Royal Caribbean Will Launch 2028-29 European Cruise Season
The cruise line will deploy seven ships across Europe with itineraries featuring new and returning ports.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Cruises
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Royal Caribbean announced a year-round 2028-29 European cruise season, with bookings opening for loyalty members on October 14, 2026. The season features seven ships visiting destinations across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and the Canary Islands.
Why it matters
This expansion represents a significant return to several European markets and the integration of new destinations into the cruise line's global offerings. Holidaymakers can secure their spot on these upcoming voyages through the official booking window.
The new season features a fleet of seven ships operating itineraries that range from 7-to 12-nights in duration. These voyages will depart from major ports including Athens, Barcelona, Lisbon, Rome, Ravenna, Copenhagen, and Southampton.
The players
Royal Caribbean
This global cruise line is headquartered in Miami, Florida, and has maintained a 23-year award-winning streak.
Crown & Anchor Society
This is the official loyalty program for Royal Caribbean that provides members with early access to cruise bookings.
The details
The upcoming season marks the cruise line's return to Copenhagen and Stockholm, alongside a return to Heraklion and Cagliari for the first time in over a decade. Passengers will also have access to the new Royal Beach Club Santorini as part of the expanded European travel program.
Timeline
October 14, 2026: Bookings opened for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members.
October 15, 2026: Public bookings for the season officially open.
April 2028: Odyssey of the Seas begins its European season.
May 2028: Most other ships begin their scheduled European itineraries.
Travel Outlook
This itinerary release aligns with the cruise industry's standard cycle of planning long-term deployment strategies for peak summer travel. The scheduling reflects a return to historical volume levels in Northern Europe while capitalizing on the high demand for Mediterranean summer cruising.
Travelers looking to secure their preferred cabin for the 2028-29 season should utilize the official booking portal starting on October 15, 2026. Planning early allows passengers to coordinate multi-country itineraries involving major departure ports like Athens, Rome, and Barcelona.
The takeaway
Travelers interested in these new itineraries should prioritize booking early to ensure availability on specific routes that include the updated port list. These long-term scheduling announcements provide an opportunity to secure travel dates well in advance of the busy 2028 summer season.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming voyages, visit our section on Cruises.
More information
To book a cruise or review the new itineraries, visit the Royal Caribbean official booking website.
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