Royal Caribbean Unveils First-Ever Year-Round European Season
by Dori Saltzman
Rhapsody of the Seas will be the first Royal Caribbean cruise ship to offer a full year of sailings in Europe. Photo: Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean is expanding its 2028/29 Europe lineup with the brand’s first-ever year-round season, with itineraries available throughout the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and the Canary Islands across seven ships.
Highlights include the first full-year deployment of Rhapsody of the Seas in Europe and Royal Caribbean’s return to Copenhagen and Stockholm.
Rhapsody of the Seas’ Full Year Europe
Rhapsody will kick off Royal Caribbean’s year-round Europe season with seven- to 12-night cruises from Athens (Piraeus), Barcelona, and Lisbon. From May to October 2028, guests can explore the history and culture of Turkey and Egypt on seven-night getaways with overnight stays in Alexandria, Egypt and Istanbul or explore Greece, including the Ultimate Santorini Day and Royal Beach Club Santorini.
Starting November 2028, Rhapsody will deliver nine- to 12-night getaways visiting destinations across the Canary Islands, Portugal, Morocco, Cyprus, Malta, and Greece. The season also marks Royal Caribbean’s return to Heraklion, Greece, and Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy for the first time in more than a decade.
Other ships sailing in Europe in 2028/29 will include Explorer of the Seas (from Ravenna, Italy), Freedom of the Seas (from Southampton, England), Jewel of the Seas (from Copenhagen and Stockholm), Liberty of the Seas (from Barcelona, Piraeus, and Civitavecchia), Mariner of the Seas (from Barcelona, Lisbon, Piraeus, and Ravenna), and Odyssey of the Seas (from Civitavecchia).
Bookings for the 2028/29 season officially open on Oct. 15, 2026.
