Voyager of the Seas was photographed departing Los Angeles, California, on October 16, 2026, beginning a six-night Royal Caribbean cruise to Mexico. Her itinerary featured an overnight stay in Cabo San Lucas and a call at Ensenada before returning to Los Angeles on October 22.

Voyager of the Seas alongside Berth 93 at the World Cruise Center in Los Angeles, California, on October 16, 2026. Her visit preceded a six-night Royal Caribbean cruise featuring an overnight stay in Cabo San Lucas and a call at Ensenada, with a scheduled return to Los Angeles on October 22.

Ovation of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International) was in Los Angeles, California, on October 16, 2026, at the scheduled start of a three-night cruise to Ensenada. The Quantum-class ship was operating from Southern California following her 2026 Royal Amplified refurbishment, which introduced updated recreation areas, dining venues and nightlife.

Ovation of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International) was in Sydney on March 10, 2025, during her seasonal deployment in Australia. The Quantum-class ship had become a familiar presence in Sydney Harbour, operating cruises to destinations throughout Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific.

February 2, 2026, brought an unusual meeting of ships to the Los Angeles waterfront. Navigator of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International) was docked in San Pedro when Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 arrived during her 2026 World Voyage, shortly after the ocean liner’s historic morning rendezvous with the original Queen Mary in Long Beach.

Navigator of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International) departed the Port of Los Angeles on September 18, 2026, beginning a seven-night cruise to Mexico. The Voyager-class ship sailed from San Pedro that afternoon for Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, and Mazatlán before returning to Los Angeles a week later.

Ovation of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International) sails from the Port of Los Angeles on July 18, 2025, beginning another voyage from Southern California. Entering service in 2016, the Quantum-class ship is easily recognized by the North Star observation capsule rising above her upper decks.

Serenade of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International) spent April 1, 2026, docked in Oranjestad during a seven-night Southern Caribbean cruise from Colón, Panama. The 2003-built ship is a member of Royal Caribbean’s Radiance Class, a group known for extensive glass and ocean views throughout its public spaces.

Just before sunrise on April 4, 2026, the illuminated Icon of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International) dominated the scene at PortMiami. The massive ship was preparing for a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise later that afternoon, with calls at Costa Maya, Roatán, Cozumel, and Perfect Day at CocoCay before returning to Miami.

My first cruise was a seven-day Caribbean voyage aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s Song of Norway in March 1990, sailing roundtrip from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Only a few photographs remain, but the memories are vivid: skeet shooting at sea and standing in front of the ship during our visit to St. Maarten. That voyage began a lasting fascination with cruising and life aboard passenger ships.

Navigator of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International) departs Los Angeles on September 27, 2024, beginning a seven-night Mexican Riviera cruise. The Voyager-class ship was sailing round-trip from Southern California with calls at Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta.

Serenade of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International) is seen in Sitka, Alaska, on June 28, 2022. The Radiance-class ship was photographed during Day 5 of our Alaska cruise aboard Queen Elizabeth, when both ships visited Sitka amid the mountains and islands of Southeast Alaska.

Radiance of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) is seen in Vancouver, British Columbia, on May 11, 2023. The namesake of Royal Caribbean’s Radiance class was photographed one day after we completed our 16-night Fire & Ice voyage aboard Norwegian Spirit in Vancouver.

Ovation of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International) was docked at Canada Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, on May 11, 2023. The 2016-built Quantum-class cruise ship was photographed alongside the city's downtown cruise terminal, with Vancouver Harbour and the mountains of the North Shore forming the backdrop.

Monarch of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International) departed Los Angeles Harbor on April 14, 2006, under overcast skies. The 1991-built Sovereign-class cruise ship was a familiar presence in Southern California during this period, operating short cruises from Los Angeles to destinations along the Baja California coast.

Vision of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International) departed Los Angeles Harbor under clear skies on April 9, 2006. Entering service in 1998, the Vision-class cruise ship was photographed during a period when Royal Caribbean maintained a regular presence in Southern California.

In January 2001, we sailed aboard Viking Serenade (Royal Caribbean International) on a three-day cruise from Los Angeles to Ensenada, Baja California. These photographs show the ship docked during our visit, toward the end of her years operating short cruises from Southern California.

Our cruise aboard Viking Serenade (Royal Caribbean International) brought us to Ensenada, Baja California, in March 2000. This photograph shows the ship docked during our visit, when she was a familiar part of Royal Caribbean’s short-cruise service from Los Angeles.