These Cruise Ships Are Getting HUGE Upgrades In 2026

Some cruise ships will barely look the same after their 2026 refits.

We’re talking new suite complexes, redesigned pool decks, brand-new restaurants and even entirely new luxury areas being added to older ships.

Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, MSC and Carnival are all making major changes, but some upgrades are MUCH more exciting than others…

The Most Exciting Cruise Ship Upgrades In 2026

• Celebrity Solstice – major bow-to-stern refresh with new venues, redesigned outdoor spaces and upgraded cabins
• MSC Poesia – getting MSC Yacht Club plus new restaurants, spa and wellness upgrades
• Liberty of the Seas – getting a major Royal Caribbean “Amplification” with new restaurants, bars and entertainment spaces
• Harmony of the Seas – large-scale refresh including new dining venues, nightlife spaces and pool deck upgrades
• Azamara Quest – new suite categories, refreshed staterooms and redesigned public spaces as part of Azamara Forward

Now, let’s take a look at all of the ship refurbishments in 2026 so you can see if your next cruise will be an upgraded experience…

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Solstice

Celebrity Solstice is undergoing one of the most substantial refits of 2026 as part of the Celebrity Renewed programme.

This is a full modernisation, bringing in new venues and reworking existing spaces. Outdoor areas are a major focus, including Sunset Park and an updated Retreat Sundeck, while dining is expanding with options like Trattoria Rossa and Fine Cut steakhouse.

There are also new social spaces such as the Boulevard Bar & Lounge, alongside refreshed entertainment venues and updated staterooms.

It’s a significant transformation that brings Solstice much closer in feel to Celebrity’s newer ships.

Read more: Celebrity Solstice Emerges From Major Revamp With Brand New Venues

Celebrity Beyond

Celebrity Beyond heads into dry dock in November 2026 for a much more practical visit.

The focus is on maintenance and resolving technical issues linked to reduced cruising speed, rather than adding new guest-facing features. Given how new the ship is, that’s not especially surprising.

Celebrity Infinity

Celebrity Infinity completed a minor January 2026 dry dock, centred on routine maintenance and light updates.

There are no major changes to note, and the ship continues with its existing line-up of venues and features.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival has a long list of ships heading into dry dock in 2026, but the scale of changes varies quite a bit. A couple of ships are getting more noticeable additions, while much of the fleet is seeing routine refresh work.

Carnival Conquest

Carnival Conquest has already completed her 2026 dry dock, with a well-rounded mix of updates.

The biggest addition is the Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge, adding a new social space with a bit more personality. The casino has also been expanded and redesigned, including a non-smoking area – a practical change that’s likely to be popular.

There are also updates to retail areas, Club O2 for teens, and the Warehouse arcade, making it more interactive. It’s not a reinvention, but it’s a solid refresh that keeps the ship feeling current.

Carnival Encounter

Carnival Encounter’s 2026 wet dock brings a slightly more interesting mix of upgrades.

The Cloud 9 Spa is being revamped with new thermal suite features like saunas, steam rooms and heated loungers, while pool areas are also due a refresh. There are also energy-efficiency improvements happening behind the scenes.

There’s potential for new venues – including a Heroes Tribute Bar or expanded casino – though nothing firmly confirmed. Even so, this looks like one of the more noticeable Carnival updates this year.

Other Carnival Ship Refurbishments in 2026

The rest of Carnival’s 2026 programme leans more towards maintenance and incremental improvements, though there are still a few things worth noting:

• Carnival Dream – spring refit focused on maintenance, décor updates and a refreshed Cloud 9 Spa
• Carnival Elation – cosmetic updates, water park work, improved connectivity and accessibility tweaks
• Carnival Freedom – routine work with possible (but unconfirmed) additions like Guy’s Pig & Anchor and casino expansion
• Carnival Legend – maintenance alongside potential new venues such as Bonsai Sushi
• Carnival Luminosa – standard upkeep with limited detail so far
• Carnival Magic – possible additions like Bonsai Teppanyaki and a Heroes Tribute Bar, though not confirmed
• Carnival Pride – typical dry dock with potential venue and casino updates
• Carnival Radiance – light-touch updates following a more recent overhaul

Overall, it’s a year of steady upkeep for Carnival rather than major fleet-wide transformation, with just a handful of ships getting more noticeable enhancements.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s 2026 programme is all about its “Amplification” upgrades – large-scale refits that reshape multiple areas of a ship.

