Diplomacy

Galveston cruise goers will have one less ship to pick from out of the Texas port, after the announcement that a 3,560-passenger ship is moving out.

Princess Cruises has canceled a full season of sailings on Majestic Princess out of Galveston, Texas. The decision to reposition the ship will impact all cruises planned between November 2026 and March 2027.

The cruise line announced the change as part of a shift in its “global fleet deployment strategy,” meaning we still don’t know if another ship from the Princess fleet will be taking Majestic’s place.

In a letter to passengers, Princess Cruises said the following:

“We’ve made the tough call to cancel all Majestic Princess sailings from Galveston scheduled between November 2026 and March 2027. We’re sorry for the inconvenience and thank our guests for their understanding as we adjust our worldwide plans.”

Cruise passengers with canceled sailings will get full refunds and can rebook on other cruises, including options from Galveston.

Princess is also helping guests find new trips to replace the canceled ones. Even though the impacted sailings are well over a year out, many cruisers like to book up to two years in advance.

While repricing allows a booked passenger to rebook if a better price is found, booking this far in advance also means things like a ship repositioning can happen.

Majestic Princess, built in 2017 for the Chinese market, started sailing out of Galveston shortly after the cruise industry restarted.

The cancelation announcement for the ship comes just two years after Princess added to its Texas offerings Regal Princess.

As it stands now, after Regal Princess finishes her last scheduled trip in March 2026, Princess will have no ships based in Galveston.  This, of course, can change with a coming announcement.

The cruise line hasn’t shared details about where Majestic Princess will go next, but they promise “exceptional vacation experiences” are still ahead. Meanwhile, Galveston’s port remains busy with other major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Disney, and Carnival still sailing from there.

Majestic Princess is currently sailing in the Mediterranean on a 10-day cruise out of Rome (Civitavecchia). After several longer itineraries in Europe the ship will take a transatlantic cruise from Southampton to Boston in August of this year.

In November, the ship is scheduled to offer sailings out of Port Everglades, cruising on 6-, 8-, and 14-day trips to the Caribbean and ABC Islands.

Cruise Fever reached out to Princess Cruises about the canceled cruises and received the following statement:

“Princess Cruises has made the difficult decision to cancel all sailings aboard Majestic Princess from Galveston scheduled between November 2026 and March 2027 as part of our broader global fleet deployment strategy. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause our guests and appreciate their understanding as we work to enhance our global cruise offerings.

“All affected guests have been provided a full refund, and we are actively assisting them with alternative cruise options, including other sailings from Galveston and a variety of Caribbean itineraries. We remain committed to delivering exceptional vacation experiences and look forward to welcoming guests aboard Majestic Princess in its soon-to-be-announced deployment.

“The Regal Princess will operate all its scheduled voyages from Galveston through and including the cruise departing Galveston on March 15, 2026.”

Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, began welcoming its first passengers this week after arrival in Lisbon, Portugal. The third Prima-class vessel will then sail to Southampton, England, before a transatlantic voyage to Boston, Massachusetts.

With a capacity of 3,571 passengers, Norwegian Aqua is set for a busy schedule between 2025 and 2027. The ship will depart from PortMiami, Port Canaveral, and New York, offering a variety of itineraries across the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Bermuda.

Cruise Fever has compiled a detailed breakdown of the ship’s departure schedules and itineraries.

Miami: Year-Round Voyages

Miami anchors the schedule with 55 sailings from April 2025 to March 2027, offering consistent cruises to tropical destinations like the Bahamas, Caribbean – East, and Central America.

• April 2025: Starts with a 5-day Bahamas cruise (April 16) and a 4-day Bahamas trip (April 21), both round-trip, visiting places like Great Stirrup Cay and Bimini.
• October 2025–March 2026: Shifts to 7-day Caribbean – East sailings nearly every week, featuring stops such as Great Stirrup Cay and Dominican Republic (e.g., October 12 onward). A 5-day Central America trip on October 7 includes Harvest Caye and Cozumel.
• October 2026–March 2027: Features 7-day Central America cruises (e.g., October 18, with Harvest Caye, Cozumel, and Roatan) and Caribbean – East runs (e.g., March 28).  There’s even a 2-day Bahamas trip on October 16 for those wanting a quick trip on the newest ship.

