Royal Caribbean Just Announced Its Biggest European Season Ever
Royal Caribbean is making its biggest European move ever – and it’s starting today.
The cruise line just announced its 2028-2029 European season, and for the first time in the company’s history, there will be a Royal Caribbean ship in Europe no matter what time of year you want to sail. Seven ships. Every season. The line is calling it their “boldest year-round season yet,” and after looking at the details, it’s hard to argue.
Bookings for the general public open on October 15, 2026 — that’s today. Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members have already been able to book since the announcement dropped.
Here’s a look at every ship that’s heading to Europe and where they’ll be sailing.
The 7 Ships and Where They’re Going
Rhapsody of the Seas is the centerpiece of this announcement — and the ship that makes “year-round” possible. From May through October 2028, she’ll sail 7-night itineraries out of Athens (Piraeus), Barcelona, and Lisbon, with stops in Greece, Turkey, and Egypt, including overnight stays in both Istanbul and Alexandria.
Then, instead of repositioning like every other ship, Rhapsody stays in Europe for the winter. Starting November 2028, she’ll shift to 9- to 12-night sailings visiting the Canary Islands, Portugal, Morocco, Cyprus, Malta, and Greece. Royal Caribbean is also using these winter sailings to return to two ports they haven’t touched in over a decade: Heraklion, Greece and Cagliari, Sardinia.
Explorer of the Seas will sail 7-night Greek Isles and Croatia itineraries from Ravenna (Venice), May through October 2028. Several voyages will also visit Kotor, Montenegro, and every itinerary includes extended evening stays in Santorini — more on that below.
Freedom of the Seas heads to Southampton for UK departures — 3- to 9-night sailings covering Northern and Southern Europe, with stops in the Norwegian fjords, Copenhagen, Bruges, Bilbao, Paris (Le Havre), and Lisbon. May through October 2028.
Jewel of the Seas is returning to Northern Europe, homeporting in Copenhagen and Stockholm from May to August 2028 for 7- to 11-night Baltic and Scandinavian cruises. Port calls include Helsinki, Visby, Gdansk, and Klaipeda.
Liberty of the Seas sails the Greek Isles and Western Mediterranean out of Barcelona, Athens (Piraeus), and Rome (Civitavecchia), May through October 2028 — and notably, this will be the first time Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas have sailed Europe at the same time. Liberty sailings visiting Greece include new land excursion options at the ancient site of Akrotiri and Perivolos Beach.
Mariner of the Seas returns to the Mediterranean with 7-night sailings from Barcelona, Lisbon, Athens, and Ravenna. Stops include Palma de Mallorca, Porto, and Dubrovnik.
Odyssey of the Seas will homeport in Rome (Civitavecchia) from April through October 2028 for 7-night Greek Isles cruises, including Ephesus (Turkey) and Mykonos.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
With seven ships across completely different regions, there’s a clear match depending on what kind of traveler you are:
You want Greece, history, and warm weather → Liberty of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, or Explorer of the Seas. All three cover the Greek Isles with multiple ports, extended Santorini stays, and departures from Rome, Venice, or Athens.
You want to see as much of Europe as possible in one sailing → Freedom of the Seas out of Southampton. A single 9-night voyage can cover the Norwegian fjords, Paris, Copenhagen, and Lisbon. That’s a tough itinerary to beat.
You want the Northern Europe / Baltic experience → Jewel of the Seas out of Copenhagen or Stockholm. This is the only ship on the list dedicated to Baltic ports, and the 7- to 11-night options give you time to actually explore cities like Helsinki and Gdansk.
You want Egypt and Turkey on your bucket list → Rhapsody of the Seas from Athens or Lisbon is your ship. Overnight stays in both Istanbul and Alexandria are rare in mainstream cruising and set this deployment apart.
You want a European cruise in winter → Also Rhapsody of the Seas — it’s the only ship staying in Europe year-round. The Canary Islands, Morocco, and Malta in November and December are genuinely spectacular, less crowded, and typically priced lower than peak summer sailings.
The Santorini Angle Worth Knowing
Multiple ships on this deployment include extended evening stays in Santorini, and Royal Caribbean is leaning into it hard. The line opened Royal Beach Club Santorini — their first private beach club destination in Europe — and many 2028 sailings include their “Ultimate Santorini Day” experience.
The package bundles a full day of sightseeing in Oia and Fira with private access to the Royal Beach Club, which offers reserved loungers, food, drinks, and views of the caldera. It’s available exclusively to Royal Caribbean passengers visiting the island. If Santorini is on your list, the extended stays built into these itineraries give you more time than a standard port day would.
Why Year-Round Europe Is Actually a Bigger Deal Than It Sounds
For years, European cruising has essentially been a May-through-October window. Ships flood the Mediterranean and Baltics in summer, then reposition to the Caribbean for winter — which means if you can’t travel in peak season (cost, school schedules, work), Europe was largely off the table on a mainstream cruise line.
The winter sailings on Rhapsody change that equation for a specific type of traveler: retirees and empty nesters who have flexibility, budget-conscious cruisers who want Europe without peak-season pricing, and anyone who’s been specifically waiting to visit the Canary Islands, Morocco, or the quieter side of the Greek islands without the summer crowds.
It’s a niche move, but one that opens a door that’s been effectively closed for most cruise passengers.
What’s Not on the Schedule (Yet)
Notably absent from the announcement: any Oasis Class ships. That’s a significant omission — the Oasis Class has been a fixture in European summers for over a decade. Legend of the Seas, which debuted in Europe in 2026 and returns in 2027, also didn’t make the 2028 cut. Royal Caribbean hasn’t confirmed whether additional European deployments will be released later, but the language used in the announcement — “first part” of the 2028-29 season — strongly suggests more ships and itineraries are still coming.
How to Book – And a Tip Worth Knowing
Bookings are open now for Crown & Anchor Society members and to the general public as of October 15, 2026. You can browse and book at RoyalCaribbean.com.
One thing worth knowing: Royal Caribbean’s European sailings typically see their best pricing in the first few weeks after deployment opens, before the popular summer departures fill up. If you have a specific ship or homeport in mind, it’s worth locking in early — especially for Santorini-heavy itineraries, which tend to move fast once they’re public.
