Royal Caribbean International has unveiled its 2012 Europe cruise and cruisetour season, upping the ante from its 2011 lineup of 11 ships to 12 for 2012, including two Freedom-class ships, the largest ships to sail European waters. In the 2012 European season, 12 Royal Caribbean International ships will be based in 12 ports, calling at 101 ports in 34 countries on itineraries ranging from three to 16 nights.

“Every year Royal Caribbean surpasses its previous Europe offerings to continue to exceed the expectations of holidaymakers,” said Betsy O’Rourke, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Royal Caribbean.

In 2012, new to Royal Caribbean’s European schedule:

• Amsterdam will debut as a new homeport, bringing a total of 12 main homeports which guests can choose to sail from.
• Royal Caribbean will also offer an additional eight regional embarkation ports: Toulon, Marseille and LeHavre, France; Genoa, Messina (Sicily), and Bari, Italy; Valencia, Spain; and Kusadasi (Ephesus) Turkey.
• Maiden calls will be made at Arhus, Denmark; Klaksvik, Faroe Islands; and Leknes (Lofoten), Norway.
• Serenade of the Seas will make its European debut from Barcelona.
• Brilliance of the Seas will operate on a new series of Northern Europe itineraries out of the new homeport of Amsterdam and Copenhagen.
• Mariner of the Seas will add new Holy Land vacations and seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Rome.
• Liberty of the Seas willoffer new five-night Western Mediterranean itineraries.
• Vision of the Seas adds two new six-night Norwegian Fjord cruises from Oslo.

Royal Caribbean’s other 2012 European offerings include:

• Vision the Seas will also offer Holy Land sailings as well as a roster of Northern Europe itineraries.
• Independence of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas will sail on a wide-ranging roster of Mediterranean cruises.
• Voyager of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas will cruise the Greek Isles and Turkey.
• Jewel of the Seas will focus on Scandinavia and Russia vacations.

Itineraries on Adventure of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas, are now open for booking.