3 Royal Caribbean Ships Are Getting Big Upgrades… and Losing Fan Favorites

It’s officially dry dock season for Royal Caribbean—and three of its most popular ships are getting major makeovers at the same time.

But these aren’t just routine touch-ups.

Across Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas, the cruise line is adding new restaurants, bars, and even dozens of cabins… while quietly removing some fan-favorite venues in the process.

For cruisers, that means a noticeably different onboard experience depending on when you sail.

Why This Round of Dry Dock Upgrades Matters

Dry dock is when cruise lines go beyond maintenance and completely rework parts of a ship—and this round is part of Royal Caribbean’s larger “Royal Amplification” push.

The focus is clear:

• Add more cabins (and revenue)
• Introduce popular, proven venues
• Modernize older ships to match newer ones

But there’s a trade-off.

To make space for new features, some of the more unique or less-used venues are being removed—something longtime cruisers are already reacting to.

When Each Ship Returns to Service

Here’s when you can expect these refreshed ships back at sea:

• Ovation of the Seas → April 17, 2026
• Harmony of the Seas → May 21, 2026
• Liberty of the Seas → May 29, 2026

For a few weeks, that means fewer ships sailing—but upgraded experiences once they return.

Ovation of the Seas: Big Changes Ahead of Alaska Season

Ovation of the Seas is already deep into dry dock in Singapore and will be the first to return—just in time for Alaska sailings.

What’s Being Added

• Izumi Teppanyaki (hibachi-style dining experience)
• Pesky Parrot tiki bar (replacing Bionic Bar)
• Starbucks replacing La Patisserie
• Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen replacing Jamie’s Italian
• 40 new cabins, including Ultimate Family Suites and panoramic suites
• Sound Cellar music venue
• Revamped pool deck with whirlpool and private cabanas

What’s Being Removed

• Bionic Bar (robot bartenders)
• Wonderland specialty restaurant
• Lower level of Music Hall (converted into casino space)

What It Means for Cruisers

Ovation is shifting toward a more mainstream, familiar experience. You’ll get more recognizable dining and entertainment—but fewer of the quirky, one-of-a-kind venues that made the ship stand out.

Harmony of the Seas: A Major Overhaul With Big Trade-Offs

Harmony of the Seas is undergoing the most extensive transformation, with a roughly seven-week dry dock in Spain.

What’s Being Added

• 91 new staterooms across multiple decks
• Ultimate Panoramic Suites added to the Solarium area
• Expanded Casino Royale (set to become the largest in the fleet)
• The Lime & Coconut bar
• Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse
• El Loco Fresh (replacing Mini Bites)
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade

What’s Being Removed

• Wonderland Restaurant
• Bionic Bar
• Part of the Solarium (converted into suite space)
• Former conference and lounge spaces

What You’ll Notice Onboard

Harmony’s changes are all about capacity and revenue:

• More passengers onboard
• Larger casino and social areas
• Less quiet space, especially in the Solarium

For some cruisers, this will feel like an upgrade. For others, it may feel more crowded than before.

Liberty of the Seas: A More Balanced Refresh

Liberty of the Seas is getting a lighter—but still impactful—update during its late April dry dock in Spain.

What’s Being Added

• Royal Escape Room (new high-tech experience on Deck 5)
• Starbucks on the Royal Promenade
• The Lime & Coconut with a redesigned pool deck
• Izumi Teppanyaki

What’s Being Removed

• Connoisseur Club (cigar lounge)
• Sabor Modern Mexican restaurant

Overall Impact

Compared to the other two ships, Liberty’s upgrades feel more like a refresh than a full overhaul—adding new experiences without dramatically changing the ship’s layout.

The Bigger Trend Behind These Changes

Looking across all three ships, a clear pattern emerges:

What’s Being Added

• More cabins and suites
• Popular dining concepts
• Larger casinos and social venues

What’s Being Removed

• Unique or niche restaurants (like Wonderland)
• Specialty lounges
• Some open or quiet spaces

In short, Royal Caribbean is leaning toward higher-capacity, higher-demand experiences that appeal to a broader audience.

What This Means for Your Next Cruise

If you’re sailing on one of these ships after their upgrades, here’s what to expect:

You’ll Probably Love It If You:

• Prefer familiar restaurants and brands
• Enjoy lively bars and social spaces
• Don’t mind a busier ship

You Might Not Love It If You:

• Enjoy quieter, less crowded areas
• Prefer unique or experimental dining
• Loved venues like Wonderland or the Bionic Bar

Bottom Line

This dry dock season shows exactly where cruising is heading.

More cabins. More mainstream experiences. More revenue-focused design.

And while some of the charm of older ships may be fading, these upgrades will keep them competitive—and likely more appealing to the majority of cruisers.

The real question is: do you prefer the new direction, or the old-school cruise vibe?