Updated August 23, 2019
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 | Hurtigruten | MSC Cruises | Norwegian | Oceania Cruises | P&O Australia | Paul Gauguin | P&O Cruises | Princess | Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Royal Caribbean | Seabourn | Silversea | Windstar
Carnival Cruise Line
Ship: Carnival Splendor
Dates: October 30 to November 24, 2019
Details: Carnival Splendor is leaving the North American Carnival fleet later this fall to enter service year-round from Sydney, Australia. To get it ready for its new service "down under," Carnival is putting the ship through a massive refit that will include two new waterslides and a dedicated Splash Park similar to those found aboard Carnival's newest ships. New dining venues and an overall refit of the ship’s public areas and passenger accomodations will be completed during the almost month-long stay in drydock.
Ship: Carnival Victory to be named Carnival Radiance
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 course, 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 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 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 transformed into a gastrobar; and the spa will be totally redesigned.
Ship: Celebrity Eclipse
Dates: November 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 Infinity
Dates: October/November 2020
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 transformed into a gastrobar and the spa will be totally redesigned.
Ship: Celebrity Solstice
Dates: September/October 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: January/February 2023
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
Ship: Queen Mary 2
Dates: November 2020
Details: Queen Mary 2 will receive the new Mareel Wellness & Beauty spa concept that was introduced aboard fleetmate Queen Elizabeth in late 2018. No other details are available at this time on the extent or scope of the rest of the drydock.
Disney Cruise Line
Ship: Disney Wonder
Dates: September 16 - 30, 2019
Details: Disney Wonder will undergo a dry dock upon completion of its 2019 Alaska cruise season, returning to service on September 30 in Vancouver. Additions will include a new family-friendly lounge (the French Quarter Lounge), which will offer plenty of New Orleans flair inspired by the Disney film, "The Princess and the Frog." Teens will be treated to a redesigned Vibe club, complete with a new design, new coffee bar, and virtual reality technology. The adults-only Cove Cafe will be transformed into a coffee joint featuring comfortable and trendy furnishings. The nearby Signals Bar will also benefit from a more contemporary look and feel.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
There are currently no Fred. Olsen ship refurbishments scheduled.
Holland America Line
Ship: Noordam
Dates: September 2019
Details: Noordam will be drydocked in Victoria, B.C. following the completion of its 2019 Alaska season. In addition to technical and general refurbishments throughout the ship, Noordam will receive the new Gallery Bar (replacing Northern Lights Disco) and the new Explorations Central concept that will see the Crow's Nest on Deck 9 reconfigured. The ship also is scheduled to receive the new Billboard Onboard entertainment concept in place of the current Piano Bar and Sports Bar on Deck 2. Suites will receive new furniture and soft furnishings, while staterooms will see an upgrade to soft furnishings.
Hurtigruten
Ship: Finnmarken
Dates: 2020
Details: Hurtigruten's MS Finnmarken will undergo a massive refurbishment in 2020, which will see it outfitted with battery packs to allow the engines to operate using hybrid power. Shore-powered equipment will also be added, which will permit the ship to operate using only battery power when docked in ports with shore power facilities -- cutting emissions to zero. At the same time, all cabins and suites will be renovated, with new suites added, and all public spaces will be redesigned. The main restaurant will become Restaurant Aune and a new specialty venue, Restaurant Lindstrom, will offer modern Norwegian cuisine. The Fredheim restaurant will serve as the ships' more informal dining venue and a new outdoor grill will also be introduced. The ship will also get a new wellness area with gym, lounge and treatment rooms; an Expedition Launch (the tender area) and a Science Centre will be added, and the pool area will be upgraded. When it emerges from dry dock, the ship will have a new name -- MS Otto Sverdrup.
Ship: Trollfjord
Dates: 2020
Details: Hurtigruten's MS Trollfjord will undergo a massive refurbishment in 2021, which will see it outfitted with battery packs to allow the engines to operate using hybrid power. Shore-powered equipment will also be added, which will permit the ship to operate using only battery power when docked in ports with shore power facilities -- cutting emissions to zero. At the same time, all cabins and suites will be renovated, with new suites added, and all public spaces will be redesigned. The main restaurant will become Restaurant Aune and a new specialty venue, Restaurant Lindstrom, will offer modern Norwegian cuisine. The Fredheim restaurant will serve as the ships' more informal dining venue and a new outdoor grill will also be introduced. The ship will also get a new wellness area with gym, lounge and treatment rooms; an Expedition Launch (the tender area) and a Science Centre will be added, and the outdoor hot tubs will be upgraded. When it emerges from dry dock, the ship will have a new name -- MS Maud.
