Royal Caribbean Moves Symphony of the Seas to Fort Lauderdale in 2027

Royal Caribbean International is shifting Symphony of the Seas from Galveston, Texas, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, starting in August 2027. The change replaces earlier plans that would have kept the Oasis-class ship sailing from Texas into 2028.

Under the previous deployment, Symphony of the Seas was slated to operate from Galveston from May 3, 2026, through at least January 2028, offering Western Caribbean cruises ranging from four to eight nights, with calls that included Costa Maya, Roatan, and Cozumel. Royal Caribbean’s updated plan keeps the ship in Galveston through July 2027 before it repositions to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

What Symphony of the Seas is expected to sail from Fort Lauderdale

Beginning in August 2027, Symphony of the Seas is expected to operate six- and eight-night Caribbean itineraries from Port Everglades. Royal Caribbean has indicated those sailings will include Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas options, with the possibility of additional Southern Caribbean routes.

What Royal Caribbean told booked passengers

In a message to affected guests, the cruise line apologized for the disruption, writing: “We do apologize for any inconvenience this move has caused, recognize the impact on your original plans, and are here to support.”

A Royal Caribbean spokesperson also framed the shift as part of a broader planning process, saying, “This repositioning allows us to continue delivering the incredible experiences guests love while thoughtfully evolving our deployment strategy.” Passengers booked on Symphony of the Seas sailings impacted by the change are expected to be contacted directly with sailing-specific details.

Rebooking and refund options for impacted guests

Royal Caribbean said guests on affected Symphony of the Seas sailings will have multiple options, including moving to a comparable itinerary on another ship, selecting a different Royal Caribbean cruise, or canceling for a refund.

• Switch to similar sailings on Liberty of the Seas, with pricing protections. Royal Caribbean said it will honor the original fare or reduce it to the current Liberty of the Seas fare, depending on which is lower, and guests who have already paid in full may receive a refund if the new fare is lower.
• Rebook to any other Royal Caribbean sailing, with guests responsible for any fare difference and for changes in taxes, fees, and gratuities.
• Cancel for a full refund of cruise fare paid, along with refunds for pre-paid amenities.

Galveston’s 2027 schedule after Symphony’s departure

Even with Symphony of the Seas leaving the Texas market in August 2027, Royal Caribbean has emphasized that Galveston will remain a key homeport. “Galveston remains a key homeport for us,” the spokesperson said, pointing to a 2027 lineup that includes Icon of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas sailing from Texas.

Royal Caribbean has also highlighted recent enhancements at the Port of Galveston, including terminal expansions that allow the port to accommodate next-generation ships and support year-round operations.

Icon of the Seas set for Galveston starting in mid-August 2027

Icon of the Seas is scheduled to begin sailing from Galveston in mid-August 2027, and the ship is not expected to relocate to Texas earlier than that. The 250,800-ton vessel is currently homeported in Miami.

For Galveston, Royal Caribbean has described Icon of the Seas as operating weeklong Western Caribbean cruising, with itineraries listed as six- and eight-night sailings. The six-night cruises are planned to visit Costa Maya, Roatan, and Cozumel. The eight-night cruises add an extra day at sea and include calls at Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Royal Caribbean’s private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.

Liberty of the Seas to continue shorter Western Caribbean cruises

Liberty of the Seas will remain in Galveston in 2027 with shorter itineraries. The ship’s four-night sailings are set to include Cozumel, while five-night cruises are expected to call at both Costa Maya and Cozumel.

The ship is also undergoing a major refurbishment under Royal Caribbean’s Royal Amplification program. Royal Caribbean has pointed to onboard updates including a redesigned pool deck, The Lime & Coconut, new casitas, and a new Royal Escape Room. Liberty of the Seas is scheduled to remain in Galveston into 2028, although the cruise line has not detailed what comes next after that timeframe.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When will Symphony of the Seas move from Galveston to Fort Lauderdale?

Royal Caribbean has said Symphony of the Seas is expected to sail from Galveston through July 2027 and then reposition to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale in August 2027.

Can passengers cancel if they do not want to sail from the new homeport?

Yes. Royal Caribbean is offering a cancellation option that includes a full refund of cruise fare paid, along with refunds for pre-paid amenities.

Which ships will sail from Galveston in 2027 after Symphony of the Seas leaves?

Royal Caribbean’s Texas schedule is expected to be anchored by Icon of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas. Icon of the Seas is slated to begin in mid-August 2027, while Liberty of the Seas will continue operating shorter Western Caribbean cruises.

What upgrades has Royal Caribbean highlighted for Liberty of the Seas?

Royal Caribbean has said Liberty of the Seas will feature updates tied to its Royal Amplification refurbishment, including a redesigned pool deck, The Lime & Coconut, new casitas, and a new Royal Escape Room.