Royal Caribbean Unveils Europe 2028-29 Cruises With Year-Round Sailings and Seven Ships

Royal Caribbean Europe 2028-29 will mark a major change in the cruise line’s European strategy, with seven ships scheduled to explore the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Canary Islands. For the first time, Rhapsody of the Seas will operate a year-round European programme, combining summer cruises with overnight stays in Egypt and winter voyages to destinations across the Canary Islands, Portugal and Morocco.

Announced on October 14, 2026, the new deployment also brings Royal Caribbean back to Copenhagen and Stockholm, introduces a renewed focus on longer stays in Santorini and expands the options available to travellers departing from Italian ports, including Ravenna and Rome.

The programme covers itineraries ranging from three to 12 nights, depending on the ship and route. It combines established Mediterranean favourites with winter sunshine, Northern European cities and new ways to experience the Greek islands.

Bookings for the Royal Caribbean Europe 2028-29 season opened to Crown & Anchor Society members on October 14, ahead of the general opening on October 15, 2026.

Royal Caribbean Europe 2028-29: A Year-Round European Cruise Season

The biggest announcement is the introduction of Royal Caribbean’s first year-round European cruise programme, led by Rhapsody of the Seas.

Traditionally associated with the main European cruise season, which runs through the warmer months, the region will now feature a more continuous deployment from the cruise line. The strategy connects summer Mediterranean itineraries with winter sailings to warmer Atlantic destinations.

From May to October 2028, Rhapsody of the Seas will offer seven- to 12-night cruises departing from Athens (Piraeus), Barcelona and Lisbon. Selected itineraries will include overnight stays in Alexandria, Egypt, and Istanbul, Turkey, giving guests additional time to explore two historically significant destinations.

From November 2028, the ship will transition towards nine- to 12-night winter itineraries featuring the Canary Islands, Portugal, Morocco, Cyprus, Malta and Greece.

The Canary Islands will play a particularly important role, with destinations including Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Guests will also be able to explore Casablanca and Tangier in Morocco, while selected itineraries will retain connections with the eastern Mediterranean.

For travellers looking beyond the traditional summer cruise calendar, the expansion creates more opportunities to explore Europe and nearby Atlantic destinations outside the peak season.

It is also a significant development for the cruise industry: Royal Caribbean is extending the geographic and seasonal reach of its European deployment rather than concentrating its entire offering within the summer months.

Rhapsody of the Seas Leads the 2028-29 Deployment

Rhapsody of the Seas is at the centre of the announcement.

The Vision-class ship, which entered service in 1997, will become the first Royal Caribbean vessel to operate a year-round European programme under the new deployment.

Its schedule combines two distinct cruise experiences.

Summer 2028: Greece, Turkey and Egypt

Between May and October, guests can choose seven-night itineraries exploring the Greek islands, Turkey and Egypt. Selected cruises include overnight stays in Alexandria and Istanbul, allowing more time ashore than a conventional short port call.

Greek itineraries will also feature the Ultimate Santorini Day, combining visits to Oia and Fira with access to Royal Beach Club Santorini.

Winter 2028-29: The Canary Islands and beyond

Starting in November 2028, Rhapsody will operate nine- to 12-night itineraries across the Canary Islands, Portugal, Morocco, Cyprus, Malta and Greece.

The programme includes opportunities to discover Tenerife’s natural saltwater pools, Gran Canaria’s Maspalomas Dunes, Casablanca and Tangier.

Royal Caribbean also highlights the return of Heraklion, Crete, and Cagliari, Sardinia, to its itineraries for the first time in more than a decade.

Between port calls, guests will find onboard dining and entertainment options including Izumi, Chops Grille, live shows, an outdoor pool and a climate-controlled Solarium.

The combination of summer Mediterranean itineraries and winter Atlantic voyages makes Rhapsody the defining ship of the new European programme.

All Seven Ships Sailing in Europe in 2028-29

Royal Caribbean will deploy seven ships across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Canary Islands. Each ship will serve a different combination of ports and destinations.

1. Explorer of the Seas: Greek Isles and Croatia From Ravenna

Explorer of the Seas will sail from Ravenna, Italy, between May and October 2028, offering seven-night Mediterranean cruises to the Greek islands and Croatia.

Every itinerary will feature a later stay in Santorini, allowing guests more time to experience the island’s caldera views, whitewashed villages and famous sunsets.

Selected sailings will also visit Kotor, Montenegro, where travellers can explore the historic Old Town or discover the surrounding landscapes.

On board, guests can enjoy Royal Caribbean favourites including the FlowRider surf simulator, The Perfect Storm waterslides and the adults-only Solarium.

