Royal Caribbean has some huge plans for the next few years, and they go far beyond launching another record-breaking cruise ship.
New ships and private destinations are on the way, while the cruise line is also investing in older ships and major developments on land.
Some plans are already well underway, while others stretch right into the 2030s. Here’s what Royal Caribbean has coming next.
1. Royal Caribbean’s new Miami headquarters is due to open in late 2026
Royal Caribbean’s massive headquarters at PortMiami is expanding, with completion expected later this year. The ten-storey building and surrounding improvements might not have water slides or cocktail bars, but they represent something just as important: growth.
It’s a clear sign that the company isn’t just investing in ships and destinations, but also in its people and operations.
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A bigger, better HQ means a stronger base to support the world’s largest cruise line. So while it might not make the front page for passengers, it quietly hints at an even brighter, busier future behind the scenes.
2. Royal Caribbean Is Building A New Miami Cruise Terminal
PortMiami’s Terminal G will be transformed in 2027
Royal Caribbean already has the spectacular Terminal A at PortMiami, but now it’s turning its attention just down the street to Terminal G, which is finally getting the major glow-up it deserves.
Up to now, Terminal G has been the “other” Royal Caribbean terminal – the one that handled smaller or older ships while the icons of the fleet took centre stage at Terminal A.
Built in 1999 for Voyager of the Seas, it’s more than ready for a refresh, and that’s exactly what’s happening.
Demolition is already underway, with the brand-new Terminal G set to open in 2027. Once complete, it will be able to handle up to 7,000 passengers a day, making it capable of hosting even an Icon or Oasis Class ship.
A smart multi-level design will separate arriving and departing guests by floor, easing congestion and making boarding and disembarkation much faster and smoother.
Once open, Terminal G will serve ships from Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea, giving all three brands a modern, efficient hub. It’s part of a wider $2.8 billion redevelopment deal at PortMiami, which also includes Royal Caribbean’s new headquarters and a long-term lease through to 2072.
3. A Private Destination Opens In The South Pacific
Lelepa in Vanuatu opens in 2027
In 2027, Royal Caribbean will open its highly anticipated private destination on the island of Lelepa in Vanuatu.
Officially named Royal Beach Club Lelepa, the destination will be Royal Caribbean’s first Royal Beach Club in the Southern Hemisphere.
It’s being designed as a more laid-back island experience, with beaches, swimming and local culture at the heart of the day rather than the huge waterparks and thrill rides found at Perfect Day destinations.
4. Another New Ship
Hero of the Seas will join the fleet in 2027
Hero of the Seas will become Royal Caribbean’s fourth Icon Class ship when she launches from Miami in August 2027.
She’ll build on Icon, Star and Legend of the Seas, but with some new features of her own. These include new dining experiences, cooking classes, an expanded Playscape and the enormous Ultimate Family Treehouse, along with new additions to the AquaDome and other neighbourhoods around the ship.
With four Icon Class ships due to be sailing by the end of 2027, Royal Caribbean is clearly making this groundbreaking design a major part of its future fleet.
5. A Private Destination In Mexico
Perfect Day Mexico Has Been Put On Hold
One of Royal Caribbean’s most ambitious projects has hit a major roadblock, but it may not be the end of the story.
The original plans for Perfect Day Mexico, a huge private destination near Costa Maya featuring seven themed neighbourhoods, Jaguar’s Peak slide tower and the world’s longest lazy river, were rejected by Mexican authorities in 2026 following environmental concerns.
However, the Mexican government has confirmed that it is in talks with Royal Caribbean about potentially relocating the project elsewhere in Mexico rather than abandoning it altogether.
For now, the project’s future remains uncertain, but it seems Royal Caribbean isn’t ready to give up on the idea just yet.
Read more: Perfect Day Mexico May Go Ahead After All With Potential Relocation
6. Two New Mega-Ships Will Set Sail
Royal Caribbean plans to deliver two enormous new ships by 2028
First up is Oasis 7, the next generation of the beloved Oasis Class. The still-unnamed ship is already under construction and is scheduled to make her debut in 2028, although Royal Caribbean hasn’t revealed many details about what will be on board yet.
Icon 5 is also due in 2028, and construction is now well underway. The ship reached a major milestone in September 2026 when her first steel building block was lowered into the dry dock during the traditional keel-laying ceremony.
