Royal Caribbean made some big announcements today including news about a new terminal, ship shuffles and what’s coming soon to their private island in the Bahamas, Coco Cay.

Let’s start off with the biggest announcement, Symphony of the Seas – the fourth Oasis-class cruise ship scheduled for delivery in April 2018. The sister ship to Oasis, Allure, and Harmony of the Seas will spend her inaugural summer season in the Mediterranean visiting Spain, France, and Italy. She will then make her journey across the Atlantic in November and will call Miami home.

Yes, Miami!

This means all three east coast Florida ports will have Oasis-class ships homeporting. Oasis at Port Canaveral (Cape Canaveral / Orlando), Harmony at Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) and Symphony at PortMiami.

But what about Allure?

Unfortunately, Port Everglades is going to lose Allure as she’s going to PortMiami with Symphony. This is in conjunction with the opening of Royal Caribbean’s new terminal, which has been dubbed the “Crown of Miami” a clever twist on Royal’s Crown & Anchor logo.

Ground was broken today on the 170,000-square-foot PortMiami Terminal A which will be completed just in time for the arrival of Symphony and Allure. Billed as the most “innovative cruise facility in the United States,” the terminal is expected to account for 30% of the port’s passenger traffic.

When Symphony launches, she will take the title of “World’s Largest Cruise Ship,” one that has been bestowed to each new Oasis-class vessel. The new ship will feature 28 more staterooms than her newest sister, Harmony. She will share many of the features and innovations Harmony has including the Bionic Bar, Perfect Storm and Ultimate Abyss waterslides as well as new things yet to be announced.

Symphony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis-class ship, under construction at the STX shipyard in France. The ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2018  Copyright: Bernard Biger – STX France.  Photo courtesy: Royal Caribbean
Symphony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest Oasis-class ship, under construction at the STX shipyard in France. The ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2018.  Copyright: Bernard Biger – STX France. Photo courtesy: Royal Caribbean
Symphony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis-class ship, under construction at the STX shipyard in France. The ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2018  Copyright: Bernard Biger – STX France.  Photo courtesy: Royal Caribbean
Symphony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest Oasis-class ship, under construction at the STX shipyard in France. The ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2018.  Copyright: Bernard Biger – STX France. Photo courtesy: Royal Caribbean

Once in Miami, Symphony will offer seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries beginning November 17, 2018. Bookings are now open for these cruises, so book early to be on one of the first sailings.

Royal Caribbean also announced a significant change to their island paradise, Coco Cay which will is sure to make many cruisers happy. Construction is set to being on a pier that will put an end to ships dropping anchor off shore and ferrying passengers back and forth on tender boats. The pier will be able to accommodate all ships in the Royal fleet, including the massive Oasis-class ones.

In addition to the pier, the line is also making upgrades to the island including additional guest features and amenities, details of which have not been announced. But just the fact that a pier is being built is a welcome improvement to Coco Cay.

Royal Caribbean’s new terminal - Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL), in agreement with Miami-Dade County, will build and operate a new, world-class terminal at PortMiami. The iconic building is scheduled for late 2018.  Photo courtesy: Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean’s new terminal – Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL), in agreement with Miami-Dade County, will build and operate a new, world-class terminal at PortMiami. The iconic building is scheduled for late 2018. Photo courtesy: Royal Caribbean
New, iconic cruise terminal - Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s (RCL) new, iconic terminal at PortMiami will be home to an Oasis class ship. The iconic building is slated for late 2018.  Photo courtesy: Royal Caribbean
New, iconic cruise terminal – Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s (RCL) new, iconic terminal at PortMiami will be home to an Oasis class ship. The iconic building is slated for late 2018. Photo courtesy: Royal Caribbean

For a look at what it’s like to be on an Oasis-class ship, check out the waterslides on Harmony of the Seas, the Aqua Theatre Suite on Oasis of the Seas, Crown Loft Suite on Allure of the Seas as well as my Royal Caribbean cruise reviews.

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