For Italian travellers, Ravenna remains one of the most relevant departure points in the programme, combining access to the Adriatic with itineraries across Greece and Croatia.

2. Freedom of the Seas: Northern and Southern Europe From Southampton

Freedom of the Seas will operate three- to nine-night cruises from Southampton, England, between May and October 2028.

The programme covers a broad range of European experiences, from the Norwegian fjords to Copenhagen and Bruges, reached through Zeebrugge in Belgium.

Other destinations include Bilbao in Spain, Paris through Le Havre in France, and Lisbon in Portugal.

The mix of shorter and longer itineraries offers flexibility for travellers planning a European cruise around a limited holiday period.

On board, Freedom features The Perfect Storm waterslides, the FlowRider surf simulator and glow-in-the-dark laser tag.

3. Jewel of the Seas: Royal Caribbean Returns to Copenhagen and Stockholm

One of the most notable developments in the Royal Caribbean Europe 2028-29 programme is the return to Copenhagen and Stockholm.

Jewel of the Seas will sail from both cities between May and August 2028, offering seven- to 11-night cruises across Scandinavia and the Baltic.

The itineraries will visit destinations including Helsinki, Visby in Sweden, Gdynia for Gdansk in Poland, and Klaipeda in Lithuania.

These routes combine Nordic scenery, historic city centres and Baltic coastal destinations, providing an alternative to the more familiar Mediterranean cruise experience.

On board, guests will find a rock-climbing wall, an adults-only Solarium and Broadway-style entertainment.

The return to Copenhagen and Stockholm broadens Royal Caribbean’s Northern European offering and gives travellers additional options for exploring the Baltic region.

4. Liberty of the Seas: Mediterranean and Greek Islands

Liberty of the Seas will operate seven- and eight-night itineraries between May and October 2028, departing from Barcelona, Athens (Piraeus) and Rome (Civitavecchia).

The programme includes cruises to the Greek islands, as well as Mediterranean routes featuring Marseille in France, Palermo in Sicily and Cagliari in Sardinia.

In Greece, later evening stays in Santorini will give guests additional time to explore the island. Travellers will also have the option of visiting Royal Beach Club Santorini or choosing excursions to the prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri, Fira and Perivolos, known for its black-sand beach.

The ship’s onboard attractions include the Lime & Coconut tropical bar, the Royal Escape Room and Izumi Teppanyaki.

The deployment also places Liberty alongside Freedom of the Seas in Europe during the 2028 season, giving Royal Caribbean two Freedom-class ships in the region.

5. Mariner of the Seas: A Mediterranean Return

Mariner of the Seas will return to the Mediterranean with seven-night cruises departing from Barcelona, Lisbon, Athens (Piraeus) and Ravenna.

The programme includes destinations such as Palma de Mallorca in Spain, Porto through Leixões in Portugal, and Dubrovnik in Croatia.

The itineraries offer a combination of island destinations, historic cities and Mediterranean coastal scenery.

On board, guests can enjoy the FlowRider surf simulator, The Perfect Storm waterslides, Jamie’s Italian and Izumi.

Mariner’s return adds another ship to Royal Caribbean’s Mediterranean offering, complementing the schedules of Explorer, Liberty and Odyssey.

6. Odyssey of the Seas: Greek Isles From Rome

Odyssey of the Seas will return to Rome (Civitavecchia) between April and October 2028, offering seven-night cruises through the Greek islands.

Destinations will include Mykonos and Kusadasi in Turkey, the gateway to ancient Ephesus.

The itineraries will feature extended evening stays in Santorini, with the option to experience the Ultimate Santorini Day and Royal Beach Club Santorini.

Odyssey also offers a particularly extensive range of onboard activities, including the RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator, the North Star observation capsule and SeaPlex, Royal Caribbean’s indoor activity space.

For guests departing from Italy, the programme provides another option for a week-long Greek islands cruise, with Civitavecchia serving as the gateway to Rome.

7. Rhapsody of the Seas: The Ship Connecting Summer and Winter

Although already introduced as the centrepiece of the year-round announcement, Rhapsody deserves particular attention because its deployment connects the entire programme.

Its summer itineraries focus on the Mediterranean, Greece, Turkey and Egypt, while the winter schedule expands towards the Canary Islands, Portugal and Morocco.

This seasonal transition is the defining difference between Rhapsody’s programme and the more traditional summer deployments of the other six ships.

Together, the seven ships create a broader European offering, with itineraries designed around different regions, departure ports and holiday lengths.

Royal Beach Club Santorini: A New Focus on Experiences Ashore

Alongside the expanded cruise deployment, Royal Caribbean is placing greater emphasis on the experience guests can enjoy in Santorini.

