Royal Caribbean just released its Caribbean and Mexico itineraries for summer 2028, and it’s one of the most ambitious lineups we’ve seen. Between April and October 2028, 11 ships will sail from Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico, and the Northeast. Four of them are Icon-class, the largest and most feature-packed ships the line has ever built.
With that many options, the real question isn’t whether there’s a great sailing for you, it’s which one. Here’s how we’d think about it.
If you want the newest ship at sea
Hero of the Seas, the newest member of the Icon class, welcomes its first guests in August 2027. Starting in April 2028, it will sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami. Highlights include a catamaran outing in St. Maarten, the aerial tram above Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas, and cooking classes in Cozumel.
Prefer to sail from somewhere other than Miami? The rest of the Icon class has you covered. Icon of the Seas sails from Galveston, Star of the Seas from Port Canaveral, and Legend of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale.
If you’d rather skip the flight
One of the nicest parts of this lineup is how many travelers can simply drive to the pier. Galveston is an easy option for Texas, and Port Canaveral is a short hop from Orlando. In the Northeast, Vision of the Seas sails from Baltimore, and Independence and Oasis of the Seas sail from Cape Liberty in New Jersey. Some of those itineraries even include Bermuda, Canada, and New England.
If you’re looking for the Southern Caribbean
Enchantment of the Seas sails from San Juan, which puts the islands of the Southern Caribbean within easy reach in a single week: Tortola, Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Dominica, and Barbados. It’s a lovely choice for travelers who’ve already “done” the Bahamas and want something a little less familiar.
If adventure is the whole point
Several itineraries lean into time ashore. From Tampa, Brilliance of the Seas visits Belize, home to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, and Grand Cayman’s famous Stingray City. Symphony of the Seas, sailing from Miami, includes Jamaica, where you can raft the Martha Brae River or climb Dunn’s River Falls.
If you’re traveling with the whole family
Nearly every ship in the lineup calls at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas. Oasis of the Seas also visits the line’s new Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island. For multigenerational trips, a private-island day is easy to love: everyone can do their own thing and still meet up for lunch. During a recent family voyage on Icon of the Seas, we had a fantastic time at CocoCay and especially recommend the private cabanas, especially for large families.
One final thought
Summer 2028 may feel far off, but the most popular sailings, especially on the Icon-class ships and during school holidays, tend to fill quickly. If one of these itineraries has caught your eye, we’d love to help you compare options and find the voyage that’s right for you.