Royal Caribbean Sending 7 Ships to Europe in 2028 with Launch of First Year-Round Schedule

Royal Caribbean just announced new cruise ship deployments in Europe for the 2028/2029 season, and it’s calling it their “boldest year-round season” yet.

Starting in 2028 and going through 2029, you will be able to enjoy a cruise in Europe on a Royal Caribbean ship, no matter the season or time of year.

There are seven ships to choose from for sailings in Northern Europe, the Baltics, and the Mediterranean.

Here’s a breakdown from the announcement and where these seven ships will be sailing.

Rhapsody of the Seas

From May through October 2028, Rhapsody of the Seas will offer 7-night sailings out of Athens (Piraeus), Barcelona, and Lisbon, exploring Greece, Turkey, and Egypt.

These summer itineraries will offer overnight stays in both Alexandria and Istanbul, as well as access to the new Ultimate Santorini Day excursion and Royal Beach Club Santorini.

Starting in November 2028 and running through the winter season of 2029, Rhapsody will move into winter mode with 9- to 12-night sailings visiting the Canary Islands, Portugal, Morocco, Cyprus, Malta, and Greece.

The ship will also be visiting Heraklion, Greece, and Cagliari, Sardinia, which will be Royal Caribbean’s first visit to these ports in over ten years.

While the other six ships below reposition to warmer waters after October, Rhapsody will stick around to continue to offer European cruises through the winter of 2029.

Explorer of the Seas

Sailing out of Ravenna (Venice) from May through October 2028, Explorer of the Seas will sail 7-night Mediterranean cruises through the Greek Isles and Croatia. A few sailings with Explorer of the Seas will also visit Kotor, Montenegro.

Every itinerary on Explorer includes extended evening stays in Santorini, so passengers will have some extra time to enjoy the new Royal Beach Club Santorini as well. 

The Ultimate Santorini Day is a full-day shore excursion available exclusively to Royal Caribbean passengers visiting the island. It bundles sightseeing in the towns of Oia and Fira with private access to Royal Beach Club Santorini, which is a dedicated beachfront venue with reserved loungers, food and drinks.

Freedom of the Seas

For cruisers looking to depart on their cruise out of the UK, Freedom of the Seas will offer a mix of 3- to 9-night sailings out of Southampton between May and October 2028.

Itineraries will visit either Northern or Southern Europe, with ports of call in the Norwegian fjords, Copenhagen, Bruges (Zeebrugge), Bilbao, Paris (Le Havre), and Lisbon.

Jewel of the Seas

Jewel of the Seas is making a return to Northern Europe as well and will be homeporting in Copenhagen and Stockholm from May to August 2028.

The ship will offer 7- to 11-night Baltic and Scandinavian cruises and will sail to destinations like Helsinki, Visby, Gdansk, and Klaipeda.

Liberty of the Seas

Liberty of the Seas will offer 7- and 8-night itineraries out of Barcelona, Athens (Piraeus), and Rome (Civitavecchia) from May through October 2028.

The ship will sail the Greek Isles and Western Mediterranean, visiting Provence (Marseille), Sicily, and Sardinia. Passengers sailing to Greece can also take advantage of late-night extended stays in Santorini along with some new land excursions to the ancient site of Akrotiri and Perivolos Beach.

Mariner of the Seas

Mariner of the Seas will return to the Mediterranean for 7-night cruises departing from Barcelona, Lisbon, Athens, and Ravenna (Venice).

Port stops will include ports like Palma de Mallorca, Porto (Leixoes), and Dubrovnik.

Odyssey of the Seas

Odyssey of the Seas will homeport in Rome (Civitavecchia) from April through October 2028, offering 7-night cruises that sail through the Greek Isles.

Destinations include Ephesus (Turkey) and Mykonos, along with extended evening stays in Santorini to experience the Royal Beach Club.

When You Can Book

Bookings for Royal Caribbean’s 2028–2029 European season are already open for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members and open to the general public on Thursday, October 15, 2026.