The Ultimate Santorini Day is a full-day excursion combining visits to Oia and Fira with access to Royal Beach Club Santorini.

The beach club is designed to combine beach time, local cuisine and shopping in one destination experience. Its open-air market will feature a rotating selection of local businesses and products, including produce from Nomikos Estate, spirits from Canava Lyngos and wine from Santo Wines.

Selected itineraries will also offer later evening stays, giving guests more time to experience the island’s scenery and villages.

Santorini will feature prominently across several ships in the 2028 programme, including Explorer of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas and selected Rhapsody of the Seas itineraries.

Travellers interested in the destination can also read our dedicated guide to Royal Beach Club Santorini, which explores Royal Caribbean’s plans for the island in greater detail.

The emphasis on longer stays and organised shore experiences is an important part of the new programme. Rather than simply adding destinations to an itinerary, Royal Caribbean is seeking to give guests more time and more structured ways to explore them.

Specific prices, booking conditions and excursion availability should be checked against the individual sailing and the cruise line’s official information.

What the 2028-29 Programme Means for Italian Travellers

Italy remains an important part of Royal Caribbean’s European network, with Ravenna and Civitavecchia featuring prominently in the new deployment.

Explorer of the Seas will operate seven-night cruises from Ravenna to the Greek islands and Croatia. Mariner of the Seas will also include Ravenna among its Mediterranean departure ports.

From Rome (Civitavecchia), Liberty of the Seas will offer seven- and eight-night Mediterranean and Greek islands itineraries, while Odyssey of the Seas will operate seven-night Greek islands cruises.

Cagliari also returns as a destination on selected itineraries, although it is a port of call rather than a homeport in the announcement.

These options give Italian travellers several ways to plan a cruise without necessarily flying to Northern Europe or beginning their holiday in another country.

The variety of ships and routes also means that travellers can choose between shorter Mediterranean escapes, classic Greek islands itineraries and longer cruises with a broader geographical reach.

For more ship-related developments, read our coverage of Legend of the Seas and Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class evolution.

The new programme should not, however, be interpreted as confirmation that every itinerary is new compared with 2027. Royal Caribbean has announced its 2028-29 deployment, but the release does not provide a complete year-on-year comparison.

How the European Cruise Market Is Evolving

Royal Caribbean’s announcement comes as cruise lines continue to explore ways to extend their presence in Europe beyond the traditional summer season.

The move towards year-round operations can give travellers more flexibility while broadening the range of destinations available during the winter months.

The Canary Islands are particularly suited to this approach because they offer a different climate and experience from Northern Europe during winter. Portugal and Morocco further expand the geographical range of the programme.

The deployment also highlights the importance of maintaining a varied fleet in the region. The seven ships announced for 2028-29 include vessels offering different onboard experiences, from the more activity-focused Freedom-class ships to Odyssey of the Seas and the smaller Rhapsody of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean has not disclosed financial projections, passenger-capacity increases or revenue targets specifically associated with the announcement. The strategic significance of the programme therefore lies in its expanded seasonal reach and destination mix, rather than any confirmed commercial results.

For additional context on the group’s wider European strategy, read our coverage of Celebrity Cruises’ 2028-2029 European and global itineraries.

Royal Caribbean’s future fleet development is another relevant area to follow. Our report on the construction of the seventh Oasis-class ship explores another part of the company’s longer-term expansion, although that ship has not been announced as part of this European deployment.

When Do Royal Caribbean Europe 2028-29 Cruises Go on Sale?

Royal Caribbean announced the new European programme on October 14, 2026.

Bookings first opened to Crown & Anchor Society loyalty programme members, followed by the general opening on October 15, 2026.

Travellers should consult Royal Caribbean’s official website or a travel adviser for the latest availability, exact departure dates, fares, port details and excursion conditions.

The announcement establishes the broad deployment and itinerary framework, but individual sailing details and prices can vary.

The Bottom Line

Royal Caribbean Europe 2028-29 is more than an expansion of the cruise line’s summer schedule. The programme introduces a year-round European deployment led by Rhapsody of the Seas, expands winter options towards the Canary Islands and Morocco, and brings the cruise line back to Copenhagen and Stockholm.

At the same time, the deployment maintains a strong Mediterranean presence through Ravenna, Civitavecchia, Barcelona and Athens, while Santorini becomes an even more prominent part of the onboard and shore experience.

For travellers, the result is a wider choice of European cruise holidays across different seasons and regions. For Royal Caribbean, it marks a significant step towards a more continuous presence in the European market.

The key question now is how travellers will respond to the expanded winter programme and which itineraries will prove most attractive as bookings develop.

Follow Cruising Passion for further cruise news, ship updates and destination guides as Royal Caribbean’s 2028-29 season approaches.

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