Check prices on Norwegian Aqua here.

Port Canaveral: Summer Caribbean Voyages

Port Canaveral hosts 16 departures, all 7-day Caribbean – East cruises, from April to August 2025.

• April–August 2025: Runs weekly from April 26 to August 9, visiting Great Stirrup Cay and Dominican Republic.
• Post-August: No sailings after August 9, keeping this port exclusive to summer.

New York: Seasonal Bermuda Voyages

New York features 36 departures, primarily round-trip Bermuda cruises, from August 2025 to October 2026.

• August–October 2025: Opens with a 4-day Bermuda trip (August 18), followed by 5-day sailings (e.g., August 22) and 7-day trips (e.g., September 6), all to Royal Naval Dockyard.
• April–October 2026: Resumes April 18 with 7-day Bermuda cruises, includes an 8-day trip (July 3) and a 6-day option (June 27), and closes with 5-day runs (e.g., October 8).

New York’s focus on warm-weather Bermuda trips makes it a seasonal departure port, with no winter departures.

Southampton: One-Time Transatlantic Voyage

Southampton offers a single departure on March 28, 2025, a 7-day one-way cruise to Boston. This transatlantic trip follows the ship’s voyage from Lisbon to Southampton, marking its journey from Europe to the U.S. before settling into East Coast operations.

What This Means for Cruisers

Norwegian Aqua’s port lineup offers variety: Miami for year-round tropical cruises, Port Canaveral for summer Caribbean sailings, and New York for seasonal Bermuda sailings.

Whether you’re planning a Bahamas getaway from Miami, a summer Caribbean trip from Port Canaveral, or a Bermuda cruise from New York, Norwegian Aqua’s schedule allows Norwegian fans from different port areas to experience the ship.

And there’s a lot of buzz around Norwegian Aqua. The Prima-class series has been a big success for the cruise line. 

The ship’s headline attraction, the Aqua Slidecoaster, a unique hybrid of waterslide and rollercoaster, is already getting some rave reviews by current passengers.

The christening ceremony for Norwegian Aqua is next month on April 13 and will take place in Miami with Emmy Award-winning actor Eric Stonestreet serving as the ship’s godfather. 

A tragic accident took place at Carnival’s private island, Half Moon Cay, in the Bahamas yesterday, March 22, 2025.  A jet ski accident resulted in the death of a female cruise passenger that news reports say was a British/Czechoslovakian national.

The incident took place shortly after 1:00 p.m., when the woman, a guest on Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam, reportedly lost control of her jet ski and collided with a rock.

Despite immediate assistance from medical personnel, she was pronounced dead by a local doctor. Authorities from Eleuthera, about 30 miles away, were notified by the island manager and have launched a full investigation.

Nieuw Amsterdam, the only ship docked at Half Moon Cay that day, was wrapping up a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise that departed from Fort Lauderdale on March 16. The accident delayed the ship’s return to Port Everglades, pushing back both disembarkation and the embarkation of passengers for its next voyage, a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise.

Guests scheduled to board on March 23 were informed that check-in would begin at 2:00 p.m., with all passengers required onboard by 5:00 p.m. for a 7:00 p.m. departure.

Holland America Line provided free Wi-Fi to assist current passengers in rescheduling flights, advising departures no earlier than 5:00 p.m. from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport or 7:00 p.m. from Miami International Airport.

Details about the victim’s identity were not disclosed, and it’s unclear whether she was operating the jet ski or riding as a passenger. Jet ski excursions at Half Moon Cay typically include safety briefings, but the investigation will examine whether all protocols were followed.

