Cruise News – Fall 2025

 

Princess Cruises Announces Largest-Ever Japan Deployment in 2027

In a historic first, Princess Cruises announces its most expansive Japan season ever in 2027, featuring two Japanese-built, sister ships – Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess – sailing from the Tokyo region throughout the entire season.

Marking a major milestone for the brand’s legacy in Asia, the 2027 program includes 78 departures across 50 unique itineraries, with voyages ranging from seven to 28 days, making it Princess’ most robust Japan deployment to date.

Itinerary Highlights:
• Cherry Blossom Voyages (9–24 days): Timed to follow the blooming season from south to north across all four of Japan’s main islands.
• Festival Cruises (8–24 days): Celebrate Japan’s most vibrant summer festivals including the Aomori Nebuta, Tokushima Awa Odori, and Kochi Yosakoi with late-night stays.
• Circle and Grand Japan Voyages (9–28 days): Circumnavigate the country with visits to Osaka, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and more.
• Okinawa & Taiwan Itineraries (9–18 days): Explore the subtropical beauty of Okinawa and the cultural richness of Taipei and Hualien.
• Japan Explorer Cruises (9–13 days): Discover iconic cities like Shimizu (for Mt. Fuji), Kobe (for Kyoto), and Kagoshima.

Visit: www.princess.com

 

Virgin Voyages Reveals Showstopping Entertainment Line-Up Ahead of Brilliant Lady’s Inaugural Seasons

When Virgin Voyages’ newest Lady Ship sails into the New York harbour this September, fans are expecting the brand’s award-winning entertainment line-up to be, in a word – Brilliant. Shaped by customer feedback and the brand’s commitment to continuous innovation, those aboard will enjoy even more comedy, live music and immersive storytelling. The entertainment is designed to keep pace with the ship’s adventurous spirit as Brilliant Lady introduces seven new, original productions. This ship will also bring back reimagined favorites, all designed to complement Brilliant Lady’s longer itineraries and diverse destinations. Virgin’s new routes range from five to 16 nights and take Sailors from Bermuda’s pink sands to Alaska’s majestic landscapes and glacial fjords.

Visit: www.virginvoyages.com

 

A Season of Discovery: National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions Unveils 2027-28 Deployment

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions have recently announced the first of its highly anticipated 2027–28 deployment openings, offering guests the opportunity to explore some of the most awe-inspiring destinations on the planet aboard the fleet of mission-built expedition ships.

Pairing Lindblad Expeditions’ pioneering heritage with National Geographic’s exploration expertise, National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions will continue to deliver exceptional voyages guided by veteran expedition leaders, naturalists, historians, scientists, and National Geographic Experts who illuminate the wonders of the natural world at every turn. The 2027–28 season features voyages across seven continents, designed to connect curious travelers with wildlife, wild places, and local communities in ways that are authentic, enriching, and respectful.

Visit: www.expeditions.com

 

Viking Announces New River Voyages in India

Viking® has recently announced its first river voyages in India on the Viking Brahmaputra, a new 80-guest vessel designed specifically for the Brahmaputra River. Currently under construction and scheduled to debut in late 2027, the Viking Brahmaputra will set a new standard for modern river voyages in India. The ship will sail between Guwahati and Nimati Ghat in the northeastern state of Assam as part of Viking’s new 15-day itinerary, Wonders of India. In addition to an eight-day river voyage, the itinerary includes a fully-guided land program with overnights in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

The Viking Brahmaputra
The new Viking Brahmaputra will host 80 guests in 40 outside staterooms. Featuring the signature Scandinavian design for which Viking is known, all staterooms and suites will have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with a veranda. Guests on the three-deck Viking Brahmaputra will also enjoy a range of amenities, including a Spa & Fitness Center and an open-air Sky Bar on the Upper Deck.

Wonders of India
The 15-day Wonders of India itinerary program will operate roundtrip from Delhi, with hotel stays in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur that bracket an eight-day Brahmaputra River voyage, sailing east or west, respectively. With 13 included tours, guests will be immersed in India’s cultural treasures and will have the opportunity to experience as many as 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Guests will delve into the rich history of India’s Golden Triangle, exploring Agra’s fabled Taj Mahal, strolling through Old Delhi’s winding streets and glimpsing Jaipur’s ornate Palace of Winds. While sailing the Brahmaputra River, guests will see Guwahati’s temple, encounter the thriving villages along its banks, search for the one-horned rhinos and buffalos of Kaziranga National Park and discover the cultures of Majuli, one of the world’s largest river islands.

