Royal Caribbean’s Mariner to Depart from New Orleans in 2026-27

Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas will set sail from New Orleans during the 2026-27 winter season, offering new cruise options for travelers. The Voyager-class ship is repositioning from Galveston and is scheduled to arrive in Louisiana in early November. From there, it will embark on a variety of Western Caribbean itineraries.

The ship will offer a series of seven-night cruises to destinations in Mexico, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands. Ports of call include Cozumel, George Town, and Falmouth, allowing guests to experience vibrant culture, beautiful beaches, and exciting excursions. Each itinerary also features three full days at sea, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the ship’s amenities.

In addition to its regular sailings, Mariner of the Seas will operate a special six-night cruise in November, featuring stops in Costa Maya, Mexico, and Belize City, Belize. The ship will continue sailing from New Orleans through April, marking Royal Caribbean’s return to the city after a one-year break.

Currently, the cruise line offers departures from New Orleans aboard Brilliance of the Seas, but there will be no Royal Caribbean sailings from the port during the 2025-26 winter season. The Mariner of the Seas deployment reintroduces the brand to the region, bringing more cruise options to travelers.

Beyond Mariner of the Seas, Royal Caribbean has announced an expanded focus on short cruises for 2026-27, with 11 ships offering two- to five-night sailings. The lineup includes four Oasis-class vessels, such as Utopia of the Seas from Port Canaveral and Wonder of the Seas from Miami.

Another highlight of the season is the debut of Legend of the Seas, the third ship in Royal Caribbean’s Icon class. This 250,000-ton ship is set to launch in mid-2026 in Europe before repositioning to Fort Lauderdale for the winter season. From Port Everglades, it will offer six- to eight-night cruises to the Eastern and Southern Caribbean.

Additionally, Royal Caribbean is enhancing its private destination experiences with two new Royal Beach Clubs. The Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau is set to open in December 2025, while the Royal Beach Club Cozumel will welcome its first guests in late 2026. These exclusive retreats aim to offer guests a premium beach experience with top-tier amenities and activities.