Happy Friday, and welcome to this week’s Sea Report. The theme this week is planning ahead — way ahead. Two big lines just opened sailings for 2028, a luxury line kicked off Black Friday early, and one of Princess’s newest ships is crossing the Atlantic for a winter in the Caribbean. Grab a coffee; here’s what matters before you book.
This week’s headlines
Royal Caribbean opens its 2028 Caribbean lineup
Royal Caribbean has released its Caribbean and Mexico itineraries for April through October 2028, with 11 ships sailing from Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico, and the Northeast — including four of its Icon-class ships. Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members got first access, with general booking opening on November 5.
- Icon of the Seas moves to Galveston for six- and eight-night Western Caribbean sailings, with calls including Cozumel and Roatán.
- Star of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas sail seven-night itineraries from Port Canaveral (Orlando).
- Hero of the Seas sails seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami beginning April 2028.
- Vision of the Seas sails five- to nine-night trips from Baltimore, including Bermuda.
- Oasis of the Seas sails seven-night cruises from Cape Liberty (New Jersey), visiting Perfect Day CocoCay and Royal Beach Club Paradise Island.
Why it matters to travelers: If you have your heart set on a particular ship, homeport, or school-break week in 2028, the full calendar is now open. Exact dates and fares are on Royal Caribbean’s website.
Carnival rolls out 2028–29 from Port Canaveral
Carnival has opened more than 300 departures from Port Canaveral for 2028–29 on five ships: Carnival Breeze, Firenze, Festivale, Glory, and Mardi Gras. Trips range from three-day Bahamas getaways to 14-day voyages.
- Every Carnival Glory sailing visits Celebration Key, Carnival’s private destination on Grand Bahama.
- Carnival Breeze and Carnival Firenze rotate between week-long Eastern and Western Caribbean routes.
- Carnival Breeze also offers four 14-day Southern Caribbean voyages between October 2028 and February 2029, visiting 13 destinations including Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, and Aruba.
Why it matters to travelers: For anyone within driving distance of Central Florida, that’s a wide range of trip lengths without a flight to the ship — and a rare chance at a long Southern Caribbean itinerary from a U.S. port.
Silversea’s Black Friday sale starts early
Silversea is offering savings of 15%, 25%, 35%, or 45% — depending on the voyage and departure date — on more than 850 Classic and Expedition voyages sailing from 2026 through 2029.
- Booking window: new, individual bookings made November 3 – December 7, 2026.
- Applies to: all suite categories, per the announcement.
- Deposits: reduced deposits starting at 15% on All-Inclusive Plus fares.
- Not included: full World Cruises, full Grand Voyages, and special combination voyages.
Why it matters to travelers: The discount varies by sailing, so check the exact percentage on the voyage you want. The report doesn’t say whether the offer can be combined with other promotions — confirm full terms with Silversea or your travel advisor before booking.
Sun Princess heads to Florida for its Caribbean season
Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess is on a 15-night trans-Atlantic repositioning voyage from Barcelona, with stops including Málaga, Cádiz, Gibraltar, and Tenerife. It’s scheduled to arrive in Fort Lauderdale on November 21.
From there, the ship spends the winter on Caribbean and Bahamas cruises through March 2027, including six-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries that visit Celebration Key, Grand Turk, and Amber Cove, plus weeklong Western Caribbean voyages with calls such as Cozumel and Roatán. It returns to Europe in early April 2027.
Why it matters to travelers: This is a chance to try one of Princess’s newest ships on a shorter Caribbean trip from South Florida, without crossing an ocean to get to it.
Melody’s Take
The 2028 calendar is open. Do you need to be?
It’s a little dizzying to see 2028 sailings on sale while 2027 is still being planned. But early releases aren’t a reason to panic-book.
Booking early makes the most sense when something specific matters to you: a particular cabin, school-break dates, a group traveling together, or a ship that tends to fill up. If you’re flexible, there’s no harm in watching and waiting. And when a sale like Silversea’s comes along, the details — which sailings, which percentage, which fare — matter more than the headline number.
Join the conversation
How far ahead do you usually book a cruise?
Six months? A year? Already eyeing 2028? Share your answer with fellow travelers in the Sea with Melody Facebook Group (opens in a new tab).