Summer 2028 Revealed! Royal Caribbean Unveils Epic European Lineup

• Southampton Returns: Freedom of the Seas anchors in Southampton, offering 3- to 9-night getaways to the Fjords, Spain, and Northern Europe.

• Mediterranean Roving & Multi-Hubs: Liberty of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas deliver flexible multi-hub options linking Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, and Greece.

• Greek Isles & Beyond: Odyssey of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas bring sun-soaked island hopping, including special calls to Egypt and Turkey.

Get ready to mark your calendar and ignite your wanderlust! Royal Caribbean has officially dropped its sensational Summer 2028 European Season, promising a powerhouse season packed with world-class ships, iconic horizons, and game-changing itineraries across the continent.

Picture yourself sipping handcrafted cocktails on a sun-drenched pool deck as you sail seamlessly out of Southampton, or watching the golden sunset over the Santorini caldera from a glass observation capsule soaring 300 feet above the waves.

Whether you are craving the sheer ease of a no-fly escape, yearning to wander through ancient Mediterranean ruins, or dreaming of a bucket-list Arctic ocean crossing, this release delivers non-stop inspiration.

Royal Caribbean is bringing its biggest thrills and boldest innovations to Europe, making 2028 the ultimate year to explore the world.

Overview of the Summer 2028 Season

Royal Caribbean's fleet deployment across Europe in 2028 is seamlessly organised into three distinct geographical regions, pairing standout ships with innovative, guest-focused routing options.

Northern Europe, Baltics & Norwegian Fjords

Freedom of the Seas - Sailing From Southampton!

British cruisers have huge reason to celebrate as the iconic Freedom of the Seas sails directly out of Southampton for the summer.

Crossing the Atlantic on a magnificent 15-night voyage from Miami, this fan-favourite vessel brings high-octane excitement directly to UK shores.

On board, adventure lovers can catch air on the FlowRider surf simulator, race down The Perfect Storm dual-racer waterslides, splash around Splashaway Bay, or marvel at world-class figure skaters in Studio B.

When night falls, the buzzing Royal Promenade comes alive with vibrant street parades, lively pubs, and world-class dining.

Her no-fly season ranges from quick 3- to 9-night escapes, covering Western Europe, Scandinavia, and the dramatic Norwegian Fjords.

Jewel of the Seas

Further north, the elegant Jewel of the Seas will navigate Scandinavia, the Baltic capitals, and the Norwegian Fjords on 7- to 11-night voyages through Denmark and Sweden.

Designed with acres of ocean-facing glass, soaring panoramic lifts, an adults-only Solarium retreat, and a rock-climbing wall high above the sea, she offers an intimate front-row seat to northern Europe's wild, untouched coastal beauty.

Western Mediterranean & Atlantic Coast

Liberty of the Seas

Action-packed Liberty of the Seas brings massive energy to the Western Mediterranean with a flexible multi-hub setup.

Loaded with top-deck thrills like the FlowRider, the boomerang-style Tidal Wave waterslide, and full-scale Broadway-calibre entertainment, her 7- to 8-night multi-hub structure gives travellers total freedom to embark across key Mediterranean cities to explore the best of Spain, Italy, France, Greece, and Sicily.

Mariner of the Seas

Adopting an innovative roving schedule, Mariner of the Seas comes armed with the FlowRider, Perfect Storm waterslides, Studio B ice rink, laser tag arena, and the bustling Royal Promenade.

Her 7-night port-to-port routes and 11-night repositioning sailings seamlessly connect the captivating cultures, golden beaches, and ancient ports of Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Italy, Greece, Malta, and Croatia.

Eastern Mediterranean, Adriatic & Greek Isles

Odyssey of the Seas

Quantum Ultra-class superstar Odyssey of the Seas will spend her summer dedicated strictly to the magic of the Greek Isles.

As one of the most technologically advanced ships afloat, she boasts the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, the North Star glass observation capsule, bumper cars inside the massive SeaPlex arena, and the immersive Two70 entertainment lounge on weekly roundtrip Sunday departures from Rome.

Explorer of the Seas

Stationed in the Adriatic, Explorer of the Seas delivers 7-night cruises through the Adriatic Coast, Croatia, the Greek Isles, and Italy.

On board, guests can balance cultural shoreline exploration with iconic Royal Caribbean experiences like real ice skating in Studio B and unwinding in the quiet Solarium.

Rhapsody of the Seas

Operating 45 back-to-back sailings throughout 2028, Rhapsody of the Seas sails out of Greece for the summer.

Belonging to the Vision Class, she brings timeless maritime elegance with expansive glass canopies, starlit dining venues, and intimate lounges focused entirely on the surrounding sea.

Standout Highlights to Put on Your Wishlist

Bucket-List Transatlantic Repositionings

For deep-ocean enthusiasts, Royal Caribbean's 2028 schedule features extraordinary Transatlantic repositionings ranging from 13 to 17 nights across all seven European ships.

