Explorer of the Seas ship. Photo: Royal Caribbean Royal Caribbean is expanding its European operations for the 2028-2029 season, offering year-round continental sailings for the first time. The plan will see seven ships operating on itineraries in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and the Canary Islands, with winter sailing options.
In the winter season, the itineraries will include visits to the Canary Islands, Madeira and Morocco. In the summer months, the company will offer cruises in Scandinavia, Western Europe and the Greek Islands, along with visits to the Royal Beach Club Santorini, the company's private beach club.
One of the key ships in the program is Rhapsody of the Seas, which will operate in Europe year-round. In the summer, it will offer seven-night sailings, while in the winter it will switch to nine- to 12-night itineraries, which will include destinations in the Canary Islands, Morocco, Cyprus and Greece. The company is also expected to resume visits to Cagliari, Sardinia, and Heraklion, Crete, for the first time in more than a decade.
Cruises to the Greek Islands will also see itineraries change. Passengers on Rhapsody of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas will be able to enjoy an extended stay in Santorini, allowing for visits to Oia and Fira until late in the evening, along with the opportunity to visit the company’s beach club.
MARINER of the Seas. Photo: Royal CaribbeanIn Northern Europe, Freedom of the Seas will sail from Southampton on 3- to 9-night itineraries, with destinations including the Norwegian Fjords, Copenhagen, Bruges and Spain. Meanwhile, Jewel of the Seas will return to the Baltic Sea, departing from Stockholm and Copenhagen on 7- to 11-night cruises, including Helsinki, Visby, Gdansk and Klaipeda.
The Mediterranean will also feature a variety of itineraries. Liberty of the Seas will offer seven- to eight-night sailings from Barcelona, Athens and Rome, with stops in Provence, Sicily and Sardinia. Explorer of the Seas will sail from Ravenna, the gateway to Venice, on seven-night itineraries to the Greek Islands, Croatia and Montenegro. Mariner of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas will also be participating in the region, with Odyssey offering seven-night sailings in Western Europe and across the Mediterranean.
MARINER of the Seas. Photo: Royal CaribbeanAmong the cruises announced for the 2028 season:
Mariner of the Seas: A seven-night cruise on July 21, 2028, featuring Portugal, Spain and Morocco. According to the company, prices start at $1,053 per guest in a stateroom, including taxes.
Explorer of the Seas: A seven-night sailing on September 16, 2028, during the New Year period, on an itinerary that includes Italy, Greece and Croatia. Pricing starts at $919 per guest, including taxes.
Reservations for the 2028-2029 season have opened to the general public.