Ship: Midnatsol
Dates: 2020
Details: Hurtigruten's MS Midnatsol will undergo a massive refurbishment in 2021, which will see it outfitted with battery packs to allow the engines to operate using hybrid power. Shore-powered equipment will also be added, which will permit the ship to operate using only battery power when docked in ports with shore power facilities -- cutting emissions to zero. At the same time, all cabins and suites will be renovated, with new suites added, and all public spaces will be redesigned. The main restaurant will become Restaurant Aune and a new specialty venue, Restaurant Lindstrom, will offer modern Norwegian cuisine. The Fredheim restaurant will serve as the ships' more informal dining venue and a new outdoor grill will also be introduced. The ship will also get a new wellness area with gym, lounge and treatment rooms; an Expedition Launch (the tender area) and a Science Centre will be added, and the outdoor hot tubs will be upgraded. When it emerges from dry dock, the ship will have a new name -- MS Eirik Raude.
MSC Cruises
There are currently no MSC refurbishments scheduled.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Ship: Norwegian Spirit
Dates: January - February 2020
Details: Prior to being deployed seasonally to the Chinese market in the spring of 2020, Norwegian Cruise Line will be giving Norwegian Spirit a stem-to-stern makeover. It will be the final ship in the fleet to undergo Norwegian’s "Norwegian Edge" enhancement program. Exact details of the refit have yet to be released.
Oceania Cruises
Ship: Regatta
Dates: September 2019
Details: As part of OceaniaNEXT, Regatta will receive the same sweeping refit that was first introduced aboard Insignia during its December 2018 refit. Miami-based Studio DADO will reimagine Oceania's R-Class ships with entirely updated staterooms, suites and public spaces that will shed the formerly dark décor of these vessels and replace it with new softer colors inspired by the sea, along with new furnishing, décor, lighting options, and more. Oceania is also taking the time to integrate new technological options into this refit, including USB ports and a state-of-the-art interactive televisions system in all accomodations.
Ship: Nautica
Dates: June 2020
Details: The final chapter in the line's OceaniaNEXT refurbishment schedule, Oceania's Nautica will be fully re-imagined by Miami-based Studio DADO, bringing the ship in line with the rest of Oceania's totally transformed vessels. Passengers embarking in June 2020 will be treated to updated staterooms, suites and public spaces boasting a new, brighter decor scheme of new softer colors inspired by the sea in place of the old, dark Renaissance-era interiors.
P&O Australia
There are currently no P&O Australia ship refurbishments scheduled.
P&O Cruises
There are currently no P&O Cruises ship refurbishments scheduled.
Paul Gauguin Cruises
There are currently no Paul Gauguin ship refurbishments scheduled.
Princess Cruises
Ship: Golden Princess
Dates: 2020
Details: Golden Princess will be transferred to the P&O Australia fleet after a major transformation, rebranding and renaming. It will enter service as Pacific Adventure in October 2020.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
There are currently no Regent Seven Seas Cruises ship refurbishments scheduled.
Royal Caribbean
Ship: Oasis of the Seas
Dates: November/December 2019
Details: As part of a \$165 million 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. When the dry dock is done, the ship will have a modified pool deck with new seating options, including day beds and hammocks, along with the 10-story Ultimate Abyss slide that debuted aboard Harmony of the Seas. Also added are new dining venues Portside BBQ, the first barbecue-themed eatery aboard a Royal Caribbean ship; El Loco Fresh, serving up fast Mexican fare; Playmaker’s Sports Bar and Arcade; and the candy-themed Sugar Beach. Oasis of the Seas will also be outfitted with a dedicated karaoke bar and the Music Hall, which makes its first debut on an Oasis-class vessel after originally debuting in 2014 aboard Quantum of the Seas. Also coming will be the Bionic Bar and two new family-friendly amenities, Mission Control: Apollo 18 Escape Room and the Clash for the Crystal City laser tag.
Ship: Voyager of the Seas
Dates: September 10 to October 20, 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. Among the many new features it will be getting include a Perfect Storm duo of racer waterslides, a new Vitality Spa, Battle for Planet Z laser tag, redesigned kids and teens spaces, and a new nursery for babies and tots. It will also receive 72 new inside and balcony staterooms, a Suite Lounge and outdoor area -- exclusively for guests in Grand Suites and above.
Ship: Freedom of the Seas
Dates: January to March 2020
Details:Freedom of the Seas will undergo a Royal Amplified refurbishment, which will touch on most elements of the ship including the addition of two waterslides (Typhoon and Cyclone), the Splashaway Bay water park, a redesigned Caribbean-themed pool deck, new eateries and bars and transformed kids and teen spaces.