The absolute showstopper is Jewel of the Seas' Arctic route taking explorers from Europe to Boston through the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Iceland and the icy, jaw-dropping fjords of Greenland.

Seamless No-Fly Family Cruising

Families will fall in love with the pure convenience of Freedom of the Seas sailing directly from Southampton.

Leaving from a UK port means no airport queues, no flight delays, and no luggage restrictions, making summer travel completely stress-free. You simply step on board, unpack once, and let the adventure begin.

Ancient Wonders & Epic Heritage

For history buffs, rare calls aboard select Mediterranean itineraries allow guests to step back in time.

From exploring the ancient marble streets of Ephesus near Kusadasi to visiting Alexandria in Egypt on special round-trip Athens sailings, 2028 offers unparalleled access to world wonder destinations.

Our Top 3 Sailings for Summer 2028

1. May Half Term Spain & France: Freedom of the Seas (28 May 2028 - 7 Nights)

Setting sail directly from Southampton on 28 May 2028, this round-trip voyage is the ultimate May Half Term getaway.

Cruisers can enjoy complete no-fly convenience while exploring iconic destinations including Paris (Le Havre), Bilbao, La Coruña, and Vigo.

It offers the perfect blend of French culinary charm and Spanish coastal culture for families and sun-seekers alike.

2. Peak Summer Scandinavia: Freedom of the Seas (14 August 2028 - 6 Nights)

Departing Southampton on 14 August 2028, this 6-night round-trip escape takes advantage of the height of summer to explore Scandinavia's finest coastal treasures.

Calling at Oslo, Kristiansand, and Skagen, guests can immerse themselves in Scandinavian culture, vibrant harbourside dining, and breathtaking northern scenery without ever setting foot in an airport.

3. Ultimate Greek Isles & Turkey: Rhapsody of the Seas (26 August 2028 - 7 Nights)

Sailing roundtrip from Athens (Piraeus) on 26 August 2028, this iconic 7-night voyage showcases the absolute best of the Aegean Sea.

Visiting Olympia (Katakolon), Kusadasi for ancient Ephesus, Rhodes, Santorini, and Mykonos, this itinerary pairs world-famous historical wonders with picture-perfect whitewashed island views and legendary Aegean sunsets.

With game-changing route configurations, unforgettable ports, and an incredible ship tailored to every style of traveller, Royal Caribbean's Summer 2028 European lineup is set to be an absolute sell-out success.

Now is the perfect time to start planning, build your ultimate travel wishlist, and get ready to lock in your dream summer voyage before the best cabins disappear!

Frequently Asked Questions

When do Royal Caribbean Summer 2028 European cruises go on sale?

Royal Caribbean's Summer 2028 European sailings open for general booking on Wednesday 14 October 2026. Early booking is strongly recommended to secure your preferred stateroom category, dining times, and optimal flight configurations before they sell out.

Which Royal Caribbean ship will be sailing out of Southampton in 2028?

The incredible Freedom of the Seas will anchor in Southampton for the Summer 2028 season. She offers a phenomenal selection of no-fly itineraries ranging from 3 to 9 nights to Northern Europe, Spain, France, and the stunning Norwegian Fjords.

Are short break cruises available from Southampton on Freedom of the Seas?

Yes! Freedom of the Seas offers short break options directly from Southampton. These include quick 3-night weekend getaways to Bruges in Belgium and 4-night taster cruises across France and Belgium, perfect for first-time cruisers or those looking for a quick escape.

What unique Arctic route is offered in 2028?

At the end of her European season, Jewel of the Seas sails an extraordinary 17-night Arctic Transatlantic repositioning cruise from Europe all the way to Boston. This once-in-a-lifetime voyage calls at bucket-list destinations across the rugged coasts of Iceland and Greenland.

Can I visit Egypt on a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2028?

Yes! Rhapsody of the Seas operates rare roundtrip sailings out of Athens that visit Alexandria in Egypt. This gives guests the opportunity to explore ancient Egyptian history alongside iconic Greek island stops.

Which ships offer Greek Isles itineraries in Summer 2028?

Several ships will sail the breathtaking Greek Isles in 2028. Odyssey of the Seas offers dedicated 7-night roundtrip Sunday sailings from Rome. Rhapsody of the Seas operates weekly routes out of Athens. Explorer of the Seas sails out of Ravenna, and Liberty of the Seas includes popular Greek ports on her flexible multi-hub routes.

What is a multi-hub or roving cruise itinerary?

A multi-hub itinerary, like the one featured on Liberty of the Seas, allows travellers to board the ship at various major ports along her route (such as Barcelona, Rome, or Athens). A roving itinerary, featured on Mariner of the Seas, continuously shifts embarkation ports across the season to offer unique, non-repetitive point-to-point voyages.

Are Transatlantic repositioning cruises available for the European season?

Yes! Every single one of the seven European ships offers Transatlantic repositioning voyages at the beginning or end of their European season. These journeys range from 13 to 17 nights and depart from major departure ports like Miami, New Orleans, Galveston, Fort Lauderdale, Cape Liberty, and San Juan.