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 | Holland America | Norwegian | P&O Australia | Paul Gauguin | Princess | Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Royal Caribbean | Seabourn | Silversea
Carnival Cruise Line
Ship: Carnival Elation
Dates: August 31 - September 27, 2017
Details: No details have yet been released.
Ship: Carnival Conquest
Dates: September 30 - October 13, 2017
Details: Details are unavailable at this time.
Ship: Carnival Fascination
Dates: January 31 - February 17, 2018
Details: Details are unavailable at this time.
Ship: Carnival Paradise
Dates: February 22 - March 25, 2018
Details: Details are unavailable at this time.
Ship: Carnival Legend
Dates: May 1 - 14, 2018
Details: Details are unavailable at this time.
Ship: Carnival Inspiration
Dates: November 5 - November 15, 2018
Details: Details are unavailable at this time.
Celebrity Cruises
There are currently no Celebrity ship refurbishments scheduled.Crystal Cruises
Ship: Crystal Symphony
Dates: September - October 2017
Details: Crystal Symphony will replace smaller suites with 28 new penthouses and 12 new penthouse suites, dropping its passenger capacity from 922 to 848. The main dining room, to be called Waterside, will feature all open seating; Silk Road will become Umi Uma (a new Nobu venue), Tastes will become Silk (a casual Chinese-inspired venue) and the Lido Cafe will become the Marketplace, with a Brazilian churrascaria taking over the space at night. New tech innovations will include free Wi-Fi for all passengers.
Ship: Crystal Serenity
Dates: October - November 2018
Details: Crystal Serenity will receive the same dining and suite refurbishments as its sister ship. Serenity will replace smaller suites with 36 new penthouses and two new penthouse suites, dropping its passenger capacity from 1,070 to 980.
Cunard Line
There are currently no Cunard ship refurbishments scheduled.
Holland America Line
Ship: Zuiderdam
Dates: October 23 - November 4, 2017
Details: As part of a $300 million investment, Holland America is updating entertainment, dining and suites across its fleet between 2016 and 2018. Zuiderdam will see updates this fall during a dry dock in Freeport, Bahamas. While enhancements will vary by ship, all Vista- Signature- and Rotterdam-class ships will receive new furniture, carpeting and wall covers, as well as a new quartz stone top on the desk, dresser, nightstands and makeup vanity. Electronic upgrades include a USB outlet added the bed's headboard, LED reading lights and a lighted closet rod. Suite passengers will also have access to a new interactive TV system with free movies on demand, in-cabin coffee and espresso machine, binoculars for use during the sailing, free mimosas with ensuite breakfast and more. Additionally, Zuiderdam will see its Crow's Nest lounge transform to become a new, interactive trip-planning and enrichment center called Explorations Central.
Ship: Rotterdam
Dates: October 26 - November 3, 2017
Details: As part of a $300 million investment, Holland America is updating entertainment, dining and suites across its fleet between 2016 and 2018. Rotterdam will see updates this fall during a dry dock in Freeport, Bahamas. While enhancements will vary by ship, all Vista- Signature- and Rotterdam-class ships will receive new furniture, carpeting and wall covers, as well as a new quartz stone top on the desk, dresser, nightstands and makeup vanity. Electronic upgrades include a USB outlet added the bed's headboard, LED reading lights and a lighted closet rod. Suite passengers will also have access to a new interactive TV system with free movies on demand, in-cabin coffee and espresso machine, binoculars for use during the sailing, free mimosas with ensuite breakfast and more.
Ship: Nieuw Amsterdam
Dates: December 7 - 19, 2017
Details: Members on our boards report that Nieuw Amsterdam will undergo dry dock in Freeport, Bahamas, late in 2017. Refurbishments possibly include replacing Explorers Lounge with Lincoln Center Stage; replacing Northern Lights Bar with the Gallery (Arts) Bar and doing away with the traditional piano bar (replacing it with with "Billboard Onboard.") Parts of the casino will be touched as well the spa and some other public areas. Suite upgrades and improvements will include new furniture, modern fixtures and new carpeting. Crow's Nest lounge will transform to become a new, interactive trip-planning and enrichment center called Explorations Central.
Ships: Noordam, Amsterdam, Volendam and Zaandam
Dates: Throughout 2017 and beyond
Details: As part of a $300 million investment, Holland America is updating entertainment, dining and suites across its fleet between 2016 and 2018. While enhancements will vary by ship, all Vista- Signature- and Rotterdam-class ships will receive new furniture, carpeting and wall covers, as well as a new quartz stone top on the desk, dresser, nightstands and makeup vanity. Electronic upgrades include a USB outlet added the bed's headboard, LED reading lights and a lighted closet rod. Suite passengers will also have access to a new interactive TV system with free movies on demand, in-cabin coffee and espresso machine, binoculars for use during the sailing, free mimosas with ensuite breakfast and more. Noordam will receive the transformation that will turn Crow's Nest into the line's new interactive destination experience center, EXC or Explorations Central.
Norwegian Cruise Line
There are no upcoming Norwegian Cruise Line refurbishments scheduled at this time.
Paul Gauguin Cruises
There are currently no Paul Gauguin ship refurbishments scheduled.
Princess Cruises
Ship: Crown Princess
Dates: March 24 - April 3, 2018
Details: Details are currently unavailable.
P&O Australia
Ship: Pacific Eden
Dates: August 2017
Details: Some mini-suites and balcony cabins will receive new carpets and outdoor furniture. In total, 11,000 square metres of new carpet will be fitted on the 1500-passenger ship. The Dome, Marquee Show Lounge, cinema, spa, gym, HQ and HQ+ teen clubs will also be revitalised.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Ship: Seven Seas Mariner
Dates: March 2018
Details: Seven Seas Mariner will receive a comprehensive upgrade, with similar refurbishments to Seven Seas Voyager. More details to come.
Royal Caribbean
Ship: Independence of the Seas
Dates: April 2018
Details:During dry dock Independence of the Seas will receive several adrenaline-pumping features including a trampoline park, water slides, escape room and laser tag.
Seabourn Cruises
Ship: Seabourn Sojourn
Dates: December 2017
Details: Restaurant 2 will be replaced with The Grill by Thomas Keller. Public areas and suites will get a refresh, and the Spa and Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil program will be added.
Silversea
Ship: Silver Cloud
Dates: August 2017
Details: Silver Cloud will undergo a major refurbishment to become Silversea's fourth luxury expedition ship. The 296-passenger ship will be refit to carry just 260 passengers and be converted into an ice-class ship. It will also receive a fleet of 18 Zodiac watercraft to carry onboard.