and redesigned areas similar to what we’ve seen on Wonder and Utopia of the Seas.
Liberty of the Seas will wrap up the lineup with a refurbishment in October 2026. The ship hasn’t been amplified yet, even though it’s one of the older Freedom-class ships. Past amplifications in this class added features like The Perfect Storm waterslides, the Lime & Coconut bar, and upgraded dining options.
Royal Caribbean has not yet released renderings or full renovation plans, but the press release hints at new ways to dine, play, and relax onboard—language they’ve used before for ships that received significant enhancements to pool decks, kids’ spaces, and nightlife.
The Royal Amplified program was originally launched in 2018, with a $1 billion commitment to upgrade 10 ships. That plan was paused during the pandemic, but has since resumed with recent dry docks like Voyager of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas.
So far, there’s no word yet on exact features coming to each of the three ships, but Royal says more details will be shared closer to each ship’s amplification date.
Photo credit: DepositPhotos.com
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Kathy Ava
Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.