If you’re looking at booking Liberty of the Seas after the refit, the most important thing to understand is that this was an amplification, not a complete rebuild of the ship.
Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas came out of dry dock in 2026 with new venues, updated spaces, extra cabins, an expanded casino and some noticeable changes around the pool deck. But the ship hasnt been made brand new from top to bottom.
I was onboard Liberty of the Seas for the first two cruises after the 2026 amplification, so I saw the ship right at the beginning of her return to service. Some areas looked much fresher, some areas felt very familiar, and there were also a few parts of the ship that still weren’t completely finished.
This guide covers 10 things you need to know about the Liberty of the Seas refit, including what changed, what stayed the same, what was removed, and what passengers should realistically expect before sailing.
Watch My Liberty of the Seas Refit Video
If you want to see all the changes onboard, I’ve included my Liberty of the Seas refit video below.
1. Liberty of the Seas Has Been Amplified, Not Made New
The first thing to know is that Liberty of the Seas has been amplified, not rebuilt. That might sound obvious, but it is probably the most important expectation to set before you sail.
Royal Caribbean’s amplification programme is about updating older ships with newer venues, refreshed public areas and more modern features. It does not mean every part of the ship has been stripped back and rebuilt from scratch.
Liberty of the Seas went into dry dock in Brest, France, in spring 2026 and returned to service for the start of the Europe summer season on 29 May 2026.
Some areas changed quite a lot. The pool deck feels much fresher, new dining venues have been added, the casino has been expanded, and there are new cabin areas in several parts of the ship. But some areas have barely changed at all.
The Royal Promenade still feels like classic Royal Caribbean. The Main Dining Room, Windjammer, Studio B, Platinum Theatre, Schooner Bar and many of the original public spaces are still very much part of the ship.
2. The Biggest Changes Are Around the Pool Deck
The most obvious changes are around the pool deck on Deck 11 and Deck 12. This is where the refit is easiest to see, especially if you have sailed on Liberty of the Seas before.
The old pool bar area has been replaced by The Lime & Coconut, which gives the pool deck a brighter and more Caribbean-style feel. It looks more modern, more colourful and much more in line with the newer Royal Caribbean ships.
The Lime & Coconut also extends up onto Deck 12, replacing the older Sky Bar area. This gives the pool deck an upper-level bar looking down over the main outdoor area.
There are also new resort-style seating areas around the pool deck, including private casitas that can be hired during the cruise.
Another big change is the addition of El Loco Fresh and Cantina Fresca on Deck 11. This was one of the most useful changes during my cruises because it gives passengers another casual option close to the pool.
Instead of having to go into the Windjammer or down to the Royal Promenade for something quick, you can get food right by the pool deck.
That said, the whole outdoor layout has not been completely rebuilt. The main pools are still there. The Solarium is still in the same area. Splashaway Bay is still there too.
Splashaway Bay itself has not really changed as part of the amplification, although the seating and surrounding areas feel fresher than before.
So the pool deck is one of the biggest wins from the refit, but it is still recognisably Liberty of the Seas.
3. There Are Two Main New Dining Changes
There are two main dining changes after the Liberty of the Seas refit.
The first is El Loco Fresh on Deck 11. This is a complimentary casual Mexican-style venue serving things like tacos, burritos, nachos and quesadillas. It is a very useful addition because it gives the ship another included food option, and it is in a practical location close to the pool deck.
The second main dining change is Izumi Teppanyaki on Deck 4, which has replaced Sabor. Izumi Teppanyaki is a speciality dining venue where the chef cooks in front of you at the table. It is one of Royal Caribbean’s hibachi-style restaurants, so it adds another paid dining experience to the ship.
Apart from those two additions, the rest of the dining set-up is much more familiar.
Liberty of the Seas still has the Main Dining Room across three decks, the Windjammer buffet at the aft of Deck 11, and existing speciality restaurants such as Chops Grille and Giovanni’s Table.
