Sure, new cruise ships are all the rage, and if our Future Cruise Ship Orders is any indication, passengers will have plenty of shiny options to choose from over the next few years. Those who want some new bells and whistles without the price tag a new ship can command another option: the refurbishment, which can make an old ship look new. Ships are required to head into dry dock every few years for the "routine scrape of the barnacles" (minor cosmetic and engineering updates). If we covered every minor refurb, we'd have hundreds of ships on which to report, so in this chart we'll be focusing only on vessels that will undergo more major overhauls.
Tracking down the latest on every ship going into dry dock can require a surprising amount of detective work; details are heavily guarded at times, and even though our message boards are alive with the newest dates and features, we still need all hands on deck (pun intended). If you have a tip, detail or story to share regarding the latest cruise ship refurbishment, please consider e-mailing us at drydocktipline@cruisecritic.com. Thanks and happy sailing.
Carnival | Celebrity | Crystal | Cunard | Disney| Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines | Holland America | MSC Cruises | Norwegian | Oceania Cruises | P&O Australia | Paul Gauguin | P&O Cruises | Princess | Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Royal Caribbean | Seabourn | Silversea
Carnival Cruise Line
Ship: Carnival Triumph
Dates: March 1 - April 29, 2019
Details: Carnival Triumph will undergo a massive refurb that encompasses most aspects of the ship, which will be renamed Carnival Sunrise. The $200-million dry dock will add all of Carnival's newest eateries, including Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, the new a la carte Seafood Shack that offers lobster rolls and New England-style fare; the Carnival Deli; Pizzeria del Capitano; and an expanded version of Swirls, serving up complimentary ice cream and frozen yogurt. Carnival Sunrise also gains three new specialty dining experiences: Cucina del Capitano, featuring family-style dishes inspired by new and classic Italian cuisine; the popular Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse; and the Chef's Table. Also added in the refurb will be an expanded version of the JavaBlue Cafe coffee bar; a larger Cherry on Top; and Bonsai Express, a casual Japanese-themed eatery featuring a wide array of sushi, sashimi, rolls and other traditional dishes.All cabins and suites will be completely refitted during the dry dock, and upgraded with new hard and soft furnishings. The ship will have Carnival's new SportSquare ropes course, as well as Carnival WaterWorks with a 203-foot-long AquaTunnel slide and Carnival's popular 212-foot-long Twister Slide, as well as a 75-gallon "PowerDrencher" tipping bucket. Carnival Sunrise also gains the soothing Serenity Adult Only Retreat. New entertainment venues will include the new multi-purpose Liquid Lounge main show lounge; the Limelight Lounge that will host Carnival's Punchliner Comedy Club performances; the popular new Piano Bar 88 concept; and the RedFrog Pub.
Ship: Carnival Victory
Dates: March 18 to April 26, 2020
Details: Carnival Victory will undergo a massive refurb that encompasses most aspects of the ship, which will be renamed Carnival Radiance. It will receive four specialty restaurants: Cucina del Capitano, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi and Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse. On the top deck, the ship will get some of the line's most popular recreational activities including a ropes coures, and a WaterWorks park with a 203-foot-long AquaTunnel slide, the line's signature 212-foot-long Twister waterslide and a 75-gallon PowerDrencher tipping bucket, along with a kiddie area. Other spaces to be added include Cherry on Top, RedFrog Pub and Piano Bar 88.
Celebrity Cruises
Ship: Celebrity Summit
Dates: March 2019
Details: Celebrity will overhaul all the staterooms onboard Celebrity Summit, taking everything down to the steel and rebuilding with a new layout and design; rooms will also be outfitted with RFID locks, the line's high-speed Xcelerate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability. Additionally, Summit will see its Main Dining Room redesigned with a lighter, airier decor; Michael's Club will be transformed into the Retreat Lounge, exclusively for the use of suite passengers; and a suites-only Retreat Sundeck will be added, as well. Other changes include: the addition of the Le Petit Chef experience at Qsine; Cellar Masters will be trasformed into a gastrobar; and the spa will be totally redesigned.
