Seven Ships: Royal Caribbean Opens Year-Round Europe Season for 2028-29

Royal Caribbean is expanding its 2028-29 Europe lineup with the brand’s most ambitious year-round season, offering more ways to explore the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Canary Islands across seven ships. 

For the first time, holidaymakers can explore Europe any time of year on Rhapsody of the Seas, from summer adventures with overnight stays in Egypt to winter getaways to the Canary Islands. 

Throughout the year, travellers can discover sought-after destinations throughout Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Spain and Northern Europe – including Royal Caribbean’s return to Copenhagen and Stockholm – on 7-to 12-night holidays with experiences for all ages on board. 

Bookings for the European 2028-29 season are now open for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members on Royal Caribbean’s website ahead of the official opening on Thursday, October 15.

Cruisers exploring the Greek Isles can experience the Ultimate Santorini Day, a full-day excursion combining visits to Oia and Fira with access to Royal Beach Club Santorini. 

At the beach club, guests can explore an open-air market showcasing a rotating selection from local businesses. Select getaways with later evening stays give guests even more time to take in the island’s scenery and experiences.

Europe 2028-29 Highlights

Rhapsody of the Seas – Rhapsody will kick off Royal Caribbean’s year-round Europe season with 7- to 12-night holidays from Athens (Piraeus), Barcelona and Lisbon. From May to October 2028, guests can explore the history and culture of Turkey and Egypt on 7-night getaways with overnight stays in Alexandria, Egypt and Istanbul, or take in the sun-soaked destinations of Greece, including the Ultimate Santorini Day. 

Starting November 2028, Rhapsody will deliver 9- to 12-night getaways visiting destinations across the Canary Islands, Portugal, Morocco, Cyprus, Malta and Greece. 

Explorer of the Seas – From May to October 2028 Explore will depart Ravenna (Venice) for 7-night Mediterranean holidays to the Greek Isles and Croatia, with every holiday including later stays in Santorini. Select getaways also feature visits to Kotor, Montenegro.

Freedom of the Seas – From Southampton, England Freedom guests can choose from a range of 3- to 9-night holidays across Northern and Southern Europe from May to October 2028. Across the Norwegian fjords, the cityscapes of Copenhagen, Denmark, and Bruges (Zeebrugge), Belgium, and the coastlines of Bilbao, Spain, Paris (Le Havre), and Lisbon, holidaymakers can discover a variety of European experiences. 

Jewel of the Seas – Returning to Copenhagen, Stockholm and the Baltic, Jewel will sail from May to August 2028 on 7- to 11-night adventures visiting destinations across Helsinki; Visby, Sweden; Gdansk (Gdynia), Poland, and Klaipeda, Lithuania, with itineraries highlighting Scandinavia’s striking coastlines and centuries of Nordic history and culture. 

Liberty of the Seas – From May to October, Liberty will depart Barcelona, Athens (Piraeus), and Rome (Civitavecchia) on 7- and 8-night getaways to the Greek Isles, plus adventures to the Mediterranean visiting Provence (Marseille), France, Sicily (Palermo), Italy, and Cagliari, Sardinia. Holidaymakers visiting Greece will enjoy later evening stays in Santorini, alongside the option to experience Royal Beach Club Santorini . 

Mariner of the Seas – Returning to the Mediterranean, Mariner will deliver 7-night holidays from Barcelona, Lisbon, Athens (Piraeus), and Ravenna (Venice) to some of the region’s most sought-after destinations including Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Porto (Leixoes), Portugal, and Dubrovnik, Croatia. 

Odyssey of the Seas – From April to October 2028, Odyssey will return to Rome (Civitavecchia) for 7-night adventures through the Greek Isles, including visits to destinations like Ephesus, Turkey, and Mykonos, Greece. Holidaymakers can explore the islands with extended evenings in Santorini, with the option to spend the day at the Royal Beach Club Santorini.