Photo Credit: Aruba Tourism Authority
Royal Caribbean Group has officially launched its 2025–2026 Latin American cruise season with a special deployment in the Southern Caribbean featuring the prestigious Serenade of the Seas. The ship will sail an itinerary that includes Colón, Cartagena, Oranjestad, and Willemstad, with stops in Aruba until mid April 2026, when the ship will reposition to Alaska for the summer season. At that time, another Royal Caribbean ship will take over the itinerary, ensuring continuity of service and presence in the Southern Caribbean.
On Tuesday, 18 November 2025, a special ceremony was held aboard Serenade of the Seas in Aruba to celebrate the arrival of the ship and mark the start of its Southern Caribbean itinerary. Present at the event were Captain of Serenade of the Seas Carlos Díaz, Wendy McDonald, Regional Vice President and Government Relations for Royal Caribbean Group in the Caribbean, together with Marc Figaroa, CEO of Aruba Ports Authority NV, and Ronella Croes, CEO of Aruba Tourism Authority. Key members of the Aruba Ports Authority NV and Aruba Tourism Authority teams were also in attendance. A commemorative plaque exchange took place on board, accompanied by words of gratitude and appreciation.
“This deployment highlights Royal Caribbean’s strong commitment to the Latin American market and to the destination of Aruba, which consistently welcomes a significant number of cruise visitors,” Wendy McDonald of Royal Caribbean Group said during the ceremony. “We are excited to offer our guests a premium experience in the Southern Caribbean that includes iconic destinations such as Aruba, Cartagena, and Curaçao. After visiting Aruba multiple times, it was very clear to me that when you love Aruba, Aruba loves you back. The island and its people hold a special place in my heart, and each visit only deepens my admiration and affection for Aruba. It always feels like home when I return.”
“We sincerely thank Royal Caribbean Group for including Aruba in this itinerary. It is a pleasure for us to be part of this important market. The collaboration between Aruba Tourism Authority and Aruba Ports Authority plays a vital role in ensuring we deliver the quality, service, and reliability that Royal Caribbean seeks in a destination. This partnership is truly valuable to us, and we appreciate the trust that Royal Caribbean Group places in Aruba,” said Ronella Croes of Aruba Tourism Authority.
Marc Figaroa of Aruba Ports Authority NV also spoke during the plaque exchange ceremony, stating, “In 2026, the Royal Caribbean family will remain our number one cruise line, holding the largest share of the market. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line will represent 27.1 percent of our total market, and Royal Caribbean Group together will account for 34.8 percent of total passengers. This achievement reflects the dedication, commitment, and work of a strong team. Our collaboration with Royal Caribbean is very important to us, and we want to express our sincere gratitude. Thank you very much.”
About Serenade of the Seas
Serenade of the Seas began service in July 2003 as part of the Radiance class fleet of Royal Caribbean International. Key specifications and features of the ship include:
- Gross tonnage: 90,090 GT
- Length: 293 meters and width 32.2 meters
- Guest capacity: 2,100 to 2,500 with a crew of 850 to 900
It should be noted that on 18 November 2025, the ship carried approximately 2,400 guests to Aruba.
About Royal Caribbean Group
Royal Caribbean Group is a leading company in the cruise industry managing several brands including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. The company’s global fleet consists of 68 ships sailing to approximately 1,000 destinations worldwide. Through Royal Caribbean International, there are currently 29 active ships with additional options for future vessels. The company is recognized for innovation, high level guest experiences, and a commitment to sustainable travel.
Source: Aruba Tourism Authority
