Celebrity Reflection unexpectedly enjoyed a cruise to nowhere over the weekend.
Both Key West and Bimini were cancelled due to rough weather and no alternative ports were available.
The ship returned to Fort Lauderdale for debarkation on Monday as planned.
Ports of call are a big part of any cruise vacation, but sometimes Mother Nature conspires against certain itineraries and no visits are possible. This happened with the most recent sailing of Celebrity Reflection, as every port of call needed to be cancelled for the January 30, 2026 weekend cruise.
These types of extreme modifications to a cruise itinerary are typically a last-minute decision made by necessity, and guests weren’t notified of the changes until they were onboard the Solstice Class ship.
“As previously shared by our Captain, along with Chief Meteorologist Craig Setzer, we have been closely monitoring the advancing weather front passing through the Florida Keys and the Bahamas,”the letter delivered to guests explained.
The weather front had been expected to impact the region late on Saturday afternoon, January 31. Celebrity Reflection was initially scheduled to visit Key West, Florida, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day. The storm moved more quickly than expected, however.
“This earlier arrival of adverse conditions would make both our stay in Key West, and our departure unsafe, and we had to cancel our visit,”the letter confirmed.
Celebrity Reflection Letter
Weather Underground’s historical data shows that winds in Key West began rising before 9 a.m. on Saturday and remained steady at 15-20 miles per hour throughout the day, with gusts as high as 33 mph while Celebrity Reflection would have been docked.
These strong winds could have caused too much tension on the ship’s mooring lines, potentially causing a break that would set the ship adrift. Furthermore, dock and gangway conditions can be unsafe in such high winds.
Following the change to Key West, Celebrity Reflection also had to cancel the visit to Bimini that had been planned for Sunday, February 1 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Port of Bimini closed the port for safety due to high winds, and instead, the cruise ship remained at sea for another day.
This means that both port visits on the 3-night sailing had to be cancelled, and instead, Celebrity Reflection had a rare cruise to nowhere.
The ship did return safely to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale as planned on Monday, February 2, with no delay for debarkation. At this time, there are no confirmed changes for the next sailing, a 4-night Bahamas sailing to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
If there are any changes needed over the next few days, guests will be notified onboard.
Why Don’t Cruises Sail to Nowhere?
Many guests choose cruise travel because of the convenience of visiting multiple destinations without needing interim transportation between different islands and even different countries.
It can be frustrating and disappointing when ports of call are changed or cancelled, but the safety of the ship, its crew, and every guest onboard is the cruise line’s first priority.
Because of US legislation, however, cruise ships are not legally permitted to sail cruises to nowhere from US homeports. The Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 requires that cruise ships visit a foreign port of call on every voyage or else the cruise line could face significant fines.
Celebrity Reflection can welcome 3,046 guests and could be fined for every guest onboard for this one weekend sailing. The cruise line can appeal the fines; however, as special circumstances do warrant exceptions, fines may be reduced or eliminated based on the individual situation. Any fines are not passed along to cruise guests.
Carnival Sunshine is adjusting her itinerary to avoid rough sea weather for her February 1, 2026 sailing.
The ship will skip Bimini and the visits to both Nassau and Celebration Key have been adjusted.
Cold weather is impacting the onboard experience but crew members are working to keep the ship warm.
It isn’t always bad weather at a homeport or port of call that can impact a cruise itinerary. Guests boarding Carnival Sunshine in Norfolk, Virginia on Sunday, February 1 for a 6-night Bahamas cruise were notified that due to rough seas, their sailing route has to be adjusted. This has caused an itinerary change and a missed port visit.
“With help from our Fleet Operations Center, we have been closely monitoring the winter storm that is affecting the region. The storm is producing strong winds and waves off the east coast, conditions that will impact our voyage plan,”the letter delivered to guests explained.
“As we sail south, we will take a route that will keep us away from the most unfavorable sea conditions, traveling at speeds that will help to keep everyone more comfortable.”
Carnival Sunshine Itinerary Change Letter
Carnival Sunshine still departed Norfolk at 6 p.m. Sunday as planned. Satellite tracking Monday morning confirms the ship is hugging the eastern seaboard rather than sailing further out to sea.
Along the ship’s normal route, Windy.com reports wind speeds reaching 30-35 miles per hour. By remaining closer to the coast, winds are somewhat slower at 20-25 mph, and expected to slow further as the storm system continues to move offshore.
Bimini Port Visit Cancelled
Carnival Sunshine is sailing at just 14 knots (16 mph) rather than her typical top cruising speed of 21 knots (24 mph). While it is common for cruise ships to slow down during days at sea to provide a more comfortable experience, this much slower speed also means the ship’s itinerary is impacted.
“Because we must make these adjustments, it will be necessary to modify our original itinerary to a two-port voyage,”the cruise line confirmed.
Now, Carnival Sunshine will visit Nassau on Wednesday, February 4 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. While this is the same day as the original itinerary, the ship will now be arriving two hours earlier than previously scheduled to give guests more time to explore and enjoy Nassau.
The second port visit will be Celebration Key on Thursday, February 5, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Originally, Carnival Sunshine was scheduled to visit Carnival Cruise Line’s private destination on Grand Bahama on Tuesday, February 3 from 12-7 p.m.
Unfortunately, the visit to Bimini that had been planned for Thursday, February 5 is completely cancelled.
Any shore tours purchased through Carnival Cruise Line for Bimini will be cancelled automatically and refunded to guests’ onboard accounts. Tours for Celebration Key will be moved from Tuesday to Thursday and adjusted time-wise as necessary.
Guests Urged to Be Cautious
Because Carnival Sunshine is still sailing through rough waters, guests are being urged to be careful when moving about the ship. Using handrails on stairs is especially important, as the ship’s movement could easily throw even the most sure-footed cruiser off balance.
Furthermore, the crew is aware that the ship can seem cold and is working to help it feel more like the tropical vacation guests expect.
“We are committed to doing everything possible to provide you with a fun and enjoyable voyage this week and are working to warm things up onboard,”the letter noted.“In the meantime, dress in layers to help you stay comfortable.”
Guests onboard have noted that the heat on the ship seems inconsistent in different areas.
“It’s very cold in the upper levels/common areas. But the ship DOES have heat, it just doesn’t stay in with doors constantly opening. As long as you keep the heat on in your room and ask for some blue blankets, you’ll be comfy,”one guest explained.
Crew members are keeping open areas as closed off as possible to try and keep heat in the indoor public areas, but frequently opening doors does tend to let the heat out and make the ship seem colder.
It can certainly be frustrating for guests who expect a tropical vacation to instead be dealing with colder-than-expected conditions onboard. The average temperature in Nassau for early February is 75 degrees Fahrenheit, yet in Norfolk it is 50 degrees. On Monday morning, February 2, 2026, the temperature in Norfolk was just 27 degrees, well below typical averages.
All cruise lines do their best in different types of inclement weather. The safety of the ship and everyone aboard is the first priority, followed by comfort to create a great cruise experience.
Guests who may not be having the greatest experience should still remain patient with crew members who are doing all they can to ensure a fun and memorable vacation, even if there may not be quite as much “sunshine” onboard Carnival Sunshine as everyone would have hoped.
