Royal Caribbean International is broadening its European footprint with a year-round deployment for the 2028-29 season, a first for the line in the region. The expanded program will operate across seven ships, covering a mix of winter sun routes and summer classics, and is now open for booking by Crown & Anchor Society members.
At the center of the push is Rhapsody of the Seas, which will offer 7- to 12-night voyages from Athens, Barcelona, and Lisbon. The ship’s summer season features the Greek Isles, including an extended call at Santorini with the line’s Ultimate Santorini Day excursion, as well as overnight stays in Egypt and Istanbul. From November 2028, Rhapsody shifts to a winter program calling at the Canary Islands, Madeira, Portugal, Morocco, Cyprus, Malta, and Greece.
Seven ships, diverse itineraries
Beyond Rhapsody, the deployment includes Explorer of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, and Jewel of the Seas, each with distinct regional focuses. Explorer will run 7-night Mediterranean sailings from Venice, while Freedom operates Northern European departures from Southampton. Jewel of the Seas is slated for Baltic cruises from Copenhagen and Stockholm, tapping into the growing demand for Scandinavian and Baltic itineraries.
Each vessel retains Royal Caribbean’s signature onboard features, from rock-climbing walls and surf simulators to sushi dining and waterslides, appealing to families and multi-generational groups. The mix of cultural shore excursions and onboard entertainment is designed to attract a broad demographic, from first-time cruisers to seasoned travelers.
Royal Caribbean’s managing director for the region said: “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.”
The expansion also marks the line’s return to several European ports of call after an absence of more than a decade, including Heraklion in Greece and Cagliari in Sardinia. These additions reflect a broader trend of cruise lines diversifying Mediterranean and Atlantic itineraries to include less-visited destinations.
For travel advisors, the year-round schedule opens new selling windows, particularly for winter sun seekers who previously had limited Royal Caribbean options in Europe. The line’s decision to base ships in multiple homeports—Athens, Barcelona, Lisbon, Venice, Southampton, Copenhagen, and Stockholm—also simplifies fly-cruise connections for European and long-haul clients.
Royal Caribbean’s move comes as other operators expand their European programs. Princess Cruises, for instance, has added an Amazon River return to its 2028-29 Americas season, while Princess’s new offerings highlight the broader industry push for longer, more varied itineraries. Meanwhile, Sea Cloud Cruises’ recent tech overhaul underscores how lines are investing in guest experience and operational efficiency.
The new European schedule also aligns with rising demand for year-round cruising in the region, a trend supported by Italy’s air capacity growth and the push to spread tourism beyond the peak summer months. With more homeports and a longer season, Royal Caribbean is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the European cruise market.
Bookings for the 2028-29 Europe season are now open to Crown & Anchor members, with general sale expected to follow shortly. The line has not yet disclosed pricing or specific deployment dates for all seven ships, but further details are anticipated in the coming months.
