RCI-Royal Caribbean has effected an unanticipated redeployment of vessels for certain voyages, resulting in a quiet boon for some passengers.
The company opted to exchange itineraries between two ships, shifting passengers from a 4-night to a 7-night voyage aboard a more recent vessel, with no change in fare. This adjustment appears intended to allow Royal Caribbean to augment capacity for western Caribbean sailings, timed to coincide with the forthcoming openings of Royal Beach Club Cozumel, set for 2026, and the Perfect Day Mexico resort (autumn 2027) at Costa Maya featuring a major waterpark, the longest lazy river in the world, beach clubs, and other facilities.
Royal Caribbean arranged for the older and smaller Grandeur of the Seas to be redeployed to less-utilized departure points in Colombia and Panama. Originally assigned to sail from Florida (Tampa and Fort Lauderdale) from May 2nd, 2026, through April 17th, 2027, the ship was reassigned to operate from Cartagena and Colon. In contrast, the larger Jewel of the Seas assumed the Tampa and Fort Lauderdale routes.
The revised deployment retained the originally booked itineraries but shifted them to the newer ship.
Passengers notified of this change were presented with several options. They could accept automatic transfer of their reservation to the same itinerary aboard the alternate vessel, rebook another cruise without fees, or request a full refund. Those maintaining their original sailing date and itinerary on the new ship were assured of stateroom category protection, with any fare differences refunded if the booking had already been paid in full.
In one specific instance, this repositioning afforded a unique advantage. A 4-night Bahamas voyage, originally scheduled from Fort Lauderdale aboard Grandeur OTS on May 4th, 2026, was replaced by a new 7-night itinerary departing San Juan aboard Jewel OTS, calling at Basseterre (St. Kitts and Nevis), St. John’s (Antigua), Philipsburg (St. Maarten), and Grand Bahama Island—offered to affected passengers at no additional cost.
Through these changes, Royal Caribbean begins to scale capacity for its expanded western Caribbean offerings—particularly as Royal Beach Club Cozumel opens and the grander Perfect Day Mexico becomes operational in the following years.