Royal Caribbean has confirmed that Freedom of the Seas will sail from Southampton for a second straight summer in 2028, with the ship based in the UK port from May to October. Bookings are now open for both the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
The ship stepped in for Mariner of the Seas after itinerary changes earlier this year, and it clearly performed well enough to earn a return. Launched in 2006, when it was briefly the largest cruise ship in the world, it measures 156,271 gross tons and carries up to 4,000 guests — modest by today's mega-ship standards (the new Legend of the Seas tops 250,800 tons and 7,000 passengers) but big on facilities.
Itineraries run from two to nine nights, with fares starting at £460 per person. Routes take in the Norwegian fjords, Copenhagen and Bruges, plus further-flung stops along the coasts of Bilbao in northern Spain, Le Havre and Lisbon — a decent spread of short-haul city breaks and longer scenic sailing from a drive-to port, which is the main draw for UK travellers who'd rather skip the flight.
On board, there are nine bars, including the popular piano lounge Schooners, the Playmakers sports bar, an English pub and the Lime & Coconut pool bar. Dining spans 10 venues, five of them complimentary — the El Loco Mexican buffet was added during the ship's 2020 refit — with surcharge options like Izumi sushi and Giovanni's Italian Kitchen for a treat night.
The activity list leans active: ice skating, a rock climbing wall, glow-in-the-dark laser tag, the FlowRider surf simulator, two racing waterslides and a splash park. Families are well catered for via the Adventure Ocean kids' club and dedicated lounges for tweens and teens, while evening entertainment includes theatre show Once Upon A Time and the ice-skating production FreedomICE.
Freedom of the Seas is just one part of Royal Caribbean's 2028 European plans. Seven ships will sail the region that summer from hubs including Barcelona, Rome and Athens, covering the Mediterranean and Greek islands. Rhapsody of the Seas will stay in Europe through the 2028/29 season, running seven to 12-night trips from Athens (Piraeus), Barcelona and Lisbon with calls in Egypt, Istanbul and Santorini — where the line's new Royal Beach Club is opening.
For anyone in the UK mulling a 2028 holiday, this is a rare chance to sail a big American-style resort ship without leaving the country. Short two-night sailings suit first-timers testing the water, while the Norwegian fjord and Iberian routes work well as a main summer break.
