Royal Caribbean International is to deploy Liberty of the Seas from Southampton in summer 2026.
The ship, which entered into service in 2007, will replace newer sister Freedom-class vessel Independence of the Seas, which returns to run ex-UK departures in 2025 after six years.
Quantum-class vessel Anthem of the Seas, which launched in Southampton in 2015, has operated seasonal ex-UK departures since 2021.
The 4,960-passenger Liberty of the Seas, refurbished in 2016, will include a special cruise to view the solar eclipse on August 7, 2026, as part of a series of two to nine-night itineraries to northern Europe and the Norwegian fjords from the UK port.
The change of ships operating from Southampton was disclosed as part of the line’s 2026 European deployment plans which will see five vessels sail in the region.
Oasis-class Harmony of the Seas will return to sail from Barcelona; Quantum Ultra-class Odyssey of the Seas from Rome (Civitavecchia); Explorer of the Seas from Ravenna; and Brilliance of the Seas from Athens (Piraeus), Civitavecchia, Ravenna and Barcelona.
Bookings have opened for the 2026 season, with more than 60 destinations featured.