Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, is heading to Galveston to embark on dozens of coastal getaways during the 2027-2028 travel season.
The Icon will offer three dozen six-to-eight-day cruises to popular destinations like Cozumel and Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and Royal Caribbean’s private island Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Vacationers who travel to Cozumel also get to visit the new Royal Beach Club Cozumel, which is scheduled to open in 2026.
The gigantic 1,196-foot-long ship boasts a capacity for 7,600 passengers, and features eight themed “neighborhoods” to offer curated experiences for travelers of all ages. Couples who want to relax and connect with nature will enjoy the “Central Park” neighborhood that features an open-air garden with thousands of live plants, while families with young children can take advantage of “Surfside Neighborhood’s” splash zones and kid-friendly activities.
“From thrills like Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea, to unmatched chill across seven pools on board and more than 40 places to dine and drink, families are in for a combination of the best of every vacation with experiences for all ages,” a press release says.
Category 6 is the largest waterpark at sea, according to Royal Caribbean.Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean
The first expedition setting sail from Galveston in 2027 is a six-night “Western Caribbean” cruise departing on August 16. The trip includes one day each in Puerto Costa Maya, Roatan, and Cozumel before finally returning to Galveston on August 22.
Travelers who want to spend as much time at sea as possible can book an eight-day “Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean” cruise, which will stop in Cozumel, Puerto Costa Maya, then the Bahaman private island.
Here is the full schedule of Icon of the Seas cruises departing from Galveston that are available to book in 2027:
August 16-22 – 6 Night Western Caribbean CruiseAugust 22-28 – 6 Night Western Caribbean CruiseAugust 28-September 5, 2027 – 8 Night Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean CruiseSeptember 5-11 – 6 Night Western Caribbean CruiseSeptember 11-19 – 8 Night Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean CruiseSeptember 19-25 – 6 Night Western Caribbean CruiseSeptember 25-October 3 – 8 Night Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean CruiseOctober 3-9 – 6 Night Western Caribbean CruiseOctober 9-17 – 8 Night Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean CruiseOctober 17-23 – 6 Night Western Caribbean CruiseOctober 23-31 – 8 Night Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean CruiseOctober 31-November 6 – 6 Night Western Caribbean CruiseNovember 6-14 – 8 Night Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean CruiseNovember 14-21 – 7 Night Western Caribbean CruiseNovember 21-28 – 7 Night Western Caribbean CruiseNovember 28-December 5 – 7 Night Western Caribbean CruiseDecember 5-12 – 7 Night Western Caribbean CruiseDecember 12-19 – 7 Night Western Caribbean CruiseDecember 19-26 – 7 Night Western Caribbean CruiseDecember 26-January 2, 2028 – 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
Seven-night Western Caribbean cruises are scheduled to depart from Galveston beginning January 2, 2028. These trips will take place weekly, departing on a Sunday and arriving back in Galveston on the following Sunday through April 23, 2028.
Icon of the Seas cruises departing from Galveston (starting at $988 per person for a six-night vacation) can be booked on the Royal Caribbean website.
More cruise news
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas announcement is the second major Texas cruise news of November: MSC Cruises’ MSC Seascape launched its inaugural voyage from a new $156 million Galveston terminal on Sunday, November 9.
The ship’s voyages feature a unique upgrade option, called the MSC Yacht Club, which offers guests a 32,000-square-foot private “ship-within-a-ship” experience complete with a dedicated pool, restaurant, lounge, plus butler service, an on-ship concierge, and much more.
Based in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC Cruises is the world’s third-largest cruise line. Departures from Galveston can now be booked through the website.