The best destinations around the world for a rail holiday of a lifetime

Whether you're looking for a unique sightseeing trip or feeling inspired by the new film adaptation of Agatha Christie's 'Murder on the Orient Express', then a rail holiday could be just the ticket.

Not only does it make for a unique way to travel (goodbye airport queues and hello lush interiors), but there are plenty of tours and trips which offer panoramics of some of the world's prettiest landscapes.

Think sweeping landscapes, jaw-dropping mountains and picturesque views that go on for miles.

We take a look at some of the best destinations for a rail holiday of a lifetime from long-haul favourites such as Canada to major European hotspots.

Check out our top picks below...

1. Canada

Often hailed as one of the world's most dramatic rail journeys, the Rocky Mountaineer offers one of the very best ways to see the unparalleled natural beauty of the region.

Carriages are custom-designed with glass domes and oversized windows to ensure the very best panoramic views, which come with opportunities for spotting mountain wildlife including eagles, elk and even bears.

The route from the mountains around Jasper to Vancouver passes through 'cowboy country', with opportunities to learn tales of great pioneers.

THE DEAL: Canadian Sky offers an eight-day Rockies Highlights trip from £2,079 per person. Click here for the full details or call 01342 886941.

Read More 2. Russia

Trains have clicked and clacked along the Trans-Siberian railway regardless of weather, revolution or political upheaval for over a century, providing an essential link for families, traders and tourists.

Featuring highly on the list of many rail lovers and adventurers, this iconic journey from Moscow to Beijing offers a chance to see Russia from a different perspective.

Admire the amazing landscapes of the Gobi Desert, and beautiful Lake Baikal, visit historic towns and cities such as Irkutsk, Kazan and Yekaterinburg, and drink vodka with fellow passengers as Russia slips past the window.

THE DEAL: Regent Holidays offers an eight-day 'Moscow to Beijing Non-Stop' itinerary aboard the Trans-Siberian Express from £850 per person, excluding flights. Click here for full details or call 020 7666 1244.

3. Australia

One of three long-distance rail routes crossing the vast centre of Australia, The Ghan runs between Adelaide and Darwin, right through the heart of the outback.

The journey takes three days, with opportunities to visit remote outposts including Alice Springs and Coober Peedy, or to explore the beautiful Katherine Gorge.

Last year, new 'Platinum Club' carriages were introduced to The Ghan, offering a more luxurious experience of the journey with a deluxe bar, lounge and dining area and regionally-based menus.

THE DEAL: Australian Sky offers an eight-day Darwin to Adelaide on The Ghan trip from £1,729 per person. Click here for full details or call 01342 886736.

Read More 4. Morocco (Image: 59298208)

For rail lovers and anyone who prefers to avoid airports and flying, it's a revelation to learn that the souks and sights of Marrakech are, with careful planning, accessible almost entirely by train from the UK.

The adventure begins with Eurostar from London and high-speed continental rail connections that whisk passengers through the landscapes of France and Spain, with opportunities to stop for sightseeing in Barcelona and Madrid.

After a short ferry crossing to Tangier, the journey continues by rail through pretty North African towns to romantic Casablanca and finally, the bustle of Marrakech.

THE DEAL: Arena Rail Holidays offers a 10-day fully escorted Marrakech Express journey from £1,395 per person. Click here for full details or call 01858 435655.

5. South Africa

With its Victorian-styles dining cars, wood-panelled suites and observation car, Rovos Rail, a family-owned enterprise, offers one of the most scenic and laid-back ways to see Southern Africa's awesome landscapes.

Several routes are available, including opportunities to see the majestic Magaliesberg Mountains or the Hwange National Park, which is home to free roaming lion, black rhino and elephant.

Departing from Johannesburg, the rail journey crosses into neighbouring Zimbabwe, with exceptional dining and service on board.

THE DEAL: Rainbow Tours offers a journey aboard Rovos Rail as part of the 10-night Rail, River & Waterfall Safari from £4,395 per person. Click here for the full details or call 020 7666 1266.

Read More 6. Germany

Most visitors to Germany's Rhine Valley choose to explore by river, but a journey by railmeans an adventure featuring towering hilltops, fairy tale castles, enchanting forests, pretty towns, history and legends.