For casual food, Sorrento’s is still on the Royal Promenade for pizza, Café Promenade is still there for snacks and drinks, and Johnny Rockets is still up on Deck 12. Sprinkles is still by the pool, and Starbucks has also been added on Deck 4.
4. New Cabins Were Added, But Most Cabins Haven’t Been Updated
Royal Caribbean has added cabins in several areas of the ship, including Deck 11, Deck 12, Deck 4 and Deck 2.
On Deck 11, new cabins were added near the Vitality Fitness Centre, in the area where the previous free sauna and steam room used to be.
On Deck 12, new cabins were added near Adventure Ocean. When I was onboard for the first sailings after the refit, some of these new cabins still weren’t ready, and there was still work going on in that area.
There are also new cabins on Deck 4 near Casino Royale. These are accessed through a glass door between the Schooner Bar and the casino area, which makes them quite unusual in terms of location.
On Deck 2, the old Conference Centre area has also been removed and replaced with new inside cabins.
Adding cabins means the ship can accommodate more passengers, but it also means some public spaces have been reduced, removed or repurposed.
I sailed on Liberty of the Seas as a back-to-back cruise and stayed in two different balcony cabins. My first balcony cabin was on Deck 8, and my second was on Deck 12.
The Deck 8 cabin was absolutely fine and had everything I needed, but it did feel more dated. The Deck 12 balcony cabin felt newer, although it was not one of the brand-new cabins added as part of this latest refit.
So this is where expectations really matter. If you book Liberty of the Seas after the refit, do not assume your cabin will feel brand new. Some cabins are newer or in newer areas, but many of the existing cabins still feel like older Royal Caribbean cabins.
5. Casino Royale Has Been Expanded
Casino Royale has been expanded as part of the refit, and this is one of the biggest changes on Deck 4. Royal Caribbean has promoted the expanded casino as having around 400 machines and 35 tables, so it is clearly a major part of the amplification.
The casino was definitely popular when I was onboard. If you enjoy spending time in the casino, this will probably feel like a positive change. There is more space, more gaming and a bigger casino presence than before.
Personally, I would have preferred Playmakers. On some other Royal Caribbean ships, including Independence of the Seas, Playmakers is a sports bar-style venue, and I think something like that would have added more variety to Liberty of the Seas overall. But that is personal preference.
For passengers who enjoy the casino, the expanded Casino Royale will probably be one of the more noticeable changes after the refit.
6. The Royal Escape Room Has Been Added
Liberty of the Seas now has the Royal Escape Room. This has replaced the old Connoisseur Club on Deck 5, near the Star Lounge.
Royal Caribbean describes the new escape room as an art-themed experience with puzzles, riddles and tech-enhanced elements. It is another example of the ship moving away from older-style spaces and adding more activity-based venues.
This isn’t one of the changes you will notice in the same way as the pool deck, casino or new dining venues. It’s a smaller addition, but it does give passengers another activity option onboard. If you enjoy escape rooms or want something different to do during the cruise, it is worth looking out for in the app once you are onboard.
7. Starbucks Has Been Added, But Boleros Is Still There
Starbucks has been added to Liberty of the Seas on Deck 4, near Boleros. Before the refit, there was some concern that Boleros might be removed. However, Boleros is still onboard and is still very much part of the ship.
This is good news if you like Royal Caribbean’s Latin-style bars, because Boleros is a popular venue and has not been replaced. Starbucks is now opposite Boleros, so this area of Deck 4 has changed, but one of the ship’s well-loved bars is still there.
8. Adventure Ocean Has Been Updated, But It Is Smaller
Adventure Ocean has been updated as part of the refit, but it is also smaller than before.
Adventure Ocean is Royal Caribbean’s youth programme area on Deck 12. From what I saw, the space looked brighter and fresher after the amplification. That’s a positive if you are sailing with children, because family facilities are an important part of the Royal Caribbean experience.
