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.

On September 27, 2024, the Navigator of the Seas departed from Los Angeles Harbor, embarking on another exciting journey to Mexico. The ship offers guests a perfect blend of relaxation and thrills as they set sail for new destinations.

On June 28, 2022, the Serenade of the Seas, part of Royal Caribbean International’s Radiance-class, sailed into the picturesque port of Sitka, Alaska. Surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Alaskan wilderness, this sleek, glass-filled ship provided passengers with stunning panoramic views of the region's mountains, forests, and ocean.

On May 11, 2023, the cruise ship Radiance of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) was docked at the Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal in Vancouver, British Columbia.

On May 11, 2023, the cruise ship Ovation of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) was docked at the Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal in Vancouver, British Columbia.

On April 14, 2006, the Monarch of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) was captured leaving Los Angeles Harbor, embarking on another voyage under a blanket of overcast skies.

On April 9, 2006, the Vision of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International) made its majestic departure from Los Angeles Harbor. The scene was set against a clear blue sky, capturing the vessel as it embarked on its voyage.

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.