Three Royal Caribbean Ships Getting Amplified in 2026: Here’s What’s Changing
The newest ships always get the spotlight. They’re featured in the ads, highlighted in press releases, and promoted on the website. But Royal Caribbean has done a great job of reinvigorating its fleet with upgrades they call “Amplification.” While the program paused during the COVID shutdown, it’s clearly back in full swing. After Allure of the Seas finally received its long-overdue Amplification, Royal Caribbean has now announced three more “classic” ships will get updated in 2026.
Ovation of the Seas
Amplified Debut: May 15, 2026
It seems a bit early for Ovation of the Seas to get an Amplification. Usually, this program is reserved for older ships, but this Quantum Class ship will be just 10 years old when it gets the refresh.
Updated Pool Deck
The pool deck will be “revamped,” which will likely not have the Caribbean-inspired theme of the newer ships since it’s not mentioned specifically in the press release (it makes sense since this ship usually sails cool-weather cruises). We do know they’ll add new private casitas and add a new whirlpool.
Casino Royale Will Expand and Sound Cellar Will Be Added
The release mentions that Casino Royale will be expanded, but it doesn’t specify how. They also mention a new place to “dance the night away” called Sound Cellar. Putting those two facts together hints that the two-story Music Hall may be going away and split into a one-floor dance venue and one-floor casino.
Dining and Bar Changes
Wonderland will be removed, and Teppanyaki tables will be added to Izumi, which currently only serves sushi on Ovation.
The Bionic Bar will be replaced by Pesky Parrot, the tiki-themed bar that debuted on Utopia of the Seas and was recently added to Allure. Jamie’s Italian will be replaced with Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen.
Suite Updates
The ship will also receive an Ultimate Family Suite, which has become a signature suite option across the fleet.
After the Amplification, Ovation of the Seas will sail Alaskan adventures starting in spring 2026.
Harmony of the Seas
Amplified Debut: May 21, 2026
Like Ovation, Harmony of the Seas is relatively young for an Amplification, having debuted in 2016. As the third Oasis Class ship, it was the first in the class to feature water slides and the Ultimate Abyss dry slide. Now, it’s being brought up to speed with its newer siblings.
Pool and Deck Updates
The pool areas will be re-themed with vibrant Caribbean-style décor, and the pool bars on Deck 15 and 16 will become The Lime & Coconut.
The adult-only Solarium will be “refreshed.” While they didn’t provide specifics, we hope that includes finally adding a pool. Harmony is currently the only Oasis Class ship without a dedicated Solarium pool.
Dining and Bar Changes
Sabor, the Mexican-themed restaurant currently located in the Boardwalk neighborhood, will be replaced by Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade.
Mini Bites will be replaced with El Loco Fresh, the casual Tex-Mex venue.
Surprisingly, Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse will be added. This specialty venue is only found on two other ships in the fleet, Allure and Radiance of the Seas. On Oasis Class ships, Samba Grill typically takes over the Solarium Bistro during dinner service, while breakfast and lunch remain complimentary.
Casino Expansion
Casino Royale will be expanded to become the largest casino in the fleet. If the expansion follows the same pattern as on other Oasis Class ships, The Attic comedy club and the Crown Lounge (formerly Diamond Club) on Deck 4 may be removed to make room for a larger non-smoking casino.
After its updates, Harmony of the Seas will spend the summer of 2026 sailing the Mediterranean before repositioning to Port Canaveral for 5- and 7-night itineraries.
Liberty of the Seas
Amplified Debut: April 3, 2026
Of the three ships, Liberty of the Seas is most in need of an Amplification. It was originally scheduled for upgrades pre-COVID, but Royal Caribbean delayed those plans while sister ships received their updates. Now, it’s finally Liberty’s turn.
Pool Deck and Outdoor Changes
The entire pool deck will be “completely reimagined.” Royal Caribbean plans to add The Lime & Coconut bars and private casitas. Hopefully, they keep the excellent kids’ pool area, which currently is one of the best in the fleet, which includes a pool with a waterfall, a large Splashaway Bay, and two dedicated kids’ hot tubs.
Restaurant and Bar Changes
Izumi Teppanyaki will be added and is likely to replace Sabor on Deck 4.
El Loco Fresh will also be added. Based on the layout, it will likely take over the Squeeze Bar space near the kids’ pool on Deck 11.
A dedicated Starbucks will also be added to the ship.
It wasn’t highlighted in the press release, but hopefully this ship will finally get Coke Freestyle machines; it’s one of the few ships in the fleet that don’t have them.
Escape Room Added
The Chapel will be replaced with a Royal Escape Room, in line with what we’ve seen on other Amplified ships.
After its Amplification, Liberty of the Seas will offer summer sailings from Southampton, visiting destinations like the Norwegian fjords, Bruges, and Copenhagen. For winter 2026, the ship will reposition to Galveston, Texas.
My Take: Some Much Needed Improvements, but Is It Really “Amplified”?
When Royal Caribbean first introduced the term “Amplification,” it referred to large-scale ship overhauls that cost upwards of $100 million. While no budget was disclosed this time, these changes seem more like moderate refreshes than full-blown transformations.
Still, it’s great to see Royal Caribbean making efforts to keep their fleet consistent and up to date. Guests appreciate a familiar, modern experience regardless of which ship they sail. Liberty of the Seas was the most in need, but all three ships will now feel more in line with Royal Caribbean’s newest and most popular offerings.
Some decisions are a bit puzzling, though. Why didn’t they add Mason Jar on Harmony? No Playmakers for Liberty of the Seas? And are they really still not adding a pool to the Harmony Solarium?
That said, having personally sailed on all three ships in the past few years, I think these upgrades are welcome changes. It really proves Royal Caribbean’s whole point of doing these upgrades. Even though I’ve sailed on all three of these ships over the past five years, I’ve never had the chance to visit a Lime or Coconut Bar, Playmakers, or El Loco Fresh, some of the most talked-about venues on the new ships. These changes will harmonize the Royal Caribbean experience.
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