With a new vessel on the way in 2026 and innovations planned for existing ships, Royal Caribbean is putting the world on notice that they’re launching into the future of cruising.
“With each new ship, we have upgraded technology, but also have updated our older ships,” noted Freddy Muller, Associate VP, Corporate, Incentive & Charter Sales, during a sit-down at last week’s IMEX America. “Every couple of years we amplify our on-ship offerings, adding slides and upgrading venues and dining concepts.”
Muller pointed to such innovations as an onboard neighborhood-style design, with themes tailored to adults as well as families—a feature of Legend of the Seas, launching in 2026—along with game-changing waterparks boasting record-breaking slides.
Royal Caribbean also is a pioneer when it comes to sustainability, with cleaner-burning fuel in their Icon Class ships as well as onboard desalination procedures to produce fresh water. With applications ranging from waste heat recovery systems to shore power connection, Legend will help advance Royal Caribbean Group’s journey toward introducing a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.
Meetings at Sea: Where Business Meets Adventure
But Royal Caribbean doesn’t just innovate their cruises; they’re completely reimagining how meetings and incentives work at sea.
Depending on the ship, conference centers and dedicated meeting rooms can host up to 400, while theaters, lounges, card rooms and other venues are available to planners as well.
“Many of our ships have conference space, including Wonder of the Seas and Icon of the Seas,” Muller said. “We can do full ship buyouts… our Icon class ships can handle about 7,000. We’ve also done tandem cruises for even larger groups.”
Muller is a big proponent of meetings, trade shows and corporate retreats at sea, saying, “it’s a secure environment. You’re always running into the same people, so it fosters that networking you want. The camaraderie can’t be duplicated.”
On a purely practical level, ocean-going meetings make financial sense, Muller noted, and not just because everything—accommodations, dining and entertainment—is included in one price. “Our tech and AV support is already there, so you don’t have to bring anyone, and that offers a 30- to 40-percent savings,” he said. “We also have Starlink onboard, so internet access and reliability aren’t a problem.”
For ships focused purely on incentives, Muller pointed to Royal Caribbean’s Silversea Cruises, the line’s ultra-luxury brand.
“We crisscross the world and Silversea is where we focus on true incentives,” Muller said. “We tend to do a lot of full-ship buyouts so you can create your own experiences.”
In addition to Legend of the Seas, on the horizon is Royal Caribbean’s fourth Icon Class ship, due in 2027.
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