Caribbean Tourism Soars as Nassau, Cozumel and Samaná Anchor Royal Caribbean 2027-28 Expansion: What You Need to Know

Published on December 10, 2025

Nassau, Cozumel and Samaná are set to headline a powerful wave of Caribbean tourism growth as Royal Caribbean releases its expanded 2027-28 Caribbean adventures, deploying thirteen ships from Florida, New Orleans, Puerto Rico, Colombia and Panama on three-to-nine-night island-hopping itineraries.​

Starting April 2027, the program will link marquee destinations like Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, Royal Beach Clubs in Paradise Island and Cozumel, and the new Perfect Day Mexico with emerging hotspots such as Port Samaná in the Dominican Republic, injecting fresh capacity and high-spend visitors into local tourism economies year-round.​

Legend of the Seas Drives Fort Lauderdale Tourism

From Fort Lauderdale beginning November 2027, the new Legend of the Seas will return from Europe to operate six-and eight-night Southern and Western Caribbean itineraries, calling at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Beach Club Cozumel, Willemstad and Cabo Rojo in the Dominican Republic.​

The ship’s extensive dining, entertainment and family amenities are expected to enhance pre- and post-cruise tourism in South Florida through hotel stays, dining and retail in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area.​

By connecting US gateways to diversified ports, Legend of the Seas will help distribute tourism revenue deeper into the Caribbean basin, particularly in up-and-coming destinations like Cabo Rojo.​

Allure of the Seas Boosts Miami and Fort Lauderdale Tourism

The amplified Allure of the Seas will sail from Fort Lauderdale starting May 2027 on six-and-eight-night Western and Southern Caribbean cruises, then move to Miami in November 2027 for seven-night Eastern and Western itineraries.​

Calls include Perfect Day at CocoCay, Willemstad (Curaçao) and Falmouth (Jamaica), as well as Samaná in the Dominican Republic, where visitors can explore jungles, waterfalls and beaches, significantly lifting local tourism activity.​

This deployment strengthens both South Florida ports as premier cruise tourism hubs while channeling thousands of guests to Caribbean small businesses through shore excursions and guided tours.​

Freedom and Adventure of the Seas Feed Miami and Port Canaveral Tourism

From Miami beginning April 2027, Freedom of the Seas will offer four-, five-, seven- and nine-night cruises to Curaçao, Aruba, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Nassau and more, diversifying Bahamas tourism with repeated high-volume arrivals.​

Adventure of the Seas will homeport year-round in Port Canaveral (Orlando) with four-, five- and nine-night itineraries that feature Perfect Day at CocoCay and the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island and Cozumel beach experiences, reinforcing Central Florida’s role as a family tourism gateway linked to theme parks and cruise vacations.​

These deployments create strong synergies between Orlando’s land-based attractions and Caribbean cruise tourism, encouraging longer combined stays.​

Enchantment and Brilliance Elevate Tampa’s Cruise Tourism Profile

From Tampa starting April 2027, Enchantment of the Seas will deliver five-and-seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries to Costa Maya and Cozumel, followed by shorter four-and-five-night voyages from November 2027 for time-pressed travelers.​

In winter 2027, Brilliance of the Seas will also sail seven-night warm-weather cruises from Tampa to Roatán, Cozumel, Costa Maya and Belize City, strengthening the port’s position as a western Caribbean tourism launchpad and driving hotel, dining and transport demand across the Tampa Bay region.​

This two-ship presence amplifies Gulf Coast tourism, attracting drive-market vacationers from across the southeastern United States.​

Grandeur, Rhapsody and Jewel Expand San Juan and Latin America Tourism

Grandeur of the Seas will offer seven-night Southern Caribbean cruises from San Juan starting May 2027, visiting Tortola, Philipsburg (St. Maarten) and Castries (St. Lucia), before moving to Colón (Panama) and Cartagena (Colombia) in December 2027 for ABC Islands routes including Willemstad and Oranjestad (Aruba).​

This LatAm deployment broadens tourism flows beyond traditional US ports, channeling visitors through Panama and Colombia and supporting regional air connectivity and hotel development.​

From San Juan in winter 2027, Rhapsody of the Seas will sail six-to-eight-night itineraries to St. Croix, Antigua, Castries and Basseterre (St. Kitts & Nevis), further cementing Puerto Rico’s role as a key Caribbean tourism hub.​

New Orleans and Western Caribbean Tourism Gain with Mariner

After a European season, Mariner of the Seas will base in New Orleans from November 2027, offering six-to-nine-night Western Caribbean cruises to Belize City, Roatán and Cozumel, with access to Royal Beach Club Cozumel.​

These sailings will boost Louisiana tourism by drawing more pre- and post-cruise visitors to New Orleans hotels, music venues and restaurants, while supporting Western Caribbean ports reliant on cruise arrivals for their tourism economies.​

Mariner’s presence diversifies US Gulf homeports, giving Midwestern and Southern travelers expanded drive-to cruise tourism options.​

Independence and Explorer Deepen Miami and Fort Lauderdale Tourism Links

From Miami beginning November 2027, Independence of the Seas will run four-to-eight-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises that include Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas), George Town (Grand Cayman) and Royal Beach Clubs in Nassau and Cozumel, bolstering premium beach-day tourism offerings.​

Simultaneously, Explorer of the Seas will sail six-to-eight-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Falmouth and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, supporting new shore-excursion investments in these destinations.​

These ships increase call frequency to key ports, spreading tourism income across a wider seasonal window.​

Jewel of the Seas Powers Short-Break Tourism from Fort Lauderdale

Starting April 2027, Jewel of the Seas will offer three-and-four-night getaways from Fort Lauderdale to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, targeting weekenders and first-time cruisers.​

The program aligns with the December 2025 opening of the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, encouraging bundled shore experiences that combine Bahamian culture with curated resort-style tourism.​

By providing frequent short itineraries, Jewel supports consistent occupancy for hotels and airlines serving South Florida’s cruise tourism market.​

Perfect Day Mexico and Ultimate Destinations Reshape Western Caribbean Tourism

The 2027-28 lineup integrates Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate Destinations portfolio, highlighted by Perfect Day Mexico at Costa Maya, opening in late 2027, and Royal Beach Club Cozumel in 2026, alongside  Paradise Island in Nassau.​

These developments will significantly elevate Western Caribbean tourism by offering record-setting waterparks, multiple pools, curated dining and upscale beach zones that encourage repeat visits and higher onshore spending.​

Combined with new calls to Port Samaná, gateway to Salto del Limón and Dominican beaches, the network spreads tourism benefits to emerging destinations while consolidating Royal Caribbean’s Caribbean presence.​

With Nassau, Cozumel, Samaná and dozens of islands connected by thirteen ships, Royal Caribbean’s 2027-28 deployment is poised to redefine Caribbean tourism dynamics across every season.

Image Credit: Royal Caribbean Cruises