Royal Caribbean

Europe Summer 2026

Royal Caribbean International will have 6 ships in Europe during the summer 2026 with the highlight being the introduction of "Legend of the Seas", Royal Caribbean's newest ship and the largest cruise ship to have ever sailed in the Mediterraean.

There will be 5 ships in the Mediterranean during the summer 2026, with Harmony of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas joining Legend of the Seas with embarkations from Barcelona, Rome, Athens, Ravenna and Trieste.

The UK will see Liberty of the Seas arrive in May to sail itineraries out of Southampton through the summer before repositioning to Galveston, Texas for Caribbean itineraries in October 2026.

30/01/26

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Legend of the Seas

Royal Caribbean's new ship "Legend of the Seas" will commence sailing from July 2026. She will become the largest cruise ship to sail in the Mediterranean and join "Icon of the Seas" and "Star of the Seas" in Royal Caribbeans Icon Class.

Her maiden season will see her sailing 7 night round trip Western Mediterranean itineraries from Rome (Civitavecchia) from July through to October 2026 and from Barcelona from August to October. Ports of call include Naples, Palma de Mallorca, La Spezia and Marseille. She will then repostion to Fort Lauderdale for the winter Caribbean season to join her sister ships in the Icon Class who already sail from Miami and Port Canaveral all year round. Legend of the Seas will then return to the Mediterranean for the Summer 2027 programe to sail Western Mediterranean itineraries from the months of May to October.

Hightlights include

8 neighbourhoods - Central Park with over 30,000 living plants, the exclusive Suite Neighbourhood for guests who prefer a private retreat within the ship, Surfside providing a family area, Thrill Island housing the Category 6 Waterpark, the Royal Promenade featuring "The Pearl", The Hideway and Aquadome
13 complimentary and 13 speciality dining options, along with 17 bars and lounges
Royal Caribbeans Adventure Ocean with the kids club for three age groups (3-5; 6-8; 9-12) as well as a baby club and teens club
Category 6 Waterpark, Flowrider (Surf Simulator), Aquadome, Rock Climbing Wall, Pools, Whirlpools and much more.
Broadway Style entertainment with the all new Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in the Royal Theatre, Iceskating Show in Absolute Zero and Synchronized Swimmers along with a 55 foot waterfall in the AquaTheatre and the all new immersive dining journey at the Royal Railway -Legend Station.

Harmony of the Seas

Until the arrival of Legend of the Seas in July '26, Harmony of the Seas from the Oasis Class will be sailing the 7 night round trip itinerearies from Barcelona with the itineraries calling into the ports of Palma de Mallorca, La Spezia, Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples before returing to Barcelona.

On the 26th July, Harmony of the Seas will reposition to Port Canaveral in Florida on a 13 night transatlantic sailing from Barcelona.

Harmony of the Seas joined the fleet in May 2016 and is one of the ships in the Oasis Class which were the largest ships in the world until Royal Caribbean introduced the Icon Class. Features of the ship include 7 different neighbourhoods including Central Park with lined with living plants, 20 dining options, The Perfect Storm Waterslides, an Aquatheatre, Flowriders and Rock Climbing Walls.

Liberty of the Seas

Liberty of the Seas will arrive in Southampton on the 29th May 2026 and will commence sailings giving UK guests the opportunity to experience a Royal Caribbean no fly cruise holiday, with the added convenience of not having to travel through airports and the holiday starting as soon as they arrive on the ship.

Sailings are availble from 2 to 9 nights with itineraries to the cities of Northern Europe, Norwegian Fjords, Spain, France & Portugal.

Liberty of the Seas maiden voyage was in May 2007 and carries 3,798 guests at double occupancy.

Highlights include

4 complimentary options including evening dinning, the Windjammer buffet restuarant and Sorrento's pizza
5 speciality restuarants with Chef's Table, Chops Grille, Giovanni's Table, Johnny Rockets and Sabor Taquería & Tequila Bar
12 bars and lounges
Activities for kids and teens including Adventure Ocean, Fuel Teen Disco, The Living Room and an Arcade
Other activities onboard include Casino Royal, the Royal Theatre, an Outdoor Movie Screen, Solarium, Pools, Whirlpools. Vitality Spa and Fitness Centre, Mini Golf and more

Odyssey of the Seas

Royal Caribbeans Quantum-Ultra Class Ship, Odyssey of the Seas will once again sail out of Rome (Civitavecchia) during the summer season in the Mediterranean after repositioning from New York in the Spring.