Throughout the region there are small mountain railways and private narrow-gauge steam railways, crossing viaducts and gorges, to ancient castles and half-timbered villages, with local wine producers to visit along the way.

There's even a cable car, ascending above the wine town of Rüdesheim, which offers incredible views of the whole Rhine Gorge.

THE DEAL: Arena Rail Holidays offers a six-day fully escorted Great Little Trains of the Rhine Valley journey from £649 per person. Click here for the full details or call 01858 435655.

Read More 7. India

With one of the busiest and most efficient passenger rail networks in the world, India is easy to navigate by train, but the opulent Maharaja's Express offers a once-in-a-lifetime way to travel.

This luxurious train, with its lavish interiors, refined service, sumptuous accommodation and mouth-watering cuisine, offers an opportunity to see the highlights of India in style.

The train accommodates just 88, in cabins with WiFi, LCD TVs and butler service, following a route from Mumbai to Delhi that includes visits to Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner and Jaipur, a safari in the Ranthambore National Park, and a visit to the Taj Mahal.

THE DEAL: Tropical Sky offers an eight-day Heritage of India - Maharajas Express tour from £5,749 per person. Click here for the full details or call 01342 886941.

Read More 8. Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is home to some of Central Asia's greatest cultural treasures and it is now possible to journey between the ancient cities aboard the Orient Silk Road Express. This private train travels in a loop from the capital, Tashkent, to discover deserts, museum cities and some of the Silk Road's most impressive architecture. Travellers on the journey will be able to experience unique traditions and folklore, sample Uzbek wines, visit palaces, towering minarets, grand mosques and ancient sites, with visits to Samarkand and Khiva, beautiful cities steeped in history.

THE DEAL: Regent Holidays offers an eight-day 'Treasures of Uzbekistan by Private Train' itinerary from £1,635 per person. Click here for the full details or call 020 7666 1244.

Source: The best destinations around the world for a rail holiday of a lifetime

Top 10 Vegan Destinations In Europe

To celebrate World Vegan Month this November, Celebrity Cruises has polled 250 UK vegans on their favourite foodie destinations in Europe. The result is a handy list of the go-to countries that offer some of the best plant-based options, perfect for vegans after stress-free local cuisine or even for meat-eaters and veggies looking to branch out their whilst on holiday.

1 - Germany

Coming in at first place for the best European countries for vegans is Germany. Regularly hailed as the centre of the vegan revolution, it's long had a reputation for being forward-thinking when it comes to meat- and dairy-free options and it continues to be a world-leader. When you visit look out for vegan versions of German classics, like snitzel and currywurst. Often made from soy or tofu, these and are a great way of sampling the local cuisine the vegan way. If you're in Berlin, try Curry At The Wall in Mitte – food bloggers can't stop raving about their vegan currywurst.

2 - Italy

credit: etorres69

With some of Italy's most famous exports being creamy gelato, cheesy pizza and milky lattes, you may be surprised to find the birthplace of the carbonara on the list of best vegan destinations. However, the popular holiday spot is well known amongst vegan circles for being very accommodating to dietary requests. Classic local cuisine can easily be adapted to suit vegans, for example you can simply opt out of the cheese on top of veggie pasta and pizza dishes. The side dishes in many restaurants, such as bruschetta, antipasti and marinated vegetables, also tend to be vegan-friendly and just as delicious as the mains.

3 - Spain

What's great about Spanish cuisine is the variety of choice available. Yes, it's well known for chorizo and manchego, but it's also known for its tapas style of eating, where you can pick from many little plates to curate your perfect table of food. For vegans, this will mean having a little gazpacho and sampling local artichokes and olives, along with some freshly baked bread and padron peppers. For the best vegan options, the Balearic Islands of Ibiza and Mallorca really stand out. There you'll find hip plant-based establishments in many of the cities and along the more popular stretches of coast.

