Royal Caribbean will deploy seven ships across Europe for the 2028-29 season, offering cruises in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Canary Islands. The programme includes year-round European sailings aboard Rhapsody of the Seas, with itineraries ranging from summer cruises with overnight stays in Egypt to winter trips to the Canary Islands.
The season will feature 7- to 12-night holidays across Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Spain and Northern Europe. Royal Caribbean will also return to Copenhagen and Stockholm, expanding its range of departure options and destinations.
Bookings for the 2028-29 Europe season are now open to Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members through Royal Caribbean’s official website, ahead of the general opening on Thursday, 15 October.
A new shore excursion, the Ultimate Santorini Day, will combine visits to Oia and Fira with access to Royal Beach Club Santorini. The beach club will include a beach, local cuisine and an open-air market featuring products from local businesses.
Market offerings will include produce from Nomikos Estate, ouzo, tsikoudia and aged tsikoudia from Santorini distillery Canava Lyngos, and wine from Santo Wines. Selected itineraries will also feature later evening stays, giving guests more time on the island.
Royal Caribbean Europe Cruises 2028: Seven Ships and Their Itineraries
1. Rhapsody of the Seas: Year-Round Europe Cruises
Departure ports: Athens (Piraeus), Barcelona and Lisbon, Portugal
Rhapsody of the Seas will lead Royal Caribbean’s year-round European programme, with cruises ranging from seven to 12 nights.
From May to October 2028, the ship will operate seven-night itineraries exploring Turkey and Egypt, including overnight stays in Alexandria, Egypt, and Istanbul, Turkey. Other sailings will visit destinations across Greece, with the Ultimate Santorini Day offering access to island attractions and Royal Beach Club Santorini.
From November 2028, the ship will operate nine- to 12-night cruises to destinations across the Canary Islands, Portugal, Morocco, Cyprus, Malta and Greece.
Highlights include Tenerife’s natural saltwater pools and the Maspalomas Dunes in Gran Canaria. Guests can also visit Casablanca and Tangier in Morocco or take itineraries featuring overnight stays in Alexandria.
The season marks Royal Caribbean’s return to Heraklion, Greece, and Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy, for the first time in more than a decade.
On board, guests can use the outdoor pool and climate-controlled Solarium. Dining options include sushi at Izumi and steaks at Chops Grille, alongside live entertainment.
2. Explorer of the Seas: Seven-Night Mediterranean Cruises
Departure port: Ravenna (Venice)
From May to October 2028, Explorer of the Seas will operate seven-night Mediterranean cruises to the Greek Isles and Croatia.
Every itinerary will include a later stay in Santorini, allowing more time to explore the island. Guests can also visit Royal Beach Club Santorini.
Selected sailings will call at Kotor, Montenegro. Shore activities include hiking and picnicking in Lovcen National Park or exploring Kotor’s Old Town.
On board, activities include the FlowRider surf simulator, The Perfect Storm waterslides and the adults-only Solarium.
3. Freedom of the Seas: Northern and Southern Europe
Departure port: Southampton, England
From May to October 2028, Freedom of the Seas will offer cruises ranging from three to nine nights across Northern and Southern Europe.
Destinations include the Norwegian fjords, Copenhagen, Denmark, and Bruges via Zeebrugge, Belgium. The itineraries will also feature coastal destinations such as Bilbao, Spain; Paris via Le Havre, France; and Lisbon, Portugal.
On board, guests can enjoy The Perfect Storm waterslides, the FlowRider surf simulator and glow-in-the-dark laser tag.
4. Jewel of the Seas: Scandinavia and the Baltic
Departure ports: Copenhagen and Stockholm
Returning to Copenhagen, Stockholm and the Baltic region, Jewel of the Seas will sail from May to August 2028 on cruises ranging from seven to 11 nights.
The itineraries will visit Helsinki, Finland; Visby, Sweden; Gdansk via Gdynia, Poland; and Klaipeda, Lithuania. The programme will focus on Scandinavian coastlines and destinations associated with Nordic history and culture.
On board, facilities and entertainment include a rock-climbing wall, the adults-only Solarium and Broadway-style shows.
5. Liberty of the Seas: Greek Isles and Mediterranean Ports
Departure ports: Barcelona, Athens (Piraeus) and Rome (Civitavecchia)
From May to October 2028, Liberty of the Seas will operate seven- and eight-night cruises to the Greek Isles and other Mediterranean destinations.
Ports of call will include Provence via Marseille, France; Palermo, Sicily, Italy; and Cagliari, Sardinia.
Greek Isles itineraries will feature later evening stays in Santorini. Guests can choose Royal Beach Club Santorini or excursions to the prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri, Fira and Perivolos, known for its black-sand beach.
On board the upgraded Liberty of the Seas, activities and dining options will include the Lime & Coconut tropical tiki bar, the Royal Escape Room and hibachi dining at Izumi Teppanyaki.
6. Mariner of the Seas: Mediterranean Return
Departure ports: Barcelona, Lisbon, Athens (Piraeus) and Ravenna (Venice)
Returning to the Mediterranean, Mariner of the Seas will offer seven-night cruises visiting destinations including Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Porto via Leixoes, Portugal; and Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Between port visits, guests can use the FlowRider surf simulator and The Perfect Storm waterslides. Dining venues include Jamie’s Italian and Izumi.
7. Odyssey of the Seas: Greek Isles From Rome
Departure port: Rome (Civitavecchia)
From April to October 2028, Odyssey of the Seas will return to Rome for seven-night cruises through the Greek Isles.
Destinations will include Ephesus, Turkey, and Mykonos, Greece. Itineraries will also feature extended evening stays in Santorini, with the option to visit Royal Beach Club Santorini through the Ultimate Santorini Day excursion.
At sea, guests can try 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.
How to Book Royal Caribbean’s 2028-29 Europe Cruises
Travellers can explore itineraries, departure ports and sailing dates through Royal Caribbean’s official cruise schedule.
Crown & Anchor Society members have early access to bookings for the European 2028-29 season. General bookings open on Thursday, 15 October.
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