> Read more about Royal Caribbean Amplification.

Liberty of the Seas

Liberty of the Seas is getting a broad upgrade that touches dining, accommodation and public spaces.

New venues include Izumi Teppanyaki, El Loco Fresh and The Lime & Coconut, while the pool deck is being reworked into a more resort-style space. There are also layout changes, with new staterooms added in place of some existing venues.

The casino is expanding, and a Royal Escape Room is being introduced. It’s a wide-ranging update that affects much of the ship.

Harmony of the Seas

Harmony of the Seas is also undergoing a major Amplification, with a strong focus on dining and social spaces.

New additions include Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, Samba Grill and The Lime & Coconut, alongside a refreshed pool deck and a significantly expanded casino.

There are also structural changes, with new staterooms being added and some existing venues removed or reduced. It’s a reshaping of the ship rather than a simple refresh.

Ovation of the Seas

Ovation of the Seas’ upgrade is slightly more balanced, focusing on dining and nightlife.

New restaurants include Izumi Teppanyaki and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, while the Pesky Parrot and a new live music venue, Sound Cellar, add to the evening atmosphere.

There’s also a refreshed pool deck, expanded casino and additional staterooms. It’s not a complete reinvention, but there’s enough here to noticeably update the experience.

Windstar Cruises

Wind Class (Wind Star, Wind Surf, Wind Spirit)

Windstar’s “Setting Sails” programme continues across its Wind Class yachts through 2026 and 2027.

This is a phased refurbishment. Earlier work refreshed public areas like lounges, pool decks and dining venues, while the next stage focuses on staterooms. These are being redesigned with new layouts, updated furnishings and improved in-room tech, including interactive TVs.

It’s a gradual modernisation rather than a dramatic overhaul, but across both phases the ships should feel significantly fresher while keeping their small-ship charm.

MSC Cruises

MSC Poesia

MSC Poesia’s March–April 2026 dry dock is one of the more meaningful upgrades in the MSC fleet this year.

The standout addition is the MSC Yacht Club – the line’s “ship within a ship” concept. With 69 suites, a private lounge and sundeck, plus 24-hour butler service, it introduces a much more premium experience that simply didn’t exist on Poesia before.

Elsewhere, there’s a solid set of enhancements rather than a full reinvention. Two new speciality restaurants – a steakhouse and a sushi bar – broaden the dining line-up, while the spa and gym are being refreshed with updated facilities and Technogym equipment. Outdoor areas are also getting some attention, including a new solarium.

Taken together, this is a proper step up. The Yacht Club alone changes the feel of the ship for a slice of guests, while the rest of the updates bring things closer to MSC’s newer standards.

Read more: MSC Cruises To Expand Yacht Club To Two More Ships By 2027

MSC Fantasia

MSC Fantasia’s December 2026 update is far more focused, centring on a redesign of the MSC Yacht Club Restaurant.

The refreshed space leans into a more contemporary look, with darker tones, softer textures and improved lighting. The layout is also shifting slightly to feel more intimate, with design elements that create more privacy between tables.

There’s also a subtle upgrade to the experience itself, including more personalised service touches and closer interaction with the culinary team.

It’s not a headline-grabbing refit, but it keeps Fantasia’s premium spaces feeling current – which matters on a ship that’s been around for a while.

Azamara

Azamara Quest

Azamara Quest is the first ship to undergo the Azamara Forward programme – a wide-ranging refresh that will roll out across the fleet.

Staterooms and suites are being updated with a more contemporary design, while public spaces like the Cabaret Lounge and Sanctum Spa are being reworked. Even smaller details, such as public restrooms, are being upgraded to create a more consistent feel.

Dining is also evolving, with Discoveries Restaurant redesigned and the Atlas Bar concept expanded. A more permanent Chef’s Table space is being introduced too.

One of the biggest changes is the addition of a new Penthouse Deck, bringing new suite categories including Panorama and Grandview Suites.

It’s a thoughtful, top-to-bottom refresh that modernises the experience without losing Azamara’s smaller-ship feel.

Ambassador Cruise Line

Ambience

Ambience completed a three-week refurbishment in January 2026, focusing on refreshing existing spaces.

Cabins and suites now feature updated furniture and additional plug sockets, including USB and USB-C ports. Public areas have been refreshed with new carpets and finishes, while the Green Sea Spa has had a more noticeable makeover.

