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Royal Caribbean Opens Epic Lineup Of European Adventures For Summer 2023

Cyprus re-established sea contact with the outside world after 21 years

MIAMI – Royal Caribbean International revealed the 2023 European summer lineup of nine award-winning ships that will visit landmark destinations in more than 25 countries, from the Amalfi Coast to the Holy Land, plus the Adriatic islands of Croatia, British Isles, Canary Islands and Greek Isles. Beginning in May 2023, vacationers of all ages can experience the region’s timeless beauty on a variety of cruises that range from five to 12 nights and visit iconic locales, from Reykjavik, Iceland, to Tel Aviv, Israel, and everything in between. The cruise line’s new summer 2023 Europe cruises are now open.   

Travellers with their sights on Europe can choose from 35 unique itineraries and a diverse set of ships, a matchup that makes for memories galore. Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas in Rome,  following up its 2021 debut, and Anthem of the Seas in Southampton, England, are two returning favourites set to offer the whole family a combination of signature features and standout experiences. Highlights include Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade and bumper cars in SeaPlex, the largest indoor and outdoor activity complex at sea, North Star – the highest viewing deck on a cruise ship – and the gravity-defying skydiving simulator, RipCord by iFly. From Rome and Barcelona, Spain, Oasis Class ship Symphony of the Seas will bring all types of vacationers together with thrilling experiences across seven distinct neighbourhoods only found on Royal Caribbean, like the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea; famed Broadway shows and original productions across the ice, water, stage and air; and more than 20 different restaurants, bars and lounges.

Itinerary Highlights

Odyssey of the Seas – Cruising from: Rome
Headlining the European summer lineup is one of Royal Caribbean’s newest additions, Odyssey, returning for an encore after its first summer in the region in 2022. Vacationers have a choice of 7- to 9-night cruises from Rome to NaplesItaly; the idyllic Greek Isles and Turkey, as well as 12-night Holy Land sailings to the historic, bustling cities of Limassol, CyprusEphesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; and JerusalemIsrael. From the iconic whitewashed homes of Santorini, Greece, to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – a world from centuries past is within reach.

Symphony of the Seas – Cruising from: Barcelona and Rome
One of Time’s World’s Greatest Places in 2018 and Royal Caribbean’s renowned Oasis Class ships, Symphony heads to the Western Mediterranean. Travelers can set course on 7-night cruises, from Barcelona or Rome, to bucket list destinations like NaplesPalma de MallorcaSpain, and Provence, France. Whether exploring 14th-century castles and cathedrals in Mallorca or marveling at the Duomo in Florence, Italy, travelers can expect days filled with rich culture and history.

Serenade of the Seas – Cruising from: Barcelona
Serenade will call the warm shores of Barcelona home and sail 8-night itineraries to the Western Mediterranean12-night cruises to the Greek Isles and 5-night sailings to Italy and France. Beaches and beats await in IbizaSpain, home to a legendary electronic music scene, while the Cote d’Azur offers a glamorous getaway in iconic Cannes, France.

Explorer of the Seas – Cruising from: Venice (Ravenna), Italy
New to Ravenna, Italy, Explorer will explore the Aegean Sea and visit Olympia, Greece – the birthplace of the Olympic Games – for the first time, among several picturesque destinations. The 7-night cruises will sail to the Greek Isles and beyond to Adriatic and Mediterranean gems such as Kotor, Montenegro, and Chania, Crete.

Brilliance of the Seas – Cruising from: Rome and Venice (Ravenna), Athens, Greece; and Barcelona
Sailing open-jaw itineraries from ItalyGreece and SpainBrilliance will offer vacationers a choice of four epic European cities to start and complete their adventures in the Western MediterraneanGreek Isles and Adriatic Sea. The 7-night cruises will sail from Rome to Athens, Greece; Athens to Venice; Venice to Barcelona; and Barcelona to Rome. Bucket list-worthy sites like the Diocletian’s Palace in Split, Croatia, St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice and Praetorian Palace in Koper, Slovenia – a new destination for Brilliance – are just a few of the top spots awaiting travelers.

Rhapsody of the Seas – Cruising from: Haifa, Israel, and Limassol, Cyprus
Rhapsody will be the first Royal Caribbean ship to sail from Limassol and HaifaIsrael, all in one season. The new summer combination consists of 7-night sailings to ports of call in TurkeyIsrael and Greece, including first-time destinations for the cruise line, like Skiathos and Thessaloniki, Greece. Starting in September, the ship will take off on short 4- and 5-night getaways from Haifa and visit Cyprus and the Greek Isles.

Anthem of the Seas  Cruising from: Southampton, England
A returning favorite, Anthem will call Southampton, England, home for the third consecutive year. Adventure seekers can have their choice of 7-night adventures to Spain and France, or the Norwegian Fjords. They can visit destinations new to Anthem, including Maloy and Haugesund, Norway, and Cork, Ireland. Longer, 11- and 12-night vacations will go further to places such as LisbonPortugal; Vigo, Spain; and the Canary Islands. Between sampling lutefisk in Stavanger, Norway, and shopping for locally made goods in LanzaroteCanary Islands, there are culture-rich experiences and outdoor explorations in store.

Voyager of the Seas – Cruising from: Copenhagen, Denmark, and Stockholm
Voyager returns to Northern Europe, sailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, and Stockholm to offer a mix of 7- to 11-night itineraries around Scandinavian countries, Estonia and Russia. There will be stunning sites to behold, like the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg, Russia, and the Suomenlinna fortress in Helsinki, Finland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s most popular landmarks. Guests looking for a longer vacation can cruise from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Copenhagen on a 14-night sailing that features an overnight in Bermuda and visits to St. Thomas, France and Belgium. 

Jewel of the Seas – Cruising from: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
All summer, Jewel will cruise roundtrip from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, welcoming travelers on 12-night sailings to the Arctic Circle, the British Isles, Iceland and Ireland. Picturesque destinations, including the Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik and the White Cliffs of Dover in England, will be just a night’s rest away.

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