Royal Caribbean Cancels 18 Freedom of the Seas Sailings From Miami

Royal Caribbean has started canceling a block of Freedom of the Seas cruises planned for fall 2026 as the ship is redeployed, affecting thousands of guests who booked Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries. Impacted passengers have been notified by email and offered rebooking and refund options, but the cruise line has not said where the ship is being moved or provided a detailed reason for the schedule change beyond “itinerary planning.”

What Royal Caribbean told booked guests about the schedule change

In guest notification letters, Royal Caribbean said certain sailings will no longer operate as scheduled because the ship has been reassigned. In one email regarding an October 2026 departure, the cruise line wrote, “Due to a change in itinerary planning, and after exploring all our options, our October 26, 2026, Freedom of the Seas sailing has been redeployed.”

The cruise line also acknowledged the disruption to vacation planning, telling guests, “The time and effort you took to plan your cruise is important to us, and we apologize for the inconvenience.” In outlining next steps, Royal Caribbean added, “Every aspect of your time with us should be enjoyable.”

While the communications referenced redeployment, they did not explain the ship’s new assignment, or whether the cancellations were tied to port availability, ship operations, or commercial planning.

How many sailings are affected and which cancellations are confirmed

At least 18 Freedom of the Seas sailings have been canceled so far as part of the schedule change, according to the information shared with guests and reported in booking updates. Royal Caribbean has been notifying booked passengers directly by email as affected voyages are removed from the operating schedule.

Among the departures publicly confirmed as canceled are:

• Sept. 10, 2026: A 4-night Bahamas sailing from Miami that was set to call at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau.
• Sept. 14, 2026: A 5-night Western Caribbean sailing from Miami that was set to include Cozumel, Mexico, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
• Oct. 26, 2026: Another 5-night Western Caribbean sailing from Miami that was also set to include Cozumel and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Itinerary expectations: CocoCay, Cozumel, Nassau, and replacement ports

Freedom of the Seas is a Freedom-class ship that typically operates short and mid-length Caribbean itineraries. For the canceled fall 2026 sailings, the planned routes centered on Royal Caribbean’s private destination in The Bahamas, along with calls in Mexico and Nassau.

For some affected guests, the alternatives offered by Royal Caribbean shift the port mix. Notifications for certain rebookings list October 2026 replacement sailings that call at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private destination in Haiti.

Royal Caribbean has been avoiding Haiti for several months due to safety concerns. The guest notifications referenced in the fall 2026 cancellations did not provide additional detail on the status of future calls.

Rebooking and refund options offered to impacted passengers

Royal Caribbean outlined multiple paths forward for affected guests, including moving to select alternative sailings, rebooking elsewhere in the fleet, or canceling for a refund. Options described in guest notifications include:

• Move to another Freedom of the Seas sailing (select bookings): For guests booked on the canceled Oct. 26, 2026 sailing, Royal Caribbean offered replacement 5-night cruises departing Miami on Oct. 3, Oct. 17, and Oct. 31, which list calls at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee.
• Rebook to any other Royal Caribbean International cruise: Impacted guests can move to another sailing across the fleet, with non-refundable deposit change fees waived, though guests are responsible for any fare difference if the new cruise costs more.
• Cancel for a full refund: Guests who prefer not to rebook can cancel without penalty and receive a full refund, including non-refundable deposits and pre-paid amenities.

Some guests from other canceled sailings also reported being offered alternatives in August, depending on availability for their specific booking.

Guest reactions and what travelers should do now

The cancellations have drawn mixed reactions from passengers. Some guests expressed frustration about having to rebuild travel plans, including one passenger who said a September booking tied to a 10-year anniversary celebration had to be scrapped, along with favorable early-bird pricing. Others cited the logistical challenges and added costs that can come with rebooking within a similar time window.

Royal Caribbean is continuing to notify booked passengers directly, and travelers with Freedom of the Seas reservations for late 2026 are being advised to review emails carefully and confirm reservation status in their booking portal or cruise planner. For guests rebooking, it may also be important to verify how previously purchased add-ons are handled, since the refund option explicitly includes pre-paid amenities, while rebooking terms can vary by reservation and timing.

Where the ship is scheduled next, and related destination investments

Despite the references to redeployment in guest emails, Royal Caribbean’s published schedule and cruise tracking information continue to show Freedom of the Seas homeporting in Miami through at least April 2027.

The canceled Western Caribbean sailings had included Cozumel, which is also expected to be home to Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club Cozumel, slated to open in 2026. Royal Caribbean has also referenced a redevelopment project in the Crown Bay District as part of broader efforts to expand and enhance destination offerings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which Freedom of the Seas sailings have been confirmed as canceled?

Confirmed canceled departures include Sept. 10, 2026 (4 nights), Sept. 14, 2026 (5 nights), and Oct. 26, 2026 (5 nights), all scheduled to depart from Miami. Royal Caribbean has indicated broader impacts, with at least 18 cancellations reported so far.

Why were these Freedom of the Seas cruises canceled?

Royal Caribbean told guests the sailings were canceled due to a “change in itinerary planning” and said the Oct. 26, 2026 sailing “has been redeployed.” The cruise line has not provided additional details in the cited notifications about why the schedule changed or where the ship is being reassigned.

What rebooking options is Royal Caribbean offering?

Options described in guest notifications include moving to select alternative Freedom of the Seas sailings (for certain bookings, including Oct. 3, Oct. 17, and Oct. 31, 2026 departures from Miami for guests from the canceled Oct. 26 sailing), rebooking to any other Royal Caribbean International cruise with non-refundable deposit change fees waived (guests pay any fare difference), or canceling.

Can passengers get a full refund if their cruise is canceled?

Yes. Royal Caribbean is allowing impacted guests to cancel without penalty and receive a full refund of the amount paid toward the cruise, including non-refundable deposits and pre-paid amenities.