Editorial image: Independence of the Seas in Málaga, Spain ID 232883452 © Opreanu Roberto Sorin | Dreamstime.com
Royal Caribbean is making a significant change to its European cruise program, announcing its first-ever year-round deployment in the region as part of an expanded 2028–29 season.
The cruise line will offer sailings across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Canary Islands aboard seven ships, with Rhapsody of the Seas remaining in Europe throughout the winter rather than following the traditional seasonal deployment pattern.
The new program includes overnight port visits, extended stays in popular Mediterranean destinations and itineraries ranging from short European getaways to longer cruises exploring several countries.
Bookings for the new season open to the general public on 15 October 2026.
Royal Caribbean to Offer European Cruises Throughout the Year
Traditionally, Royal Caribbean's European deployments have focused on the warmer months, with ships repositioning to other regions for the northern winter.
That will change with the 2028–29 season.
According to Royal Caribbean's official announcement, Rhapsody of the Seas will become the first ship in its fleet to operate a year-round European program.
From May to October 2028, the ship will offer seven- to 12-night cruises departing from Athens (Piraeus), Barcelona and Lisbon.
Itineraries will include destinations across Greece, Turkey and Egypt, with selected sailings featuring overnight stays in Alexandria and Istanbul.
From November 2028, the ship will switch to nine- to 12-night cruises exploring destinations including the Canary Islands, Portugal, Morocco, Cyprus, Malta and Greece.
Ports featured in the winter program include Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Casablanca and Tangier, offering passengers opportunities to explore destinations beyond the traditional summer Mediterranean circuit.
The expansion also marks Royal Caribbean's return to Heraklion in Greece and Cagliari in Sardinia for the first time in more than a decade.
Seven Royal Caribbean Ships Heading to Europe
Editorial Image: ID Royal Caribbean has announced seven ships for its initial 2028–29 European deployment, covering everything from Norwegian fjords to Greek islands and historic Mediterranean cities.
Here's where each ship will be sailing.
| Ship | Departure ports | Itinerary highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Rhapsody of the Seas | Athens, Barcelona, Lisbon | Year-round Europe, Canary Islands, Morocco, Greece, Turkey and Egypt |
| Explorer of the Seas | Ravenna (Venice) | Seven-night Greek Isles and Croatia cruises |
| Freedom of the Seas | Southampton | Three- to nine-night Northern and Southern Europe cruises |
| Jewel of the Seas | Copenhagen, Stockholm | Seven- to 11-night Scandinavia and Baltic cruises |
| Liberty of the Seas | Barcelona, Athens, Rome | Seven- and eight-night Mediterranean and Greek Isles cruises |
| Mariner of the Seas | Barcelona, Lisbon, Athens, Ravenna | Seven-night Mediterranean itineraries |
| Odyssey of the Seas | Rome | Seven-night Greek Isles cruises |
The deployments cover different periods throughout 2028, with Rhapsody of the Seas continuing into the winter months and 2029.
More Time in Santorini and Overnight Stays in Egypt and Turkey
One of the more appealing aspects of the new itineraries is the additional time available in selected ports.
Several ships, including Explorer of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas, will offer later departures from Santorini.
This gives passengers more time to explore the island, including its famous villages, volcanic scenery and sunsets.
Royal Caribbean will also offer its Ultimate Santorini Day excursion, combining visits to Oia and Fira with access to Royal Beach Club Santorini.
The beach club experience includes beach facilities, dining and a market featuring products from local businesses.
Meanwhile, selected Rhapsody of the Seas itineraries will feature overnight stays in Alexandria, Egypt, and Istanbul, Turkey.
Overnight visits can be particularly appealing on destination-focused cruises, allowing passengers to experience a city beyond the usual daytime sightseeing hours.
Northern Europe and the Norwegian Fjords Return
Passengers looking beyond the Mediterranean will also have several options.
Freedom of the Seas will operate from Southampton between May and October 2028, offering cruises ranging from three to nine nights.
Destinations will include the Norwegian fjords, Copenhagen, Bruges (Zeebrugge), Bilbao and Lisbon, along with visits to Le Havre, a gateway for excursions to Paris.
Jewel of the Seas will return to Copenhagen and Stockholm between May and August 2028, offering seven- to 11-night itineraries exploring Scandinavia and the Baltic region.
Ports will include Helsinki, Visby in Sweden, Gdynia in Poland and Klaipėda in Lithuania.
The northern European deployments provide options for passengers interested in scenic cruising, historic cities and destinations with cooler summer temperatures.
What Does This Mean for Australian Cruisers?
For Australians planning a European holiday, the expanded program provides more flexibility when combining a cruise with independent travel.
The introduction of winter sailings is particularly interesting, as it opens up additional options outside the traditional European summer cruising season.
It may also appeal to travellers who prefer avoiding the busiest summer holiday periods, although weather conditions and attraction opening hours can differ considerably between seasons.
Longer itineraries visiting the Canary Islands, Morocco and Mediterranean destinations could be especially attractive to Australians travelling a considerable distance to reach Europe.
Passengers considering a cruise should also pay attention to the departure port. Some itineraries sail from locations such as Civitavecchia, the cruise port serving Rome, or Ravenna, which is some distance from Venice.
Allowing sufficient time for flights, transfers and any pre-cruise accommodation remains important when planning an international cruise holiday.
When Do Royal Caribbean's 2028–29 European Cruises Go on Sale?
Royal Caribbean opened the new European itineraries to Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members ahead of the general release.
Bookings open to the general public on Thursday, 15 October 2026.
Passengers can explore the available itineraries through Royal Caribbean's official website.
The seven-ship announcement represents the cruise line's initial European deployment release, and additional itineraries or ships may be announced separately.
For now, the biggest development is the introduction of year-round cruising in Europe, giving passengers more opportunities to explore the region well beyond the traditional summer season.