4 - Austria

Austria's capital, Vienna, is quite the up-and-coming hotspot for vegan dining. There are a number of restaurants and delis that are either exclusively vegetarian and vegan, or have superb plant-based options. One of the most established restaurants known for vegan food is Hollerei, close to the famous Schönbrunn Palace. A must-visit is also Naschmarkt, an open-air market that features a range of food stands where you can find vegan-friendly options.

5 - Belgium

The national food of Belgium, perhaps unofficially, is frites – or chips to you and me. Although some establishments do cook these with animal fats, there are often vegetarian versions or even whole vegetarian frites shops.  Make sure to head to Ghent in you're in the country, it's widely regarded as the most veggie and vegan friendly city in the country.

credit: istetiana

6 - Greece

Veganism isn't particularly common in Greece, so you may not find a plethora of purely vegan restaurants. However the good news is that once you get past the feta and koftas, Greek cuisine offers a nice choice of dishes that just happen to be vegan friendly already. Try dolmadakia yalantzi, meat-free stuffed vine leaves, or spanakopita, a delicious spinach filled flaky pastry.

7 - Netherlands

You don't have to miss out on the café culture of Holland just because you're vegan. Many of the big cities have embraced veganism, or at least the vegan options, well. Take Amsterdam; places like Vegabond, The Meets and Koffie ende Koeck all serve fantastic vegan eats and are fantastically Instagrammable to boot!

credit: Rocky89

8 - Croatia

One of the stand out places to visit in Croatia is Split, and, luckily for vegans, it has some of the best meat- and dairy-free offerings in the country. From quick but delicious vegan fast food at Vege Fast Food to Galerija Food Bar which serves up fantastic seasonal vegan dishes in a beautiful summer garden setting, you'll be spoilt for choice in this historical coastal town.

9 - Denmark

Well known for its vegan-friendly status, there's no surprise Denmark has made it onto the top ten. Copenhagen is the epicentre of plant-based dining in this laid-back country. Head to the intriguing district of Christiania and you'll find Morgenstedet; although it's technically a vegetarian restaurant, its vegan option are great and very reasonable priced. Alternatively, if you're after something a little different, both simpleRAW and 42 Raw are entirely vegan and are a great way to experience the raw food movement.

10 - France

credit: Sarsmis

Though many assume France to be a tricky place to be a vegan, many places in the country are seeing a rise in vegan options and even all-vegan restaurants and cafes. It's perhaps this change in attitude that has meant France has made it into the top ten. Lyon boasts vegan pizza at Color Vegan, there are vegan burgers at Marsesille's Le Cours en Vert and you can even sample vegan croissants at Cloud Cakes in Paris. 

Source: Top 10 Vegan Destinations In Europe

From Prague to Bath, we reveal the top Christmas markets around Europe

CAROLS, mulled wine, sausages, sweets . . . nothing gets people into the festive spirit like a Christmas market.

This year's markets are bigger and better than ever, with an even greater choice of gifts.

Getty - Contributor

Idyllic... Prague's Christmas market in the Old Town Square

And hotels, meals and drinks are cheaper in many European destinations than this time last year.

Post Office Travel Money surveyed ten cities and found it now costs less to visit half of them with Riga, the Latvian capital, offering the best value when it came to flights, B&B accommodation, meals out, wine and coffee.

Stockholm in Sweden was the most expensive of all the cities surveyed.

So whether you plan to visit this year's Christmas markets by plane, ship, train, coach or car, here, TRISHA HARBORD gives her pick of the best.

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Stockholm has the festive weather guaranteed By Plane

PRAGUE

The Old Town Square with its giant Christmas tree and nearby Wenceslas Square are beautiful settings for the main markets from December 2 to January 6.

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The giant Christmas tree sets the perfect backdrop for Prague's markets

Tuck into barbecued sausages, cakes and pastries and sip on mulled wine, as you watch the astronomical clock strike the hour with a procession of wooden figures.

Walk over the medieval Charles Bridge, spanning the Vltava River to the castle, the Royal Palace and St Vitus Cathedral.

GO: Two nights' B&B at the 4* Duo, travelling between December 2 and January 6 from Heathrow, is from £149 per person.

Book by November 22. See ba.com/prague.

VIENNA

The Austrian capital is idyllic all year round, but especially beautiful at Christmas.

