
Strategic Expansion: Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises Growth in the Southern Caribbean
Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises are making significant moves to expand their operations in the Southern Caribbean, targeting the Latin American cruise market.
Starting from May 2026, Royal Caribbean International (RCI) will offer year-round itineraries from Colombia and Panama aboard the Radiance-class ship, Jewel of the Seas. This vessel will sail on 7-night voyages departing from Cartagena, Colombia, and Colón, Panama. Highlights of the cruise will include key ports such as Oranjestad (Aruba), Kralendijk (Bonaire), and Willemstad (Curaçao). This decision follows the company’s re-entry into the Latin American cruise sector during the 2023-2024 season with Rhapsody of the Seas and the scheduled deployment of Serenade of the Seas for the 2025-2026 season. Royal Caribbean has promised to unveil onboard experiences tailored for Latin American travelers soon.
In parallel, MSC Cruises is set to enhance its services in the Southern Caribbean with year-round cruises commencing in April 2027. The MSC Opera will transition from Europe to the Caribbean, providing 7-night journeys from La Romana in the Dominican Republic and Fort-de-France in Martinique. These itineraries aim to include exciting destinations like Martinique, Guadeloupe, Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten, and the British Virgin Islands. To bolster its Caribbean presence, MSC will add MSC Opera alongside the MSC Seaview for the 2026-2027 season, offering a broader range of cruise options lasting from 7 to 14 nights, departing from Martinique and Guadeloupe.
For further details on this strategic expansion, visit CruiseMapper.
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