Royal Caribbean plans year-round Europe programme for 2028–29
Seven ships will support an expanded schedule featuring Piraeus homeport operations and a return to Heraklion, Crete.
Royal Caribbean has announced what it describes as Europe’s first year-round, non-stop cruise programme, scheduled for 2028–29. The company plans to deploy seven ships across its expanded European itineraries.
Piraeus will serve as a homeport for Rhapsody of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas. The programme will also mark Royal Caribbean’s return to Heraklion, Crete.
Rhapsody of the Seas will offer seven- to 12-night sailings from Athens via Piraeus, Barcelona and Lisbon. From May through October 2028, its itineraries will visit Greece, Turkey and Egypt, including overnight stays in Alexandria and Istanbul. Beginning in November 2028, the ship will operate nine- to 12-night cruises featuring destinations in Greece, Cyprus, the Canary Islands, Portugal and Malta.
Explorer of the Seas will sail seven-night cruises from Ravenna between May and October 2028, concentrating on the Greek islands and Croatia. During the same period, Liberty of the Seas will link Athens via Piraeus with Barcelona and Rome on seven- to eight-night Mediterranean and Greek islands itineraries.