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Festive markets have existed in Vienna more than 700 years

Vienna has been hosting festive markets since 1298 and there are now more than 20 between November 17 and December 26.

One of the most popular is in front of City Hall, where 150 stalls sell homemade crafts and gifts, and the aroma of lebkuchen and cinnamon, chestnuts and hot punch is all around.

It's superb for all the family as there is also an ice-skating rink, reindeer train and ferris wheel.

 GO: Three nights' room-only at the 4* Hotel Schani Wien, flying from Gatwick on November 27, is from £199 per person. See easyjet.com/holidays.

By Ship

ANTWERP

Take a Christmas market cruise and you won't have to worry about paying for excess luggage at the airport if you buy too many gifts.

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Antwerp is fantastically festive and easy to get to

Sail from the UK in the evening and arrive in the Flemish city, above, ready to shop 'til you drop the next day.

Between December 9 and January 7, more than 100 stallholders sell artisan gifts from the Market Square to Groenplaats.

Then it's back to the ship for dinner or to relax in the spa before heading home.

 GO: Two nights' full-board on Cruise & Maritime Voyages Magellan, from Tilbury, Essex, on December 13, is from £149 per person.

See cruisedeals.co.uk.

HAMBURG, AMSTERDAM, BRUGES & MORE

Turn a market trip into a longer break and take a ten-night cruise to a handful of different cities.

Getty - Contributor

Hamburg has more than a dozen Christmas markets

The German city of Hamburg has 16 markets, while Amsterdam in the Netherlands has 26, as well as a light festival by the canal.

There are also stops in Belgium, Denmark and Norway. The markets run between November 17 and December 31 – and you can pamper yourself on the ship when you're all shopped out.

 GO: Ten nights' full-board on P&O's Aurora, leaving Southampton on December 6, is from £729 per person.

See pocruises.com.

By Coach

BATH

The West Country city has one of our largest Christmas markets – and with 200 chalets this year, it's bigger than ever.

Getty Images - Getty

Bath's famous Christmas market is bigger than ever this year

Homeware, clothing, ceramics, health and beauty items plus food and drink will all be sold in the streets near the Roman baths from November 23 to December 10.

The market also features carol singers.

Combine your visit with a coach tour of the Cotswolds' villages and market towns. Pick-up points are throughout the UK.

GO: Two days with a night's stay in a Swindon area hotel, departing December 3 or 9, are from £105 per person. For more, see ­newmarketholidays.co.uk.

COPENHAGEN, MALMO & LUBECK

Three markets in three countries on one coach tour, with pick-up points in several UK locations.

The ice rink at the festive market in Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen

After a stay in Vedbaek you'll visit Denmark's capital for its market in the stunning Tivoli Gardens, which runs from Saturday until December 31.

Then move on to Malmo, Sweden, where from Friday to December 23, traders sell crafts and local delicacies.

Lubeck in Germany – famous for its marzipan – opens its markets on November 27.

GO: Six nights' half board from December 3 with coach travel is from £609 per ­person.

See shearings.com.

By Train

KOBLENZ, LINZ AM RHEIN & AHRWEILER

It will be "all steam ahead" for three markets along the scenic valleys of the Rhine.

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Popular Christmas market in Koblenz, Germany

After taking the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, you'll head to Cologne then, by local train, to Remagen.

First stop is Koblenz, in the heart of Germany's wine-growing region, followed by the smaller but quaint market of Linz am Rhein.

Then comes the tour highlight – a trip on the steam-powered Vulkan Express.

 GO: All rail travel, departing London St Pancras on December 1 and 15, plus three nights' half-board at the 3* Hotel Pinger, Remagen, is from £495 per person.

See raildiscoveries.com.

YORK

This super city never disappoints at Christmas, with attractions including St Nicholas Fair from November 16 to December 22.

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York is one of the UK's best Christmas markets

Wooden huts in Parliament Square will be brimming with gifts and you can warm up around a fire in the giant Thor's Tipi or head to the Winter Wonderland at York Designer Outlet.

Other festive highlights include 40 hand-carved ice sculptures displayed around the city on December 9-10 and a Shambles Christmas party.

