CruiseSeven ships will sail the region in summer 2028 before Rhapsody of the Seas ushers in the cruise line's first winter season in Europe.

Royal Caribbean makes Europe a year-round play from 2028

By Travel Weekly Asia

Oct 16, 2026

Rhapsody of the Seas will remain in Europe through winter, with nine- to 12-night itineraries starting in November 2028. Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean will introduce its first year-round European cruise programme in 2028-29, with Rhapsody of the Seas remaining in the region through winter following a seven-ship summer deployment.

Starting in November 2028, the ship will offer nine- to 12-night itineraries visiting destinations across the Canary Islands, Portugal, Morocco, Cyprus, Malta and Greece. Selected departures will include overnight stays in Alexandria.

The winter routes will feature destinations including Tenerife’s natural saltwater pools, Gran Canaria’s Maspalomas Dunes, and the Moroccan cities of Casablanca and Tangier.

Bookings for the 2028-29 programme opened to the public on 15 October 2026. Across its summer and winter deployment, Rhapsody of the Seas will offer seven- to 12-night sailings from Athens (Piraeus), Barcelona and Lisbon.

Summer journeys across Europe

Before Rhapsody of the Seas begins its winter programme in November 2028, Royal Caribbean’s summer deployment will include:

Rhapsody of the Seas: Seven-night Turkey and Egypt itineraries with overnight calls in Istanbul and Alexandria, alongside Greek sailings, from May to October 2028.
Freedom of the Seas: Three- to nine-night cruises from Southampton, from May to October 2028.
Jewel of the Seas: Seven- to 11-night Baltic and Scandinavian sailings from Copenhagen and Stockholm, from May to August 2028.
Explorer of the Seas: Seven-night Greek Isles and Croatia itineraries from Ravenna, from May to October 2028.
Liberty of the Seas: Seven- and eight-night Mediterranean and Greek Isles cruises from Barcelona, Piraeus and Civitavecchia, from May to October 2028.
Odyssey of the Seas: Seven-night Greek Isles itineraries from Civitavecchia, from April to October 2028.
Mariner of the Seas: Seven-night Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona, Lisbon, Piraeus and Ravenna.

More time ashore in Santorini

In addition, during the summer 2028 season, Explorer of the Seas will feature later stays in Santorini on every seven-night Greek Isles and Croatia sailing from Ravenna. Selected Liberty of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas itineraries will also offer extended evenings on the island.

Passengers can book the Ultimate Santorini Day excursion, which combines visits to Oia and Fira with access to Royal Beach Club Santorini.