Royal Caribbean has canceled several cruises planned for the 2027 season in the United States, affecting key sailings aboard the Navigator of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas. These cancellations are part of the company’s strategic expansion in the Asia-Pacific region for the 2027-28 season.
Ship Redeployment and New Itineraries in Asia and Australia
The Navigator of the Seas, which had been scheduled for trips from Los Angeles to Mexican ports, will instead operate year-round in Asia starting in October 2026 through October 2027. The ship will offer two- to five-night cruises visiting Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. Additionally, it will feature a 12-night
voyage from Tokyo to Singapore.
Ovation of the Seas, also withdrawing from U.S. departures, is set to reposition to Brisbane, Australia, beginning November 2027. Ovation’s itineraries include four-night cruises to Airlie Beach in Queensland’s Whitsunday region and a range of three- to eight-night cruises exploring Australia and surrounding areas.
Previous Redeployments and Operational Considerations
Earlier in 2026, Royal Caribbean canceled over 20 summer 2027 cruises for the Freedom of the Seas following the decision to redeploy the ship to Southampton, England. A company spokesperson highlighted that deployment planning is a dynamic process, regularly evaluated based on demand, capacity, and fleet management.
“As part of this
process, we’ve made the decision to redeploy Freedom of the Seas to Southampton in 2027. Guests and travel partners are being contacted directly with details about their sailings and available options,” the spokesperson added.
Guest Communications and Available Options
Royal Caribbean has reached out directly to guests and travel partners booked on the canceled voyages. Options presented include rebooking on alternative Royal Caribbean cruises, transferring to selected ships, or receiving full refunds including prepaid add-ons if alternative arrangements do not meet their needs.
A cruise line official stated, “Royal Caribbean is committed to providing the best vacation experiences. This process includes making updates to itineraries,
as necessary, to accommodate scheduling, port agreements, and other operational considerations.”