 GO: London's King's Cross to York takes around two hours, with one-way fares from £16. Newcastle to York takes an hour with one-way fares for under £10.

See virgintrainseastcoast.com

By Car

NOTTINGHAM

The picturesque Old Market Square, is lit up as Victorian-style stalls sparkle beneath the grand Council House.

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Nottingham's market is easy to access and cheap to stay over at

Handmade jewellery, lace, winter woollies, wooden toys, silk shawls and decorations will all be on sale – and don't forget to try out the delicious local cheese, chutneys and chocolates.

The Winter Wonderland, which runs from Friday until December 31, also has an ice rink and the UK's largest ice bar with a range of live music.

 GO: A family room at the Travelodge Nottingham Central Hotel is available at the special Christmas market rate of £35 or less. See travelodge.co.uk.

BOURNEMOUTH & SALISBURY

The South Coast resort of Bournemouth is hosting an Alpine market from Friday until January 4, with stalls full of local crafts.

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By the sea... Festive market in Bournemouth

Enjoy a mulled wine or hot chocolate, listen to carol singers or visit Santa's Grotto from November 24.

If you want to take in a second market, the medieval city of Salisbury is just a 40-minute drive away.

From November 23 to December 22, it will be turned into a winter wonderland with German-style chalets.

 GO: A festive B&B package at the Rose & Crown in Salisbury is £54 per person, including a mince pie and mulled wine on arrival.

See greatlittlebreaks.com.

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Source: From Prague to Bath, we reveal the top Christmas markets around Europe

Bratislava and Gdansk? Discover Unknown Europe on This Unusual Private-Jet Trip

Everyone visits sexy European cities like London, Paris, and Rome, but few get the chance to explore the continent's lesser-known gems, like Bratislava—which became the capital of newly independent Slovakia in 1993—or Gdańsk, a Baltic port-city in Poland with a tumultuous history steeped in the amber trade. For those with an interest in Europe beyond the beaten path, however, Lakani World Tours is offering an intriguing 14-night private-jet journey to rarely visited cities—and a few classic favorites, as well.

Taking place May 11 to 25 and available to just 15 travelers, the European immersion begins with three days in a more mainstream favorite: Zurich, Switzerland, where medieval history and modern-day business combine to create an epicenter of international finance and banking. The city's 173-year-old grande dame, the Baur au Lac, will serve as home base in-between excursions to the quaint city of Schaffhausen, Rhine Falls (Europe's largest waterfall), and Lake Lucerne. Guests can also shop Bahnhofstrasse (the Rodeo Drive of Switzerland) and tour Fraumunster Cathedral to see the world-renowned Chagall stained-glass windows.

After Zurich, it's off to Positano, the chic fishing village on the Amalfi Coast— another tourist favorite—for three days of exceptional Italian cuisine, stunning cliff-side seascapes, and lavish accommodations at the legendary Le Sirenuse.

From there, the trip ventures into less trodden territory. A day in Corfu (the Ionian island off Greece's northwest coast, where Odysseus washed onshore and was given a boat to return to Ithaka) is just enough time to tour the ancient city, which melds Renaissance, Baroque, and classical influences. Then it's a short flight to Tirana, the capital of Albania, where guests will spend another three nights learning firsthand about the history and present-day effects of communism.

The trip rounds out with time in Bratislava, Slovakia, and Gdańsk before ending in Munich, where the Neuschwanstein Castle—built on a stunning hilltop by King Ludwig II in the 19th century—will be a highlight, as will the oval Rococo 18th-century church in Steingaden that was built to house a statue of Christ that reportedly wept tears in 1738.

Priced at $89,500 per person, the private-jet trip is available through Frontiers International Travel, and includes all meals, gratuities, excursions, and in-flight wine and Champagne. Single accommodation rooms are also available for an additional $9,950.

Source: Bratislava and Gdansk? Discover Unknown Europe on This Unusual Private-Jet Trip

Best Airlines ️ for Cheap 💰 Flights to Europe 💶 for Girls on a Budget 💸 ...

What are the best airlines for cheap flights to Europe?

Not everyone has a lot of money to travel with, but that doesn't mean you can't travel.

