Royal Caribbean Unveils Year-Round Europe Cruises for 2028 to 2029 Across Seven Ships

Royal Caribbean is expanding its European cruise offerings for the 2028 to 2029 season, introducing its most extensive year-round programme in the region with seven ships sailing across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Canary Islands.

The expanded season will give travellers more opportunities to explore destinations in Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Spain and other parts of Europe through itineraries ranging from three to 12 nights. The programme also marks Royal Caribbean’s return to Copenhagen and Stockholm, alongside the introduction of year-round European sailings aboard Rhapsody of the Seas.

Bookings for the European 2028 to 2029 season are available to Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members ahead of the general opening on 15 October 2026 through Royal Caribbean’s website.

One of the highlights for travellers visiting the Greek Isles is the Ultimate Santorini Day, a full day excursion combining visits to the island’s popular towns of Oia and Fira with access to Royal Beach Club Santorini. The beach club will feature beach experiences, local cuisine and an open-air market showcasing products from local businesses. Offerings include produce from Nomikos Estate, ouzo and tsikoudia from Santorini distillery Canava Lyngos, and wine from Santo Wines. Selected itineraries will also include later evening stays, giving guests more time to explore the island.

Rhapsody of the Seas will lead the year-round programme, sailing from Athens, Barcelona and Lisbon. From May to October 2028, its seven-night cruises will explore destinations in Turkey and Egypt, including overnight stays in Istanbul and Alexandria, while other itineraries will focus on the Greek Isles and include the Ultimate Santorini Day experience.

From November 2028, Rhapsody will offer nine-to-12-night voyages across the Canary Islands, Portugal, Morocco, Cyprus, Malta and Greece. Travellers can visit Tenerife’s natural saltwater pools, explore the Maspalomas Dunes in Gran Canaria and discover the Moroccan cities of Casablanca and Tangier. The season will also mark Royal Caribbean’s return to Heraklion in Greece and Cagliari in Sardinia, Italy, for the first time in more than a decade. On board, guests can enjoy the outdoor pool, the climate-controlled Solarium and dining options including Izumi and Chops Grille.

Explorer of the Seas will sail from Ravenna, near Venice, from May to October 2028, offering seven-night Mediterranean cruises to the Greek Isles and Croatia. Every sailing will include a later stay in Santorini, allowing more time to take in the island’s caldera views, whitewashed villages and sunsets, with the option to visit Royal Beach Club Santorini. Selected itineraries will also call at Kotor in Montenegro, where guests can explore the Old Town or visit Lovcen National Park. On board, activities include the FlowRider surf simulator, The Perfect Storm waterslides and the adults only Solarium.

Freedom of the Seas will depart from Southampton, England, between May and October 2028, offering cruises lasting three to nine nights across Northern and Southern Europe. Itineraries will feature destinations such as Copenhagen, the Norwegian fjords, Bruges via Zeebrugge in Belgium, Bilbao in Spain, Paris via Le Havre in France, and Lisbon in Portugal. The ship will also offer attractions including The Perfect Storm waterslides, the FlowRider surf simulator and glow in the dark laser tag.

Jewel of the Seas will return to Copenhagen and Stockholm for the 2028 summer season, operating seven-to-11-night cruises from May to August. The itineraries will explore Baltic and Scandinavian destinations including Helsinki, Visby in Sweden, Gdansk via Gdynia in Poland, and Klaipeda in Lithuania. Guests can also enjoy the ship’s rock-climbing wall, adults only Solarium and Broadway style entertainment.

Liberty of the Seas will sail from Barcelona, Athens and Rome between May and October 2028, offering seven-and-eight-night cruises to the Greek Isles and other Mediterranean destinations. Stops will include Provence via Marseille in France, Palermo in Sicily and Cagliari in Sardinia. Selected Greek Isles itineraries will feature later evening stays in Santorini, with options to visit Royal Beach Club Santorini, explore the prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri, visit Fira or relax at Perivolos’ black sand beach.

The ship’s onboard attractions include the Lime & Coconut tropical tiki bar, the Royal Escape Room and Izumi Teppanyaki. These experiences complement its Mediterranean itineraries with dining and entertainment options between port visits.

Mariner of the Seas will also return to the Mediterranean, offering seven-night cruises departing from Barcelona, Lisbon, Athens and Ravenna. The itineraries will include destinations such as Palma de Mallorca in Spain, Porto via Leixoes in Portugal, and Dubrovnik in Croatia. On board, guests can enjoy the FlowRider surf simulator, The Perfect Storm waterslides, Jamie’s Italian and Izumi.

Odyssey of the Seas will return to Rome’s Civitavecchia port from April to October 2028 for seven-night Greek Isles cruises. Destinations will include Ephesus in Turkey and Mykonos in Greece, while extended evening stays in Santorini will give guests more time to explore the island or experience Royal Beach Club Santorini through the Ultimate Santorini Day excursion.

The ship also offers a range of activities for days at sea, including the RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator, the North Star observation capsule and SeaPlex, which Royal Caribbean describes as the largest indoor activity space at sea.

With seven ships offering different departure ports, cruise lengths and destinations, Royal Caribbean’s expanded European programme is designed to give travellers greater flexibility when planning holidays across the region. From summer island hopping in the Mediterranean to winter escapes in the Canary Islands and cultural journeys through the Baltic, the 2028 to 2029 season will provide a broader range of options for travellers seeking to explore Europe by sea.