Royal Caribbean’s current largest cruise ships are in the Icon-class, at 248,663 gross tons (they are also the largest cruise ships in the world overall), and its smallest cruise ship is Grandeur of the Seas, at 73,817 gross tons.
Each Royal Caribbean ship, though, comes with its perks, and you may find that you prefer smaller ships to bigger ships, or vice versa.
Here are all the current Royal Caribbean cruise ships by size, so you can compare and contrast your options as you book your next cruise. And just a heads up that this list will change even further when the new Legend of the Seas arrives!
Icon of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas (Photo Credit: Just dance)
The lead ship of the Icon class and the newest ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, Icon of the Seas, is not just the largest ship for the cruise line to date, but also the current largest cruise ship in the world.
As has been the case with so many other Royal Caribbean cruise ships before it, Icon of the Seas set records not just for size, but also for unique features.
In addition to featuring the largest waterpark at sea, with some ground-breaking first-at-sea water slides, the ship also boasts the largest pool at sea. It provides more than 40 dining and drinking options.
Gross Tonnage: 248,663 GT
Guest Capacity: 5,610
Length: 1,196 feet
Width: 219 feet
Star of the Seas
Star of the Seas Departing Port Canaveral (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)
Star of the Seas is another giant cruise ship that is jointly the world’s largest, with Icon of the Seas. The vessel was constructed at the popular Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland and is part of the Icon-class. The ship was finally delivered to Royal Caribbean in July 2025, and following a series of early preview cruises, Star of the Sea departed on its inaugural voyage out of Port Canaveral on August 31.
So why is Star of the Seas so big? The ship features eight neighborhoods, with each offering a different experience. There are more than 30 cabin categories, 13 complimentary dining venues, 14 specialty dining venues, six kids’ spaces, 18 bars, and many other amenities.
Gross Tonnage: 248,663 GT
Guest Capacity: 5,610
Length: 1,196 feet
Width: 219 feet
Utopia of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas (Credit: Royal Caribbean)
Utopia of the Seas debuted right around the same time as Icon of the Seas, and it takes second place among Royal Caribbean’s largest ships.
The ship is the latest in the Oasis Plus Class, and, interestingly, even though it’s technically smaller than Icon of the Seas by gross tonnage, it actually has a greater passenger capacity, just due to how the staterooms and suites are split up across both ships.
There are many similarities between Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas, but Utopia of the Seas still manages to stand apart in a few key ways.
For example, this ship introduced the Royal Railway, a new dining concept for Royal Caribbean, that features a dining car-esque environment.
Gross Tonnage: 236,473 GT
Guest Capacity: 5,668
Length: 1,188 feet
Wonder of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas in the Bahamas (Photo Credit: Bruce Alan Bennett)
Wonder of the Seas is a similar Oasis-class ship. The vessel is slightly smaller than Utopia of the Seas, but can ultimately hold more overall passengers at double occupancy, due to stateroom and suite configuration.
This ship offers lots to love, including 40-plus restaurants, bars, and lounges; Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate Abyss slide (now featured on multiple ships), the tallest dry slide at sea; and nearly 3,000 different staterooms and suites to choose from when booking.
Gross Tonnage: 235,600
Guest Capacity: 5,734
Length: 1,188 feet
Symphony of the Seas
Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock
Symphony of the Seas took its maiden voyage in 2018 and held the title of largest cruise ship in the world for multiple years, before Wonder of the Seas surpassed her.
The ship’s highlights include the Ultimate Family Suite, a Royal Caribbean-exclusive feature; that Ultimate Abyss dry slide, the longest in the world; and The Perfect Storm trio of waterslides.
Otherwise, the ship includes a wide array of restaurants and bars and lounges, as well as all the amenities that Royal Caribbean fans have come to expect on the line’s newer ships, such as seven neighborhoods, rock climbing walls, surfing simulators and more.
Gross Tonnage: 230,000
Guest Capacity: 5,518
Length: 1,188 feet
Harmony of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas (Photo Credit: Roger ARPS)
Harmony of the Seas was also the largest cruise ship in the world when it first debuted, in early 2016. This was the ship to introduce the Ultimate Abyss Slide. It also features a large waterpark and multiple waterslides, as well as an ice-skating ring, surfing simulators and zip lines.
The ship has plenty of dining and drinking options, just like its Oasis-class sister ships. However, one unique feature you’ll find on this ship but not necessarily on some of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships, is the Bionic Bar, with its robotic bartenders.
Gross Tonnage: 226,960
Guest Capacity: 5,480
Length: 1,188 feet
Allure of the Seas
Allure of the Seas Docked in Miami, Florida (Photo Credit: Adam McCullough)
Debuting in 2010, Allure of the Seas was Royal Caribbean’s second Oasis-class ship, and she continued on offering all of the industry-rocking elements that Oasis of the Seas introduced just a year before. As such, Allure of the Seas offers the seven-neighborhood layout that’s become standard on Royal Caribbean ships.
Royal Caribbean also boasted about this ship’s environmental friendliness when it debuted. For example, Allure of the Seas features an advanced wastewater purification system that treats more than half a million gallons of water per day. It also features an advanced emissions purification system that removes 98% of the ship’s sulfur emissions from the environment.
Gross Tonnage: 225,282
Guest Capacity: 5,400
Length: 1,187 feet
Oasis of the Seas
Oasis of the Seas Size (Photo Credit: Palephotography)
The first Oasis-class ship, Oasis of the Seas changed the cruising industry and Royal Caribbean forever, when it debuted in 2009. It set the standard for Royal Caribbean’s future and shook up the cruising world like no other vessel had before, and no other vessel has to date, thus far, except for maybe Icon of the Seas.
This is in part thanks to the unique seven-neighborhood layout that Oasis of the Seas introduced, with similar activities and environments grouped together in the neighborhoods dubbed Central Park, The Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Boardwalk, Royal Promenade, Youth Zone, and Entertainment Place.
The ship also featured the first park at sea, with the Central Park neighborhood.
Gross Tonnage: 220,900
Guest Capacity: 5,400
Length: 1,181 feet
Spectrum of the Seas
Spectrum of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Nate Hovee)
The next-largest Royal Caribbean ship is actually a fair amount smaller, by about 50,000 GT or so. Still, Spectrum of the Seas is nothing to ignore.
This Quantum Ultra-class ship still provides plenty of staterooms and suites, restaurants, bars and lounges and highlights like the North Star ride and skydiving experience by iFLY.
Interestingly, though, while Spectrum of the Seas is much smaller than Oasis of the Seas, it is also much newer. In fact, Spectrum of the Seas set sail for the first time in 2019, a decade after Oasis of the Seas’s launch.
Gross Tonnage: 168,800
Guest Capacity: 4,245
Length: 1,139 feet
Anthem of the Seas
Anthem of the Seas Docked in Southampton (Photo Credit: Skyshark Media)
A member of the Quantum class, Anthem of the Seas launched in April 2015. While definitely not the first Quantum-class ship, Anthem of the Seas still offered a range of exciting features when it debuted.