Depending on the findings, jet ski activities at the destination may be temporarily cancelled or face more regulations.

Despite the tragedy, passengers aboard Nieuw Amsterdam praised Holland America Line’s response.

A Reddit user, MotherVisit1997, who was on the ship, posted,

“We are onboard the ship after a guest was tragically killed on a jet ski yesterday in Half Moon Cay. The captain and staff have been wonderful handling the crisis and assisting guests who need help changing their flights home due to the six-hour delay. Overall, this was our first ever cruise and the level of service by Holland America really sold us on taking another cruise in the future.”

Other users on the site echoed the sentiment citing Holland America’s professionalism in past incidents, including a heart attack at sea and a sightseeing plane crash in Alaska. One commenter noted, “HAL took the situation very seriously… They took care of everyone after the fact quite well”.

Representatives from Holland America Line have remained at Half Moon Cay to cooperate with authorities and support the victim’s family and travel companions.

As the investigation unfolds, the incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of safety during shore excursions. For now, Cruise Fever and the cruise community send thoughts and prayers to the family involved as we mourn their loss.

Viking has more cruise ships sailing on rivers in Europe than any other cruise line. They are adding seven new Longships to their fleet this year that carry 190 or fewer guests.

One of those new seven river ships was Viking Nerthus, a ship built specifically to sail from Paris on the Seine River.

From March through December, Viking is offering three new itineraries on the Rhine, Main and Seine that range from eight- to 11-days in length.

New Viking Itineraries

Rhine & Main Explorer

The first new itinerary from Viking is an eleven-day cruise from Nuremburg to Basel on the Rhine and Main. The cruise will visit the hidden gems of southern Germany, Switzerland, and France.

The cruise will allow you to visit Basel, Switzerland’s capital of culture, explore Frankfurt’s vibrant cityscape, and admire the charming medieval towns of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. You will see and visit turreted castles and rolling vineyards.

Christmas on the Rhine and Main

The second new cruise is also an 11-day voyage from Nuremburg to Basel but takes place during Christmastime so you can visit the Christmas markets along the two rivers.

You will be able to browse festive stalls in Basel and Karlsruhe, discover Strasbourg’s Alsatian traditions, and wander through Nuremberg’s world-famous Christkindlesmarkt while savoring mulled wine and handcrafted holiday treats.

Christmastime in Paris & Normandy

The third and final new cruise from Viking is an eight-day roundtrip sailing from Paris during the holidays.

You will celebrate the holiday season in the “City of Light” before setting sail through the serene landscapes of Normandy. You will have the opportunity to visit the charming riverside town of Rouen, soak in the festive atmosphere of Christmas markets, and return to Paris to enjoy its world-famous holiday illuminations.

New for 2026

Viking is adding four new pre- and post-cruise extensions in 2026. The new, fully guided, three or four-night extensions feature Privileged Access to museums, local cuisine for lunches and dinners, vineyard visits, cooking classes, as well as more time to personalize the trip with optional excursions.

They will be offered in Holland, Belgium, France, the Alps, Switzerland and Northern Italy.

Viking’s river cruises in Europe range from eight- to 15-days in length.

The cruise line currently has an additional 25 river ships on order/under construction and by 2028, they will have 109 river vessels in their fleet.

I’m old enough to remember when one of the favorite aspects of cruising was unplugging and disconnecting from “real life” for a while. If the boss wanted to get a hold of you, well, sorry, I was on a cruise and my phone wouldn’t work. Wi-Fi packages didn’t exist, and news events were a complete mystery until we got back home.

But with Wi-Fi speeds at sea faster than ever, and internet connectivity simpler and easier than ever before, there’s a growing trend of plugging in instead of unplugging.

While some parents don’t mind their children having access to their social media accounts while on a cruise, others feel it’s good for them to get away from “screen time” and enjoy all of the tangible things a cruise has to offer, in addition to the experience of amazing ports of call.

