Categories: Cruise News

Harmony of the Seas enters Cádiz drydock for major refit and refurbishment

Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas has entered drydock in Cádiz for a major refit and refurbishment ahead of its return to service and subsequent redeployment to the Caribbean.

The 227,625-ton Oasis-class vessel arrived at the Navantia shipyard on April 3rd, 2026, following its repositioning to Europe in late March and is now undergoing a six-week refit, with a return to service scheduled for May 21st, 2026.

The refurbishment forms part of a wider 2026 upgrade cycle that also includes Ovation of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, as Royal Caribbean continues to roll out enhancements across its fleet under the Royal Amplified programme, first introduced in 2018.

Harmony of the Seas

“The Royal Amplified program gives our guests the best of Royal Caribbean with new-to-class culinary options and experiences, entertainment and thrilling adventures, paired with the hospitality and service Royal Caribbean is known for,” said Jay Schneider, Chief Product Innovation Officer, Royal Caribbean.

Harmony of the Seas is expected to see one of the most extensive transformations within the programme. The refit will introduce a redesigned Caribbean-inspired pool deck, alongside the addition of The Lime & Coconut bar and a refreshed adults-only Solarium.

Dining and entertainment upgrades will include the addition of venues such as Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, El Loco Fresh, and Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse, reflecting a broader standardisation of concepts across the fleet.

The ship will also see the introduction of new bar venues, including the Pesky Parrot tiki bar, replacing the existing Bionic Bar.

A significant expansion of accommodation capacity is also planned, with more than 90 additional staterooms being added across multiple decks. These include new inside, ocean-view, and balcony cabins created through the reconfiguration of existing public spaces, such as the conference centre, parts of the Solarium, and sections of the Adventure Ocean kids’ facilities.

Additional cabins will also replace venues including the Wonderland restaurant, while two duplex suites will be merged into a larger single accommodation.

Further structural changes include the expansion of Casino Royale into the former Entertainment Place neighbourhood, creating what is expected to be the largest casino in Royal Caribbean’s fleet.

This will result in the removal or relocation of venues including The Attic comedy club and the Crown Lounge.

Following completion of the drydock, Harmony of the Seas is scheduled to operate a short Mediterranean programme, including seven-night sailings to Spain, France, and Italy. The vessel is then due to reposition to Port Canaveral in late July via a transatlantic crossing from Barcelona.

From August, the ship will begin a season of two- to seven-night cruises in the Caribbean and Bahamas. These itineraries will include calls at Perfect Day at CocoCay, as well as the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island.

Shaun Ebelthite

Founder and editor of Cruise Arabia & Africa. I try to create the best news and information specifically for cruise passengers taking cruises to and from Dubai (where I live) and South Africa (where I was born). You can contact me at shaun(at)cruisearabiaonline.com.

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