Royal Caribbean has canceled several cruises scheduled for its 2027 season, including sailings on Navigator of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas departing from Los Angeles to ports in Mexico. The cancellations reflect the cruise line’s redeployment strategy to expand its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Ship Redeployments to Asia and Australia for 2027-28
Navigator of the Seas will operate year-round itineraries in Asia from October 2026 through October 2027. The ship’s new itineraries include two- to five-night cruises around Southeast Asia, visiting destinations such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. Navigator also offers a 12-night voyage from Tokyo to Singapore. Concurrently, Ovation of the Seas is repositioning
to Brisbane, Australia, for the 2027-28 season beginning November 2027. Ovation will sail cruises ranging from three to eight nights, including four-night trips to Airlie Beach, a gateway to Queensland’s Whitsunday region, as well as voyages covering Australia and neighboring areas.
Previous Freedom of the Seas Cancellations Linked to Southampton Deployment
In March 2026, Royal Caribbean canceled more than 20 cruises aboard Freedom of the Seas that had been scheduled for summer 2027. The cancellations were part of the decision to redeploy Freedom of the Seas to Southampton, England, for the 2027 season. A Royal Caribbean spokesperson confirmed the redeployment and stated that affected guests and travel partners have been
contacted regarding options for their bookings.
Official Statements on Redeployment and Scheduling
Royal Caribbean explained that “deployment planning is dynamic and regularly reviewed based on demand, capacity requirements, and broader fleet considerations.” A cruise line representative added, “This process includes making updates to itineraries, as necessary, to accommodate scheduling, port agreements, and other operational considerations.” The cruise line emphasized its commitment to providing optimal vacation experiences amid these itinerary changes.
Guest Communication and Compensation Options
Guests and travel agents booked on the canceled voyages have been informed directly about the cancellations and alternatives. Affected passengers have options to switch to other Royal Caribbean cruises, transfer bookings to select ships, or receive
full refunds including prepaid add-ons if no suitable alternatives exist. This outreach applies to cancellations on Navigator of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, and previously affected Freedom of the Seas sailings.