Behind the scenes, there have been mechanical upgrades and window replacements.

It’s a sensible, practical refit that keeps the ship feeling well maintained without changing the overall experience.

Read more: 22 Things Ambassador Cruise Line Does That I Wish All Cruise Lines Would Do

P&O Cruises

Ventura

Ventura returned from her February 2026 refit with a wide range of cosmetic updates.

Cabins and suites have been refreshed with new carpets, curtains, lighting and furnishings in warmer tones, while bathrooms and balconies have also been updated. Public areas and corridors follow the same design direction, creating a more cohesive feel.

Key venues have been spruced up too, including the atrium, bars, lounges and restaurants. The Oasis Spa has seen a more notable upgrade, including a new Japanese head spa experience, and the retail area has been modernised.

It’s a classic P&O-style refresh – lots of thoughtful updates that keep the ship feeling fresh without changing what guests already enjoy.

Princess Cruises

Enchanted Princess, Royal Princess & Sky Princess

Princess Cruises has three ships heading into dry dock in 2026, though all are relatively light-touch.

• Enchanted Princess (April–May) – routine maintenance and cosmetic refreshes
• Royal Princess (late 2026) – upkeep ahead of her Singapore and Australia deployment
• Sky Princess (May) – statutory maintenance and minor refurbishment

With all three ships relatively modern, these refits are more about upkeep than transformation.

Holland America Line

Westerdam

Westerdam’s January 2026 dry dock brought a noticeable refresh.

Public spaces have been updated, including enhancements to the Crow’s Nest, and interiors now feel more modern overall. Additional staterooms have also been introduced.

Koningsdam & Rotterdam

Koningsdam (March) and Rotterdam (April) are both undergoing routine dry docks with no major upgrades announced.

For these newer ships, the focus is on maintenance and inspections rather than guest-facing changes.

The Holland America Evolution Programme 2027

Holland America Line has announced plans for a multi-year refurbishment initiative beginning in 2027. It will focus on four Vista-class ships, Oosterdam, Zuiderdam, Westerdam and Noordam, alongside the Signature-class vessels Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam, as part of a $500 million investment.

Read more: Holland America Line Unveils $500 Million Fleet Overhaul

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Gem

Norwegian Gem’s spring 2026 refit includes one key addition – the adults-only Vibe Beach Club.

This new space replaces part of the sundeck and introduces a more premium outdoor area with loungers, cabanas and hot tubs.

Norwegian Jade

Norwegian Jade is getting a similar update, with a Vibe Beach Club added alongside a new onboard Starbucks.

These additions bring a couple of extra options without changing the overall feel of the ship.

Read more: Inside Norwegian Cruise Line’s VIP Vibe Beach Club

Norwegian Sky

Norwegian Sky is set to leave the fleet in 2026 ahead of a transfer to Cordelia Cruises.

In the meantime, the focus remains on routine maintenance rather than refurbishment.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Magic

Disney Magic’s May 2026 dry dock is a short, routine one.

The work focuses on maintenance, inspections and light cosmetic updates such as new carpeting and refreshed lighting. There are no major changes expected, making this a standard upkeep visit.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Seven Seas Voyager

Seven Seas Voyager’s spring 2026 refurbishment is a more comprehensive update.

All suites are being refreshed with new furnishings and design details, with more extensive upgrades in higher categories. Public areas are also getting new carpeting and updates.

A new Epicurean Enrichment Studio is being introduced for hands-on culinary experiences, while the Pool Grill is being reworked to include an outdoor pizzeria.

It’s a well-rounded upgrade that brings the ship closer in style to Regent’s newer fleet.

Final Word

If there’s a theme to 2026, it’s balance.

A handful of ships – particularly in the Royal Caribbean and Celebrity fleets – are going through major transformations that genuinely reshape the onboard experience. MSC Poesia and Azamara Quest also stand out for introducing meaningful new concepts and upgraded accommodation.

Elsewhere, most cruise lines are taking a more measured approach. Routine dry docks, cosmetic refreshes and incremental upgrades dominate, especially for newer ships that don’t yet need anything more dramatic.

That mix makes sense. Not every ship needs a headline-grabbing overhaul, but keeping interiors fresh, adding the occasional new venue and investing behind the scenes all play a role in keeping the experience consistent across the fleet.

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