Particular highlights include Two70, a multi-level common space that features 270-degree sea views and massive glass walls; the SeaPlex indoor entertainment space with activities like bumper cars; the Music Hall live music venue; the North Star capsule ride; and the RipCord by iFLY surfing simulator.
Gross Tonnage: 168,666
Guest Capacity: 4,180
Length: 1,142 feet
Ovation of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Zilcheqs)
Ovation of the Seas is actually newer than Anthem of the Seas, debuting in 2016, though she is smaller — not by gross tonnage, but just by one little foot of length, a difference you’ll hardly notice. Otherwise, this ship is very similar to the other Quantum-class ships.
Ovation of the Seas features the RipCord by iFLY surfing simulator, North Star capsule experience, Two70 common space and SeaPlex entertainment venue. It also offers just over 2,000 staterooms and suites, spread out over 14 guest decks.
Gross Tonnage: 168,666
Guest Capacity: 4,180
Length: 1,141 feet
Quantum of the Seas
Quantum of the Seas in Alaska (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)
The lead ship in the Quantum class, Quantum of the Seas, introduced many of these standout features that you’ll find on the other Quantum-class ships, such as the SeaPlex space, Two70, North Star, and skydiving simulator. It was also the first ship to feature the bionic bartenders.
Quantum of the Seas took its maiden voyage in 2014. It’s only slightly smaller by gross tonnage than its sister ships, and the same length as Ovation of the Seas.
Gross Tonnage: 167,800
Guest Capacity: 4,180
Length: 1,141 feet
Odyssey of the Seas
Odyssey of the Seas (Photo Credit: Aerial-motion / Shutterstock)
However, one thing that Odyssey of the Seas did have, uniquely, when she was rolled out in 2020, was a new hull design featuring the ship’s name in big letters, something that can now be seen on other Royal Caribbean ships.
Compared to Spectrum of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas is just a bit smaller, with room for about 50 passengers fewer.
Gross Tonnage: 167,704
Guest Capacity: 4,198
Length: 1,138 feet
Liberty of the Seas
Liberty of the Seas Cruise Ship Docked in Bermuda (Photo Credit: Wangkun Jia)
When you get down to Liberty of the Seas, you’re starting to get into some of the older Royal Caribbean ships that may not offer all the same features and amenities you’ll get with the Quantum-class ships and newer.
Still, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially if you like a more low-key, less crowded cruise, keeping the focus on your port days and relaxation more than on on-ship bells and whistles.
Delivered in 2007, Liberty of the Seas is a Freedom-class ship. While it is more than a dozen years older than Odyssey of the Seas, it’s only slightly smaller, at less than 10,000 GT smaller, and holding only about 400 fewer passengers.
Gross Tonnage: 160,000
Guest Capacity: 3,798
Length: 1,112 feet
Freedom of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas (Photo Credit: Wangkun Jia)
Another Freedom-class ship (as you probably could’ve guessed by the name), Freedom of the Seas was the largest Royal Caribbean ship when it first set sail in 2006. Compared to other, newer ships, though, Freedom of the Seas today offers far fewer amenities, including fewer restaurants, bars and lounges.
Still, this ship has been updated over time. Now, if you take a Freedom of the Seas cruise, you’ll see newer additions such as The Lime & Coconut resort-style pool and bar areas, as well as the Perfect Storm trio of waterslides.
Gross Tonnage: 160,000
Guest Capacity: 3,634
Length: 1,112 feet
Independence of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas (Photo Credit: Roberto Sorin)
While Independence of the Seas is the newest Freedom-class ship, built in 2008, it’s also the smallest. That said, it’s not tiny by any means. When compared to the world’s overall cruise ships, Independence of the Seas still ranks within the 40 largest cruise ships, from all cruise lines.
Like other Royal Caribbean cruise ships of this age, Independence of the Seas has received various renovations. It was most recently overhauled in 2018.
Gross Tonnage: 154,407
Guest Capacity: 3,858
Length: 1,112 feet
Navigator of the Seas
Photo Credit: ATGImages / Shutterstock
Navigator of the Seas is a member of Royal Caribbean’s Voyager class. While it is the largest ship in this class, though, it isn’t the newest. Launching in 2002, the ship is about 12,000 GT smaller than Independence of the Seas, and can carry about 700 fewer people.
Over its 14 guest decks, this ship offers over 10 dining options, as well as over 10 bars and lounges. Newer features that have been added since the ship’s initial launch include the Lime & Coconut resort-style bar area, as well as El Loco Fresh.
Gross Tonnage: 142,000
Guest Capacity: 3,114
Length: 1,020 feet
Voyager of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas Port Canaveral (Photo Credit: Port Canaveral)
The lead ship for the Voyager class, when Voyager of the Seas debuted in 1999 (more than 25 years ago!), it featured a few landmark amenities that would make Royal Caribbean stand out.
In fact, some of these features can still be found on Royal Caribbean ships today, namely the ice-skating rink (the first at sea) and the rock climbing walls.
Voyager of the Seas is still pretty small compared to today’s latest and greatest from Royal Caribbean, though, with relatively fewer amenities, restaurants, bars and lounges. That said, if you like a smaller ship with less crowds, this ship may be just up your alley.
Gross Tonnage: 142,000
Guest Capacity: 3,114
Length: 1,020 feet
Mariner of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
Newer than Voyager of the Seas, but still smaller, Mariner of the Seas joined the Royal Caribbean fleet in 2003. It most recently received some renovations in 2018, though, so there are touches and amenities that are relatively modern.
The refurbishment was expensive, costing $120 million and increasing the ship’s size. Newly added amenities and features include the Sky Pad, multiple waterslides and updated restaurants.
Gross Tonnage: 138,000
Guest Capacity: 3,114
Length: 1,020 feet
Adventure of the Seas
Photo Credit: NAN728 / Shutterstock.com
Another Voyager-class ship, Adventure of the Seas, initially debuted in 2001. Like Mariner of the Seas, it also underwent dry dock renovations in 2018, bringing this ship up to more contemporary standards. Both Adventure of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas are the same size.
Aboard Adventure of the Seas, you’ll find, across the 14 guest decks, more than 1,500 staterooms and suites, just under 10 dining options, 10 bars and lounges and highlight amenities like the FlowRider surfing simulator and the Perfect Storm trio of waterslides.
Gross Tonnage: 138,000
Guest Capacity: 3,114
Length: 1,020 feet
Explorer of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas (Photo Credit: Nancy Pauwels)
The second Voyager-class ship and setting sail on the high seas for the first time in 2000, Explorer of the Seas has, like the other ships in this class, been updated to feature newer, more modern amenities. For example, the FlowRider surfing simulator was added, as was an ice rink.
Still, this ship is on the small side, measuring in at exactly the same size as both Adventure of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas.
Gross Tonnage: 138,000
Guest Capacity: 3,114
Length: 1,020 feet
Radiance of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas (Photo Credit: Just dance)
A member of the Radiance class, Radiance of the Seas is significantly smaller than Explorer of the Seas. It’s nearly 50,000 GT smaller and holds a thousand fewer people.