A recent story about a cruise passenger wanting a discount on Wi-Fi specifically for children to stay connected online has stirred this pot once more.

According to a post by Carnival’s Brand Ambassador John Heald, a request was made for “Carnival to give a 50% social media internet discount to all children and teenagers” so they could access their favorite apps like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.

Heald didn’t mince words—or his signature wit—in responding to the suggestion.

“Maybe I am once again showing that I am a megasorearse dinosaur,” he wrote, questioning why teens would prioritize their “eye phones” over the onboard fun and family time a cruise offers.

As a father to a 15-year-old daughter, he also mentioned the mental health toll of social media, suggesting it might deserve age limits like cigarettes or alcohol. The post, which he said left his “mind spinning,” has clearly resonated, racking up hundreds of responses from his loyal community.

Carnival Fans Give Honest Feedback

The feedback was pretty one-sided in the comments.

“No to the discount,” wrote Pam. “I know these kids don’t realize how lucky they are to be cruising.” Gail added “If they need to be on their phone or tablet all of the time, maybe they should just stay home.”

Another echoed the sentiment which was a theme in the replies to the post, saying, “Kids need to learn how to social act with their peers, not have their noses stuck to electronic devices all the time!”

Many of the recent features and amenities added to Carnival’s modern ships have children in mind, as the brand caters to families. Features like Bolt, a roller coaster at sea, WaterWorks, Sky Zone, and Camp Ocean are all designed to offer something for everyone.

Not all comments agreed though. John O. injected some humor: “I love all these posts about people who don’t need wifi and want to disconnect, but when the wifi only works 60% of the time there will be 3000 people going to guest services wanting a discount!”

It’s not a bad point, as I’ve seen this first-hand as well.  Another user also pointed out a potential conflict with a social media ban, as smart phones are practically required on a cruise ship just to know what’s going on and checking in.

 “Yet the ship wants you attached to the phone for breakfast and YTD check-in, menus, daily activities schedule, etc. So the kids think they need their phones thanks to Carnival also,” one Facebook user noted.

While offering a discount for kids to use social media on a cruise is not likely to happen any time soon, it’s important for families to realize the actual social interactions that can take place at sea.

Laura shared her approach: “My kids never needed [phones] when we were on our cruise. They met so many people and friends their ages they didn’t need electronics.”

Cost of Wi-Fi for Social Media Now

With Carnival’s social media package priced at $18.70 per day and no teen discount in sight, Heald’s post has tapped into a larger tension: connectivity versus escape.

If passengers want a discount, there is a 15% reduction in price when the package is booked before the sailing instead of on board.  This brings the price to around $16.

Carnival’s website states that the “Social Wi-Fi Plan” allows access to “applications like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, TikTok, Pinterest, X, Reddit, LinkedIn, and major airline sites.”

Read more: 10 Ways Your Phone Can Either Ruin or Enhance Your Cruise

A cruise vacation offers amazing value.  And while you can go the entire cruise without spending an extra penny, there are some extra’s that could just be the highlight of your trip if you just try them out.

In this article I will highlight the best things that are extra-charge items on a ship.

Here at Cruise Fever, we are all about saving money, but we’re also about making the most of a cruise.  After all, if you can only take a cruise every once in a while, you might as well at least try a few extras to see if it’s worth it.

Not all of the items on this list will be for you, but we think the perks on this list are worth the extra charge and should be considered the next time you walk onto a cruise ship.

Most of these perks will be included in the cruise price already if you are taking an all-inclusive cruise. However, we will be focusing on some of the mainstream cruise lines with this article.

11 things that cost extra on a cruise but are totally worth it:

1. Specialty Dining

Yes, you can eat as much food as you would like on a cruise ship without spending an extra dime. But if you’re a foodie or just want something with a bit more pizzazz for your palate, you will love some of the selections in specialty dining restaurants on a cruise.

