Norway and More See Luxury Cruise Surge as Ritz-Carlton and Rivals Expand European Sailings

Written By: Sarannya Acharya

Sarannya Acharya

Sarannya Acharya is a content writer with a strong academic and professional background in media and communication. She holds an M.Sc in Media Science and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Swami Vivekananda University, Barrackpore, with a specialization in Advertising. With over three years of experience in content writing, she brings a blend of research-driven insight and creative storytelling to her work. Alongside her professional role, she is actively engaged in academics, contributing to the field through teaching and scholarly involvement. Her expertise lies in crafting well-structured, engaging, and informative content, supported by a solid foundation in media theory and practical industry knowledge.

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September 10, 2026 01:04 GMT+5:30

Norway and more European destinations are seeing a luxury cruise surge as Ritz-Carlton and rivals expand European sailings for travellers seeking remarkable journeys. Norway, Greece, Italy, Spain and other destinations are becoming increasingly important in Europe’s luxury cruise landscape. Meanwhile, Ritz-Carlton is expanding its European sailings alongside major cruise rivals, creating more choices for international travellers. Luxury cruise visitors can discover fjords, islands, historic cities, coastal villages and distinctive local cuisine. As European cruise demand continues to strengthen, these expanded sailings could reshape holiday planning. Travel And Tour World urges readers to explore the entire story for routes, ports, destinations and traveller insights.

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection 2028 Europe Sailings Expand Luxury Travel Options

52 Voyages Across Europe

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has opened reservations for its Summer 2028 Europe sailings, covering 52 voyages across the Mediterranean and Northern Europe from late April through October 2028. The programme operates aboard Evrima and Ilma, with journeys lasting four to nine nights. Round-trip options depart from Rome, Monte Carlo, Athens, Venice and Reykjavík.

New Ports and Greek Isles

The programme adds Gijón, Spain, and Portovenere, Italy, giving repeat European travellers new destinations to explore. Ilma will also provide expanded access to the Greek Isles and Adriatic. The collection says its 2028 programme emphasises longer stays and overnight opportunities, allowing visitors more time ashore.

Evrima Highlights

A seven-night Nice-to-Rome voyage departing May 14 visits Cannes, Portofino, Portovenere and Elba. A nine-night London-to-Copenhagen sailing on July 12 includes Norway’s Haugesund and Geiranger, plus Aalborg in Denmark.

Ilma Mediterranean Journeys

An Athens round trip departing May 9 visits Mykonos, Santorini, Patmos, Amorgos and Nafplio. Another seven-night Rome round trip begins July 27 and features Valletta, Taormina, Mount Etna and the Amalfi Coast.

What Travellers Should Consider

For travellers, the programme offers flexibility to combine luxury cruising with longer European stays. The collection’s wider fleet includes Evrima, a 624-foot yacht accommodating up to 298 guests in 149 suites, and Ilma, a 790-foot yacht with 224 suites for up to 448 guests.

The 2028 programme therefore gives luxury travellers multiple ways to experience Europe’s islands, coastal cities and northern landscapes while spending more time at selected destinations. Reservations are currently open.

Cruise Lines Joining the Luxury Europe Cruise Boom in 2028

2028 Europe Cruise Competition at a Glance

1. Princess Cruises: The Biggest Published 2028 Programme

Princess Cruises presents one of the largest directly comparable European programmes for 2028. The company has announced 291 departures across 150 unique itineraries, operated by six ships: Caribbean Princess, Enchanted Princess, Majestic Princess, Regal Princess, Sky Princess and Sun Princess. The programme covers 128 destinations in 37 countries and provides access to 101 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Voyages range from seven to 53 days.

For travellers, the programme is particularly useful when building a longer European holiday. Northern European routes include Norway, Iceland, Ireland, Scandinavia and the Baltic. Princess has announced maiden Irish calls at Galway and Killybegs. Late or overnight stays are offered in Stockholm, Hamburg, Tromsø, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Belfast and Reykjavik. Mediterranean routes include Athens, Pompeii, Ephesus, Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Florence, Istanbul, Mykonos, Ibiza, Valletta, Split and La Spezia.

A practical seven-day Mediterranean plan could centre on Rome, Florence and the Italian coast, followed by Barcelona or another Mediterranean gateway. Travellers should reserve time for local cuisine such as Roman pasta, Tuscan dishes, Greek seafood and Croatian grilled specialities. Princess also highlights local experiences including Italian pasta-making and Sami cultural encounters in Arctic Norway.

