Categories: Cruise News

Royal Caribbean unveils 2027 Europe season featuring return of Legend of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International has announced its 2027 European cruise programme, unveiling new itineraries that coincide with the debut of the Royal Beach Club Santorini and the return of Legend of the Seas to the Mediterranean. 

The summer deployment features a broad range of two- to nine-night itineraries across the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, sailing from ports including Barcelona, Rome, Ravenna, Athens, and Southampton.

The upcoming season marks the introduction of Royal Caribbean Group’s latest land-based development, the Royal Beach Club Santorini, which will open in 2026. 

Royal Beach Club Santorini will open in 2026

The new beach club will be integrated into selected Mediterranean itineraries aboard Brilliance, Rhapsody and Odyssey of the Seas, offering guests access to Santorini’s coastal landscapes alongside the island’s signature attractions in Oia and Fira.

“Expanding our Royal Beach Club Collection to include Santorini – one of the world’s most popular and beautiful locations – is a bold step forward in growing our vacation portfolio from two to eight by 2028, giving guests more ways to have unforgettable experiences with us,” said Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.

The 2027 season will also see Legend of the Seas return to Europe, sailing seven-night Western Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona and Rome that visit ports across France, Italy, and Spain. 

Onboard, the ship will feature a mix of new dining and entertainment options, including themed restaurants and large-scale production shows.

Legend of the Seas

Other ships deployed in Europe for summer 2027 include Mariner of the Seas, which will homeport in Southampton for the first time with short and extended sailings to destinations such as Porto, Copenhagen, and the Norwegian fjords, and Brilliance of the Seas, offering week-long itineraries from Ravenna to the Greek Isles, Croatia, and the Adriatic coast.

Rhapsody of the Seas will return to the Eastern Mediterranean after a four-year absence, sailing from Athens to ports in Greece, Turkey, Morocco, and Egypt, with overnight stays in Istanbul and Alexandria. 

Explorer of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas will round out the season with itineraries covering the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, combining cultural landmarks with active shore excursions and onboard attractions, such as the FlowRider surf simulator, North Star observation pod, and SeaPlex entertainment complex.

The expanded European programme underscores Royal Caribbean’s continued investment in the region as a key market, pairing diverse itineraries with new shore-based experiences designed to appeal to both returning guests and first-time cruisers.

Shaun Ebelthite

Founder and editor of Cruise Arabia & Africa. I try to create the best news and information specifically for cruise passengers taking cruises to and from Dubai (where I live) and South Africa (where I was born). You can contact me at shaun(at)cruisearabiaonline.com.

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