You’re not necessarily paying for better tasting food. You’re paying for an experience, for impeccable service, for a sort of “food excursion” that will probably become one of your favorite memories from the ship.

This can range from a 5-star steak dinner to a fun Hibachi grill experience.  Either way, don’t be afraid to splurge on an unforgettable night of dining.  And get those reservations early, whether through the cruise line’s app or as soon as you get on the ship on embarkation day.

2. Wi-Fi Packages

As someone who writes about cruise ships and tips, having Wi-Fi is always essential on a cruise. And I totally get it if someone just wants to get away from it all while at sea and not be distracted with work and other matters back home.

It’s a healthy thing to disconnect. But if you plan on connecting to the internet at all, whether it’s to check on your pets or read a review about a cruise port, it’s well worth it to buy an internet package. Speeds have improved tremendously in the last few years, and even things like video calls and streaming are no problem on most modern ships.

Related article: Wi-Fi cost for each cruise line

3. Thermal Suite Access

I’ve been in some incredible thermal suites on cruise ships that rival five-star spas on land. We all cruise for different reasons, but if you truly desire a relaxing and calming experience, I highly recommend splurging on thermal suite access, provided your cruise ship has one.

Some thermal suites have multiple steam rooms, dry saunas, heated tile loungers, heated therapy pools, and even snow rooms to cool off.

In my experience Norwegian Breakaway-class, Prima-class and some newer MSC cruise ships have excellent thermal suites.  Carnival and Royal Caribbean have them on some ships as well, but they usually aren’t very big or elaborate.  It’s still worth it in many cases though.

Occasionally you can get access to a dry sauna in the locker room near the gym for free on a ship. Every cruise line and ship offer a different spa and thermal suite experience, so definitely look at pictures and videos of the thermal suite before you buy access.

On the first day of your cruise the thermal suite and spa will be open so you can check it out in person as well.

Sometimes ships will run deals towards the end of the cruise with discounted rates for the thermal suite. Of course, if the space is already sold out, you’re out of luck. Fortunately for guests, a cruise ship will only allow so many to access the thermal suite, so it’s not overcrowded.

4. Laundry Service

Depending on your situation, you may actually save money by bringing fewer bags and doing laundry on the ship. Every cruise line handles this differently, but some like Holland America will allow you to get unlimited laundry done throughout the cruise, one bag at a time. Some cruise lines like Carnival, Princess, and Holland America have self-service launderettes that will let you wash your own clothes as well.

While this will cost more, you have to consider something. If you’re flying to the cruise port for a longer duration cruise you probably have to bring some extra pieces of luggage. You may have to pay extra to the airline for this baggage. It can often be cheaper to bring less luggage on a longer duration cruise and just do laundry while on the ship.

As always, see what your cruise line offers in the laundry department and calculate the cost from there. If the cruise line only does laundry for you based on each article of clothing your laundry bill can add up fast.

I have a friend who just did a 2-week sailing with Holland America and he bought the unlimited laundry package. He said it saved his family of four a lot of money versus bringing extra luggage.

5. Upgraded/Balcony Cabin

If you cruise a lot, it may be hard to justify getting an upgraded cabin on every trip, but if your cruise is a rare getaway, you should definitely splurge for a balcony or better cabin. The perks of having a balcony are hard to quantify.

But having amazing ocean views every morning, being able to access your own private veranda to hear to sounds of the ocean and feel the sea breeze — well, I get Cruise Fever just writing about it right now. Plus, there’s nothing better than sipping some morning coffee on the balcony while the sun is coming up and the ship is still quiet.

The price difference between an interior and balcony can vary, so it’s not always that much more to upgrade your cabin. A lot depends on the cruise line, itinerary and time of year. I recently wrote a detailed article on the true cost difference between the different cabin categories if you’d like to take a look.

