Published on
November 6, 2025
Royal Caribbean’s 2027-28 Caribbean cruise season prominently features the Dominican Republic’s Samaná, alongside new private island destinations and innovative beach clubs, promising a significant boost to Caribbean tourism. This lineup, announced recently by Royal Caribbean, highlights the return to Samaná after years, a destination now poised to become a major tourism hub with expanded infrastructure and cruise connectivity.
Samaná Returns as a Caribbean Cruise Hub
The Samaná Arroyo Barril Terminal in the Dominican Republic is undergoing a dollar sixty-eight million investment to transform it into a grand cruise and tourism terminal, projected to attract up to one million tourists annually. This significant public-private partnership aims to elevate Samaná as a key cruise tourism hub in the Caribbean, facilitating access to its ecological attractions such as waterfalls, national parks, and whale watching sites. The official investments also forecast creation of thousand new jobs and robust economic growth for the local tourism sector, aligning with government efforts to expand sustainable and high-value tourism.
New Ships and Expanded Florida Homeports
Central to Royal Caribbean’s 2027 itinerary is the debut of the Star of the Seas, an Icon Class ship based in Port Canaveral, Florida, offering year-round seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises. This ship’s itineraries include newly restored Samaná calls, which reconnect cruisers with one of the Caribbean’s fastest-growing tourism regions. Alongside Star of the Seas, Port Canaveral will also host the newly amplified Harmony of the Seas, featuring new pool decks, dining venues, and routes covering St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and Falmouth, Jamaica.
In addition to Port Canaveral, Royal Caribbean expands its Florida homeports with Miami and Tampa offering shorter to mid-length cruises. Miami’s Wonder of the Seas will sail three- and four-night Bahamas cruises, including stops at Nassau, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and the upcoming Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. Tampa will serve as home to Radiance of the Seas, operating four- to eight-night Western Caribbean voyages focusing on Mexico, including the new Royal Beach Club in Cozumel.
New Private Islands and Beach Clubs Elevate Caribbean Tourism
Royal Caribbean continues to elevate its private island experiences, crucial drivers for enhanced tourism. The highly acclaimed Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas remains a standout attraction with its expansive freshwater pools, white-sand beaches, and multiple dining options available to cruise guests at no extra cost. Adding to this are new luxury beach clubs: Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau, opening late 2025, and the planned Royal Beach Club Cozumel set for 2026. Furthermore, Royal Caribbean will introduce Perfect Day Mexico in late 2027, expanding its exclusive private destination portfolio to the western Caribbean.
These new beach clubs offer all-inclusive amenities such as exclusive access to private beaches, premium dining, pools, and entertainment, enhancing vacation experiences and extending the tourism value chain in these destinations. The launch of these club experiences is expected to attract affluent cruisers seeking bespoke beach leisure, thereby increasing tourism revenues locally.
Tourism Impact and Economic Benefits
The expanded cruise itinerary with new ships, revived destinations, and premium beach experiences is set to reinforce the Caribbean’s position as a top cruise tourism region while supporting local economies. The development of Samaná’s cruise terminal is particularly crucial, as it promises to distribute tourism flow more evenly across the region, reducing congestion at traditional ports and providing fresh opportunities for economic diversification through sustainable tourism.
With more Florida homeports offering convenient access and flexible scheduling, from weekend escapes to weeklong island-hopping adventures, Royal Caribbean is facilitating increased visitor numbers and diversified tourism products, which can boost employment, hospitality sector growth, and cultural exchange in host destinations.
Royal Caribbean’s 2027-28 Caribbean cruises thoughtfully blend new islands, innovative beach clubs, and the strategic return to Samaná, contributing significantly to Caribbean tourism growth. With enhanced infrastructure and an expanding network of Florida homeports, the cruise line is set to deliver greater accessibility and richer travel experiences, benefiting both travelers and host communities through sustainable tourism and economic development.
Image Credit: Royal Caribbean Cruises