She will sail round trip itineraries from the port of Civitavecchia which is around an hour from Rome and is easily accessible via road or train. Departures take place every Sunday with itineraries calling at ports in Southern Italy such as Naples and Messina along with the iconic Greek islands of Santorini and Mykonos and the ancient Greek city of Ephesus which can be reached with a port stop in Kusadasi (Turkey).

Odyssey of the Seas maiden voyage for Royal Caribbean came in July 2021 and is the 5th ship in the Quantum Class with features such as the North Star, an observation tower which lifts guests up to 300 ft above sea level. It also features iFLY a Skydiving Simulator which gives guests a skydiving experience in an indoor vertical wind tunnel. Other features include

7 complimentary dinning options and 8 speciality restaurants
6 bars and lounges
Kids and Teens activities including Adventure Ocean, Splashaway Bay, an Arcade, Social180 and Social18 the Patio
Pools, Whirlpools, Solarium, Outdoor Movie Theatre, Bumber Cars, Royal Theatre, Casino Royale, Flowride (Surf Simulator) Rock Climbing Walls, Laser Tag, Vitality Spa & Fitness Centre and more

Brilliance of the Seas

Brillance of the Seas will be sailing out of 5 ports during Summer 26 with one way and round trip cruises.

Athens during the months of June, July, August and October on round trio and one-way itineraries to Rome.
Barcelona during May, June, August and September on one-way itineraries to Ravenna and Trieste in Italy which are perfect for guests to spend a post cruise stay in Venice
Ravenna during May, June, September with one way sailings to Rome and a one way sailing to Barcelona in October
Rome from May to October with one way itineraries to Athens, Barcelona and Ravenna
Trieste with a one way sailing to Rome in August

Brilliance of the Sea is the second ship in the Radiance Class and was built in 2002 and carries 2142 guests at double occupancy.

Features of the ship include

Complimentary dinning options in the two level dinning room, park cafe and the Windjammer buffet restaurant
Speciality dinning at Cafe Latte'tudes, Chops Grille, Chefs Table, Giovanni's Table and Izumi
11 bars and lounges
Kids and Teens activities at Adventure Ocean, Adventure Beach, an Arcade and Optix Teen Disco
Casino Royale, Cinema, Outdoor Movie Screen, Royal Theatre, Sports Court, Pools and Whirlpools

*Brilliance of the Sea is also scheduled for the Mediterranean in 2027 with round trip sailings from Ravenna

Explorer of the Seas

Explorer of the Seas will be based out of Ravenna (Italy) from the 16th May 2026.

From May to October she will sail 7 night itineraries in the Adriatic Sea calling at ports in Croatia, the Greek Isles and Athens.

Ports of call on various intineraries include Dubrovnik and Split in Croatia. Kotor in Montenegro, Greek Islands of Mykonos, Santorini and Athens a short distance from the port of Piraeus (Greece)

Explorer of the Seas was built in 2000 and is the second ship in the Voyager Class and carries 3,286 guests at double occupancy. Additional features have been added to the ship since its maiden voyage and now has the Flowrider (Surf Simulator) and Rock Climbing Wall

Complimentary dinning at Cafe Promenade, Island Grill, Windjammer, and a 3 level main dinning room
Speciality dining at Chef's Table, Chops Grille, Giovanni's Table, Johnny Rockets, Sabor Taquería & Tequila Bar
12 Bars and Lounges
Kids and Teens Activities including Adventure Ocean, Fuel Teen Disco, The Living Room and an Arcade
Royal Theatre, Casino Royale, Outdoor Movie Screen, Water Park (including Typhoone & Cyclone), Pools, Whirlpools, Solarium, Vitality Spa and Fitness Centre and more