Radiance of the Seas Marks 25 Years with Royal Caribbean

Radiance of the Seas has officially completed 25 years of service with Royal Caribbean International, marking an important milestone in the cruise industry. The popular cruise ship first entered service after embarking on its maiden voyage on April 7, 2001, and continues to operate as part of Royal Caribbean’s active fleet in 2026.

Built as the lead vessel of the Radiance-class series, the ship introduced advanced design features, spacious public areas, and extensive glass architecture that helped redefine modern cruising during the early 2000s.

Built by Meyer Werft in Germany

The 90,000-ton cruise ship was constructed at the renowned Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. After completing construction in March 2001, the vessel crossed the Atlantic Ocean without passengers on board before arriving in Fort Lauderdale for its official christening ceremony.

Philanthropist Margot L. Pritzker served as the ship’s godmother during the inauguration event. Following the ceremony, the vessel launched its debut cruise season with itineraries covering Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific Northwest.

The ship was later repositioned to Florida for its maiden winter deployment, where it began offering Caribbean and Central America cruises.

Global Deployments Over Two Decades

Over the past 25 years, Radiance of the Seas has operated across multiple regions worldwide. The vessel has sailed itineraries throughout Europe, South America, Australia, Alaska, and the Caribbean, giving Royal Caribbean flexibility across seasonal cruise markets.

Its deployment history reflects the growing demand for destination-focused cruises and mid-sized ships capable of visiting a wide range of ports.

The ship has also undergone multiple refurbishments and modernization projects over the years to maintain guest experience standards and operational efficiency.

Radiance of the Seas Now Sailing from Tampa

After completing its 2025-26 winter season from Fort Lauderdale, the ship began a new year-round deployment from Tampa in April 2026. From its Gulf Coast homeport, the vessel currently operates four- and five-night Western Caribbean cruises.

These itineraries include visits to popular Mexican cruise destinations such as:

• Cozumel
• Costa Maya

The shorter cruise options target travelers looking for quick Caribbean vacations departing from Florida.

New Caribbean Itineraries Coming in Late 2026

Starting in November 2026, Radiance of the Seas is scheduled to introduce longer seven-night Caribbean itineraries. These expanded sailings will feature additional ports of call, including:

• Belize City
• Roatán
• Grand Cayman

Royal Caribbean also plans a special December cruise that includes a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay, the company’s private island destination in the Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean Extends Tampa Deployment Through 2028

According to Royal Caribbean’s published deployment schedule, Radiance of the Seas will continue sailing from Tampa through at least April 2028. The long-term commitment highlights the importance of Tampa as a growing cruise homeport in Florida’s Gulf Coast market.

The vessel recently completed another drydock refurbishment in 2026, receiving additional upgrades and maintenance to extend its operational life and enhance onboard facilities.

After 25 years of service, Radiance of the Seas remains one of Royal Caribbean’s most recognizable mid-sized cruise ships, continuing to attract travelers with Caribbean itineraries, destination-focused experiences, and updated onboard amenities.