However, some of the space around Adventure Ocean has been used for new cabins, so the children’s area does not take up as much room as it used to. So although Adventure Ocean has been refreshed, it has not been expanded.
On the first sailings after the refit, this was also one of the areas where you could clearly see that post-dry-dock work was still continuing. Some of the new cabin areas near Adventure Ocean were not fully ready when passengers were back onboard.
9. There Are Smaller Layout Changes You Might Not Notice Straight Away
Some of the refit changes are not as obvious as the pool deck or casino, but they do affect how the ship works.
The Shore Excursions desk has moved to Deck 3, into the area where On Air used to be. This means On Air has gone.
The Photo area and Shore Excursions are now together on Deck 3, while the old Shore Excursions space on Deck 4 helped make room for the expanded casino.
A few quieter spaces have also gone.
The Conference Centre on Deck 2 has been replaced by new inside cabins.
The Card Room has gone to make space for more cabins.
The free sauna and steam room near the gym have also gone, with that Deck 11 space now used for new staterooms.
The Connoisseur Club has become the Royal Escape Room.
The Loyalty Desk has moved down to Deck 2 near the aft elevators.
These aren’t necessarily the headline changes, but they matter if you have sailed on Liberty of the Seas before or if you are looking closely at deck plans before booking.
The refit was not just about adding new bars and restaurants. It also involved moving, removing and repurposing several spaces around the ship.
10. Not Everything Was Finished Or Perfect On The First Sailings
The final thing to know is that not everything was finished or perfect on the first sailings after dry dock. I was onboard for the first two cruises after the amplification, so I saw the ship very early in her return to service.
To be fair, not every issue onboard was necessarily caused by the refit. Some things looked like unfinished refit work, while others felt more like older ship maintenance issues that passengers may have expected to be sorted during dry dock.
There were still staff working around different parts of the ship.
Some new cabins still weren’t ready.
There were finishing touches still being dealt with.
Around the aft end of the outside promenade, there were carpets being stored that still had not been fitted.
In the Platinum Theatre, some chairs were broken.
In the Solarium pool area, one of the pool seats was broken.
Guest Services were also very busy on both cruises, dealing with cabin-related issues.
What Changed in the Liberty of the Seas Refit?
The main changes after the Liberty of the Seas refit include:
The Lime & Coconut was added to the pool deck.
El Loco Fresh and Cantina Fresca were added on Deck 11.
Izumi Teppanyaki replaced Sabor.
Starbucks was added near Boleros.
Casino Royale was expanded.
The Royal Escape Room replaced the Connoisseur Club.
Adventure Ocean was updated, although the space is now smaller.
New cabins were added on Decks 11, 12, 4 and 2.
The Shore Excursions desk moved to Deck 3.
The Photo and Shore Excursions area was updated.
Some quieter public spaces were removed or repurposed.
What Hasn’t Really Changed?
It is just as important to understand what hasn’t really changed.
The older cabins have not all been fully modernised.
The Main Dining Room is still spread across three decks.
The Windjammer is still at the back of Deck 11.
The Royal Promenade still feels like classic Royal Caribbean.
Boleros is still onboard.
Splashaway Bay hasnt really changed.
The Platinum Theatre, Studio B, Schooner Bar, Star Lounge and many of the core venues are still part of the ship.
So Liberty of the Seas feels fresher in some places, but it does not feel like a completely different ship.
Is the Liberty of the Seas Refit a Good Thing?
Overall, I do think the refit has improved Liberty of the Seas, especially around the pool deck.
The Lime & Coconut makes the outdoor space feel brighter and more modern. El Loco Fresh is a genuinely useful addition. Starbucks will appeal to a lot of passengers. Izumi Teppanyaki adds another speciality dining option. The expanded casino will suit passengers who enjoy gambling onboard.
But the refit also comes with some trade-offs.
Some public spaces have been removed. The free sauna and steam room have gone. Adventure Ocean is smaller. More cabins have been added. The expanded casino takes up a lot of space, and not everyone will see that as the best use of the ship.
