Dry docks are essential for cruise ships, ensuring routine maintenance, safety upgrades, and exciting new features. Both Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean have announced extensive dry dock schedules for 2025-2027, with ships undergoing refurbishments to enhance passenger experiences. This blog explores Carnival’s dry dock schedule, focusing on the Carnival Magic, Carnival Pride, and other key vessels, while also covering Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas and other amplified ships.
Carnival Cruise Line Dry Dock Schedule 2025-2027
1. Carnival Magic Dry Dock (Postponed to 2026)
Originally scheduled for October 6 – November 20, 2025, the Carnival Magic’s dry dock has been postponed to a later date in 2026 16. While details on upgrades are still pending, past dry docks for Carnival ships have included:
Cosmetic enhancements (new carpets, lighting, cabin updates).
New dining venues (especially for older ships).
Technical maintenance (engine checks, hull cleaning).
Carnival Magic’s last dry dock in 2022 introduced a red, white, and blue hull livery, a non-smoking casino expansion, and removal of the Thrill Theater 6.
2. Carnival Pride Dry Dock (March 15 – April 8, 2026)
The Carnival Pride is set for dry dock in early 2026, with upgrades likely mirroring recent refurbishments on sister ships, such as:
Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge (honoring military personnel).
Cloud 9 Spa revitalization.
New mini-golf course and WaterWorks aqua park 19.
3. Carnival Liberty (May 17 – July 5, 2025)
The Carnival Liberty recently completed its dry dock, adding:
New WaterWorks slides and mini-golf course.
Revamped Cloud9 Spa and Heroes Tribute Bar.
Upgraded casino and youth spaces 9.
4. Other Key Carnival Dry Docks in 2025-2027
Carnival Valor (May 10 – June 10, 2025).
Mardi Gras (September 27 – October 15, 2025) – First dry dock since 2021 debut 1.
Carnival Horizon (May 9 – June 14, 2026).
Carnival Breeze (January 15 – March 4, 2027) 16.
For a full list, check Carnival’s official schedule 16.
Royal Caribbean Dry Dock Schedule 2025-2026
1. Liberty of the Seas (2026 Dry Dock – "Royal Amplified")
While not in dry dock in 2025, the Liberty of the Seas will undergo a major Royal Amplified refurbishment in 2026, featuring:
New pool deck with private casitas and The Lime & Coconut bar.
Royal Escape Room and Izumi Teppanyaki restaurant.
Starbucks and expanded Casino Royale 37.
Post-refurbishment, the ship will sail from Southampton in summer 2026, offering Norwegian fjord and Mediterranean cruises 7.
2. Ovation & Harmony of the Seas (2026 Dry Dock)
Ovation of the Seas: New pool deck casitas, Izumi Teppanyaki, and Pesky Parrot bar 3.
Harmony of the Seas: Caribbean-inspired pool deck, Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse 3.
3. Brilliance of the Seas (April 2025 Dry Dock)
Scheduled for maintenance after a transatlantic voyage, though details are limited 8.
What to Expect from Cruise Ship Dry Docks?
Dry docks typically include:
Technical Upgrades – Engine maintenance, hull cleaning, safety checks.
Cosmetic Refreshes – New carpets, furniture, cabin upgrades.
New Features – Restaurants, bars, entertainment venues.
Accessibility Improvements – ADA-compliant upgrades 19.
Conclusion
Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean are investing heavily in ship upgrades, ensuring passengers enjoy modern amenities and enhanced experiences. Key dry docks to watch include:
Carnival Magic (2026) – Postponed but expected to bring major changes.
Carnival Pride (2026) – Likely to receive Heroes Tribute Bar and WaterWorks.
Liberty of the Seas (2026) – Royal Amplified transformation with new dining and entertainment.
For the latest updates, check official cruise line announcements or trusted sources like Cruise Fever and Royal Caribbean Blog