2. Holland America Line: Longer Port Time Across Europe

Holland America Line’s 2028 Europe programme is designed around five ships: Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Volendam and Zuiderdam. The line says this will provide its highest number of European port calls in nearly a decade. The programme includes Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and transatlantic routes. Voyages range from seven-day cruises to 48-day Legendary Voyages.

The Mediterranean programme includes Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia and Türkiye. Holland America has announced a record six calls at Portofino and its highest number of visits to Spain since 2017. Northern Europe includes Norway, Iceland, Greenland, the British Isles and Baltic destinations. The line also says its 2028 programme provides access to more than 200 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

One particularly useful option for travellers is the seasonal flexibility. Winter voyages can include Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Lisbon and Casablanca. Spring brings Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Bruges, Barcelona, Athens and Naples. Summer adds Norway, Iceland, Greece, Croatia and Türkiye. Autumn continues Mediterranean and Northern European cruising.

For food-focused travellers, Spain offers seafood and tapas, Italy offers pasta and regional dishes, Greece brings grilled fish and meze, while Norway is ideal for salmon and seafood. A longer itinerary allows visitors to explore beyond the immediate port.

3. Celebrity Cruises: Riviera, Greek Isles and Northern Europe

Celebrity Cruises has opened its 2028-2029 European programme, with new ports and expanded regional itineraries. Its Europe deployment includes Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Summit, Celebrity Infinity and Celebrity Xcel. The programme introduces new calls in Puglia, Egypt and Ireland, while covering the Italian and French Riviera, Greek Isles, Spain, Portugal, Iceland and Norway.

The programme is especially attractive for travellers who want Mediterranean variety without restricting themselves to the classic Western Mediterranean circuit. Puglia adds southern Italy, while Egypt expands the historical dimension of European-region itineraries. Ireland and Northern Europe provide a cooler alternative to summer Mediterranean cruising.

Travellers could build a nine- to fourteen-day holiday around Italy and Greece, using Rome, Naples or Athens as gateways. Puglia is worth extending with land travel because Bari, Lecce and Alberobello offer different cultural experiences. Greek itineraries can focus on island villages, archaeological sites and local seafood.

Food should be treated as part of the itinerary. Travellers can seek Puglian orecchiette, Greek grilled seafood, Portuguese bacalhau, Spanish tapas and French Riviera cuisine. Celebrity’s official programme also highlights enhanced onboard experiences and new destination combinations.

4. MSC Cruises: Broad European Coverage Through 2028

MSC Cruises has opened its 2028 programme across several European regions. Its published programme includes the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Madeira and Northern Europe, with cruises available across winter, spring, summer and autumn. Important embarkation points include Southampton, Hamburg and Barcelona, while the programme also promotes Mediterranean departures.

This seasonal structure gives travellers considerable flexibility. Winter can be useful for milder Mediterranean or Canary Islands travel. Summer is better suited to Northern European scenery and longer daylight. Autumn can offer a different atmosphere in Mediterranean ports.

MSC also lists a major 2028 World Cruise aboard MSC Magnifica, departing January 5 and visiting 42 destinations across six continents. This is substantially different from a conventional European cruise, but it demonstrates how travellers can use European sailings as part of a much longer international journey.

For Mediterranean food, travellers should plan around local specialities rather than generic tourist restaurants. Sicilian seafood, Neapolitan pizza, Greek meze, Spanish paella and Portuguese seafood are obvious choices. A Barcelona departure works well for Catalonia, while Southampton offers convenient access to London. Hamburg is useful for combining a cruise with northern Germany.

5. Cunard: Long-Form Luxury European Voyages

Cunard’s 2028 programme offers Mediterranean adventures, Norwegian fjords, Northern Europe and Transatlantic Crossings. Its official programme highlights a 23-night Mediterranean voyage, while selected itineraries provide late departures and overnight stays.

One published 34-night Queen Mary 2 itinerary illustrates the scale of Cunard’s European approach. The voyage departs New York on March 18, 2028, reaches Southampton, then visits Zeebrugge, Rotterdam, Le Havre, Southampton, Vigo, Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Alghero and Málaga before continuing through Spain and the Mediterranean.

