7 Big Royal Caribbean Changes Coming in 2026

Royal Caribbean has a busy year ahead, with several confirmed changes that will affect ships, itineraries, loyalty perks, and even where passengers can sail from. Some of these updates have been expected for a while, while others mark completely new directions for the cruise line.

If you are planning a cruise in the next couple of years, it is worth knowing what is coming. Here are the key developments Royal Caribbean has lined up for 2026…

1. A Major Loyalty Shake-Up: The New “Points Choice” System

A split image shows a Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society Diamond tier status on the left, with 32 cruise points and 25 cruise nights, and a message indicating 143 points are needed to reach Diamond Plus. On the right, a person receives a hot stone massage at the Royal Caribbean spa, lying under a white sheet with a smooth black stone resting in their hand.

Royal Caribbean is introducing one of its most significant loyalty updates in years with the launch of Points Choice in early 2026. At the moment, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea all run separate loyalty programmes, so you only earn points with the brand you actually sail on.

Points Choice changes that. Once it launches, you will be able to earn points on any of the three cruise lines and apply them to whichever loyalty programme you prefer, such as Crown and Anchor, Captain’s Club, or the Venetian Society.

This update only applies to cruises taken after the launch date, and the benefits within each loyalty programme are staying the same. Royal Caribbean will share more details on exchange rates, eligibility, and rules closer to the rollout, but it is already clear that this is a major improvement for anyone who mixes brands within the Royal Caribbean Group.

2. A Brand-New Ship: Legend of the Seas

An image of Legend of the Seas on the ocean. — Legend of the Seas

Royal Caribbean will launch Legend of the Seas in July 2026, and it is set to be one of the year’s biggest highlights. The ship will begin its first season in the Mediterranean before crossing the Atlantic to Fort Lauderdale for winter sailings from November 2026.

Although it is the third ship in the Icon class, Royal Caribbean is introducing several new features. These include a full production of the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical, an immersive train-car-style dining experience called Royal Railway Legend Station, and the Hollywood Land Supper Club, which draws inspiration from classic Hollywood glamour. The ship will also feature an updated Surfside neighbourhood and a refreshed Aquadome Market with completely new food options.

3. Royal Beach Club Cozumel Opens in December 2026

This image shows the Royal Beach Club in Cozumel, Mexico, with a large resort pool surrounded by green loungers and pink-and-white umbrellas. Guests relax in the pool and around a thatched-roof swim-up bar, while the beach and turquoise ocean stretch out just beyond the lush greenery and palm trees.

Cozumel will become home to a brand-new Royal Beach Club when it opens in December 2026. This destination is being designed as a premium beach-day experience, offering heated pools, comfortable loungers, upgraded dining options and a strong focus on local culture.

The site is about ten minutes from the cruise port and will be completely rebuilt from the ground up. Guests will be able to reach it by bus, taxi or water transport. Features include a swim-up bar and toes-in-the-sand dining, with admission sold as an extra-cost excursion similar to other Royal Caribbean beach experiences.

4. Royal Beach Club Santorini Launches in Summer 2026

Aerial render of the upcoming Royal Beach Club Santorini, showing sun loungers shaded by umbrellas along a golden beach, surrounded by palm trees and bougainvillea. The design includes open-air dining areas, thatched-roof pavilions, and a wooden pier where yachts are docked against the island’s dramatic volcanic cliffs and clear Aegean water.

Royal Caribbean will expand its beach-club concept into Europe with the opening of the Royal Beach Club Santorini in summer 2026. This club will be available to both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises guests and is being developed by enhancing an existing beach area rather than rebuilding from scratch.

Admission will be all-inclusive and will cover beach access, dining, loungers, umbrellas and Wi-Fi. Each day pass will also include a scenic ferry tour along the coastline, as well as visits to Oia and Fira. The aim is to combine Santorini’s volcanic landscapes with the style and service of Royal Caribbean’s signature beach-club experience.

5. Three Royal Caribbean Ships Will Be Amplified in Spring 2026

The cruise ship 'Ovation of the Seas' glides through the icy waters of Alaska, with the majestic backdrop of snow-covered mountains and glaciers reflecting the clear blue skies.

Royal Caribbean will upgrade three of its existing ships in early 2026 as part of its ongoing amplification programme. These upgrades go beyond standard maintenance and focus on adding new dining venues, refreshed pool decks, updated bars and lounges, and in some cases new suites and activities.

Ovation of the Seas will receive a redesigned pool deck, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, Izumi Teppanyaki, Starbucks and the Pesky Parrot bar. Harmony of the Seas will get a refreshed solarium, Lime and Coconut, El Loco Fresh, Playmakers and the Ultimate Family Suite. Liberty of the Seas will gain a new pool deck, Lime and Coconut, Izumi, Teppanyaki and a new escape room.

The work on all three ships is expected to take place in the spring, meaning passengers should be able to enjoy the upgrades by summer 2026.

6. A Possible Return to Labadee in 2026

Royal Caribbean has not visited Labadee since April 2025 due to ongoing unrest in Haiti, and all stops are cancelled until at least May 2026. The situation in the country, rather than at Labadee itself, is the reason for the continued suspension, with the cruise line stating that it will only return once conditions are considered safe.

This is the longest continuous pause in visits to Labadee that Royal Caribbean has ever made. Cruises that originally included the stop have been rerouted to destinations such as Turks and Caicos, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. There is hope that visits could resume at some point in 2026, but nothing has yet been confirmed.

7. A New Home Port in San Diego

A row of tall palm trees lines the waterfront in front of the San Diego skyline at dusk, with the buildings glowing under a soft blue sky. The calm water reflects the city lights, adding to the serene and coastal California atmosphere.

Royal Caribbean will introduce a new home port on the West Coast in 2026. From October onwards, Serenade of the Seas will begin sailing from San Diego, offering itineraries to Ensenada, the Mexican Riviera and several ports along the Baja Peninsula.

These sailings will include La Paz, which will be a completely new stop for Royal Caribbean. Until now, the cruise line has only used Los Angeles, specifically the San Pedro terminal, as its California home port. The addition of San Diego will give West Coast travellers an alternative option for Mexican Riviera cruises from late 2026 onwards.

Final Thoughts

Royal Caribbean already has a packed schedule for 2026, with a major loyalty update, a brand-new Icon-class ship, two new beach clubs, three ship amplifications and the introduction of a new West Coast home port.

These changes will shape itineraries, onboard experiences and loyalty benefits throughout the year, and more updates are likely as 2026 gets closer. Cruisers who like to plan ahead will want to keep an eye on these developments to make the most of the new options coming their way.