Ship: Celebrity Equinox
Dates: May 2019
Details: Celebrity Equinox will receive additional suites including a Reflection Suite and several Signature Suites; all cabins will be outfitted with RFID locks, the line's high-speed Xcelerate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability. Additionally, Michael's Club will be transformed into the Retreat Lounge, exclusively for the use of suite passengers; and a suites-only Retreat Sundeck will be added, as well. The ship's Oceanview Cafe buffet restaurant will be redesigned in an open, marketplace style; Cellar Masters wine bar will be transformed into a gastrobar; and the photo galleries will be converted to digital spaces.
Ship: Celebrity Silhouette
Dates: January 2020
Details: Celebrity Silhouette will receive additional suites including a Reflection Suite and several Signature Suites; all cabins will be outfitted with RFID locks, the line's high-speed Xcelerate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability. Additionally, Michael's Club will be transformed into the Retreat Lounge, exclusively for the use of suite passengers; and a suites-only Retreat Sundeck will be added, as well. The ship's Oceanview Cafe buffet restaurant will be redesigned in an open, marketplace style; Cellar Masters wine bar will be transformed into a gastrobar; and the photo galleries will be converted to digital spaces.
Ship: Celebrity Eclipse
Dates: March 2020
Details: Celebrity Eclipse will receive additional suites including a Reflection Suite and several Signature Suites; all cabins will be outfitted with RFID locks, the line's high-speed Xcelerate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability. Additionally, Michael's Club will be transformed into the Retreat Lounge, exclusively for the use of suite passengers; and a suites-only Retreat Sundeck will be added, as well. The ship's Oceanview Cafe buffet restaurant will be redesigned in an open, marketplace style; Cellar Masters wine bar will be transformed into a gastrobar; and the photo galleries will be converted to digital spaces.
Ship: Celebrity Constellation
Dates: April 2020
Details: Celebrity will overhaul all staterooms, taking everything down to the steel and rebuilding with a new layout and design; rooms will also be outfitted with RFID locks, the line's high-speed Xcelerate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability. Additionally, Constellation will see its Main Dining Room redesigned with a lighter, airier decor; Michael's Club will be transformed into the Retreat Lounge, exclusively for the use of suite passengers; and a suites-only Retreat Sundeck will be added. Other changes include: the addition of the Le Petit Chef experience at Qsine; Cellar Masters will be trasformed into a gastrobar; and the spa will be totally redesigned.
Ship: Celebrity Infinity
Dates: TBD 2021
Details: Celebrity will overhaul all staterooms, taking everything down to the steel and rebuilding with a new layout and design and refitting with RFID locks. Additionally, Infinity will see the Main Dining Room redesigned with a lighter, airier decor; Michael's Club will be transformed into the Retreat Lounge, exclusively for the use of suite passengers; and a suites-only Retreat Sundeck will be added. Also, Cellar Masters will be trasformed into a gastrobar and the spa will be totally redesigned.
Ship: Celebrity Solstice
Dates: September 2021
Details: Celebrity Solstice will receive additional suites including a Reflection Suite and several Signature Suites; all cabins will be outfitted with RFID locks, the line's high-speed Xcelerate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability. Additionally, Michael's Club will be transformed into the Retreat Lounge, exclusively for the use of suite passengers; and a suites-only Retreat Sundeck will be added, as well. The ship's Oceanview Cafe buffet restaurant will be redesigned in an open, marketplace style; Cellar Masters wine bar will be transformed into a gastrobar; and the photo galleries will be converted to digital spaces.
Ship: Celebrity Reflection
Dates: December 2022
Details: Cabins on Celebrity Reflection will be outfitted with RFID locks and Bluetooth capability; Michael's Club will be transformed into the Retreat Lounge, exclusively for the use of suite passengers; and a suites-only Retreat Sundeck will be added. Additionally, the ship's Oceanview Cafe buffet restaurant will be redesigned in an open, marketplace style.
Crystal Cruises
There are currently no Crystal Cruises ship refurbishments scheduled.
Cunard Line
There are currently no Cunard ship refurbishments scheduled.
Disney Cruise Line
There are currently no Disney Cruise Line ship refurbishments scheduled.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
There are currently no Fred. Olsen ship refurbishments scheduled.
Holland America Line
Ship: Veendam
Dates: Spring 2019
Details:Details of this refurbishment have not been revealed yet.
Ship: Noordam
Dates: September 2019
Details:Details of this refurbishment have not been revealed yet.