Ship: Allure of the Seas
Dates: March 15 to May 10, 2020
Details: Part of Royal Caribbean's massive Royal Amplified refurbishment program, Allure of the Seas will receive a stem-to-stern refit that will add a variety of new attractions, features and amenities. The ship's upper pool decks will be almost totally reconfigured to add the 10-storey Ultimate Abyss slide and the popular Splashaway Bay kids water park complete with twin drenching buckets, three small waterslides, splash pools and water cannons; and the Perfect Storm trio of waterslides: Typhoon, Cyclone and Supercell. The pool deck will feature reconfigured seating and The Lime & Coconut bar, along with new hot tubs and a refitted adults-only Solarium. Additional dining venues to be added include Giovanni's Kitchen & Wine Bar; the Portside BBQ eatery; Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade; the Mexican-themed El Loco Fresh; and the always-popular Bionic Bar. Allure of the Seas will also receive the Music Hall venue; Spotlight Karaoke; Clash for the Crystal City (glow-in-the-dark laser tag); and Apollo 18: Lunar Landing (Escape room). The Adventure Ocean kids club will receive a total makeover, as will AO Babies, AO Junior (ages 3 to 5), and teens, who will have their own speakeasy-style lounge. The ship returns to service in May 2020 from Barcelona.
Ship: Explorer of the Seas
Dates: March to April 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
Ship: Silver Shadow
Dates: November 2019
Details: Silver Shadow will be the last of Silversea's "classic" ships to receive updates based on the line's flagship, Silver Muse. Highlights include a revamped atrium; a new Arts Café; a complete overall of all suites, including upgrades of all cabin TVs; complete refurb of the buffet, La Terrazza and The Restaurant; expansion of La Dame; new steam room and sauna for Zagara Spa; an expanded casino; new teak decking and outside furniture and a new Connoisseur's Corner.
Ship: Silver Wind
Dates: August 2020
Details: Silver Wind will get the same treatment that sister-ship Silver Cloud did back in 2017 when it was converted into a proper ice-strengthened expedition ship. Part of Silversea's "Project Invictus" refurbishment program, Silver Wind will go under the knife in the summer of 2020 to receive a new ice-strengthened hull; upgraded navigation and technical equipment; a fleet of onboard zodiac rafts and kayaks; and a reduced passenger capacity of 254, down from 298. In addition, all suites will be completely refurbished and upgrade, along with the vessel's public spaces. Expect new and refreshed looks for the Spa and Salon; Reception Area; the main bar area; La Dame; La Terrazza; the Observation Lounge; the Panorama Lounge; Pool Bar; and the conversion of the ship's main show lounge into a space for lectures and presentations. Silver Wind returns to service on November 10, 2020 with its maiden voyage to Antarctica.
Windstar Cruises
Ship: Star Breeze
Dates: October 2019 to February 2020
Details: Star Breeze is the first of a trio of Windstar ships going under the knife in the coming years in an ambitious project to stretch and re-engine the ships. By inserting a new prefabricated midsection, Star Breeze will increase in capacity from 212 to 312 passengers and in length from 440 feet to approximately 524 feet. Windstar is also taking the time to refit and redesign the vessel's public spaces, dining venues and spa, which will increase in size. On the technical side of things, each ship will be fitted with newer and more environmentally-friendly engines, as well as a complete replacement of existing plumbing and electrical systems.
Ship: Star Legend
Dates: February to June 2020
Details: The second vessel to undergo Windstar's \$250-million initiative, Star Legend will be stretched and re-engined in the spring of 2020. By inserting a new prefabricated midsection, Star Legend will increase in capacity from 212 to 312 passengers and in length from 440 feet to approximately 524 feet. The ship will also see its public spaces, dining venues and spa redesigned and enlarged. On the technical side of things, each ship will be fitted with newer and more environmentally-friendly engines, and the existing plumbing and electrical systems will be completely replaced.
Ship: Star Pride
Dates: July to November 2020
Details: The final in a trio of vessels undergoing Windstar's $250-million initiative, Star Pride will be stretched and re-engined during the summer and fall of 2020. By inserting a new prefabricated midsection, Star Legend will increase in capacity from 212 to 312 passengers and in length from 440 feet to approximately 524 feet. The ship will also see its public spaces, dining venues and spa redesigned and enlarged. On the technical side of things, each ship will be fitted with newer and more environmentally-friendly engines, and the existing plumbing and electrical systems will be completely replaced.
