Major refurbishments continue to extend the lifespan of many popular cruise ships, as operators look to add new features and creature comforts to tried-and-true vessels.
While the list of newbuilds debuting in 2026 is filled with exciting names, refits are increasingly important as a way for operators to increase revenue and customer net promoter scores (NPS) for older vessels, while continuing to offer a wide array of itineraries from homeports in North America, Europe, and elsewhere.
Driving these refits: revenue. From expanded casino space to new staterooms and suites, the 2026 refit calendar is all about maximising revenue and onboard amenities to ensure that existing tonnage can still demand top prices.
Notable 2026 dry-dock refurbishment programmes, not counting technical dry-docks, include the following:
January:
Celebrity Solstice: The 2008-built Celebrity Solstice entered the Seatrium Shipyard dry-dock in Singapore for an expected 45-day overhaul that will see all staterooms and suites refurbished, plus the addition of a brand-new sports bar (Craft Social), a new cabaret-style Boulevard Lounge and adjacent Boulevard Bar, and new Italian and Steakhouse specialty restaurants. It will be the first of the Solstice-class ships to undergo Celebrity’s US$250-million refurbishment programme.
Margaritaville at Sea Paradise: Margaritaville at Sea’s first vessel, the 1991-built Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, underwent substantial changes in January, emerging with updated staterooms and corridors, a new dining venue, a new tattoo shop, revitalised pool decks, upgraded pools, and technical enhancements.
Westerdam: Holland America Line’s 2004-built Westerdam emerged from dry-dock sporting a selection of new ocean-view staterooms as well as upgrades to existing staterooms and suites. The ship also underwent a major refit of its public areas, including new layouts for the Crow’s Nest and Atrium areas, a reimagined retail area (the Effy Lounge), and new carpeting and wall treatments throughout.
February:
MSC Poesia: The third of MSC Cruises’ Musica-class ships, MSC Poesia is going under the knife to receive new suites and public areas as part of a refit to bring the MSC Yacht Club to the ship for the first time. This follows in the footsteps of sister MSC Magnifica, which saw the addition of MSC Yacht Club facilities and suites, an upgraded Aurea Spa, and new dining venues.
April:
Ovation of the Seas: As part of Royal Caribbean’s Royal Amplification programme, Ovation of the Seas is one of three ships that will see significant upgrades in 2026. It will benefit from a refreshed pool deck with a new whirlpool and private casitas; Casino Royale will be expanded by removing the existing Music Hall venue; the new Pesky Parrot tiki bar will be added; and the ship will receive new Ultimate Family Suite and Panoramic suite accommodations.
Harmony of the Seas: Plenty of changes are in store for Harmony of the Seas, the second ship to undergo Royal Amplification this year. Noteworthy changes include the removal of the Conference Centre on deck 3 and the creation of 29 new inside cabins; the creation of the largest casino in Royal Caribbean’s entire fleet (by removing the Attic and the Crown Lounge); the addition of the Pesky Parrot Bar; the creation of new staterooms on deck 6; the addition of Playmaker’s Sports Bar and Arcade; the removal of specialty restaurant Wonderland to create additional cabins on deck 12; the creation of the Ultimate Family Suite; the creation of the Lime and Coconut Poolside Bar; and the addition of El Loco Fresh. The ship will remain out of service into May 2026.
Liberty of the Seas: The third ship to undergo a massive refit as part of Royal Caribbean’s Royal Amplification programme, Liberty of the Seas will see the removal of its Conference Centre on deck 3 in favour of creating new inside cabins; the relocation of the Shore Excursions desk to make way for an expanded casino; the addition of the Izumi specialty restaurant; the addition of a new Starbucks where Bolero’s Bar was; a new Royal Escape Room on deck 5; the creation of several new staterooms on the ship’s upper deck spaces; and a completely redesigned pool deck, complete with new casitas.
September:
Carnival Freedom: Carnival will likely try, once again, to replace Carnival Freedom’s “whale tail” funnel that caught fire twice, necessitating the cutting down of her stack with a temporary top. While the full scope of work has not been announced, the dry-dock will run from 1 September to 8 October 2026, far longer than the typical two-week window for purely technical or classification work.
MSC Musica: MSC Musica will receive the MSC Yacht Club luxury-ship-within-a-ship concept, including new public areas and suites, like its other Musica-class fleetmates. The ship will return to service on 16 November 2026, in time for its winter cruise season in South America from Santos (Sao Paolo), Brazil.
November:
Azamara Quest: Azamara Quest will be the first of the Azamara fleet to receive upgrades as part of the line’s US$80-million Azamara Forward fleet-wide refit programme. Among the changes coming are an entirely new deck of suites, including two massive Panorama Suites above the bridge; stateroom and suite upgrades throughout; a new Chef’s Table dining venue (replacing the former Drawing Room on deck 10); a new Atlas Bar area outside Discoveries Restaurant; and a complete redesign of the Cabaret Lounge main theatre.
— Aaron Saunders, Digital Editor
