This major cruise line will homeport in San Diego for the first time in 2026
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Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, world's biggest cruise ship
Here's what guests can expect from Royal Caribbean's highly-anticipated new ship, Icon of the Seas.
Cruise passengers will have more options out of Southern California starting next year.
Royal Caribbean International will homeport a ship in San Diego for the first time. The line's Serenade of the Seas ship will sail from the city beginning in October 2026.
'San Diego is nicknamed 'America's Finest City,' and it sure lives up to the title,' the cruise line said on its website. 'With its breezy, sunny climate and laid-back, beach-town spirit, this West Coast gem beckons with unique experiences.'
Cruise passengers are breaking records: See America's busiest ports
The ship, which can accommodate 2,143 guests at double occupancy, will offer three, four and seven-night sailings to the Mexican Riviera, with stops including Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. The vessel will also visit La Paz, a new stop for the line.
The season's cruises currently start at $467 per person, based on double occupancy, according to Royal Caribbean's website. There will also be a one-off two-night cruise departing Oct. 2, 2026.
The cruises are part of the line's 2026-27 offerings, which will feature a range of itineraries from elsewhere in the state. The line's Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Voyager of the Seas ships will all sail from Los Angeles visiting destinations like Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan in Mexico, and California's Catalina Island.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
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