So the refit is not simply a case of everything being better. It depends what matters most to you. If you want a fresher pool deck, more casual food, newer bar spaces and a bigger casino, the refit is probably a positive. If you were hoping for fully modernised cabins, a completely refreshed ship or more public space, then you may need to manage your expectations.
Related Liberty of the Seas Guides
For a broader overview of the whole ship, my What’s Onboard Liberty of the Seas guide covers the pools, dining, bars, entertainment, cabins, family areas and layout.
If dining is one of the most important parts of your cruise, my Liberty of the Seas dining options guide goes into more detail about what is included, what costs extra and which restaurants are worth considering.
If you want to compare the pool areas, waterslides, hot tubs, Solarium and quieter outdoor spaces, my Liberty of the Seas pools guide covers the main outdoor areas in more detail.
If you want a closer look at one of the biggest Deck 4 changes, my Liberty of the Seas Casino Royale guide covers the expanded casino, where it is, what changed after the refit, the nearby Deck 4 cabins and whether I think Playmakers would have been a better addition.
You may also find my Liberty of the Seas bars guide helpful if you want to understand the best places for drinks around the ship, including Schooner Bar, Boleros, The Lime & Coconut, Vintages and Hoof & Claw Pub.
Liberty of the Seas Refit: Frequently Asked Questions
Has Liberty of the Seas been refurbished?
Yes, Liberty of the Seas had a 2026 amplification, which added new venues, updated some public areas, expanded the casino and added new cabins. However, it was not a full rebuild of the ship.
When did Liberty of the Seas return after the refit?
Liberty of the Seas returned to service on 29 May 2026 for the start of her Europe summer season after dry dock in Brest, France.
What changed in the Liberty of the Seas refit?
The main changes included The Lime & Coconut, El Loco Fresh, Cantina Fresca, Izumi Teppanyaki, Starbucks, Royal Escape Room, an expanded Casino Royale, updated Adventure Ocean areas and new cabins on several decks.
Did Liberty of the Seas get new cabins?
Yes, new cabins were added in several areas, including Deck 11, Deck 12, Deck 4 and Deck 2. Some new cabin areas were still not ready on the first sailings after the refit.
Were the old cabins refurbished?
The existing older cabins were not all fully refreshed as part of the refit. Some cabins may still feel dated compared with cabins on newer Royal Caribbean ships.
Did Liberty of the Seas get El Loco Fresh?
Yes, El Loco Fresh was added on Deck 11 near the pool deck. It is a complimentary casual Mexican-style dining venue.
Did Liberty of the Seas get The Lime & Coconut?
Yes, The Lime & Coconut replaced the older pool bar setup and now covers both the main pool deck level and the upper level on Deck 12.
Did Boleros get removed from Liberty of the Seas?
No, Boleros is still onboard Liberty of the Seas. Starbucks was added nearby, but Boleros remains on Deck 4.
Did Liberty of the Seas get Playmakers?
No, Liberty of the Seas did not get Playmakers as part of this refit. Casino Royale was expanded instead.
Is Liberty of the Seas worth sailing on after the refit?
Liberty of the Seas is worth considering if you want a large Royal Caribbean ship with a refreshed pool deck, plenty of activities, casual food, a Royal Promenade, waterslides, FlowRider, an ice rink and a busy resort-style feel. But it is important to know that the ship has been amplified, not made brand new.
Useful Cruise Items to Consider
These are a few simple items that can make your cruise on P&O Arvia more comfortable and help you stay organised onboard.
I personally use variations of these when cruising, and they’re all practical rather than essential.
Magnetic hooks Perfect for extra storage in your cabin
Packing cubes Keep your suitcase organised
Cruise luggage tags Protect your tags at the port
Travel Extension Lead UK For charging multiple phones, cameras, and laptops
Toiletry organiser Great for small bathrooms
You can also browse my full Cruise Essentials list for more useful items I use or recommend for cruise holidays.
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