Related: True cost different between an inside and balcony cabin

6. Drink Packages

A drink package is only worth the extra charge if you are paying for a package that fits you. Even as a non-drinker I find that some soda packages and non-alcoholic packages with cruise lines will save me a lot of money. Buying a few specialty drinks and coffees here and there and paying for each one individually can add up fast by the end of the cruise.

This one will take some math but calculate what is offered in each package and be honest with yourself in how much you will actually consume. And if you cruise often, you can look at your bill at the end of the week and add up the drink costs to see if you would have saved money just buying a package.

7. Room Service Breakfast

Getting room service at least once during your cruise is always a good idea. I prefer having breakfast delivered to my cabin, especially if my stateroom is a little further from the food choices on the ship.

This one used to be free on most major cruise lines, but those golden days of complimentary room service are mostly over, with a few exceptions.

On busy port days it’s so nice to have breakfast delivered right to the cabin and enjoy a leisurely meal out on the balcony. If you want to avoid crowds and the bustle of the first meal of the day, this is one area in which you should splurge a little. Most of the larger cruise lines do charge extra for a hot breakfast delivered to your cabin, but there are often some complimentary options as well, especially for breakfast.

By the way, make sure you tip your delivery person when the food arrives, which is another reason to bring some cash on a cruise.

Related: Room service fees and menus for every major cruise line

8. Certain Shore Excursions

Not every shore excursion is the same. I would avoid the cruise line shore excursions that are overly generic. Excursions that are highlight tours or bus tours can be overly crowded and don’t offer a truly authentic experience.

If you are going to splurge on an excursion, go for something that people rarely get to see and experience. Go for something exotic! These are often sold out early so you will want to do your excursion research early in the process.

I remember on a recent cruise I took to Iceland that some of the most incredible hikes and shore excursion experiences were already filled up before I had a chance to book them.

Remember, you will often spend more “awake time” off the ship than on it, so create lasting memories at some exotic locations and try something you could never do back home.

9. Private Island Cabanas

Cabanas on cruise line private islands come in all kinds of sizes and varieties. You can rent a floating cabana on Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay for a cool $2000 – $3,000 or rent a Carnival Amber Cove cabana for $300 – $400 (prices subject to change). Smaller cabanas can be rented for $150 or less. There are cabanas for every budget size.

So, is this extra cost worth it? Private islands are great for beach days, and a cabana takes a beach day to the next level. You don’t have to hunt a spot to get refuge from the sun. You have a central place for your family or travel party to relax, grab a snack, get something to drink, and even get some AC to cool off.

Some cabanas come with all the food and beverages you could ask for as well, so you really can stay right there and enjoy a gorgeous beach day in total comfort.

If you have a party size that justifies it, I highly recommend getting a spacious cabana so you can split the costs if you have to.

10. Travel Insurance

Ok, this one is not really a perk, but it does cost extra. And if you cruise without it, you’re taking a big risk. Cruising with travel insurance will not only mean that you can travel with peace of mind, but it also makes your life a lot easier should something unexpected happen.

If you’re driving to the port, you’re young, and you booked a short and affordable cruise maybe it’s harder to justify buying travel insurance. But even an unexpected medical emergency can mean huge financial burdens you might not be prepared for. My rule of thumb? If you’re on the fence about travel insurance just get it and be done with it.

11. Pre-cruise hotel

This one needs to be taken care of before you’re actually on the cruise ship, but I always recommend booking a pre-cruise hotel for your cruise if you plan on flying. This takes away a lot of the stress of trying to get to the cruise port on time.

Even if there is a slight delay or flight cancellation, you’re much better off when your flight is the day before the cruise. Yes, it’s an extra expense that you might want to avoid, but I look at a pre-cruise hotel kind of like a poor man’s travel insurance at the very least. But even with travel insurance you should arrive a day early so your vacation can start without stressing out about every little delay in your travel plans.

Related: 7 reasons you should never fly on cruise day

Final Thoughts

Not every one of these extra-charge items may be suitable for you and your situation.   And everyone has their own budget to watch.  But if you can afford to splurge a little on your cruise, I think you’ll get a lot of value out of the above perks and amenities.

