Princess Cruises Launches Biggest-Ever Europe Season
Aerial view of Messina, Sicily, showing the Sun Princess cruise ship docked at the port beside the Strait of Messina. The foreground features a ornate baroque church dome and lush tree canopy, with the city's low-rise buildings stretching toward the waterfront. The strait and the hills of Calabria on the Italian mainland are visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Princess Cruises is launching its biggest-ever Europe season in 2028

Princess Cruises has announced its largest-ever Europe season for 2028, offering 291 departures across 150 itineraries aboard six ships. The programme, now on sale, spans 128 destinations in 37 countries and represents the most ambitious European deployment in the cruise line’s history.

Sailings range from seven to 53 days and cover Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and Transatlantic routes. The season includes access to 101 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 32 late-night or overnight port stays designed to give passengers more time ashore.

Six ships will operate the season from 13 departure ports:

  • Caribbean Princess
  • Enchanted Princess
  • Majestic Princess
  • Regal Princess
  • Sky Princess
  • Sun Princess

Among the highlights are maiden calls to Galway and Killybegs on Ireland’s west coast, marking the first time Princess Cruises has brought guests to these destinations. The line describes both ports as offering a rugged and culturally rich alternative to more traditional European stops.

The season also introduces the Pole-to-Pole Odyssey, a new extended voyage linking Antarctica and the Arctic in a single itinerary. Princess Cruises describes the sailing as an epic journey showcasing dramatic landscapes, diverse cultures and remote exploration.

Northern Europe

The Northern Europe programme focuses on smaller ports and authentic cultural encounters, positioning these itineraries as a less commercialised alternative to mainstream European travel. Key features include:

  • Maiden calls to Galway and Killybegs, bringing guests to Ireland’s rugged Atlantic coast for the first time
  • Sailings through Norway’s fjords and into the high north via Tromsø, the gateway to the Arctic
  • Late-night and overnight stays in Stockholm, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Belfast and Reykjavik

Mediterranean

The Mediterranean programme combines major European landmarks with immersive local experiences. Itineraries visit ancient sites and vibrant cities across the region:

  • Ancient ruins at Athens, Pompeii and Ephesus
  • City stays in Barcelona, Lisbon, Dubrovnik and Florence
  • Late-night and overnight port calls in Istanbul, Mykonos, Ibiza, Valletta, Split and La Spezia

The extended port access is designed to allow passengers to experience destinations beyond standard daytime excursion hours, with more time for evening culture, dining and exploration.

A woman wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat and olive green swimsuit sits at the edge of a bright turquoise pool on the Sanctuary Club deck of Sun Princess. A large white inflatable duck branded with the Sanctuary logo floats in the pool beside her. A cocktail rests on the pool ledge to her right. The Sanctuary Club signage and shaded lounge area are visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

Transatlantic Voyages

Princess Cruises is positioning its Transatlantic sailings as a relaxed alternative to long-haul flights, framing the journey itself as part of the holiday. Routes connect Europe with North and South America, with calls to:

  • The Canary Islands and Madeira
  • The Azores and Bermuda
  • Morocco

The new Pole-to-Pole Odyssey also forms part of the Transatlantic offering, linking the most remote ends of the planet in a single continuous voyage.

Shore Experiences

Across all regions, Princess Cruises is emphasising cultural immersion through its Princess Local Connections programme and a range of shore excursions developed with regional experts. The line’s Guaranteed Return to Ship promise covers all excursions, protecting passengers if a trip runs over schedule.

The 2028 Europe season is on sale now via Princess Cruises’ website and through travel agents. With nearly 300 departures on offer and a programme stretching from Ireland’s Atlantic coast to the polar regions, the line is making a clear play for travellers who want to use a cruise as a base for serious European exploration.

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