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Cruise Lines Leverage Drydocks to Add Capacity to Existing Ships

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Cruise Lines Leverage Drydocks to Add Capacity to Existing Ships

Cruise lines continue to add a significant number of staterooms to existing ships during routine drydocks, as highlighted in the new 2026 Drydock Report from Cruise Industry News.

The additional capacity generally fills in under utilized public areas, with revenue that flows right to the bottom line.

Among upcoming programs, the 2016-built Ovation of the Seas will see the addition of 40 new staterooms, which will take over space currently occupied by various public areas.

Also included in the company’s modernization effort, the Harmony of the Seas is set to enter drydock in April for a refit that will include the creation of 91 additional staterooms.

A third ship is also getting a significant capacity increase with 68 new staterooms: the Liberty of the Seas.

Silversea’s Silver Muse saw a seven percent increase in 2025.

After entering drydock in November, the 2017-built vessel returned to service with 18 smaller staterooms replacing its original larger suites.

Norwegian Cruise Line continued to expand its ships’ capacities in 2025 by adding 26 additional staterooms to the Norwegian Bliss. The increase followed similar projects carried out onboard the Norwegian Joy and the Norwegian Encore in 2024.

A second ship, the Pride of America, saw the addition of 26 new staterooms during a drydock on the West Coast in May.

Other key capacity addition projects:

  • Celestyal Discovery – 47 new staterooms
  • Carnival Miracle – 5 new staterooms
  • Holland America’s Zuiderdam – 11 new staterooms
  • Norwegian Epic – 8 new staterooms

Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey to Return to Cape Liberty One Day Later

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Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey to Return to Cape Liberty One Day Later

Royal Caribbean International warned guests set to embark on the upcoming cruise of the Odyssey of the Seas that their sailing will be delayed by one day.

According to a statement, the ship is scheduled to dock at its homeport in Cape Liberty on January 27, 2026, instead of January 26, 2026.

“Due to the major winter storm affecting much of the East and Northeast U.S., and the impacts on land-based travel and port operations, we are delaying our arrival into Bayonne,” Royal Caribbean said.

The company added that the decision will “allow for weather to improve and shore-based operations to recover.”

“For many guests experiencing difficulties getting to Bayonne, we hope this relieves some worry as you’ll have an extra day to make it there safely,” Royal Caribbean continued.

Originally set to offer an 11-night cruise to the Southern Caribbean, the Odyssey of the Seas is now set to offer a shortened voyage with a revised itinerary.

“Due to this change, our calls to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, will be cancelled and instead, we’ll enjoy some extra time onboard,” the company added.

Previously scheduled visits to St. John’s in Antigua, Bridgetown in Barbados, Castries in St. Lucia, and Philipsburg in St. Maarten will go ahead as planned.

As compensation for the last-minute change, Royal Caribbean is offering guests a pro-rated one-day refund of the paid cruise fare in the form of onboard cruise credit. Any refundable unused credit at the end of the cruise will be refunded to guests.

In related news, Royal Caribbean also shortened a cruise on board the Harmony of the Seas due to a winter storm in Texas.

As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the Oasis-class vessel returned to its homeport in Galveston one day earlier to avoid the weather system.

Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas to Feature Two-Story Casino

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Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas to Feature Two-Story Casino

Royal Caribbean International recently revealed that the new Legend of the Seas will feature the company’s first two-story casino.

Currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, the Icon-class ship is scheduled to enter service in July 2026.

The expanded casino space was announced in an email sent to the company’s Club Royale members earlier this month.

“Your next Icon Class casino is getting a major upgrade,” Royal Caribbean said in the reveal, which also included a rendering of the gambling room.

The image shows that the expanded Casino Royale will feature a large bar, in addition to a staircase connecting its two levels of slot machines and game tables.

In September, Royal Caribbean also revealed plans to introduce the largest casino in its fleet onboard the Harmony of the Seas.

The ship’s Casino Royale will be enlarged during a refit scheduled for the Oasis-class ship in mid-2026.

As part of the refurbishment, the gambling area will take over a room currently occupied by a lounge and a comedy club.

The refit will mark the second time that the ship’s casino is expanded, following a similar project carried out in 2023.

Set to enter service next July, the Legend of the Seas will spend its maiden season in the Western Mediterranean before repositioning to North America.

For its stateside debut, the LNG-powered vessel will offer a series of six- to eight-night cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas, departing from Fort Lauderdale.

Royal Caribbean recently revealed other features of the Legend of the Seas, including new dining and entertainment venues.

Building on a similar restaurant introduced by the Utopia of the Seas, the ship will feature Royal Railway – Legend Station.

The speciality venue will offer a themed experience that is said to take guests on a journey along the ancient Silk Routes by train.

Other highlights of the ship’s offerings include a new supper club inspired by the golden age of Hollywood and Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” musical.