Between budget airlines and cheap accommodation in hostels, travel on a budget is now more possible more than ever.

Often, when people cite their biggest issue blocking their opportunity to travel, it's the cost of flights and transportation.

Let's be honest, flights to Europe can be insanely expensive, with roundtrip flights costing upwards of $1,000.

Most people don't look beyond that hefty price tag.

Luckily, I'm here to tell you today about two airlines you can use to travel to and within Europe that can drastically cut your costs of travel and make all your far-away destination dreams come true.

Here are the best airlines for cheap flights to Europe.

Norwegian Air is by far my favorite airline and one of the best airlines for cheap flights to Europe.

You can use it to travel from the United States to Europe and a few other places in the world as well.

They have a low fare calendar tool that makes it really easy to pick and choose the lowest prices.

I've found flights on their website for around $350 roundtrip to Europe, which is amazing!

You can get exceptionally cheap flights if you fly into one of the Scandinavian countries, which is where the airline is based, and then fly to your destination country using Ryanair, which I'll talk about next.

Source: Best Airlines ️ for Cheap 💰 Flights to Europe 💶 for Girls on a Budget 💸 ...

Four Turkish cities among top tourist destinations

ISTANBUL

Turkey's Istanbul, Antalya, Edirne and Artvin are among the most visited 100 cities of the world.

In a list released on Nov. 7 by market researcher Euromonitor International in London, these cities are among the top destinations for tourists in the world.

According to the report, Hong Kong holds the title of the most visited city in the world for the eighth consecutive year, followed by Bangkok and London, which represents the most visited city in Europe and the only European city in the top 10 ranking, along with Paris.

Four Turkish cities appeared in the top 100 ranking: Istanbul, the Mediterranean resort of Antalya, the northwestern province of Edirne and the Black Sea province of Artvin.

Istanbul came 15th with over 9.2 million visitors in the list, Antalya 29th with over 6.1 million, Edirne 68th with almost 2.8 million and Artvin ranked 85th with almost 2.4 million.

International arrivals to Antalya and Istanbul have, however, declined considerably on the back of terror attacks and geo-political instability, it added.

Istanbul dropped four places in the global ranking, registering -5.8 percent arrivals in 2017. Nevertheless, Istanbul remained to be one of the top four European destinations along with London, Paris and Rome.

Antalya and Edirne also slipped down the ranking over security concerns, according to the report.

The only exception in Turkey is Artvin, which bucks the trend as it remains popular with Georgians.

Artvin is one of the top five best performing cities in Europe, as it is popular with Georgians, the report read.

The ranking is based on Euromonitor International's research in 100 countries and is based on the number of international arrivals that spend 24 hours or more in a city.

Turkey, Economy, Tourism

Source: Four Turkish cities among top tourist destinations

Royal Caribbean adds European destinations for 2019/20

Royal Caribbean is to add four new ports of call in Europe and send its first Quantum Class ship to Alaska for the 2019-20 season.

The line has released its deployment plans for 2019-20, which will also feature a series of three and four-day Caribbean cruises from Florida to the Bahamas.

The new European ports of call will be the Unesco World Heritage city of Visby in Sweden, Zadar in Croatia, Portofino on the Italian Riviera and Porto in Portugal.

Royal Caribbean will also be deploying Oasis of the Seas in Europe for the first time since 2014 when it will be sailing from Barcelona in summer 2019.

Another major move will see Ovation of the Seas making its US debut in 2019 for the Alaska summer season from Seattle – Ovation will join Radiance of the Seas on the Alaska route. Alaska itineraries will be available to book from December 11.

Royal Caribbean will be launching three and four-night itineraries to the Bahamas on Mariner of the Seas, from Port Canaveral, and Navigator of the Seas from Miami.

Other plans will see Royal Caribbean's largest ships – Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas – all sailing from Florida in 2019 through to April 2020.

Oasis of the Seas will also "undergo a bow-to-stern transformation" before homeporting at Royal Caribbean's custom-built Terminal A at Port Miami for autumn and winter 2019/20 seasons.

Source: Royal Caribbean adds European destinations for 2019/20