Royal Caribbean is expanding its European cruise programme for 2028-29, introducing its most extensive year-round season in the region, with seven ships offering itineraries across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Canary Islands.
The expanded programme will give travellers more
opportunities to explore destinations in Greece, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Egypt
and Northern Europe through cruises ranging from three to 12 nights. The season
will also mark the cruise line’s return to Copenhagen and Stockholm, alongside
the resumption of calls at several Mediterranean destinations after more than a
decade.
For the first time, Rhapsody of the Seas will operate
year-round in Europe, offering summer itineraries featuring overnight stays in
Egypt and Turkey before transitioning to winter cruises across the Canary
Islands and other destinations.
Bookings for the 2028-29 European season are open to Crown
& Anchor Society loyalty members ahead of the general opening on October
15, 2026.
Rhapsody of the Seas introduces year-round European
sailings
Rhapsody of the Seas will operate seven- to 12-night cruises
departing from Athens (Piraeus), Barcelona and Lisbon.
Between May and October 2028, the ship will offer
seven-night itineraries exploring Greece, Turkey and Egypt, including overnight
stays in Alexandria and Istanbul. Passengers will also be able to visit Greek
islands and experience extended stays at selected destinations.
From November 2028, the ship will transition to nine- to
12-night cruises covering the Canary Islands, Portugal, Morocco, Cyprus, Malta
and Greece.
Highlights include Tenerife’s natural saltwater pools, Gran
Canaria’s Maspalomas Dunes and Morocco’s cities of Casablanca and Tangier.
Selected itineraries will include overnight stays in Alexandria.
The programme also marks Royal Caribbean’s return to
Heraklion, Greece, and Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy, for the first time in more
than 10 years.
On board, passengers can access the outdoor pool,
climate-controlled Solarium and a range of dining venues, including Izumi and
Chops Grille.
Mediterranean itineraries expand across five ships
Explorer of the Seas will operate seven-night Mediterranean
cruises from Ravenna, near Venice, between May and October 2028. The
itineraries will focus on the Greek Isles and Croatia, with every sailing
featuring a later stay in Santorini to allow more time for sightseeing.
Selected cruises will also visit Kotor, Montenegro, where
passengers can explore the historic Old Town or venture into Lovcen National
Park.
Liberty of the Seas will offer seven- and eight-night
itineraries from Barcelona, Athens and Rome, visiting the Greek Isles and
Mediterranean destinations including Marseille, Palermo and Cagliari.
Later evening stays in Santorini will give passengers
additional time to explore the island, including the prehistoric settlement of
Akrotiri, the town of Fira and Perivolos beach. The ship’s on-board offerings
include the Lime & Coconut bar, Royal Escape Room and Izumi Teppanyaki.
Odyssey of the Seas will return to Rome from April to
October 2028 for seven-night Greek Isles cruises. Destinations will include
Ephesus in Turkey and Mykonos in Greece, with extended evenings in Santorini.
The ship’s attractions include the RipCord by iFLY skydiving
simulator, North Star observation capsule and SeaPlex indoor activity complex.
Mariner of the Seas will return to the Mediterranean with
seven-night cruises departing from Barcelona, Lisbon, Athens and Ravenna.
Destinations include Palma de Mallorca, Porto and Dubrovnik, while on-board
activities include the FlowRider surf simulator, The Perfect Storm waterslides
and dining venues such as Jamie’s Italian and Izumi.
Northern Europe and the Baltic return
Freedom of the Seas will operate three- to nine-night
cruises from Southampton, England, between May and October 2028, offering
itineraries across Northern and Southern Europe.
Passengers will be able to explore Norway’s fjords,
Copenhagen and Bruges, as well as destinations including Bilbao, Lisbon and Le
Havre, the gateway to Paris.
The ship will combine European sightseeing with attractions
including waterslides, the FlowRider surf simulator and glow-in-the-dark laser
tag.
Jewel of the Seas will return to Copenhagen and Stockholm
between May and August 2028, offering seven- to 11-night Baltic cruises.
The itineraries will feature destinations including
Helsinki, Visby in Sweden, Gdansk in Poland and Klaipeda in Lithuania,
highlighting Scandinavian coastlines, Nordic history and regional culture.
On board, guests can enjoy a rock-climbing wall, an
adults-only Solarium and Broadway-style entertainment.
Santorini experience adds to shore excursions
A key feature of the season will be the Ultimate Santorini
Day, an excursion combining visits to the island’s towns of Oia and Fira with
access to Royal Beach Club Santorini.
The beach club will feature beach facilities, local cuisine
and an open-air market showcasing products from regional businesses. Offerings
will include produce from Nomikos Estate, spirits from Santorini distillery
Canava Lyngos and wine from Santo Wines.
Selected itineraries with later evening stays will give
visitors more time to experience Santorini’s scenery and attractions.
Across the seven-ship programme, Royal Caribbean is
combining longer stays and varied itineraries with on-board entertainment,
dining and recreational facilities, targeting travellers seeking both
destination-focused experiences and resort-style cruising.
The expanded season is designed to provide greater flexibility for European holidays throughout the year, with summer Mediterranean and Baltic voyages complemented by winter itineraries to warmer destinations, including the Canary Islands. -TradeArabia News Service