Cruise News – Spring 2026

 

MSC Group’s Cruise Division Introduces Sandy Cay – A New Luxury Private Island Retreat in the Bahamas

MSC Group’s Cruise Division recently introduced Sandy Cay – a new luxury private island destination located adjacent to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas due to open in 2028. Designed for MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys guests, the new island further elevates the Company’s vision of delivering truly unique and authentic travel experiences.
Conceived as an intimate complement to Ocean Cay, Sandy Cay offers a more secluded, elemental escape — inviting guests into a quieter, deeply immersive connection with the natural rhythms of the ocean and the spirit of The Bahamas.
Located within the same crystal-clear Bahamian waters as Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Sandy Cay will complement the Company’s existing private island destination, offering a new dimension of discovery, serenity and escape.

Visit: www.msccruises.com

 

Princess Cruises Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary with Voyages to the Nation’s Most Spectacular Shores

As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, Princess Cruises invites guests to sail from sea to shining sea with commemorative voyages exploring some of the country’s most breathtaking coastlines. From The Great Land of Alaska’s glacier-carved wilderness and Hawaii’s volcanic islands to the historic charm of New England, guests sailing in North America starting in the Spring and throughout the year will enjoy special onboard entertainment, themed programming, and festive food and beverage experiences honoring America’s milestone birthday.

Visit: www.princess.com

 

Quark Expeditions Unveils Arctic 26: Ice, Fire, and The Eclipse

Quark Expeditions, a leader in polar adventure, has unveiled its Arctic 26 season, Ice, Fire, and The Eclipse. This new season, celebrating 35 years of historic exploration in the Arctic, builds upon our legacy of innovation and pioneering firsts to offer Quark Expeditions most diverse range of Arctic itineraries to date. Including a variety of options for exploration in Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, and the Canadian Arctic, all offered aboard the two state-of-the-art vessels: Ultramarine and Ocean Explorer. Among them are two exclusive new voyages: Iceland Circumnavigation: Helicopters, Glaciers and Volcanoes and Iceland to Greenland: A Total Solar Eclipse. From soaring above Iceland’s volcanic wonders in a twin-engine helicopter, to kayaking beneath the towering bird cliffs of Alkefjellet in Svalbard, to witnessing a celestial spectacle from the remote High Arctic. Each itinerary in the Arctic portfolio is crafted by the polar team to embody the true spirit of exploration, unlocking the secrets of the world’s most remote wildernesses in ways only possible with Quark Expeditions.

Visit: www.quarkexpeditions.com

 

Viking Announces 2028–2029 World Cruise Itineraries

Viking® has unveiled its 2028–2029 World Cruise itineraries, highlighted by the 142-day Viking World Cruise aboard the Viking Vesta®. Departing Fort Lauderdale on December 21, 2028, the voyage spans six continents and 31 countries, featuring 62 guided tours, overnight stays in 16 cities, and concludes in London on May 12, 2029.

The itinerary combines iconic global destinations with lesser-known cultural gems, offering guests a seamless journey around the world. Highlights include a transit of the Panama Canal, cruising along North America’s West Coast, and crossings to Hawaii, French Polynesia, New Zealand, and Australia. Guests will also explore ports throughout Southeast Asia, Africa, and Europe, with opportunities to visit up to 45 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and participate in wildlife safari excursions.

Extended stays in cities such as Sydney, Singapore, Zanzibar, Cape Town, and Casablanca allow for deeper exploration and immersion in local culture.

For travelers seeking a longer adventure, the 170-day Viking World Voyage III continues beyond London to Northern Europe and Scandinavia, visiting 21 additional ports before ending in Stockholm. Additional options include the 153-day Viking World Voyage IV, sailing from Los Angeles to Stockholm and visiting 37 countries, and the 125-day Viking World Discoveries voyage, which departs Los Angeles, visits 27 countries, and concludes in London.

These itineraries reflect Viking’s commitment to delivering enriching, destination-focused travel experiences across the globe.

