3 Royal Caribbean Ships Undergoing Dry Dock This Month: What’s New and What’s Cut

It’s peak dry dock season for Royal Caribbean, and for spring 2026, that means three of the cruise line’s ships are getting upgrades and new amenities.  It also means a few amenities are being replaced with something else.

Ovation of the Seas has already had a head start since it’s been in drydock in Singapore since March 16, 2026.

Today, April 1, Harmony of the Seas officially arrives in Barcelona for her own 7-week dry dock, and Liberty of the Seas will head to dry dock in just two days.

So, it’s a busy few weeks for the cruise line that is promising a “Royal Amplification” for these three vessels. 

Here is everything we know is being added or removed on these three ships.  Just keep in mind we will have more details about the exact changes when Royal Caribbean releases that info.

Ovation of the Seas (Quantum Class)

Status: In Drydock now (Singapore)

Return to Service: April 17, 2026

Ovation is already deep into its time in dry dock at the Seatrium Tuas Shipyard in Singapore. It will be the first of the three ships to be finished, just in time for its 2026 Alaska season.

Here’s what’s in and what’s out:

• IN: The Pesky Parrot. This tiki-themed bar (first seen on Utopia) is making its way to the Quantum class.
• IN: Izumi Teppanyaki. A brand-new hibachi-style dining room is being added to keep up with the demand for Asian cuisine.  After eating here, I can see why.
• IN: 40 New Cabins. This includes the ever-so-popular two-story Ultimate Family Suite, which is being built where the Concierge Club used to be on Ovation, plus Panoramic Suites.
• IN: Sound Cellar.  New music/dance venue.
• IN: Revamped pool deck. Plus a new whirlpool and private casitas.
• IN: Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen.  This will replace Jamie’s Italian.
• IN: Starbucks. This will replace La Patisserie.
• OUT: The Bionic Bar. The robot bartenders are officially being retired on Ovation to provide space for the Pesky Parrot.
• OUT: Wonderland. In a move that has shocked some fans of the unique restaurant, this dining venue is being removed to make room for Izumi Teppanyaki and additional staterooms.  I for one will miss the incredible coffee and desserts they served here.
• OUT: Music Hall. The lower half of the Music Hall is being replaced by an expanded Casino Royale.  The upper level will be a new Sound Cellar.

Harmony of the Seas (Oasis Class)

Status: Entering Drydock today (Cadiz, Spain)

Return to Service: May 21, 2026

Harmony arrived in Barcelona today (April 1) and is moving to the shipyard tonight. This is the most complex of the three dry dock projects because of the number of rooms being added.   After dry dock, Harmony will sail out of Barcelona through July, before moving back to its homeport in Port Canaveral in August.

Here’s what’s in and what’s out on Harmony of the Seas:

• IN: 91 New Staterooms. Royal Caribbean is making creative use of space on the ship, including the former Conference Center on Deck 3.  Who wants to go to another “business meeting” on board anyway, right?
• IN: Casino Expansion. The Casino Royale is being expanded to take over several lounge and meeting areas, making it the largest Casino Royale in the fleet.  More room for those “donations”.
• IN: The Ultimate Panoramic Suites. These new suites will be added on deck 14, in the lower part of the Solarium.
• IN: The Lime & Coconut. (Caribbean-inspired)
• IN: Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse
• IN: El Loco Fresh.  To replace Mini Bites.
• IN: Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade.  This will replace Sabor Modern Mexican.
• OUT: Wonderland. Just like on Ovation, this specialty restaurant is being cut to make room for new cabins on Decks 11 and 12.  The Alice in Wonderland inspired restaurant will have to remain in dreamland only after all.
• OUT: The Bionic Bar. The  Pesky Parrot will be taking its place just like on Ovation.
• OUT: Solarium Space. While the Solarium is being “refreshed,” a large portion of its old seating layout is going to be used for Panoramic Suites.  As mentioned already, Royal had to get creative to figure out where to put those 91 extra staterooms.

Liberty of the Seas (Freedom Class)

Status: On a 16-night sailing to Southampton, UK. Arrives in Cadiz late April

Return to Service: May 29, 2026

Back in May 2007, Liberty of the Seas was the largest cruise ship in the world.  And in a couple days she will begin her Royal Amplification to shine like new again.

Liberty is currently off the coast of Florida and will dock in Bermuda on April 6 before a Transatlantic crossing.  After the dry dock in Spain is complete, the ship will offer sailings out of Southampton until moving back to Galveston, Texas in October 2026.

Here’s what’s in and out on Liberty:

• IN: The Royal Escape Room. A brand-new high-tech puzzle concept is being installed on Deck 5.  Royal creates some amazing escape rooms so I’m excited about this one.
• IN: Starbucks. The Royal Promenade will finally get a standalone, full-service Starbucks, making those early morning disembarkations a little more bearable.
• IN: The Lime & Coconut. The pool deck is being completely redesigned with the signature Caribbean-style multi-level bar.
• IN: Izumi Teppanyaki
• OUT: The Connoisseur Club. The cigar lounge is being removed to provide the space for the new Escape Room.
• OUT: Sabor Modern Mexican. The specialty Mexican spot on Deck 4 is being swapped out for Izumi Teppanyaki.   Hibachi wins once again.

 Bottom Line

With three ships out of service for a little while it means fewer ships for Royal Caribbean passengers to choose from for a few weeks.  But these new enhancements and changes will give loyal fans a reason to try these older ship again once they are finished with the makeovers.

It’s been about seven years since I sailed on Harmony of the Seas out of Port Canaveral. I loved the solarium on this ship, so I’m hoping they don’t take too much of it to make room for cabins, but I also can’t wait to see the results of these Royal Amplifications.