Radiance of the Seas Now Sailing Year-Round from Tampa — What the Schedule Means for Gulf Coast Cruisers

What changed in Tampa

Radiance of the Seas has kicked off a year-round Western Caribbean schedule from Tampa, Cruise Industry News reported June 19, 2026, after completing a winter Bahamas season from Fort Lauderdale. For Gulf Coast families and couples who drive to the port, that makes Tampa a steadier Royal Caribbean option without crossing the state to Miami or Port Canaveral.

Radiance is a 2,142-passenger ship — mid-size by mega-ship standards, with enough variety for first-timers without the crowd density of the largest Oasis-class sisters. She joins Enchantment of the Seas on a year-round Tampa roster, with Jewel of the Seas scheduled for the 2026–27 winter season per trade reporting. Our Tampa Caribbean planning guide covers terminal logistics and how Tampa compares to other Florida hubs.

Radiance schedule: short Mexico loops vs longer Caribbean weeks

Through early November 2026, Radiance sails 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean itineraries centered on Mexico — Cozumel and Costa Maya are the headline ports, matching what Royal Caribbean markets on the ship's official page. That's the sweet spot if you have a long weekend plus a day or two of PTO.

From early November 2026, the ship shifts to 7-night Western Caribbean sailings that reach farther — Mexico plus the Cayman Islands, Belize, and Honduras. Trade coverage also flags a special Christmas 2026 seven-night sailing that includes Perfect Day at CocoCay. Royal Caribbean's own site lists 7-night Tampa departures starting in late November 2026, so the longer loops are bookable now, not theoretical.

The pattern does not stop there. Early 2027 brings 6- to 8-night Western Caribbean options before Radiance returns to 4- and 5-night Mexico loops in May 2027, with similar Tampa deployments scheduled through at least late April 2028 per trade reporting.

What this means for you

If you live within driving distance of Tampa Bay, Radiance gives you a predictable seasonal rhythm: shorter Mexico hops now, weeklong Caribbean sailings when November arrives. That matters for budgeting PTO and picking the right ship — Enchantment stays on shorter loops year-round, while Jewel adds winter variety when she's in port.

Tampa is not automatically cheaper than Miami or Port Canaveral; you're trading drive time and a smaller terminal experience against sometimes narrower ship choice on any given weekend. Shoppers focused on Cozumel and Costa Maya should compare Radiance's fall Mexico sailings against our Mexico port-policy context if western Caribbean politics matter to your planning.

When we checked on June 19, 2026, Royal Caribbean sailings from Tampa on our site started from about $456 per person including taxes and fees — a Tampa homeport benchmark across Radiance, Enchantment, and Jewel inventory, not a quote for one specific cabin or date.

The sailings below filter Royal Caribbean departures from Tampa — lowest fares first — so you can match trip length to the seasonal schedule before you commit.

What to do next

Pick your travel window first, then the ship. Need a quick Mexico escape before November? Shortlist Radiance's 4- and 5-night loops and compare Enchantment's parallel Tampa sailings. Want Grand Cayman or a holiday week with CocoCay? Shift to the November+ seven-night calendar and verify ports on each itinerary page.

Browse Royal Caribbean Tampa sailings to compare active sailings, then re-run your quote once you've locked dates and cabin category.