Report Projects Record 2,000+ Cruise Ship Drydock Days in 2026

Cruise Industry News has released its 2026 Drydocking and Refurbishment Report as a PDF download, outlining cruise ship maintenance and upgrade schedules through 2028 and projecting a record year ahead with more than 2,000 total drydock days in 2026.

The report launch comes as the publisher also debuts its Cruise Industry News Quarterly Winter 2025/2026 issue, a 144-page magazine that surveys major North American cruise brands, port developments and broader industry trends, including shipbuilding, deployment shifts and sustainability efforts.

What the 2026 drydocking report covers

Cruise Industry News described the 2026 Drydocking and Refurbishment Report as a data-focused guide to cruise ship maintenance and upgrade activity, combining scheduling information with analysis of the refit and repair market. The publication runs more than 140 pages and is positioned as a planning and reference tool for stakeholders across the cruise and maritime supply chain.

• Master calendar and multi-year outlook: A central feature is a master drydock calendar that includes near-term activity alongside longer-range planning, with schedules extending through 2028.
• Benchmarking and planning context: The report pairs schedules and projections with benchmarking intended to help readers compare planned shipyard periods against prior drydock cycles and typical refit intervals.
• Market coverage and supplier intelligence: Cruise Industry News said the edition includes a global overview of drydock and refurbishment activity, including economic considerations tied to repair and refit work, plus profiles and intelligence related to suppliers, shipyards and major investments connected to vessel maintenance and upgrade projects.
• Interviews, case studies and upgrade priorities: The report also includes interviews with decision-makers at cruise companies and shipyards, along with case studies examining recent approaches to technical maintenance, onboard changes and environmentally oriented upgrades.

Cruise Industry News noted that no official statement from cruise lines, shipyards or port authorities was included in available reports about the release.

A record shipyard year: more than 2,000 drydock days in 2026

One of the headline data points in the new edition is the scale of planned shipyard time next year. Cruise Industry News said 2026 is set to be a record year, with the calendar showing more than 2,000 total drydock days scheduled globally.

In the publisher’s framing, the volume reflects continued growth in maintenance, refurbishment and upgrade projects across the cruise sector, with technical work, eco-designs and luxury refurbishments among the areas highlighted in related coverage.

Optional Excel add-on expands drydock history back to 2012

Alongside the PDF, Cruise Industry News is offering an optional Excel/XLS addendum designed for users who want a deeper dataset for tracking and sorting. The add-on lists drydockings from 2012 through 2028 and organizes entries by operator, ship and guest capacity.

The publisher positioned the expanded file as a complement for readers who want to filter by company or ship, compare patterns over time or build internal planning views around capacity and shipyard scheduling.

Broader industry trends highlighted in the Winter 2025/2026 quarterly issue

The Cruise Industry News Quarterly Winter 2025/2026 issue highlights a wide range of reporting on North American cruise brands and ports, including branding strategies from Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Disney, Princess, Celebrity and Viking. The magazine also spotlights food and beverage innovations and large-scale drydocking ventures, framing the sector’s evolution as it navigates post-pandemic growth and sustainability challenges.

New ships, alternative fuels and deployment shifts

In shipbuilding, Cruise Industry News reported that major brands including Norwegian, Carnival, Disney, Royal Caribbean and MSC are unveiling vessels that exceed 200,000 tons in the coming years, reflecting growth in passenger capacity and onboard amenities.

On the sustainability front, the publisher reported that 65 percent of 2026 newbuilds will be powered by alternative fuels such as LNG, while other ships are being designed to use methanol and hydrogen fuels in the near future.

Deployment strategies cited in the quarterly issue include an emphasis on off-season Mediterranean itineraries, with luxury operators such as Oceania, Silversea, Azamara and Regent joining Viking in expanding winter cruise offerings. The magazine also pointed to increased activity at homeports including San Diego, Jacksonville and Mobile.

Private destinations and longer time in port

Another trend highlighted is increased investment in private and exclusive destinations. Cruise Industry News reported that Carnival Corporation is debuting Celebration Key and transforming Mahogany Bay into Isla Tropicale, while Royal Caribbean Group is expanding its portfolio of exclusive destinations across global regions.

Longer port stays were also cited as an emerging focus. Norwegian Cruise Line’s winter 2027-28 season features extended port calls averaging 9.5 hours, according to the publisher, while high-end brands including Regent, Princess, Azamara and Windstar are also putting more emphasis on additional time in port.

Modernization, shore power and fleet changes

Cruise Industry News reported that eco-friendly and technology-driven improvements remain a cornerstone for operators, including investments in alternative energy options, reductions in single-use plastics and shore power adoption at key ports worldwide.

At the same time, the publisher described fleet renewals as ongoing, noting that Norwegian Cruise Line will retire some of its older vessels for the first time in 15 years, Carnival Corporation is shedding hardware no longer compatible with revenue and environmental demands, and National Geographic is retiring the Sea Lion and Sea Bird in 2026.

The 2026 Drydocking and Refurbishment Report is available now as a PDF download, with the Excel/XLS addendum offered as an optional supplement, and its schedules and projections run through 2028.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does a cruise ship drydock typically cover?

Drydocks are used for planned maintenance and upgrades that are difficult to complete while a ship is in service, including technical work and refurbishment projects that can involve both marine systems and hotel areas.

How far ahead does the 2026 report project drydock schedules?

Cruise Industry News said the master calendar in the report includes schedules and projections that extend through 2028.

What extra information is included in the optional Excel addendum?

The optional Excel/XLS file lists drydockings from 2012 through 2028, organized by operator, vessel and guest capacity for easier sorting and analysis.

How are cruise lines addressing sustainability in new ships?

Cruise Industry News reported that 65 percent of 2026 newbuilds will be powered by alternative fuels such as LNG, while other ships are being designed to use methanol and hydrogen fuels in the near future. The publisher also highlighted efforts such as single-use plastic reductions and shore power adoption at key ports.

What is the significance of extended port stays?

Cruise Industry News pointed to longer port stays as a way to enable more immersive itineraries, citing Norwegian Cruise Line’s winter 2027-28 season with extended port calls averaging 9.5 hours.