Royal Caribbean Brings Icon Class to Europe for Summer 2027

Royal Caribbean has opened bookings for its summer 2027 Europe season, rolling out a program that places six ships on itineraries departing from five major embarkation ports. Early access is available now for Crown & Anchor Society members, with bookings for the general public set to begin on October 30, 2025.

Booking access and itinerary range

The newly released 2027 Europe schedule includes cruises ranging from two to nine nights, positioning the season for everything from short breaks to longer regional trips. Departures are planned from Barcelona, Rome, Ravenna, Athens, and Southampton, with itineraries spanning areas including the Mediterranean, the Greek Isles, Norway, and Northern Europe.

No executive or port-official quotes were included in the available reports about the deployment and booking launch.

Six ships and five departure ports for summer 2027

Royal Caribbean’s 2027 plan assigns several ships to a single homeport, while others, including Explorer of the Seas, are scheduled to operate from multiple embarkation cities. The lineup includes a milestone deployment for the brand’s newest ship class.

• Legend of the Seas will sail from Barcelona and Rome, marking the first time an Icon Class ship is scheduled to operate in Europe during the summer season.
• Mariner of the Seas will sail from Southampton, giving the lineup a UK gateway for Northern Europe-style itineraries.
• Rhapsody of the Seas will sail from Athens, supporting Greek Isles-focused departures.
• Brilliance of the Seas will sail from Ravenna, an embarkation point referenced for Italy’s Adriatic coast region.
• Explorer of the Seas will sail from Barcelona, Rome, Ravenna, and Athens, providing flexibility for travelers planning around specific embarkation cities.
• Odyssey of the Seas will sail from Rome.

Santorini calls tied to a new beach club opening in 2026

For itineraries that include Santorini, Royal Caribbean has connected future visits to its planned Royal Beach Club Santorini, scheduled to open in summer 2026 ahead of the 2027 season now on sale. The cruise line has described the concept as pairing time ashore at well-known stops such as Oia and Fira with access to a dedicated beach club experience that includes private beach areas, cabanas, and food positioned around local flavors.

Royal Caribbean has also described the beach club as offering exclusive amenities available only to Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises passengers.

Loyalty program changes across Royal Caribbean Group

Separately from the Europe itinerary rollout, Royal Caribbean has teased enhancements to its loyalty program under an update it calls Points Choice. The company said the change will allow passengers sailing on Celebrity Cruises or Silversea to earn loyalty points with Royal Caribbean starting early next year, a move aimed at strengthening status-matching benefits across brands within Royal Caribbean Group.

Other recent headlines: lawsuit and onboard safety concerns

Royal Caribbean has also been in the news for safety and legal matters unrelated to the 2027 Europe announcement. A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed by the family of a passenger who died after jumping overboard from Allure of the Seas, with the family alleging the cruise line overserved the woman, who had an unlimited drink package.

In a separate incident, photos circulated online showing a passenger engaging in dangerous behavior aboard Star of the Seas, including sitting on the outside of an infinite balcony stateroom. Royal Caribbean has reiterated the importance of adhering to safety guidelines while onboard.

Promotions and what travelers may watch next

Royal Caribbean’s next Black Friday sales are set to begin next week, though the company has not announced specific discounts. The promotions have previously included significant savings, and the timing coincides with the newly opened 2027 Europe season, which the cruise line has indicated will be available to book as the program rolls out through its booking channels.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When can travelers book Royal Caribbean’s summer 2027 Europe cruises?

Bookings are available now for Crown & Anchor Society members. Bookings for the general public are scheduled to open on October 30, 2025.

How long are the summer 2027 Europe itineraries Royal Caribbean announced?

The itineraries range from two to nine nights.

Which ports will Royal Caribbean sail from in Europe in 2027, and which ships are assigned to each?

The announced departure ports are Barcelona, Rome, Ravenna, Athens, and Southampton. Legend of the Seas is scheduled from Barcelona and Rome, Mariner of the Seas from Southampton, Rhapsody of the Seas from Athens, Brilliance of the Seas from Ravenna, Odyssey of the Seas from Rome, and Explorer of the Seas from Barcelona, Rome, Ravenna, and Athens. The deployment also represents the first time an Icon Class ship is scheduled to sail in Europe during the summer season, with Legend of the Seas assigned to that role.

What is Royal Beach Club Santorini, and when is it scheduled to open?

Royal Beach Club Santorini is Royal Caribbean’s dedicated beach club experience on Santorini, scheduled to open in summer 2026. The line has said it will combine time exploring areas such as Oia and Fira with access to beach areas, cabanas, and food centered on local flavors, with amenities described as exclusive to Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises passengers.

What is Points Choice, and how does it work?

Points Choice is a planned loyalty update that Royal Caribbean said will let passengers sailing on Celebrity Cruises or Silversea earn loyalty points with Royal Caribbean starting early next year, supporting status-matching benefits across Royal Caribbean Group brands.