RCI-Royal Caribbean has outlined its deployment for the 2027–2028 summer season in Australia, combining an expanded schedule of regional voyages with the introduction of a new private destination in the South Pacific.
From October 2027 through April 2028, the company will position Anthem of the Seas in Sydney and Voyager of the Seas in Brisbane, operating a series of sailings ranging from short coastal departures to extended itineraries across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific islands.
The programme includes voyages of between 2 and 12 nights, structured to accommodate both brief getaways and longer passages across the region.
Central to the deployment is the introduction of Vanuatu's Royal Beach Club Lelepa, scheduled to open in 2027 as RCI’s first exclusive destination in the Southern Hemisphere. The resort complex will be incorporated into South Pacific itineraries from both Australian homeports, offering controlled access to a shore environment designed around leisure use and managed guest flow.
The destination is arranged around two primary beach areas, one designated for adults and another for general use, alongside supporting infrastructure including food service, recreational spaces and shoreline amenities. Additional features include nature trails and water-based activities, forming part of a standardized shore experience integrated into the cruise fare.
The company indicated that the expanded schedule reflects sustained demand in the Australian market and a preference for itineraries combining regional cruising with dedicated private destinations. It was further noted that the introduction of Lelepa represents a development in the operator’s approach to destination control, extending a model previously applied in other regions to the South Pacific market.
Seasonal highlights include short-format sailings to nearby island ports, longer voyages to New Zealand, and transpacific repositioning cruises linking Australia with North America. The deployment also includes holiday departures scheduled over the Christmas and New Year period, aligning with peak travel demand in the region.