Ship: Volendam
Dates: October 2019
Details:Details of this refurbishment have not been revealed yet.
MSC Cruises
There are currently no MSC refurbishments scheduled.Norwegian Cruise Line
Ship: Norwegian Joy
Dates: March/April 2019
Details:After sailing in Asia for more than a year, Norwegian Joy will undergo a multi-million dollar refit before arriving in the United States.
Oceania Cruises
Ship: Sirena
Dates: May 2019
Details: As part of the OceaniaNEXT project, Sirena will be the second Regatta-class ship to get a brand new look. Staterooms and suites will get new furnishings and decor, with a lighter look. Bathrooms will receive new fixtures, lighting and glass shower doors. The Grand Dining Room and Grand Staircase in the Reception Hall will both add new chandeliers, and Martinis will swap its country house look for a modern vibe inspired by Santorini.
Ship: Regatta
Dates: September 2019
Details: Regatta will get the same makeover as its sisters, as part of Oceania's $100 million OceaniaNEXT project. Staterooms, suites, restaurants and other public areas will get updated decor and new furnishings.
Ship: Nautica
Dates: June 2020
Details: Nautica will get the same makeover as its sisters, as part of Oceania's $100 million OceaniaNEXT project. Staterooms, suites, restaurants and other public areas will get updated decor and new furnishings.
P&O Australia
There are currently no P&O Australia ship refurbishments scheduled.
P&O Cruises
Ship: Aurora
Dates: March 2019
Details: As Aurora is becoming adults-only post refurb, the kids club will be replaced by six new single cabins at the aft of the ship. P&O Cruises has revealed no further details of the refit at this stage.
Paul Gauguin Cruises
There are currently no Paul Gauguin ship refurbishments scheduled.
Princess Cruises
Ship: Caribbean Princess
Dates: May/June 2019
Details: Princess Cruises will replace the ship's Pirate's View aft pool on Deck 17 with an all-new Reef Family Splash Zone, which will include a kiddie pool as well as ample lounging space; the existing pool, hot tub and bar also will be upgraded with new signage and contemporary artwork.
Ship: Golden Princess
Dates: 2020
Details: Golden Princess will be transferred to the P&O Australia fleet after a major transformation, rebranding and renaming.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
There are currently no Regent Seven Seas Cruises ship refurbishments scheduled.
Royal Caribbean
Ship: Navigator of the Seas
Dates: January/February 2019
Details:Navigator of the Seas will undergo a Royal Amplified refurbishment, which will touch on most elements of the ship. Specific details have yet to be revealed, but the addition of waterslides and laser tag are expected.
Ship: Oasis of the Seas
Dates: November/December 2019
Details:As part of a full-ship Royal Amplified refurbishment Oasis of the Seas will receive all-new thrill attractions, pools, bars and dining venues, as well as some of the new concepts being introduced on Symphony of the Seas. Specific details have yet to be revealed.
Ship: Voyager of the Seas
Dates: 2019
Details:As part of a full-ship Royal Amplified refurbishment Voyager of the Seas will receive all-new thrill attractions, pools, bars and dining venues. Specific details have yet to be revealed.
Ship: Freedom of the Seas
Dates: 2020
Details:Freedom of the Seas will undergo a Royal Amplified refurbishment, which will touch on most elements of the ship. Specific details have yet to be revealed.
Ship: Allure of the Seas
Dates: 2020
Details:As part of a full-ship Royal Amplified refurbishment Allure of the Seas will receive all-new thrill attractions, bars and dining venues. Specific details have yet to be revealed.
Ship: Explorer of the Seas
Dates: 2020
Details:As part of a full-ship Royal Amplified refurbishment Explorer of the Seas will receive all-new thrill attractions, bars and dining venues. Specific details have yet to be revealed.
Ship: Liberty of the Seas
Dates: 2021
Details:Liberty of the Seas will undergo a Royal Amplified refurbishment, which will touch on most elements of the ship. Specific details have yet to be revealed.
Ship: Adventure of the Seas
Dates: 2021
Details:Adventure of the Seas will undergo a Royal Amplified refurbishment, which will touch on most elements of the ship. Specific details have yet to be revealed.
Seabourn Cruises
There are currently no Seabourn refurbishments on the schedule at this time.
Silversea
There are currently no Silversea refurbishments on the schedule at this time.