Visit: www.viking.com

 

Seabourn Announces First Ever “Pole to Pole” Grand Expedition Voyage for 2027

Seabourn, a leader in ultra-luxury and expedition travel, has unveiled its first-ever expedition Grand Voyage – the 94-day “Pole to Pole: Grand Expedition” on the purpose-built Seabourn Venture. Departing on August 17 and concluding November 19, 2027, the voyage will span more than 20,500 nautical miles, charting a course from the High Arctic to Antarctica and offering a once-in-a-lifetime combination of remote landings, immersive expeditions, rare wildlife sightings, and signature Seabourn luxury experiences.

The 94-day voyage begins with an overnight stay in Reykjavik, Iceland, followed by a charter flight to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, where guests will embark the ship. Over the course of the sailing, Seabourn Venture will offer 60 days of expedition experiences and visits to destinations across 14 countries and territories, including five days in Antarctica, three in South Georgia, and three in the Falkland Islands, as well as six days in the famed Northwest Passage and a new three-day experience to the remote and rarely-visited Ellesmere Island in the Arctic Archipelago. Additional highlights include 33 sea days; and crossings of the equator, Tropic of Cancer, and Tropic of Capricorn. Between the poles, guests will also explore sun-drenched tropical islands and vibrant coastal regions across the Caribbean and South America, experiencing the full spectrum of the planet’s geography, from icy wilderness to equatorial warmth. The sailing concludes in Ushuaia, Argentina, with a post-cruise charter flight to Buenos Aires. The full itinerary is available on Seabourn’s website.

Visit: www.seabourn.com

 

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Unveils Three Extraordinary South and Central America Expeditions Aboard Their Bilingual Ship, the HANSEATIC Inspiration

This November and December, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises invites adventure seekers and cultural explorers alike to experience the breathtaking beauty and biodiversity of South and Central America. Aboard the cutting-edge expedition ship HANSEATIC inspiration, guests will traverse some of the world’s most stunning landscapes from Costa Rica and the Panama Canal to the remote Chilean fjords on three distinct, expertly curated journeys. The HANSEATIC inspiration caters to the international market with all itineraries conducted in both German and English.

Designed for discovery, these small-scale expeditions immerse up to 230 guests in diverse ecosystems, indigenous cultures, and rarely visited destinations. With over 30 years of expertise as the market leader in German-speaking expedition cruising, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises offers a refined, yet adventurous experience enhanced by expert-guided Zodiac excursions, luxury accommodations, and personalized service.

Each itinerary offers unparalleled access to natural wonders and cultural treasures:

• Oh, How Beautiful is the Panama Canal
A dynamic 11-day journey from Panama City, featuring a full-day transit through the legendary Panama Canal and a first-time stop at Punta Leona in Costa Rica.
• Mysterious Equatorial Adventure
This 16-day voyage explores the Pacific coasts of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile—rich with ancient ruins, rainforests, and indigenous encounters.
• Nature is Big, Man is Small
A 15-day deep dive into Chile’s majestic fjords, towering glaciers, and iconic national parks, including the famed Torres del Paine.

Guests can enhance their expeditions with curated pre-and post-cruise programs or fully customized Travel Concierge arrangements. Extended journeys with multi-cruise combinations are also available at exclusive rates.

Visit: www.hl-cruises.com

 

Explora Journeys Debuts Extraordinary New Itineraries for Summer 2027

Explora Journeys has unveiled its highly anticipated Summer 2027 journeys spotlighting a trifecta of exciting firsts for MSC Group’s ultra elegant ocean travel brand. Under the banner ‘An Ocean of New’, the season will introduce distinctive journeys visiting maiden ports in the Mediterranean, welcome the launch of a new ship, Explora IV, and momentously add the breathtaking and long-awaited horizons of Alaska with Explora III to the brand’s ever-evolving collection of destinations.

Unfolding from March to November 2027, this new season of itineraries spans some of the globe’s most captivating regions, inviting guests to plan ahead and experience the extraordinary aboard Explora I, Explora II, Explora III, and now Explora IV.

New European Perspectives
While Explora III and IV explore new shores in Summer 2027, Explora I and II will create fresh memories in the brand’s home waters, celebrating the Mediterranean’s enduring allure and revealing its best-kept secrets. Embracing the contrasts of East and West, more than 60 possible journeys will trace storied coastlines, pausing in charismatic maiden ports.

Alaska – An Epic Destination
Bringing its blue-ice glaciers, verdant forests and life-filled waters into Explora Journeys’ collection of destinations is a major milestone in the brand’s onward expansion. The first opportunity to experience Alaska’s untouched wilderness, cultural vibrancy and hyper-local culinary scene with Explora Journeys will be aboard Explora III in Summer 2027.

Visit: https://explorajourneys.com