Royal Caribbean has opened bookings for its summer 2028 Caribbean and Mexico cruise season, offering voyages aboard 11 ships from April through October 2028. The new lineup includes departures from Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico, Maryland and New Jersey, with cruises ranging from four to nine nights. For travelers planning ahead, the announcement creates new choices for family vacations, shorter getaways and longer island-hopping itineraries.
Key takeaways: Summer 2028 sailings are now open for booking; four Icon Class ships feature in the deployment; Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral and Galveston are major departure points; and select itineraries include Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.
Four Icon Class Ships Bring More Choices
The 2028 schedule includes Hero of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas. That gives travelers several departure cities from which to experience Royal Caribbean’s newest large-ship vacation style rather than having to travel to just one homeport.
Hero of the Seas is scheduled to sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami beginning in April 2028. Destinations on the announced routes include St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Cozumel, with Perfect Day at CocoCay appearing on the itineraries.
From Fort Lauderdale, Legend of the Seas will offer six- and eight-night cruises, including calls at Cabo Rojo in the Dominican Republic and Oranjestad, Aruba. Star of the Seas will sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, while Icon of the Seas will offer six- and eight-night Western Caribbean sailings from Galveston, including Cozumel and Roatán.
More Caribbean Cruises From Florida
Florida travelers will have several alternatives beyond the Icon Class ships. Symphony of the Seas is slated for six- and eight-night cruises from Miami, with destinations including Willemstad, Curaçao, and Falmouth, Jamaica. The ship is expected to return with refreshed onboard offerings in 2028, although travelers should check the confirmed list of changes before choosing a sailing for a particular attraction.
Harmony of the Seas will also sail seven-night Caribbean voyages from Port Canaveral, and Brilliance of the Seas will depart Tampa on six- and seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries, including opportunities to visit Belize City and Grand Cayman. This variety matters for families who would rather drive to a nearby port than add flights to the cost of a cruise.
Options From Puerto Rico and the Northeast
Travelers looking for Southern Caribbean islands can consider Enchantment of the Seas from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Its seven-night itineraries are expected to visit destinations such as Tortola, Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Dominica and Barbados, depending on the departure.
Royal Caribbean also plans warm-weather sailings from the Northeast. Vision of the Seas will operate five- to nine-night voyages from Baltimore, while Independence of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas will sail from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey. The announced selection includes Caribbean, Bermuda and other regional itineraries, giving East Coast travelers options that avoid flying south.
What to Know Before Choosing a 2028 Sailing
Some itineraries include Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas, where guests can choose from beach relaxation and additional-fee attractions. A call in Nassau may also offer access to Royal Beach Club Paradise Island through a separately purchased day pass. These experiences should not be assumed to be included in the basic cruise fare.
Compare total trip costs, not just the advertised cabin price. Taxes, fees, gratuities, travel to the departure port, specialty dining and optional excursions can affect the final budget. Exact sailing dates, ports of call, ship features and fares vary, and itineraries remain subject to change. No universal starting fare has been confirmed for this entire 11-ship season.
Booking early may provide a wider choice of cabins and dates, especially for school vacation weeks, but it does not guarantee the lowest eventual fare. Families should compare the ship’s onboard activities, travel time to the port and the number of sea days as carefully as the destinations.
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