Royal Caribbean’s San Juan Ship Swap Could Shrink 2026 Options

Royal Caribbean will swap out bigger Radiance-class ships for smaller Vision/Rhapsody-class vessels in San Juan for winter 2026–27, according to Cruise Industry News on September 30, 2025. The line is shifting Radiance and Brilliance to Florida ports and offering affected guests a move, refund, or rebook.

What changed—and who’s impacted

Per Cruise Industry News, Royal Caribbean notified guests in late September 2025 that its 2026–27 winter plan out of San Juan is getting a hardware downgrade. Instead of Radiance-class ships (Radiance of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas), Puerto Rico will see smaller Vision/Rhapsody-class tonnage. The Radiance and Brilliance will redeploy to Florida.

Guests booked on the original ships are being given options: move to the replacement ship and keep their dates, request a refund, or rebook on a different sailing. That’s standard playbook for a deployment change, but the swap matters: ship class dictates space, amenities, cabin mix, and usually price.

If you planned a Southern Caribbean itinerary from San Juan in early 2027, expect a different onboard experience and potentially fewer balcony cabins than on Radiance-class hardware. Royal Caribbean’s own ship pages show Vision-class vessels are smaller and carry fewer guests than Radiance-class peers, with a simpler amenities set.

Why this pivot now

Royal Caribbean hasn’t publicly spelled out a rationale, but the move fits a familiar pattern. Florida homeports are demand engines—strong drive-to markets, abundant airlift, and short repositionings to the Bahamas and Eastern/Western Caribbean. Sending Radiance-class ships to Florida for winter 2026–27 likely boosts yields and simplifies logistics.

San Juan, while a favorite for Southern Caribbean routes, is a fly-in market with longer itineraries and higher air costs for many U.S. guests. Smaller ships can right-size capacity without abandoning the market. In other words, the line keeps a footprint in Puerto Rico but reduces supply.

In past cycles, big brands have flexed San Juan capacity based on fuel costs, port fees, and the strength of competing homeports. The 2026–27 change looks like that kind of optimization—shifting a mid-size class to Florida and backfilling Puerto Rico with a lighter touch.

What it means for your cruise

For travelers:

Expect fewer bells and whistles on the replacement ship, but a more intimate vibe and shorter lines.
Cabin selection could tighten. Vision-class ships generally have fewer balcony cabins than Radiance-class—book early if a balcony matters.
Itineraries may remain similar (Southern Caribbean hits like Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua), but shorter port times or slightly altered port combinations are possible when ship classes change.

For San Juan and the Southern Caribbean:

Capacity likely dips for winter 2026–27. That could nudge fares up on peak weeks.
Port partners down-island may see fewer total passengers if other lines don’t fill the gap.
On the flip side, a smaller ship can ease congestion at tender ports and create a nicer onshore experience.

The fine print: options for booked guests

Cruise Industry News reports Royal Caribbean has offered three paths: move to the new ship, get a refund, or rebook. Watch for:

Price protection: If you move to the replacement ship on the same date, ask whether your fare is protected and how cabin category maps over.
Promotions: Repricing may reset promos. Confirm that onboard credit, air add-ons, and dining packages carry.
Air and hotels: If you booked air independently, your airline change fees are on you. If you booked air through the cruise line, ask about waiver support.

Pro tip: If your primary goal is the Southern Caribbean itinerary (not the ship), moving to the replacement may be the least disruptive choice. If the ship experience is key—or you wanted more dining options, more balconies, or specific venues—rebook to another ship/port that fits your style.

Winners and losers in the shuffle

Winners:

Florida cruisers: More capacity at drive-to ports often means more schedule options and competitive fares.
Value seekers: Older, smaller hardware can price attractively, especially outside holidays.

Losers (for this season):

San Juan loyalists: Likely fewer cabins and a simpler onboard package in winter 2026–27.
Balcony hunters: Tighter inventory on Vision/Rhapsody-class ships.

Counterpoint: This is one season. Cruise lines routinely rotate ships. San Juan could gain back larger hardware in future winters if demand and operational factors line up.

At a glance: the 2026–27 San Juan swap

Season affected: Winter 2026–27 (announced late September 2025)
From San Juan: Vision/Rhapsody-class ships replacing Radiance-class
Moving to Florida: Radiance of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas
Guest options: Move to new ship, full refund, or rebook (per Cruise Industry News)

Pros and cons for passengers

Pros

Smaller ship, easier navigation and shorter lines
Potentially lower fares on select weeks
Classic layout that appeals to traditional cruisers

Cons

Fewer balconies and specialty venues versus Radiance-class
Less variety in onboard amenities
Possible itinerary tweaks and cabin reassignments

What to do next if you’re booked

Check your email and cruise planner for the official notice and deadlines.
Call your travel advisor or Royal Caribbean to compare move, refund, and rebook options.
Lock cabins early if you care about balcony or specific locations.
Reprice alternative sailings from Florida if ship features matter more than departure port.

Quick takeaways

Royal Caribbean is downsizing San Juan hardware for winter 2026–27 and shifting Radiance/Brilliance to Florida, per Cruise Industry News on September 30, 2025.
Expect fewer cabins (especially balconies) and simpler amenities out of Puerto Rico this season.
Affected guests can move, refund, or rebook—mind the fare protection and promo details.

Summary

Royal Caribbean will replace Radiance-class ships in San Juan with smaller Vision/Rhapsody-class vessels for winter 2026–27.
Radiance and Brilliance move to Florida; guests can switch, refund, or rebook.
San Juan capacity likely dips, tightening balcony availability and nudging fares.
Florida gains options, while Puerto Rico keeps service with smaller ships.

Sources: Cruise Industry News. For ship class context, see Royal Caribbean’s official fleet pages for Radiance and Vision-class ships.