Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises Unveil Exciting 2025 Plans

The 2025 Worldchoice Conference showcased ambitious plans from Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, with significant announcements made by executives Jennifer Callister and Valerie Murphy. The conference, which took place in November, highlighted Royal Caribbean’s new ship, the Legend of the Seas, marking her European debut in Rome on July 11, 2025. This Icon Class vessel will later sail the Caribbean from its homeport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida during the winter season of 2026.

Callister detailed the impressive specifications of the Legend of the Seas, which will feature 20 decks and accommodate up to 5,610 guests with a dedicated crew of 2,350. The ship will offer an array of dining options and amenities, with a focus on the “Perfect Day” experiences. These offerings extend to onshore activities, allowing guests with drink or Wi-Fi packages to enjoy seamless service while at Perfect Day locations.

In addition to the existing Perfect Day at Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean plans to expand its offerings with a new Perfect Day in Mexico, set to launch in 2027. This location will include a state-of-the-art water park featuring the world’s longest lazy river.

Royal Beach Club and Trade Incentives

Another highlight from Callister was the introduction of the Royal Beach Club. The first club will open in Nassau, Bahamas by the end of 2025, providing guests with a luxurious beach day experience. Following this, another location will debut in Mexico in 2026, with a third opening in Santorini during the summer of 2026.

Royal Caribbean also announced a new trade incentive program called “Get me on Legend,” which launches alongside similar initiatives. Travel agents who sign up by November 14 will earn 50 bonus points, encouraging participation beyond typical booking incentives.

Valerie Murphy, representing Celebrity Cruises, shared insights into the evolving demographic of their guests. The average age of Celebrity Cruises customers has decreased from 57 to 45 over the past eight years. Many families now choose to travel with Celebrity for its focus on fine dining and exploration.

Celebrity Cruises is set to expand its itineraries for 2026 and 2027, with eight ships scheduled to sail to 100 destinations, including a record 60 overnight stays at various ports. Notably, the new ship Celebrity Excel will make its Mediterranean debut next summer.

Expansion into River Cruising

Murphy also announced Celebrity Cruises’ venture into river cruising, responding to customer demand. Half of Celebrity’s clientele also participate in river cruises, prompting the company to develop two new river ships—Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker—set to sail along the Danube starting in August 2027. The inaugural itineraries sold out within five hours of their release in September 2025.

To streamline the booking process, agents can utilize Celebrity Central, a comprehensive portal for reservations, training, and marketing resources. Murphy emphasized the importance of maintaining strong communication with clients regarding onboard sales, ensuring that travel agents benefit from bookings made during cruises.

In conclusion, as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises prepare for a transformative few years, the focus remains on enhancing guest experiences through innovative ship designs, exciting destinations, and new service offerings. With these significant announcements, both companies aim to solidify their positions as leaders in the cruise industry.