As such, while these ships are right next to one another in the ranking of Royal Caribbean’s ships from largest to smallest, you’ll notice a big difference if you go from cruising on one to the other.
Despite this, Royal Caribbean manages to pack a lot of fun onto this ship’s small footprint. You’ll find 11 dining options, 11 bars and lounges and highlight entertainment-related features such as a rock climbing wall and miniature golf.
Gross Tonnage: 90,090
Guest Capacity: 2,100
Length: 1,050 feet
Brilliance of the Seas
Brilliance of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Benson Truong)
Brilliance of the Seas measures in at the same gross tonnage as sister ship Radiance of the Seas, but it’s about 100 feet shorter. Despite this, Brilliance of the Seas can actually hold more guests than Radiance.
This ship first set sail for Royal Caribbean in July 2002, and, across its 12 guest decks, features eight restaurants, 11 bars and lounges and amenities such as a rock-climbing wall and multiple pools.
Gross Tonnage: 90,090
Guest Capacity: 2,188
Length: 965 feet
Serenade of the Seas
Serenade of the Seas Cruise (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Serenade of the Seas is newer than Brilliance of the Seas, as it entered service in 2003, but, while it’s the same gross tonnage and length, it has a lesser guest capacity, equal to that of Radiance of the Seas.
Serenade of the Seas features 12 guest decks, eight restaurants, 11 bars and lounges and amenities like a spa and sports court. It also was used for Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise, which lasted nearly an entire year over 2023–2024, and visited seven continents, eight world wonders, 65 countries and more than 150 destinations.
Gross Tonnage: 90,090
Guest Capacity: 2,100
Length: 965 feet
Jewel of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas (Photo Credit: Studio Porto Sabbia)
She may be small, but out of all the Radiance-class ships, Jewel of the Seas is the newest, officially making her debut in May 2002. The ship was refurbished in 2016.
Jewel of the Seas features 12 guest decks, seven dining options, 11 bars and lounges and both a mini golf course and rock-climbing wall. There are just over a thousand staterooms and suites to house the ship’s maximum 2,100 guests.
Gross Tonnage: 90,090
Guest Capacity: 2,100
Length: 962 feet
Enchantment of the Seas
Photo Credit: Tiffany Marie Green / Shutterstock
Enchantment of the Seas is part of Royal Caribbean’s smallest and oldest class of ships: the Vision class. Enchantment of the Seas debuted in 1997.
This ship is the largest of its class, but it’s still significantly smaller than the smallest Radiance-class ship, Jewel of the Seas, at about 10,000 GT less. However, Enchantment manages to hold its own in terms of guest capacity, with nearly the same capacity as Jewel, with only about a 150-person difference.
Gross Tonnage: 80,700
Guest Capacity: 1,950
Length: 919 feet
Rhapsody of the Seas
Rhapsody of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
This was the second Vision-class cruise ship, also debuting in 1997, like Enchantment of the Seas. Rhapsody of the Seas, though, is just slightly smaller.
This cruise ship features 12 total decks (with fewer guest decks) and eight dining options, alongside five bars and lounges. Amenities and similar features are mostly limited to pools, a rock climbing wall, the theater, the casino, and the fitness center.
Gross Tonnage: 78,490
Guest Capacity: 1,996
Length: 919 feet
Vision of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas (Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia / Shutterstock)
Vision of the Seas is actually newer than both Enchantment of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas, debuting in 1998. The ship is fairly similar, though, measuring the same as Rhapsody.
This cruise ship features just 10 guest decks and just over a thousand staterooms, with eight dining options, six bars and lounges and a handful of amenities like a rock climbing wall, theater, casino and pools.
Gross Tonnage: 78,490
Guest Capacity: 1,996
Length: 919 feet
Grandeur of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
This is the smallest ship that Royal Caribbean is currently operating. It’s also the oldest ship in the Vision class, debuting in 1996, which likewise makes it the oldest ship that Royal Caribbean currently uses overall.
With only a select number of restaurants and bars, and fewer than a thousand staterooms and suites, this ship is limited in what it offers — but that’s exactly what some cruisers prefer. Amenities and other features include the spa, rock-climbing wall, an arcade, two pools, and six whirlpools.
Gross Tonnage: 74,137
Guest Capacity: 1,950
Length: 919 feet
What is Royall Caribbean’s Smallest Cruise Ship in 2026?
Grandeur of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Leonard Zhukovsky)
Royal Caribbean’s smallest and oldest ship, Grandeur of the Seas, stands in very stark contrast. This is cruising from decades past. It’s low-key, un-rushed and unworried. For some cruisers, this is exactly what they want, and they’re fine with cruising on an older ship if that’s what they get.
For a more relaxed cruise where all you really have to worry about is getting a good deck chair, small, older ships like this deliver. Just note that if you’re traveling with kids or those who feel the need to pack their travel itineraries to the brim, they might be a little bored.
Additionally, even with its older age, Grandeur of the Seas still manages to carry that fun and friendly Royal Caribbean spirit — the factor that some may say is the most important of all when booking any cruise.
The Ever-Changing Fleet
Royal Caribbean is constantly evolving with new ships on order and updating current ones. Keep a close eye on this page as the fleet changes.
Upcoming ships that should be on your radar include the next two Icon-class ships, including Legend of the Seas, currently under construction at Meyer Turku andset to debut in July 2026.
Following Legend of the Seas, a 4th Icon-class ship will arrive in 2027, and then a 5th in 2028. Also on order are a 7th Oasis-class cruise ship and the newly announced two Discovery-class vessels.
Margaritaville at Sea has raised gratuity rates fleetwide, effective from Sunday, February 1, 2026.
At $22 per person, per night for standard staterooms, the new rates are the highest in the industry.
The cruise line does not permit guests to adjust or remove the gratuities from their accounts.
In a surprise move, the relatively new boutique cruise line Margaritaville at Sea has raised daily gratuity rates higher than all other lines in the industry.
The rate change was not announced or advertised, but was noticed by booked guests and confirmed on the cruise line’s website. The daily gratuity rates are now as follows:
$22 per person, per night for staterooms (previously $20)
$25 per person, per night for suites (previously $24)
The change appears to have been implemented from February 1, 2026. This is consistent with an annual review of the charges, as the most recent prior changes for the line’s gratuities were implemented on February 1, 2025.
Margaritaville at Sea does note that “100% of guest-paid gratuities go directly to support our crew,” an issue that has been of some debate on other cruise lines.
Most cruise lines are less-than-transparent about exactly how gratuities are distributed, but Margaritaville at Sea offers more information about their policies and how gratuities are managed.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander (Photo Credit: Feng Cheng)
“Gratuities (charged per guest, per night) and service charges (applied to optional onboard services like spa treatments) help support the entire crew who make your cruise exceptional,”the cruise line explains.
“Our crew works together as one team to deliver unforgettable hospitality. That’s why these charges are fixed and applied to all guests, including our littlest parakeet cruisers.”
Because these charges are “fixed” they are not optional and cannot be adjusted or removed from guests’ accounts. Additional tipping, however, is always at each individual guest’s discretion.
