Royal Caribbean announced on August 21, 2026, the cancellation of several cruises originally scheduled for August 2026 and the 2027 season. The cancellations affect itineraries departing from Los Angeles, including trips aboard the Navigator of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas.
Navigator of the Seas Redeployment to Asia
The Navigator of the Seas will no longer operate cruises from Los Angeles. Instead, it will be redeployed to Asia for year-round operation starting in October 2026 through October 2027. During this period, the ship will offer two- to five-night cruises around Southeast Asia, calling at ports in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. Additionally, it will provide a 12-night
voyage between Tokyo, Japan, and Singapore.
Ovation of the Seas Move to Australia
Ovation of the Seas will be repositioned to Brisbane, Australia, for the 2027-28 season beginning November 2027. Cruises will range from three to eight nights throughout Australia and nearby regions. Among the itineraries are four-night sailings to Airlie Beach, located in Queensland’s Whitsunday region.
Previous Freedom of the Seas Cancellation
Earlier in March 2026, Royal Caribbean canceled more than 20 cruises scheduled for summer 2027 on the Freedom of the Seas, which was set to sail from the US. That ship will instead be deployed to Southampton, England, for the 2027 season. Royal Caribbean stated that deployment planning undergoes regular
review due to demand, capacity, and fleet considerations.
Passenger Notifications and Options
Royal Caribbean has contacted guests and travel partners affected by the August 2026 and 2027 cancellations with details about rescheduling and available alternatives. Options include switching to other Royal Caribbean voyages, transferring to select ships, or receiving a full refund including prepaid add-ons when no suitable alternative is found. A Royal Caribbean spokesperson said, “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.”
The cruise line confirmed that deployment planning is dynamic and
regularly reviewed based on demand, capacity requirements, and broader fleet considerations.
Asia-Pacific Expansion Strategy
The cancellations and ship redeployments reflect Royal Caribbean’s strategy to expand its presence in the Asia-Pacific market for the 2027-28 season. The repositioning of Navigator of the Seas to Asia and Ovation of the Seas to Australia aligns with this broader fleet adjustment.
