Mega cruise ship Hero of the Seas to make ports of call in PR starting next year.

Visits from the mega cruise ship Hero of the Seas in 2027-28 are expected to generate an estimated $3 million in economic impact through passenger and crew spending.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (CTPR) announced the arrival of Royal Caribbean International’s new mega cruise ship Hero of the Seas, which is scheduled to make five ports of call to the island beginning in late 2027.

The visits are expected to generate an estimated $3 million in economic impact through passenger and crew spending.

“The arrival of Hero of the Seas reaffirms the confidence that major cruise lines have in Puerto Rico as a strategic destination in the Caribbean,” Gov. Jenniffer González Colón said in a statement. “We continue to promote initiatives that strengthen our infrastructure, diversify the tourism offering, and maximize the economic impact of this industry for the benefit of our people.”

Hero of the Seas will be the fourth vessel in Royal Caribbean’s innovative Icon Class and is scheduled to begin operations in August 2027. The Icon Class represents a new generation of cruise ships designed to elevate the Caribbean travel experience, featuring some of the largest and most advanced vessels in the world.

“The inclusion of Puerto Rico in Icon Class itineraries represents a significant step forward in our positioning as a world‑class destination,” CTPR Executive Director Willianette Robles Cancel said. “These visits generate a substantial economic impact, highlighting the value each of these ships brings to our economy and to the entire tourism value chain.”

Puerto Rico has already hosted vessels from the new class of mega cruise ships, including Icon of the Seas in Ponce and Star of the Seas in San Juan, underscoring the island’s growing profile within this segment of the global cruise industry.

“Puerto Rico has clearly demonstrated that it is prepared to receive ships of this magnitude,” Robles Cancel added. “We have the experience and the operational capacity to handle these calls while continuing to offer a first‑class experience for cruise lines and their passengers.”

Scheduled visits by Hero of the Seas include stops on Nov. 17, 2027; Dec. 26, 2027; Jan. 5 and Jan. 26, 2028; and April 5, 2028. Several of those calls will take place during the Christmas and New Year holiday season, traditionally one of the busiest tourism periods for the island.