Royal Caribbean is breaking its usual summer-only rhythm in Europe. From 2028 into 2029, the line will run cruises there all year, putting seven ships across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Canary Islands, with sailings of seven to 12 nights calling in Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Spain and beyond — including a return to Copenhagen and Stockholm.
The linchpin is Rhapsody of the Seas, which will base itself in Athens (Piraeus), Barcelona and Lisbon. From May to October 2028 it runs seven-night itineraries focused on Turkey and Egypt, with overnight stays in Alexandria and Istanbul, plus Greek routes featuring the "Ultimate Santorini Day" and the new Royal Beach Club Santorini. Then, from November 2028, it flips to winter mode: nine- to 12-night trips around the Canaries, Portugal, Morocco, Cyprus, Malta and Greece — think Tenerife's saltwater pools, the dunes of Maspalomas on Gran Canaria, and city stops in Casablanca and Tangier. The season also brings back Heraklion in Crete and Cagliari in Sardinia for the first time in over a decade.
Elsewhere in the lineup: Explorer of the Seas sails from Ravenna (for Venice) on Greek Isles and Croatia itineraries with late evenings in Santorini and select calls at Kotor. Freedom of the Seas heads to Southampton for three- to nine-night trips taking in Norwegian fjords, Copenhagen, Bruges, Bilbao, Paris (via Le Havre) and Lisbon. Jewel of the Seas revives Copenhagen and Stockholm as homeports for Baltic sailing to Helsinki, Visby, Gdansk and Klaipeda. Liberty of the Seas operates from Barcelona, Athens and Rome, Mariner of the Seas returns to the Med from four southern ports, and Odyssey of the Seas runs seven-night Greek Isles cruises from Rome, with calls at Ephesus and Mykonos.
Bookings are already open to Crown & Anchor loyalty members, with general sales starting Thursday, October 15.
Why it matters: winter sun from a European homeport is still a niche in mainstream cruising, and having a big-line ship positioned in Athens and Iberia through the off-season widens the options for anyone who wants islands and warm-weather cities without a long-haul flight. The late-evening Santorini stays across multiple ships also tackle that port's notorious midday crowds — you'd see it at golden hour instead. If you're planning a 2028 holiday, it's worth noting that the most popular cabins on Santorini-heavy itineraries tend to sell out first, so the October 15 opening date is the moment to move.