There are tons of other things you can add to your cruise vacation. Whether it’s a cooking class, a tour of the behind-the scenes areas of the ship, or a new ride that costs a little extra, try it at least once if you think you might regret not doing it.

The main thing to consider is making sure you don’t blow the budget too badly.  After all, you need to have the money to go on another cruise as soon as possible!

Last month there was quite the uproar about the lack of longer sailings available on Oasis-class ships when Royal Caribbean released deployment schedules.  I broke down the data for every Oasis-class voyage over the next two years to see what’s really going on.

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships are one of the biggest success stories in the cruise industry.   The cruise line broke its own record for the world’s largest ship when Oasis of the Seas debuted in 2009, and the class held the title for 15 years until Icon of the Seas was built in 2024.

But the ships are not just big.  They are also very popular.  Royal Caribbean fans love these ships, and they are perfect for families as well, since there’s something for everyone.

But after recent schedules rolled out, some veteran cruisers were not excited about the number of 3-4 day sailings and apparent lack of 7-day or longer sailings on these beloved ships.

I Analyzed Every Oasis-Class Sailing Through 2027

So, I started digging into Royal Caribbean’s plans for its Oasis-class ships.  I pulled up the sailing dates, ports, and duration for every Oasis-class cruise from now until April 2027, as far as the current schedule goes.

I put all six vessels in a spread sheet, looking at Harmony, Utopia, Oasis, Symphony, Wonder, and Allure—collecting data on all 870 sailings.

My goal? To figure out if the talk about short cruises taking over is true. It is—but not entirely.

While short trips dominate the number of sailings, the real story lies in the days sailed. After crunching the numbers, I found 49% of their time goes to 3–5-day voyages. Longer sailings still hang on, though, and not every fan is cheering the shift.

Short vs. Long: The Days Sailed Breakdown

Out of 870 sailings, 673 (77.4%) are 3–5 days, and just 93 (10.7%) are 7-day. But counting sailings alone skews it—shorter trips pile up faster and you can have two in one week as opposed to a single week-long cruise.

So, I calculated the total days sailed as well: 4,732 across all ships. Here’s how it splits:

• Short Cruises (3–5 days): 2,410 days, 49%. Nearly half their time—quick escapes to places like CocoCay.
• Longer Cruises (6+ days): 1,312 days, 26.7%. A decent share, mostly 7-day itineraries.
• 2-day Trips: 10 days, 0.2%. Rare one-offs.

That 49% for short cruises is big—it’s what caught my eye first. But 26.7% for longer trips shows Royal Caribbean hasn’t fully abandoned the week-long crowd I know loves these ships.

While a 3-day cruise is great for a quick (and cheaper) getaway, it’s hard to really enjoy the size and splendor of an Oasis ship in less than 7 days.

The Ships: Which Ships Are Offering Short or Longer Cruises

I broke it down by ship—sailings, days sailed, and ports—to see which ones are driving this trend:

