Royal Caribbean announces major European expansion for 2028

Royal Caribbean has announced a major expansion of its European operations for the 2028–2029 season, featuring a seven-ship deployment designed to establish year-round cruising in the region.

A central component of this plan is the Rhapsody of the Seas, which will lead the transition from seasonal to year-round operations. From May to October 2028, the ship will focus on seven-night Mediterranean itineraries departing from Piraeus, visiting destinations such as Greece, Turkey, and Egypt. Starting in November, the vessel will transition to longer nine- to 12-night winter itineraries covering the Canary Islands, Portugal, Morocco, Cyprus, Malta, and Greece.

The expansion also includes the return of Freedom of the Seas to Southampton, UK, offering cruises ranging from three to nine nights between May and October 2028. This deployment marks the first time two Freedom Class ships will operate in Europe simultaneously. The broader network will span from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, offering itineraries of three to 12 nights across Northern Europe, the Norwegian fjords, and the Greek islands.