Visit: www.viking.com

 

Seabourn Announces New 2027–2029 Ocean Voyages, Marking 40 Years of Extraordinary Travel at Sea

Seabourn, a leader in luxury and expedition travel, has opened its 2027–2029 ocean voyage collection for sale, unveiling a year of thoughtfully curated itineraries as the luxury line prepares to celebrate its “Ruby Jubilee” in 2028, marking 40 years of exploration at sea. Spanning four continents, the new collection features voyages from seven to 40 days, with extended time in port, new destinations, and special anniversary programming woven throughout this milestone year.

The season includes 118 departures to 243 destinations in 45 countries, covering Alaska, Japan, Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, and Canada & New England. The itineraries focus on smaller ports, longer stays, and immersive experiences that only Seabourn’s yacht-style approach can deliver.

Highlights of the Ruby Jubilee include the Ruby Collection Voyages, featuring 40 specially curated sailings with enhanced onboard offerings; expanded cultural and intellectual programming through a collaboration with The Atlantic; and the 2028 Cape to Cape World Cruise, a 120-day journey spanning five continents.

Seabourn’s 2027–2029 season emphasizes deeper destination immersion, including new Alaska Summer Solstice voyages, Japan spring and fall itineraries timed for cherry blossoms and fall foliage, Southeast Asia holiday sailings, off-the-beaten-path Mediterranean and Northern Europe ports, and a return to Canada & New England’s peak foliage. Signature experiences, including “Caviar in the Surf” and “Shopping with the Chef,” ensure guests enjoy unforgettable moments ashore and on board.

Visit: www.seabourn.com

 

Premiere on the Great Lakes HANSEATIC inspiration to Sail All Five Great Lakes in 2027

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is expanding its Great Lakes programme in 2027 with two new longer itineraries aboard the expedition ship HANSEATIC inspiration. For the first time, guests can experience all five Great Lakes and the St Lawrence River on two 21-day voyages between Milwaukee and Halifax.

The new routes were developed in response to strong demand for more in-depth Great Lakes expeditions and will replace three previously planned shorter cruises. Together with two existing itineraries, the 2027 season will feature four voyages exploring North America’s vast freshwater region.

Designed specifically to navigate narrow locks and shallow waterways, HANSEATIC inspiration is one of the few expedition ships capable of operating throughout the Great Lakes region. Guests will experience spectacular lock passages along the Welland Canal and St Lawrence River, complemented by Zodiac excursions, guided hikes, wildlife encounters and cultural experiences across Canada and the United States.

Highlights of the new itineraries include the rugged wilderness of Lake Superior, the island-studded landscapes of Georgian Bay, Toronto and Niagara Falls, and the French-influenced cities of Montreal and Quebec. In Tadoussac, guests may spot belugas and humpback whales where the Saguenay Fjord meets the St Lawrence River.

About Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is the leading luxury and expedition cruise brand in German-speaking markets. Its five small ships are the only fleet worldwide awarded the highest five-star rating by Insight Guides 2025. Since 2020, the brand has been part of TUI Cruises GmbH, a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. The entire fleet is now fully bilingual, offering all sailings in both English and German.

Visit: www.hl-cruises.com

 

Explora Journeys Announces Itinerary Adjustments for Winter 2026–2027 Season

Explora Journeys has confirmed that EXPLORA II will operate exclusively in the Mediterranean from November 2026 through March 2027, with the originally planned Middle East deployment no longer taking place.

The decision was made following careful consideration and reflects the brand’s commitment to providing guests and travel advisor partners with clarity and confidence when planning future journeys.

EXPLORA II will instead offer a collection of thoughtfully curated itineraries across the Western Mediterranean, allowing guests to experience the region’s rich heritage, celebrated cuisine and timeless beauty during the quieter winter season.

The enhanced Winter 2026–2027 programme will feature destinations across the Western Mediterranean and North Africa, combining iconic ports and hidden gems, including Funchal, Casablanca and Ibiza’s Old Town.

These sailings are designed to highlight seasonal contrasts, from sunlit coastal escapes to culturally rich city experiences, offering guests a more immersive way to explore the region.

Guests booked on affected journeys, along with travel advisor partners, will be contacted directly. Dedicated support will be provided and appropriate options offered where applicable.

Visit: https://explorajourneys.com