How Do Gratuities Compare?
The current daily gratuity rate for Margaritaville at Sea is now significantly higher than that of other major and better-known cruise lines. Current rates aboard the most popular lines for standard staterooms (other than suites) are as follows, in USD and quoted per person, per day:
Carnival Cruise Line – $16
Royal Caribbean – $18.50
Disney Cruise Line – $16
Norwegian Cruise Line – $20
Celebrity Cruises – $18
Holland America Line – $17
Princess Cruises – $16
MSC Cruises – $14.50
This makes Margaritaville at Sea’s daily gratuity rate for standard staterooms 10% higher than Norwegian Cruise Line, the next highest rate, and a whopping 52% higher than MSC Cruises, which is among the lowest daily gratuity rates.
Of course, gratuity rates are subject to change at any time. Occasionally, guests who pre-pay gratuities at the time of booking can lock in lower rates that will not be changed should gratuities increase before they set sail.
Cruise Hive Cruise Line Gratuities Comparison Tool
It is possible that other cruise lines will soon increase their own gratuities, as this is the time of year when such changes are common. Once one cruise line notes an increase, other lines are likely to follow, especially if they have not increased these charges in a year or more.
The last time Carnival Cruise Line raised gratuities, for example, was April 1, 2023 (not an April Fool’s joke!), so it is very likely a new increase may be coming soon. Likewise, Royal Caribbean’s standard gratuities last increased on November 1, 2024.
Is Margaritaville at Sea Worth the Higher Gratuities?
While tipping culture and gratuities can be a contentious topic even for cruisers, most guests agree that cruise line crew members work very hard to ensure everyone has a spectacular vacation.
Margaritaville at Sea is a relatively new cruise line, only having entered the market in 2022. It has already made a name for itself with its vibrant ships, carefree beach themes, and, of course, its signature theming around the late Jimmy Buffett’s hit songs.
As for the cost of its gratuities, the cruise line’s hospitality is widely renowned and offers some luxury elements other cruise lines have long since discontinued, such as twice-daily stateroom service.
Whether that cost is worthwhile is a matter of individual preference for travelers – share your thoughts on the Cruise Hive boards!
Nassau, Bahamas, has broken its annual passenger record for the third time in 2025.
The port welcomed an estimated 6.1 million cruise guests, exceeding the high of 5.6 million guests in 2024.
Looking at the overall, the Bahamas welcomed an unprecedented 12.5 million visitors, the majority of which came from cruise tourism.
Nassau, Bahamas, is batting three for three. For the third year in a row, Nassau has set a new cruise passenger record.
In 2025, the world’s busiest transit cruise port welcomed an estimated 6.1 million passengers across nearly 1,600 ship calls.
“This milestone year for tourism underscores the critical role Nassau Cruise Port continues to play as the primary gateway for visitors to The Bahamas,” said Mike Maura, Jr. CEO & Director of Nassau Cruise Port.
“Welcoming more than six million cruise passengers in a single year reflects the confidence of our cruise partners, the strength of the destination, and the impact of ongoing investments to enhance the passenger experience and operational efficiency at the port,” Maura continued.
This total represents an approximate 9.5% increase over the previous year. In 2024, the port welcomed around 5.6 million cruise guests across 1,445 ship calls, which was a new record at the time.
2023 was also a record-breaking year, with Nassau welcoming an estimated 4.4 million passengers. This was an improvement upon 3.2 million guests in 2022.
Port Upgrades Pay Off
Port authorities have been working hard to secure Nassau’s spot as a top cruise destination and put $300 million into revitalizing the port, which launched in its upgraded form in May of 2023.
This project included six new and expanded berths capable of accommodating the largest ships in the world, with vessels like Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class ships capable of bringing up to 7,600 guests to the port in one go.
Cruise Ships Docked in Nassau, Bahamas (Photo Credit: Sven Hansche)
Additional enhancements have been made to the downtown area, such as adding more and better shopping and dining options, and rolling out free Wi-Fi for visitors in 2024.
These improvements have definitely paid off, with the cruise port breaking records for the largest number of passengers to visit the port in one day on at least two separate occasions in 2025.
Six ships visited Nassau on March 11, 2025, shattering the daily passenger record by bringing a whopping 30,538 passengers to the port. This record was once again blown out of the water on April 8, 2025, when 31,011 cruise guests visited Nassau in one day.
Five ships were in the port that day, including Liberty of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Celebration, and Disney Dream.
More Growth in the Bahamas
As the capital of the Bahamas, Nassau plays a big role in the country’s booming tourism industry. Like Nassau, the Bahamas also set a new visitor record encompassing guests coming by sea and plane, reaching a whopping 12.5 million.
Cruise tourism was the primary driver behind the growth, accounting for 86.5% of the total arrivals. This amounts to more than 10.6 million cruise passenger arrivals.
“In 2025, The Bahamas welcomed an unprecedented 12.5 million visitors, the highest total arrivals ever recorded,”Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, told Parliament.
“Visitor arrivals grew 11.4 per cent year-over-year, surpassing 2024’s record and exceeding pre-pandemic 2019 levels by more than 72 per cent,” Cooper highlighted.
In addition to Nassau, Bahamian destinations like Grand Bahama, Bimini, the Berry Islands, and Eleuthera showed significant growth. These popular ports are all home to private cruise destinations.
Notably, the Berry Islands are home to Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay. Eleuthera is where guests can visit Princess Cruises’ Princess Cays and Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Carnival’s new Celebration Key is on Grand Bahama, while the adults-only Virgin Voyages has a private beach club on Bimini.
It’s also worth mentioning that MSC Ocean Cay is another popular stop just for MSC Cruises guests. The 95-acre private island is located within the Bimini chain of islands in the western Bahamas.
The weekend of January 31 and February 1, 2026, is looking like it’s going to be a rough one, with a bomb cyclone heading for the US East Coast and stormy weather bringing strong winds to the Bahamas.
In light of the inclement weather, several cruise ships have made itinerary changes to avoid the rough conditions.
These are all the weather-related itinerary changes so far, and Cruise Hive will continue to update this list as more changes come to light.
Bahamas Sailings
Several Bahamas sailings have been impacted by the rough weather, as intense winds make docking at popular cruise ports unsafe. According to the Bahamas Department of Meteorology, strong gale force winds are expected at noon Saturday, to early Monday and that’s in addition to low temperatures already hitting the region.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean’s Bahamas-bound ships have been impacted by the weather. First, Oasis of the Seas has cancelled its call to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas, on January 31.
This was meant to be the final port call on an 8-night Southern Caribbean sailing that embarked in Port Everglades, Florida, on January 24, 2026.
Utopia of the Seas has also had to cancel her call to the private destination on February 1 and had to shorten the planned visit to Nassau, Bahamas, on January 31.
Passengers on Wonder of the Seas have also reported an itinerary change. Royal Caribbean was forced to cancel its scheduled call to CocoCay on January 31 and the call to Nassau on February 1, both ports are in the Bahamas. This means the January 30 cruise out of Miami is a cruise to nowhere, with those two ports replaced with sea days instead.
