Royal Caribbean extends short cruises on Oasis-class ship from Port Canaveral

Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
Updated ·2 min read
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The short trip experiment with one of the world’s largest cruise ships will continue next year as Royal Caribbean announced winter Florida sailing plans including the three- and four-night trips planned on Allure of the Seas.

One of five existing Oasis-class ships, the five largest cruise ships in the world until the arrival of Royal’s new Icon of the Seas at the end of the year, Allure of the Seas will first arrive to Port Canaveral this fall to begin the short Bahamas itineraries. Those plans have now been extended through July 2024 from the port with the ship then migrating south to PortMiami but continue the short trip program.

Oasis-class ships have traditionally done the seven-night voyages, but come Oct. 31, the line will have two Oasis-class ships in Port Canaveral, with Allure of the Seas joining Wonder of the Seas to offer up the quick trips to the Bahamas and Royal Caribbean’s private island Coco Cay.

The potential for loading up close to 7.000 passengers on two ships three times a week could make Port Canaveral’s record income surge further in the next fiscal year. Already this fiscal year, the port had its most lucrative month ever, and is currently hosting 13 home ported vessels including new ships Norwegian Prima and Disney Wish using all six of its cruise terminals, part of a projected $154 million year.

Royal Caribbean’s announcement was among deployment plans for eight of the line’s existing stable of 26 vessels for 2024-25. Icon of the Seas will be the line’s 27th ship and begins sailing from Miami in January 2024.

Mariner of the Seas will leave Port Canaveral and trade places with Voyager of the Seas from Galveston, with both offering four- and five-night itineraries.

Independence of the Seas will continue four- and five-night trips from Miami while Navigator of the Seas will sail from Los Angeles on a variety of itineraries.

Enchantment of the Seas will sail from Tampa with Grandeur of the Seas splitting time between Tampa and Port Everglades, which will also host Liberty of the Seas.