Cruise Lines Add Staterooms in 2026 Drydocks to Boost Capacity

Cruise lines are increasingly using scheduled drydocks to add staterooms to existing ships, boosting passenger capacity by converting space previously used for public venues and other onboard areas. Projects highlighted in Cruise Industry News’ 2026 Drydock Report and separate coverage of recent refits point to a push for revenue gains without adding new tonnage.

Drydocks as a pathway to more cabins

The stateroom additions are generally folded into routine refurbishment cycles, a window when shipyards can handle structural work, reroute systems, and reconfigure interiors while a ship is out of service. In many cases, the new rooms replace portions of underutilized public space, shifting the onboard mix toward more revenue-generating accommodation.

The available reports detailing these specific stateroom-addition projects did not include official statements from cruise line executives, shipyards, or port authorities.

Royal Caribbean’s 2026 plans include three of the biggest increases

Among the largest near-term cabin-count gains cited for the 2026 drydock season are three Royal Caribbean International ships. Ovation of the Seas, built in 2016, is listed as gaining 40 staterooms by repurposing space currently used by various public areas.

Harmony of the Seas is slated for a drydock in April 2026 as part of Royal Caribbean’s broader modernization work, with plans calling for 91 additional staterooms. Liberty of the Seas is also scheduled for a major capacity increase, with 68 new staterooms planned.

Norwegian expands capacity through The Norwegian Edge refurbishments

Norwegian Cruise Line has also been adding staterooms through ongoing refurbishment efforts under The Norwegian Edge program. In 2025, Norwegian Bliss received 26 additional staterooms, following similar capacity-expansion projects on Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Encore during 2024.

Pride of America gained 26 new staterooms during a West Coast drydock in May 2025, continuing the pattern of increasing accommodation inventory during scheduled modernization windows.

Silversea’s Silver Muse reworks suites to grow inventory

Silversea’s Silver Muse returned to service after a November 2025 drydock with a reported seven percent increase in stateroom count. The change came from replacing some of the ship’s larger suites with 18 smaller staterooms, increasing overall capacity while changing the mix of room sizes available for sale.

Separate coverage also linked the drydock work to updates and additions to onboard venues and recreation areas, including S.A.L.T. Kitchen and S.A.L.T. Bar, plus a pickleball court, a putting green, and a simulator experience. The same coverage described new pool-deck furnishings and the addition of Medallion Suites, outlined as veranda accommodations with upgraded bathroom features and a king-size bed.

More ships on the stateroom-addition list

Cruise Industry News’ 2026 Drydock Report also identified a range of other capacity projects, from relatively small additions to more notable expansions:

• Celestyal Discovery: Listed as set to add 47 new staterooms during the upcoming drydock cycle.
• Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam: Listed as set to add 11 new staterooms.
• Norwegian Epic: Listed as set to add 8 new staterooms.
• Carnival Miracle: Listed as set to add 5 new staterooms.

Separately, Cruise Passenger reported that Holland America’s Westerdam emerged from a refresh with updated public spaces and 11 new Ocean View Staterooms built on decks one and seven, as well as new carpeting across Verandah staterooms on decks five through 10 and updates in Neptune, Signature, and Pinnacle suites.

Refurbishment spending goes beyond adding cabins

Stateroom growth is arriving alongside broader investments aimed at keeping older ships competitive. Cruise Passenger’s Peter Lynch wrote about Norwegian Spirit’s bow-to-stern refurbishment, described as a US$100 million project under The Norwegian Edge program that was announced in 2019, with the ship returning to local waters in 2022 with new dining venues, staterooms, and reworked public areas.

Celebrity Cruises has also outlined a long-term modernization plan to refurbish all five Solstice Series ships over five years, described as a US$250 million effort. The first ship named for the program was Celebrity Solstice, with plans including four new stateroom categories: Panoramic Infinite Veranda Suite, Deluxe Panoramic Oceanview Suite, Panoramic Ocean View Suite, and Deluxe Panoramic Ocean View, along with eight new experiences combining redesigned and brand-new spaces.

MSC Cruises, meanwhile, has said it will expand its ship-within-a-ship concept by adding the MSC Yacht Club to MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra, extending the concept across all four ships in the Musica class.

With multiple lines already scheduling drydock work into 2026, more ship-by-ship details are expected as work scopes are finalized and drydock dates approach. For travelers, the most immediate effects will be increased onboard capacity on specific sailings and, in some cases, changes to venue layouts as ships trade select public spaces for additional cabins.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which Royal Caribbean ships are undergoing stateroom expansions?

Royal Caribbean is increasing capacity on several ships, including Ovation of the Seas with 40 new staterooms, Harmony of the Seas with 91 additional staterooms (scheduled for an April 2026 drydock), and Liberty of the Seas with 68 new staterooms planned.

What is The Norwegian Edge program?

The Norwegian Edge is Norwegian Cruise Line’s ship revitalization program. It is described as an effort to modernize ships through refurbishment work that can include upgraded staterooms, revamped public spaces, and other onboard improvements.

How did Silversea increase stateroom capacity on Silver Muse?

Silver Muse increased its stateroom count by replacing some larger suites with 18 smaller staterooms, contributing to a reported seven percent increase after a November 2025 drydock.

Do stateroom additions usually change onboard public spaces?

Yes. The 2026 Drydock Report notes that new staterooms are often created by taking space from existing public areas, meaning some ships may see venue layouts change as capacity increases.

What is the MSC Yacht Club, and which ships offer this feature?

The MSC Yacht Club is MSC Cruises’ ship-within-a-ship concept. MSC has said it will be added to MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra, extending the Yacht Club offering across all four ships in the Musica class.