Celebrity Cruises
At the moment, just the Celebrity Reflection is impacted by the weather conditions in the region. The ship’s January 30 sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has now become a cruise to nowhere due to the windy conditions. The scheduled call to Key West on January 31 and the scheduled call to Bimini on February 1 have both been cancelled.
Margaritaville at Sea
Margaritaville at Sea Paradise is shifting its itinerary to keep conditions as nice as possible onboard for its January 30 sailing, which is a 3-night getaway cruise.
Margaritaville at Sea Paradise Docked at Port of Palm Beach, Florida (Photo Credit: Leonard Zhukovsky)
Instead of calling to Nassau on February 1, the ship will arrive in the capital of the Bahamas a day early on January 31 to avoid the worst of the wind.
Disney Wish is operating a 3-night sailing, which will now skip its visit to Castaway Cay on February 1 and will spend extra time in Nassau instead.
Potentially to make room for Disney Wish’s extended stay in Nassau, Disney Dream will skip her planned call to Nassau on February 1 and enjoy a sea day instead.
Sailings Based on the US East Coast
The bomb cyclone is expected to bring heavy snow, strong winds, and high tides to the East Coast over the weekend, which can create navigational challenges for cruise ships.
Forecast confidence continues to grow that a significant snowstorm will impact a much of the Carolinas into Southeast Virginia this weekend, with greater uncertainty farther up the coast. pic.twitter.com/Xa2bMBV9Hl
Current guests of MSC Cruises’ MSC Meraviglia have reported that the 5,700-guest ship is making an early return to New York from her current 7-night Bahamas sailing.
Per cruise tracking data, the ship is currently sailing in the direction of the Big Apple at top speeds of 23 knots in moderate swells of 1.2 meters (around 4 feet). Embarkation for the following Bahamas sailing on February 1, 2026, is still expected to go ahead as planned.
But in light of the snowy conditions and freezing temperatures, MSC Cruises has issued a warning to its next round of passengers to be careful as they make their way to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Similarly, Norwegian Breakaway is returning to New York from her 11-night Caribbean sailing early to try to beat the worst of the stormy weather. Because of the change in plans, the ship had to cancel its call to St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, on January 30.
Instead of arriving on February 3 to disembark as planned, the 3,903-guest ship will return to Manhattan on February 1. The extra time will be treated like an overnight port call.
Carnival Cruise Line
In line with the other cruise brands, Carnival decided to bring Carnival Sunshine back to Norfolk, Virginia, one day early to beat the storm. The Sunshine-class flagship had to skip its visit to Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, to ensure a safe and smooth arrival in Virginia.
Meanwhile, guests of Carnival Pride’s February 1, 2026, sailing have been put on alert that the weather could impact their embarkation in Baltimore, Maryland.
No changes have been made yet, but the cruise line is monitoring the situation and will convey information to guests as needed. Passengers are also encouraged to sign up for text alerts.
If you’re planning a Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska for the 2026 season, you’ll have four ships to choose from: Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, or Voyager of the Seas.
Already thinking ahead to 2027? While ships may change from year to year, we do at least know at this point that Quantum of the Seas will replace Ovation of the Seas for the line’s 2027 Alaska cruises.
So, looking at all your options and not sure which ship to choose for your upcoming Alaska adventure? I’m going to explain everything you need to know about these five vessels so you can pick the best fit for your travel needs.
Royal Caribbean Ships Sailing Alaska
Ship
Homeport
Glacier Access
Best For
Year
Serenade of the Seas
Vancouver
Tracy Arm / Endicott Arm
Scenery lovers, adults, quiet ship fans
2026 & 2027
Voyager of the Seas
Seattle
Dawes Glacier
Budget, families, classic RCI experience
2026 & 2027
Anthem of the Seas
Vancouver & Seward
Hubbard Glacier
Families, indoor spaces, cruisetours
2026 & 2027
Ovation of the Seas
Vancouver & Seward
Hubbard Glacier
Adventure, land tours, modern ship
2026 only
Quantum of the Seas
Seattle
Dawes Glacier
Families, weather-proof activities
2027 only
Voyager of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s relatively older ships, but don’t let that deter you from considering it for your upcoming Alaskan cruise. Debuting in 1999, the ship holds about 3,600 people. That’s pretty small by today’s standards, but at that point in history, it was groundbreaking.
Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia)
And don’t worry — the ship was upgraded in 2019, so it’s been spiffed up. It houses a lot of the classic Royal Caribbean cruise ship features, such as a rock-climbing wall, ice skating rink, surf simulator and the Perfect Storm trio of waterslides.
Why It’s Good for an Alaska Cruise
All things considered, when it comes to an Alaskan cruise, Voyager of the Seas is ideal for those who don’t want or need a mega-ship that’s going to be crowded, even if it does come with all the latest and greatest amenities. It’s also a good fit for those on a budget, as older ships are typically cheaper to sail on.
What to Expect During an Alaskan Cruise on Voyager of the Seas
As this older ship wasn’t built with Alaskan cruising in mind (as some other Royal Caribbean ships might’ve been), you’re not going to find quite as many indoor spots to enjoy the views of wildlife and glaciers. Sure, you can see it all from the deck — try the outdoor deck 4 promenade — but it’s going to be chilly.
Book a balcony cabin for private outdoor space to take in the views, and opt for a midship balcony cabin if you can get it, for less noise and motion.
As for glacier access, the ship does not visit Glacier Bay, but does visit Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier instead, though not on all itineraries. Make sure to double-check before booking, if this itinerary stop is a must for you.
Voyager of the Seas Pros & Cons in Alaska
Pros
Cons
Smaller ship for fewer crowds
Older ship not really outfitted for cold weather cruising
Budget-friendly
Smaller ship size means smaller cabins
Who Should Avoid This Ship?
Those wanting to cruise on a big, new ship should probably opt for one of Royal Caribbean’s other options. Additionally, those who are averse to taking in the views outdoors may also want to pick a ship that has more indoor viewing areas.
Anthem of the Seas
Comparatively, Anthem of the Seas is a much newer ship, built in 2015, and it’s also much larger, as a Quantum-class ship — meaning that even though you’ll easily find more than 4,000 other passengers sailing with you, you’ll hardly feel crowded.
Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas (Photo Credit: P.Cartwright)
The ship is very family-friendly, with lots to do for all ages, though those sailing without any kids in tow will also find loads to love about this ship, with its adults-only spaces and ample dining and drinking venues.
During an Alaskan cruise, you’ll never feel like you’re cooped up indoors. With so much to do, there’s no chance of getting cabin fever.
From swimming in the indoor pool to heading to the Seaplex for roller skating, basketball, bumper cars and similar fun, you’ve got options. And did I mention that this ship is outfitted with the North Star observation capsule, for 360-degree views and all-out awesomeness?
So, if you want a family-friendly ship with no end to on-ship fun, pick Anthem of the Seas for your Alaska cruise.
2026-2027 Alaska Deployments
You’ll find no shortage of 2026-2027 Alaska cruises on Anthem of the Seas. Starting at $93 per night, all deployments are at least a 7-night cruise, with 10-night cruises available as well. Departure ports for this ship over the next two years will include Anchorage, Fairbanks, Seattle, Seward and Vancouver, British Columbia, in Canada. Stops range from Skagway to Ketchikan, Sitka to the Hubbard Glacier.