1. Utopia of the Seas (Port Canaveral):
   • 183 sailings, 733 days.
   • All Short: 91 3-day sailings (273 days), 92 4-day sailings (368 days)—100%.
   • Longer: None.
   • What I See: Utopia’s all-in on short from Port Canaveral. CEO Michael Bayley calls it a “game changer,” and I can see why—it’s built for 3- and 4-day demand.
2. Wonder of the Seas (Port Canaveral, then PortMiami):
   • 183 sailings, 712 days.
   • Mostly Short: 91 3-day sailings (273 days), 87 4-day sailings (348 days)—621 days total.
   • Longer: 5 7-day sailings (35 days).
   • What I See: Wonder dips into 7-day early in 2025 from Orlando, then shifts to PortMiami in August for 87.2% short days.
3. Oasis of the Seas (Port Everglades and Cape Liberty):
   • 148 sailings, 832 days.
   • Short: 62 3-day sailings (186 days), 36 4-day sailings (144 days), 2 5-day sailings (10 days)—340 days.
   • Longer: 23 6-day sailings (138 days), 13 7-day sailings (91 days), 9 8-day sailings (72 days), 1 9-day sailing (9 days)—310 days.
   • Plus: 2 short 2-day trips (4 days).
   • What I See: Oasis balances the durations. It’s got 3-day fans covered but keeps longer options alive on the original Oasis-class ship.
4. Harmony of the Seas (Galveston, Barcelona, then Port Canaveral):
   • 134 sailings, 876 days.
   • Short: 18 4-day sailings (72 days), 31 5-day sailings (155 days)—227 days.
   • Longer: 19 6-day sailings (114 days), 58 7-day sailings (406 days), 6 8-day sailings (48 days), 1 13-day cruise (13 days)—581 days.
   • Plus: 3 at 2 days (6 days).
   • What I See: Harmony offers longer itineraries—66.3% of its days, mostly 7-day—until it joins Orlando’s short game in August 2026.
5. Allure of the Seas (Rome, Barcelona, Port Everglades, PortMiami):
   • 112 sailings, 789 days.
   • Short: 2 3-day sailings (6 days), 2 5-day sailings (10 days)—16 days.
   • Longer: 18 6-day sailings (108 days), 79 7-day sailings (553 days), 10 8-day sailings (80 days), 1 13-day (13 days)—754 days.
   • What I See: Allure of the Seas is the long-cruise standout in this class —95.6% of its days, 553 of them 7-day. Short’s barely a footnote.
6. Symphony of the Seas (Cape Liberty, Galveston, PortMiami):
   • 110 sailings, 790 days.
   • Short: 8 5-day sailings (40 days).
   • Longer: 16 6-day sailings (96 days), 78 7-day sailings (546 days), 5 8-day sailings (40 days), 3 9-day sailings (27 days)—709 days.
   • What I See: Symphony sticks to longer sailings—89.7% of its days are spent on longer voyages.

The Push: Why 49% Short?

Royal Caribbean tested this with Allure of the Seas doing 3- and 4-day runs from Port Canaveral—a hit with new cruisers. I watched Utopia of the Seas take it full-time, and it’s paid off.  The cruise line’s CEO says it’s drawing millennials and first-timers like crazy.

Now, Wonder (87.2% short days), Oasis (40.9%), and later Harmony (25.9%) are piling in. Together, Utopia and Wonder account for 1,354 of the 2,410 short days—56.2%. It’s about quick turnarounds, CocoCay stops, and hooking newbies with a taste of the Oasis-class.

The Pushback: Fans Miss Longer—and Quieter—Trips

Not everyone’s happy with this shift toward shorter sailings, and I understand why. Some Royal Caribbean fans on Facebook say short cruises—especially 4-day trips—are just too short to enjoy the ship.

Others point out that flying in for these quick trips gets pricey, a frustration I’ve felt planning my own cruises.

There’s also grumbling that short sailings turn Oasis-class ships into more of a party atmosphere—more noise, less calm. Online, Royal fans argue they’d never do less than 7 days if travel’s involved. With 7-day trips down to just 13.2% of days sailed (651 total), it’s clear why those who want a week-long escape aren’t thrilled with the short-cruise trend.

Bottom Line

Here’s what I’ve learned: 49% of Oasis-class cruises are short—Utopia and Wonder lead and Oasis and Harmony join in as well.

But Allure and Symphony still offer plenty of longer cruises with most of their sailings being week-long durations.

Still, the numbers speak for themselves: 49% of Oasis-class sailings are now short, a clear reflection of Royal Caribbean’s vision for the class.  The strategy is to offer short cruises for the new generation, longer for the traditionalists.

The only question is: will this delicate balance hold, or will a new schedule beyond 2027 cater to a new type of cruise enthusiast?  We shall see.