Royal Caribbean hasn’t revealed Icon 5’s name or full line-up of features yet, but she’ll become the fifth ship in the hugely successful Icon Class.
With both an Oasis Class and Icon Class ship scheduled to arrive in the same year, 2028 is shaping up to be a huge year for Royal Caribbean’s fleet.
7. A Brand-New Class of Ship Is Officially Confirmed
Discovery Class ships will launch from 2029
Royal Caribbean has now formally confirmed plans for an entirely new class of ship, known as the Discovery Class.
The cruise line has signed an agreement with French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique to build two Discovery Class ships, with options in place for up to four more. The first ship is scheduled to enter service in 2029, with a sister ship expected to follow in 2032.
While full details are still under wraps, Royal Caribbean has already hinted that Discovery Class ships will be slightly smaller than today’s mega-ships, signalling a shift away from the “bigger is always better” approach that’s defined the brand since the Oasis Class launched.
That could mean more flexibility, new itineraries, and access to ports that Icon and Oasis Class ships simply can’t reach.
Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty described the new class as a showcase of what’s possible when design meets purpose, suggesting these ships will focus on innovation, smarter design, and more immersive experiences, rather than sheer size alone.
There’s already plenty of speculation that Discovery Class ships could be more destination-focused, but Royal Caribbean hasn’t yet confirmed exactly how they’ll differ operationally from existing classes. For now, we know they’re coming, they’ll be different, and they’ll play a key role in the next phase of the fleet’s evolution.
If Discovery Class delivers on its promise, it could also quietly signal the beginning of the end for some of Royal Caribbean’s oldest ships, particularly those that haven’t received major upgrades
8. Two More Icon-Class Ships Are Coming
Icon 6 and Icon 7 will arrive in 2029 and 2030
Royal Caribbean isn’t stopping with Icon 5. The cruise line has now officially ordered sixth and seventh members of the Icon Class, extending the series right through to 2030.
Icon 6 is scheduled for delivery in 2029, followed by Icon 7 in 2030. Neither ship has been named yet, and Royal Caribbean hasn’t revealed what new features they might introduce.
With seven Icon Class ships now planned, it’s clear that this hugely ambitious class will remain a major part of Royal Caribbean’s fleet for years to come.
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9. Royal Caribbean Is Expanding Its Destinations On Land
The cruise line plans to have eight private destinations by 2028
Royal Caribbean is investing heavily in what guests can do ashore as well as building new ships, with plans to have eight private destinations in its portfolio by 2028.
One of the newest additions is Royal Beach Club Santorini, which opened in 2026. Rather than building an entirely new resort, Royal Caribbean transformed an existing beach club in Vlychada, with upgraded facilities, Greek food and a relaxed beachfront setting.
The beach club also forms part of Royal Caribbean’s ‘Ultimate Santorini Day’, which combines time there with visits to Oia and Fira. Guests can start at different points around the island, helping to spread visitors rather than sending everyone through the busiest areas at the same time.
And Santorini is only part of a much bigger expansion. With more Royal Beach Clubs and private destinations on the way, Royal Caribbean is increasingly making its experiences on land a major part of its plans for the future.
10. Royal Caribbean Is Putting Dogs On More Ships
Hero of the Seas will have her own Chief Dog Officer
One of Royal Caribbean’s cutest traditions is spreading to another ship. Hero of the Seas will have her own resident Chief Dog Officer when she launches in 2027, continuing a tradition that began with Icon of the Seas.
The role has since expanded across the Icon Class, with the dogs living on board alongside their handlers and appearing around the ship to meet guests.
Hero of the Seas will be joined by Dolly, a Golden Retriever who was named as the ship’s Chief Dog Officer in September 2026.
It’s a small detail compared with Royal Caribbean’s new ships and private destinations, but the fact that the role is continuing across the Icon Class suggests the shipboard dogs are becoming a permanent part of the experience.
Final Word
Royal Caribbean has a lot more than new ships on the horizon. New private destinations, a completely new ship class and further Icon Class ships are all planned over the next few years.
Some of these projects are still a long way off, and there are plenty of details Royal Caribbean has yet to reveal. But with major developments stretching into the 2030s, there should be plenty more announcements to come.