Anthem of the Seas Ship Stats
Gross Tonnage 167,800
Passenger Capacity: 4,168
Staterooms: 2,091
Decks: 16 total
What to Expect During an Alaskan Cruise on Anthem of the Seas
Which glaciers you’ll get to see will depend on your exact itinerary, but the Hubbard Glacier and Dawes Glacier are both options — and you can even take in the views right from the pool deck or the North Star observation capsule.
Grab a balcony cabin for views without leaving your room and some past cruisers suggest particularly getting a cabin near the front of the ship, if your itinerary includes the Hubbard Glacier (though many also note that, regardless of your itinerary and cabin, you’re going to get some awesome scenery).
Pros & Cons for Anthem of the Seas in Alaska
Pros
Cons
Plenty of indoor things to do
Not the newest ship, and hasn’t received any large refurbishments
Lots of options for getting great scenic views
Who Should Avoid This Ship?
There are really few reasons why you might avoid a Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska on this ship. It has lots of amenities and itinerary options to choose from. You may want to avoid the ship if you are a stickler about only sailing on the newest and largest ships, or conversely, if you prefer a smaller cruising experience with fewer than 4,000 other cruisers.
Serenade of the Seas
Serenade of the Seas was built in 2003, so it’s definitely not considered a new ship and it’s small, too (with the last big refurbishment occurring in 2012, and further refurbishments occurring in 2022). However, this ship is well-known as one of the best Royal Caribbean ships for an Alaskan cruise.
Serenade of the Seas in Alaska (Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean)
Why It’s Good for an Alaska Cruise
The ship only fits around 2,000 passengers, so you’re not fighting against any crowds. The ship feels far more intimate than the other Royal Caribbean vessels on these itineraries. Because the ship isn’t super amenity-heavy, with lots of flashy entertainment at every corner, that means it’s also calmer and less hectic, for some serious next-level chill.
Meanwhile, the views from the interior are top-notch. From the Solarium to the pool with its retractable glass roof to the dining options, you’re rarely without a view. As such, so long as you’re not really, really wanting a big ship with lots of on-ship activities, book Serenade of the Seas if you can.
What to Expect During an Alaskan Cruise on Serenade of the Seas
As mentioned, Serenade of the Seas offers a wealth of great viewing spots across the ship, so you’ll definitely not be left wanting for scenery.
However, for private views, book a balcony cabin — though it’s worth noting that many cruisers find the balcony cabins on this ship to be rather small, so maybe upgrade to a suite with a balcony if you can swing it, like the Royal Suite. Glacier stops on 2026–2027 itineraries include Tracy Arm Fjords and Glacier (though not all itineraries include it!).
Pros & Cons for Sereande of the Seas in Alaska
Pros
Cons
More intimate feel and fewer crowds
Smaller ships mean fewer amenities
Views aplenty
Cruisers complain that cabins are small and outdated
Who Should Avoid This Ship?
If you really love staying on a brand-new, big ship, with all the jaw-dropping thrills you can handle, and you want lots of activities to keep your cruising crew entertained, this might not be the ship for you.
Ovation of the Seas
As mentioned, Ovation of the Seas will be replaced on Royal Caribbean’s Alaska itineraries by Quantum of the Seas in 2027, but you can still enjoy this ship throughout 2026.
Ovation of the Seas North Star
Why It’s Good for an Alaska Cruise
Ovation of the Seas is a Quantum-class ship that launched in 2016, making it the newest out of Royal Caribbean’s Alaska cruise ships. However, even though that’s the case, the cruise line still decided to give the ship some pretty substantial updates in early 2026.
While the ship is already outfitted with tons of fun spaces and amenities for your vacation, like the Seaplex and North Star observation capsule, these new renovations will also add extra cabins, bars, and lounges, and even a bigger pool and pool deck. As such, this is the best Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise ship to sail on in 2026 if you want new, new, new.
2026-2027 Alaska Deployments
Ovation of the Seas is offering 2026–2027 Alaska cruises that range from 7 to 13 nights, with departure ports including Anchorage, Fairbanks, Seward and Vancouver, with prices starting at around $90 per night. One-way sailings are particularly popular.
Ovation of the Seas Ship Stats
Gross Tonnage: 168,666
Passenger Capacity: 4,182
Staterooms: 2,091
Decks: 16 total
What to Expect During an Alaskan Cruise on Ovation of the Seas
Ovation of the Seas offers plenty of vista views throughout its public spaces, so you won’t necessarily need to huddle out in the cold if you want to take in the scenery. Itineraries include visits to the Hubbard Glacier (the largest tidewater glacier in North America) and Dawes Glacier.
You will, though, want to keep one important thing in mind as you book your cabin: On one-way itineraries, as are popular on this ship, you’ll spend your entire itinerary either with a sea or land view. On one side, you could see bears and bald eagles, on the other, whales and sea lions.
Neither option is necessarily better than the other — it’s just personal preference — but give it a think before you book and then reserve port or starboard accordingly.
Who Should Avoid This Ship?
Avoid this ship for your Alaska cruise if you really would prefer a smaller, calmer ship, as well as if you don’t want the hassle of a one-way cruise rather than a round-trip itinerary.
Pros & Cons for Ovation of the Seas in Alaska
Pros
Cons
Ship was recently refurbished
Big ships come with big crowds
Tons of amenities and activities
One-way sailings come with added travel costs
Quantum of the Seas
Remember — Quantum of the Seas won’t be sailing in Alaska until 2027, when it takes over for Ovation of the Seas — but if you’re planning ahead and booking for next year, here’s what you need to know.
Quantum of the Seas in Alaska (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)
Quantum of the Seas was the very first Quantum-class ship, debuting in 2014 and refurbished in 2019, with minor updates made in 2024. It features all the classic Quantum attractions and amenities, like the North Star observation pod, the Ripcord skydiving simulator, SeaPlex and more.
Why It’s Good for an Alaska Cruise
Really, if you’re already thinking about sailing on one of the other Quantum-class ships that go to Alaska, but you can’t make it work for whatever reason, you’re going to find a very, very similar experience on Quantum of the Seas.
2026-2027 Alaska Deployments
Currently, only two itineraries are available for 2027 cruises on Quantum of the Seas. Both are 7-night cruises leaving from Seattle, Washington, starting at $120 per night.
Quantum of the Seas Ship Stats
Gross Tonnage: 168,666
Passenger Capacity: 4,180
Staterooms: 2,094
Decks: 16 total
What to Expect During an Alaskan Cruise on Quantum of the Seas
Upcoming 2027 cruises will visit Dawes Glacier, though it’s worth keeping in mind that large Quantum-class ships like this don’t enjoy as much glacier access as smaller ships. However, you’ll not be left wanting for views from the North Star capsule, indoor pool or Solarium. Choose a mid-ship balcony cabin for the best views overall.
