Four Icon Class ships in the Caribbean in one summer? Royal Caribbean has just laid out its April-to-October 2028 programme, and the big surprise is where some of those ships will sail from. Icon of the Seas is heading to Galveston, while Hero of the Seas, Legend of the Seas and Star of the Seas will operate from Florida.
There are 11 ships in the wider line-up, so this isn't just a story for people after the biggest waterparks and the newest attractions. There are shorter trips, longer island-hopping routes and some interesting choices for travellers who care more about the ports than the ship.
Which Icon Class ships sail where?
Hero of the Seas is scheduled to sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean trips from Miami from April 2028, including Perfect Day at CocoCay. The ship's nine pools, new Coconut Cove area and three-storey Ultimate Family Treehouse are among its headline features.
Legend of the Seas will sail six- and eight-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale, with destinations including Aruba and Cabo Rojo in the Dominican Republic. Star of the Seas will offer seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, including calls at Samaná and San Juan.
Then there's Icon of the Seas. Royal Caribbean has confirmed six- and eight-night Western Caribbean cruises from Galveston, Texas, with destinations including Cozumel in Mexico and Roatán in Honduras. That's a genuinely useful new option for people who would rather start their cruise in Texas than Florida.
Symphony of the Seas is getting another refresh
Symphony of the Seas is also on the 2028 Miami schedule, offering six- and eight-night Caribbean cruises. Royal Caribbean says she'll receive new 'amplified' experiences, although it hasn't yet revealed exactly what those additions will be. I'd wait for the details before booking specifically for the refurbishment.
The wider programme includes Harmony of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Brilliance of the Seas from Tampa, Enchantment of the Seas from San Juan, Vision of the Seas from Baltimore, and Independence and Oasis of the Seas from Cape Liberty. That makes for a decent range of departure ports and holiday lengths.
What would I look at before booking?
For me, the standout is the choice between six- and eight-night cruises. An extra couple of nights can make a big difference to how relaxed a Caribbean itinerary feels, especially when there are several ports to explore. If the ship is the main attraction, Hero and the other Icon Class options will be tempting. If you want more island time, compare the actual port calls and hours ashore rather than choosing on ship size alone.
The programme was announced on 5 November 2026, with bookings opening first to Crown & Anchor Society members and then to the public. Prices, availability and individual calls can change, so check the exact departure before committing.
Source: Royal Caribbean's official 5 November 2026 announcement. For more planning ideas, see our Royal Caribbean guide, Caribbean cruise guide, Miami port guide and Port Canaveral guide.