This itinerary is particularly valuable for travellers seeking a transatlantic-plus-Europe experience rather than a standard one-week cruise. It can combine New York, London, Bruges, Amsterdam, Normandy, Galicia, Barcelona, Rome, Sardinia and southern Spain in one extended journey.

Food opportunities are equally varied. Travellers can sample Belgian chocolate and beer culture, Dutch seafood, Galician seafood, Catalan dishes, Roman pasta, Sardinian specialities and Andalusian grilled seafood. Cunard also has a major 2028 milestone: all four Queens are scheduled to meet in Liverpool in May for a special celebration.

6. Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection: Smaller-Scale Luxury

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection differs from the larger operators through its yacht-based approach. Its 2028 European programme contains 52 voyages, with four- to nine-night itineraries aboard Evrima and Ilma. Routes include Mediterranean and Northern European destinations, with departures from places including Athens, Rome, Nice, London and Copenhagen.

The programme introduces Gijón in Spain and Portovenere in Italy. Other highlighted destinations include Mykonos, Santorini, Patmos, Amorgos, Nafplio, Valletta, Taormina, Mount Etna and the Amalfi Coast.

For travellers, the shorter itinerary length makes these voyages particularly suitable for combining cruising with independent European travel. A visitor could spend several days in Rome before boarding, cruise towards southern Italy, and then continue a land holiday.

Greece’s cruise market demonstrates why these destinations remain important. The Bank of Greece recorded 7.83 million cruise passenger visits in 2024, up 12.4% from 6.96 million in 2023. Greece also recorded 5.01 million cruise passengers and 5,308 cruise-ship arrivals in 2024.

European Tourism Recovery Supports Cruise Demand

The wider tourism figures show strong recovery across the destinations served by these cruise programmes.

*Italy’s 2023 figure is calculated from the reported 2024 increase of 6 million arrivals.

The data demonstrates the strength of European travel demand. Spain received 93.8 million international tourists in 2024, up 10.1% from 2023. Spain’s 2024 total was also substantially above 2022’s 71.7 million and 2021’s 31.2 million.

Italy recorded 139.6 million accommodation arrivals and 466.2 million overnight stays in 2024. Both were records. Foreign arrivals increased 8.9% from 2023, while foreign overnight stays increased 8.4%.

Greece recorded 35.95 million inbound travellers in 2024, a 9.8% annual increase. Cruise passenger visits reached 7.83 million.

Norway recorded almost 38.6 million accommodation guest nights in 2024, an all-time high. Foreign guest nights reached 12.4 million, increasing 12% year-on-year.

The United Kingdom also recorded 42.6 million overseas visits in 2024, compared with 38.0 million in 2023 and 31.2 million in 2022.

Five-Year European Cruise Recovery

CLIA’s comparable European source-market series shows a dramatic post-pandemic recovery.

The 2022-2025 figures come from CLIA’s latest European market report. The 2022 total was still rebuilding from pandemic disruption, while 2023 produced a particularly sharp recovery.

The wider European cruise economy is also substantial. CLIA reports €31.3 billion in direct cruise-linked spending in Europe in 2024, 17% above 2023. Cruise-line purchases accounted for €13.7 billion, ship and capacity-building for €9.6 billion, passenger and crew spending for €6.4 billion, and staff wages for €1.7 billion.

Traveller Planning Guide for 2028

For travellers comparing these programmes, the key distinction is itinerary depth. Princess offers exceptional numerical breadth, Holland America emphasises port variety and longer voyages, Celebrity focuses on destination-rich luxury, MSC provides broad seasonal choice, Cunard offers classic long-form voyages, while Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection provides a smaller-yacht alternative.

The strongest planning strategy is to choose the destination first and the cruise line second. Travellers interested in Greece should compare Athens and Greek Isles routes. Those seeking fjords should prioritise Norway. Visitors wanting Italian culture should consider Rome, Naples, Florence, Sicily and Portofino.

The data also shows why early planning matters. Europe is already operating at very high tourism volumes, with EU accommodation nights reaching 3.0 billion in 2024, above the 2019 level.

For a 2028 holiday, travellers should therefore compare ports, overnight calls, embarkation cities, cruise duration and time ashore rather than choosing purely on ship facilities. This approach can turn a cruise into a more complete European cultural, culinary and sightseeing journey.