Brief
Royal Caribbean sets Freedom of the Seas to sail from Southampton in 2028
The ship will run May‑October sailings across European ports with trips from two to nine nights, starting at £460 per person.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Royal Caribbean announced that its Freedom of the Seas cruise ship will be based in Southampton for the 2028 summer season, operating between May and October, the independent reported on 16 October 2026.
What happened
The cruise line disclosed its European lineup for 2028, confirming Freedom of the Seas will depart from Southampton after already being scheduled for the same port in summer 2027, where it replaces Mariner of the Seas. The ship will offer itineraries ranging from two to nine nights, visiting the Norwegian fjords, Copenhagen, Bruges, Bilbao, Le Havre and Lisbon. Prices start at £460 per passenger.
What the reports add
The independent noted that Freedom of the Seas, launched in 2006 and once the world’s largest vessel, now has a gross tonnage of 156,271 and can accommodate up to 4,000 guests, classifying it as a mid‑size mega‑ship. By contrast, the newer Legend of the Seas measures 250,800 gross tonnage with capacity for 7,000 guests.
What was said
The article quoted Royal Caribbean’s description of onboard features, including nine bars such as the Lime & Coconut pool bar, ten dining venues (five complimentary, including the El Loco Mexican buffet added in 2020), and specialty restaurants like the Izumi sushi bar and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen.
How it came about
Freedom of the Seas’ 2028 Southampton deployment follows the cruise line’s earlier itinerary changes announced earlier in 2026, which saw the ship take over the summer slot previously held by Mariner of the Seas. The announcement also placed the vessel among a broader fleet of seven Royal Caribbean ships slated for European cruises in 2028, including Explorer of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas.
Key facts
- Freedom of the Seas will be based in Southampton from May to October 2028. (independent.co.uk)
- Summer 2028 sailings will include ports such as the Norwegian fjords, Copenhagen, Bruges, Bilbao, Le Havre and Lisbon. (independent.co.uk)
- Prices start at £460 per person for trips ranging from two to nine nights. (independent.co.uk)
- The ship has a gross tonnage of 156,271 and capacity for up to 4,000 guests. (independent.co.uk)
- Onboard amenities include nine bars, ten dining venues and activities like water slides, ice skating and a rock‑climbing wall. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Freedom of the Seas to sail from Southampton in 2028 – what to expect on board”
