Harmony of the Seas Completes 44-Day Refit in Cadiz
Wind Star became the first of three Wind-class vessels to complete upgrades under Windstar Cruises’ Setting Sails programme, with work on Wind Surf due in December 2026.
Royal Caribbean International’s Harmony of the Seas completed a 44-day refit at Navantia Shiprepairs in Cadiz, Spain, from April 3 to May 17, 2026, combining technical maintenance with changes to decks and recreational facilities. The project is among a series of cruise and ferry refurbishments completed this year, with further work scheduled through 2028.
Two operators have committed money across whole groups of ships: Celebrity Cruises is investing $250 million in its Solstice Series, and Stena Line has an approximately £14 million ($19 million) programme for its Irish Sea fleet. Other projects range from renovations carried out during scheduled drydocks to new passenger accommodation installed while vessels remained in service.
Drydocks and ship conversions
Work on the 5,479-guest Harmony of the Seas covered propulsion equipment, stabilisers, the hull and safety systems. Structural extensions and upgrades to recreational and exterior areas required coordination between Navantia, Royal Caribbean and specialist contractors, using cranes, working platforms, temporary industrial shelters and support areas.
Margaritaville at Sea’s Beachcomber, formerly Costa Cruises’ Costa Fortuna, is scheduled for a 12-week conversion at a shipyard that has not been identified. Built by Fincantieri in 2003, the approximately 102,200-gross-ton vessel will become the operator’s largest ship and receive a beach-themed interior with more than 15 new experiences alongside returning venues.
MJM Marine and Mivan are among the outfitters assigned to transform Beachcomber’s public and crew spaces, including the main atrium, restaurants and children’s areas. Margaritaville at Sea did not provide executive comment on the conversion.
Crystal Serenity is booked into Navalrocha in Lisbon, Portugal, for three weeks in October. Its Aquamarine Classic suites and public areas will be renovated, with a pool bar added on deck 12 and a marble dance floor and stage installed in the atrium and Crystal Cove. The yard will also undertake technical work intended to reduce the vessel’s environmental impact.
At Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, The Bahamas, Carnival Magic spent 35 days in drydock early in the year, while Carnival Legend and Carnival Glory underwent 16-day and 12-day stays respectively. Magic and Legend were the first Carnival Cruise Line vessels to receive the new “From Sea to Shining Sea” bow crest. The design is due to extend across the fleet, excluding Carnival Jubilee and Carnival Tropicale.
Cabins and dining spaces
Windstar Cruises completed Wind Star’s renovation at Navantia in April. The 148-guest yacht received updated stateroom lighting, bedside charging, technology and Starlink connectivity, while Amphora gained new furniture, banquette seating and interior finishes. Work also covered the Compass Rose Lounge, Yacht Club Cafe, pool deck, lobby, fitness centre and World Spa by Windstar.
Wind Star is the first of three Wind-class vessels to complete all upgrades under the multi-year Setting Sails programme. Final work on Wind Surf is scheduled for December 2026, followed by Wind Spirit in March 2027.
Seabourn Quest’s June renovation at T. Mariotti in Genoa, Italy, included changes to The Club’s layout, bar and lighting. Across the 458-guest ship, suites received new mattresses and wool carpeting, with replacement veranda furniture for penthouse and premium suites. Carpets were also renewed in the atrium, stairways and corridors.
Norwegian Gem’s May refurbishment at Chantier Naval de Marseille in France addressed both passenger and crew areas. Gerolamo Scorza handled design, manufacturing and installation internally, fitting approximately 500 square metres of United States Public Health Service-compliant tile in the Garden Cafe. The restaurant also received a new seating area with bespoke banquettes, LED lighting and updated wall finishes.
Below the passenger decks, the outfitter installed roughly 455 square metres of vinyl flooring with compliant skirting. Five double crew cabins were converted into single cabins for petty officers.
Ferry accommodation and port access
P&O Ferries added dedicated sleep lounges to Pride of Hull and Pride of Rotterdam in July while both vessels continued operating between Hull, UK, and Rotterdam, Netherlands. SD Marine Interiors completed the work over three weeks, providing overnight accommodation for solo passengers who do not want to book a whole cabin.
The installation involved levelling a sloping floor and fitting 36 reclining sleep seats, along with lockers, lighting, flooring, bulkheads and decoration.
Tallink ferry Victoria’s March drydock at Naantali in Finland included construction of an entrance on deck seven, which will allow the vessel to move to a different berth at Helsinki’s renovated West Harbour. Scheduled maintenance also included underwater hull cleaning and painting, plus renewal of seawater pipes and valves.
A Damen Fast Ferry 4212 built in 2018 returned to Damen Shipyards Den Helder for modifications before entering service in Guadeloupe. The yard altered its structure, passenger and cargo access, and interiors, and completed adaptations for French-flag requirements. The ferry was repainted in FRS colours, with the work finished on schedule for its Caribbean service.
Work scheduled through 2028
Celebrity Reflection’s planned refurbishment will add 13 spaces. These include the Grand Plaza and Boulevard Lounge, already featured on Edge Series ships, and two concepts new to the fleet: Tacos del Sol and Orange Peel Bar & Grille. Its outdoor deck will receive a redesigned Celebrity Pool Club, while Sunset Park on the top deck will be developed as a park-like space.
Stena Line has selected Cammell Laird in Birkenhead, UK, to improve accommodation and public areas on 11 Irish Sea ferries. Plans include additional pet-friendly cabins, updated family entertainment spaces and improvements to Stena Plus lounges.
AIDA Cruises’ AIDA Evolution programme calls for AIDAdiva, AIDAluna and AIDAbella to spend seven weeks each at Chantier Naval de Marseille during phased drydocks running through 2028. Trimline is among the outfitters involved in adding suites, French Kiss restaurants and Lanai outdoor bars, alongside stateroom renovations, spa expansion and changes to the Theatrium.
In 2028, Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam is scheduled to become the second vessel refurbished under its Evolution fleet enhancement programme, gaining the Grand Dutch Cafe and new accommodation categories, including two Bridgeview Suites with outdoor areas. The project will also create 32 solo veranda staterooms, each with a private balcony.
