Radiance of the Seas will leave Tampa before guests can board

Royal Caribbean told guests on the Nov. 14 Radiance of the Seas sailing that the ship will briefly leave Port Tampa Bay for maintenance first. Early arrivals will be turned away.

Guests boarding Radiance of the Seas in Tampa on Saturday are getting an unusual heads-up: the ship will leave before they get on.

Royal Caribbean sent a notice to guests booked on the Saturday, Nov. 14, sailing, Cruise Hive reports. After the previous sailing’s passengers get off, the ship will briefly depart Port Tampa Bay for scheduled maintenance. Then it will come back to the pier to start boarding.

The cruise line did not say what kind of maintenance is being done.

What did Royal Caribbean tell Radiance of the Seas guests?

The notice said the ship would conduct “scheduled maintenance” before boarding. As part of that process, it will leave port after debarkation and then return to get ready for embarkation.

The terminal will not open for boarding until the work is done.

Guests were told to arrive during their assigned check-in windows. Anyone who shows up early will be turned away until the ship is back and maintenance is finished.

What time should Radiance of the Seas guests arrive in Tampa?

Stick to your assigned arrival window. Royal Caribbean also asked guests to arrive no later than 2:30 p.m.

Everyone must be checked in and on board by 3 p.m. Radiance of the Seas is still scheduled to sail from Port Tampa Bay at 4 p.m.

That is a tight window, and some cruisers on social media worried about lines at the terminal. One person described a similar delayed boarding on another cruise as “a disaster,” with packed lines in the heat.

Is the Radiance of the Seas itinerary changing?

No. Royal Caribbean has not announced any delay to the departure or changes to the itinerary.

The seven-night Western Caribbean sailing still includes:

• Cozumel, Mexico: Monday, Nov. 16

• Roatan, Honduras: Tuesday, Nov. 17

• Belize City, Belize: Wednesday, Nov. 18

• Costa Maya, Mexico: Thursday, Nov. 19

The 2,143-guest ship returns to Tampa on Saturday, Nov. 21, then heads out on another seven-night Western Caribbean trip.

Has this happened on Royal Caribbean before?

Maintenance-related boarding changes are not unheard of. In July 2025, Cruise Hive reported a similar embarkation delay for Navigator of the Seas.

Radiance of the Seas itself had a delayed boarding in February 2025. Guests were told to arrive later than planned so crews could clean and do maintenance after a gastrointestinal illness outbreak on board.

There is no sign that this week’s maintenance has anything to do with illness.

What is Radiance of the Seas like?

Radiance of the Seas entered service in 2001 and is the first ship in Royal Caribbean’s Radiance class. The ships are known for huge windows and glass walls, which makes them popular for scenic routes like Alaska in the summer.

In the cooler months, Radiance sails Western Caribbean trips out of Tampa. It is smaller than Royal Caribbean’s mega-ships, which many cruisers like for shorter lines and a more relaxed feel.

How should guests prepare for boarding in Tampa this weekend?

Tampa is a popular cruise port for Florida families, especially those adding a cruise to a Walt Disney World or Busch Gardens trip. If you are on this sailing, a little planning goes a long way.

Check your Royal Caribbean app and email for your updated arrival time. Eat lunch before you get to the terminal, since you will have less time on board before sailing than usual.

Pack a small carry-on with medicine, sunscreen and a change of clothes. Checked bags can take hours to reach your cabin on a normal day, and this will not be a normal day.

And if your flight lands early, find somewhere to wait. Showing up before your window will just mean standing outside.

Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.

Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

Hat Tips:

• Cruise Hive (Nov. 12, 2026), the Royal Caribbean notice, arrival times, itinerary and past delays

AI Disclosure: All articles are assigned, edited and reviewed by an experienced human editor before posting. Like most modern newsrooms, WebReef Media uses a variety of AI tools to help with accuracy and efficiency. Ways AI may be used in article creation include research, grammar, fact-checking and ideation, as well as occasional AI generated or enhanced thumbnails or graphics. No articles are generated or posted without human oversight or involvement.