Pros & Cons for Quantum of the Seas in Alaska
Pros
Cons
Tons of amenities, activities, and stateroom options
Larger ships come with crowds
Excellent views both indoors and out
Larger ships may not get to visit destinations only accessible to smaller vessels
Who Should Avoid This Ship?
If you want a more intimate cruising experience and don’t care so much for having a wealth of entertainment options and amenities, a smaller ship might be better suited to your needs.
Which Ship Has the Best Deals?
You can find cruises on all of these ships starting at under $100 per night. However, the average price can really range, so don’t expect that you’ll just be able to find a $100-per-night cruise that works for your travel dates and itinerary preferences.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships in Alaska (Photo Credit: steve estvanik)
Here are the lowest and highest per-night costs for each ship:
Based on the above, you’re more likely to find a more affordable deal when booking on Serenade of the Seas. The reasons that some ships cost more than others include ship age, ship size, ship amenities and demand for that particular ship.
Harmony of the Seas will be several hours late returning to Galveston due to a medical evacuation on the current sailing.
Strong headwinds have made it challenging for the Oasis Class ship to make up for the evacuation delay.
The next sailing will depart Texas three hours later than scheduled, but no port changes are anticipated.
Just as multiple ships are changing itineraries and even returning early to their homeports due to the impact of different storm systems, Harmony of the Seas is now delayed returning to Galveston, Texas, but not entirely because of weather.
The ship’s current 7-night Western Caribbean sailing departed on Sunday, January 25, 2026 to head for Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel. The Oasis Class ship will not be able to return on schedule on Sunday, February 1, however.
Royal Caribbean has reached out to guests booked on the next sailing to alert them to the delay.
“Due to a medical debarkation during the previous sailing, Harmony of the Seas will be arriving later than we initially planned. As a result, we are experiencing some delays at the terminal causing us to push our departure back,”the email notification explained.
Guest arrival times have been delayed by 3.5-4 hours, depending on the original arrival time guests selected when checking in for the cruise.
For example, guests who originally opted to arrive at Cruise Terminal 10 at 10:30 a.m. should now arrive at 2:30 p.m. The latest arrival time is now 5 p.m., and the ship will set sail at 6 p.m. instead of at 3 p.m. as previously scheduled.
Royal Caribbean is also reminding guests that the cruise terminal will not be open for embarkation until the new arrival windows, and travelers arriving earlier may be asked to leave and return at their new arrival time.
Delayed Harmony of the Seas Letter
It will be necessary for debarking guests to have sufficient time to process through customs and leave the cruise terminal and parking areas before arriving guests can be accommodated.
Because Harmony of the Seas can welcome as many as 6,780 travelers when fully booked, it is necessary to ensure everyone debarks the ship before new guests can arrive.
At this time, there is no confirmation of any changes to the February 1 sailing despite the later departure. The ship is still scheduled to visit Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel as planned for the weeklong sailing. Any necessary updates will be communicated to guests as they are confirmed.
Unfortunately, the current sailing hasn’t gone smoothly for everyone, and the medical evacuation required the ship to backtrack significantly to meet another boat near Cancun to transfer the individual who required urgent care.
Royal Caribbean has not released a statement on that evacuation, and it is not clear whether it is a guest or a crew member or what the medical emergency may have been.
Following the evacuation as Harmony of the Seas turned back north to continue toward Galveston, significant headwinds have impeded the ship’s progress.
Guests onboard have noted headwinds as high as 55 knots (63 miles per hour), and satellite tracking shows the ship moving at 19 knots against that wind in rough seas with waves as high as 11-12 feet. Such conditions make it difficult for the ship to reach her top cruising speed of 22 knots.
Announcements from the ship’s captain have informed guests that the ship will be arriving in Galveston at approximately 10 a.m., with debarkation expected to begin at 11 a.m.
These times are estimates only, but generally the cruise line does a fair job of predicting arrivals under these circumstances. Should any further delays be necessary, guests onboard Harmony of the Seas as well as those expecting to board the ship on Sunday will be notified.
Approximately 200 guests fell ill during Balmoral’s previous 10-night sailing to Norway and Scotland.
Guests endured gastrointestinal symptoms that were likely the work of norovirus, although the causative agent hasn’t been confirmed.
The cruise line implemented enhanced sanitation and cleaning procedures to prevent further spread.
Balmoral’s recent sailing to the Norwegian Fjords was plagued with stomach upset, as approximately 200 guests fell ill with a stomach bug. The ship can accommodate up to 1,250 guests and 537 crew members, meaning around 11% of the population onboard was impacted.
Normally, outbreaks are reported to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program when 3% or more of the people onboard become ill. But as this sailing did not include any US ports, it falls outside the jurisdiction of the CDC.
It’s not clear which causative agent was behind the outbreak, but the highly contagious norovirus is the prime suspect.
The Fred Olsen ship concluded its 10-night sailing from Southampton, UK, on January 30, 2026, but the experience remains fresh for passengers affected.
Preventive Measures Taken
As is the standard protocol, the crew members immediately took action to mitigate further spread of illness on the 43,537-gross ton ship.
“We have immediately implemented measures to help reduce transmission, and our medical team is on hand to provide support to anyone who should feel unwell during the cruise,” Dr. Kate Bunyan, Director of Health Services, told The Shetland Times.
“The safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew is our highest priority, and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has robust health, hygiene, and safety protocols in place at all times,” Dr. Bunyan continued.
Fred Olsen Balmoral Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Wayleebird)
These measures included implementing enhanced cleaning protocols onboard and isolating symptomatic guests in their cruise cabins.The cruise line also kept passengers informed of the situation with overhead announcements.
One passenger, who remained anonymous, told The Shetland Times that there were daily updates saying the ship was “experiencing increasing cases of people presenting with symptoms of gastroenteritis.”
Embarkation for Next Sailing Delayed
Out of an abundance of caution, embarkation for the January 30 sailing was briefly delayed to allow for an extra deep cleaning of the ship before new, healthy guests were welcomed onboard.
“Balmoral will be returning to Southampton tomorrow, where she will set sail a little later than planned to allow for a deep clean of the ship and cruise terminal,” Dr. Bunyan said on January 29.
Per cruise tracking data, Balmoral left Southampton on the evening of January 30 as planned. She is now on her way to Alesund, Norway, where she is due to make her first port call of the journey on February 2.
During the rest of the 15-night Northern Lights-themed voyage, passengers will get to visit Norway’s Narvik, Alta, Tromso, Sortland (Langoya Island), and Molde.
Was Everyone Really Sick?
As the cruise ship encountered rough seas, some passengers were speculating whether all the afflicted guests shared the same virus or if some were simply seasick.
The ship was supposed to visit Lerwick, Scotland, on January 27 so that guests could partake in Up-Helly-Aa, which is Europe’s largest fire festival. But due to stormy weather, which brought strong winds and large swells, the visit was cancelled.
“While we understand the disappointment of missing the much-anticipated Up-Helly-Aa festival, the safety of our guests and crew must always remain our highest priority,”the cruise line stated.
Regardless of the reason behind the illness, new guests can rest assured that the crew members followed the strictest and most robust protocols to clean the ship and make sure everyone stays safe going forward.
