Cruise News – Winter 2025-26

Croisieurope Launches First Ever Paddlewheel Cruises on the Seine with the introduction of Two New Itineraries

CroisiEurope, is launching the first-ever paddlewheel cruises on the Seine with the introduction of two brand new itineraries onboard its elegant paddlewheel ship, the MS R.E. Waydelich L.J. in 2026.

The five-night Little Gems of the Seine cruise round trip from Paris passes through picturesque villages and includes visits to the majestic Château de Fontainebleau, the residence of kings and emperors; the Île de la Cité at the heart of Paris; the enchanting gardens of Claude Monet in Giverny; and La Roche- Guyon, ranked among the most beautiful villages in France, where a fascinating château stands nestled between the Seine and a chalk cliff. With calls in Melun, Saint Mammes, Corbeil-Essonnes and La Roche Guyon, with departures between March and November 2026.
The cruises take place onboard the MS R.E. Waydelich L.J., a modern paddlewheel ship that accommodates 81 guests in 42 comfortable cabins and features a restaurant, lounge bar with dancefloor and a spacious sun deck.
www.croisieuroperivercruises.com

Visit: www.croisieuroperivercruises.com

Brilliant Lady’s Inaugural Seasons

by Pierre Houle
Brilliant Lady, Virgin Voyages’ adults-only ship, made its debut in New York on September 8, 2025. A floating boutique hotel, capable of accommodating up to 2,770 guests and pairs contemporary design with high-tech cabins, 20+ eateries (including Rojo by Razzle Dazzle), a mermaid-inspired spa, fitness and immersive shows. Accolades include World’s No. 1 by Travel + Leisure for three straight years and honors in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice. Destinations: Bermuda and Canada in fall; Miami and the Caribbean in winter; a spring Panama Canal transit to Los Angeles; the Pacific Coast; then summer sailings in Alaska from Seattle and Vancouver too.

Visit: www.virginvoyages.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 New 2027-2028 World Cruise Itineraries

Viking® has recently announced its new 2027-2028 World Cruise itineraries, including the Viking World Cruise, which will journey around the world in 142 days, visiting 31 countries with 62 guided tours in distinct ports of call and overnight stays in 16 cities. Setting sail on the elegant Viking Vesta® from Fort Lauderdale on December 28, 2027, the itinerary will include ports of call across six continents before its final destination of London on May 18, 2028.

Viking’s World Cruise itineraries visit many of the world’s most iconic cities, alongside lesser-known destinations, and culturally rich ports of call, all in one continuous journey. World Cruise guests can explore ports in Central America, transit the famed Panama Canal and journey up the West Coast of North America before crossing the Pacific Ocean and calling on islands in Hawaii and French Polynesia including Tahiti. From there, World Cruise guests traverse New Zealand and Australia, call on ports in Southeast Asia and explore Africa—with multiple options for wildlife safari excursions—before reaching iconic cities in Western Europe.

Guests on Viking’s World Cruises will enjoy overnight stays in world-renowned ports such as Sydney, Singapore, Zanzibar, Cape Town, Casablanca and many others, allowing for deeper exploration. Those guests who wish to extend their journey may choose the 170-day Viking World Voyage III, which continues from London and includes 21 additional ports of call across Northern Europe and Scandinavia before concluding in Stockholm. Viking also offers additional options, including the 153-day Viking World Voyage IV, which sails from Los Angeles to Stockholm and visits 37 countries, as well as the shorter 125-day Viking World Discoveries voyage, which departs from Los Angeles, visits 27 countries and concludes in London.

Visit: www.viking.com

Seabourn Encore to Make Maiden Alaska Debut in 2026

As Seabourn wraps up its 2025 season in Alaska and British Columbia, a leader in ultra-luxury voyages and expedition travel is already looking ahead to 2026, when Seabourn Encore will sail to the region for the very first time.

Building on the excitement of past Alaska seasons, Seabourn is set to deliver a robust program in 2026, with 17 seven-day sailings and one 8-day sailing on board Seabourn Encore between May and September. Each of these voyages can be combined to make 14- or 15-day voyages, offering guests an even deeper exploration of Alaska and British Columbia. With ample opportunities to experience the region, travelers will discover the breathtaking scenery, rich culture, and remarkable wildlife in Seabourn’s signature ultra-luxury style, setting the stage for Seabourn Encore’s highly anticipated maiden season in the region.

The 2026 program has been carefully designed to deliver unrivaled access to the best of Alaska, and each itinerary blends iconic highlights with hidden treasures and unique ports of call. The ship will make marquee stops such as Juneau and Ketchikan, while also visiting off-the-beaten-path destinations, narrow inlets and passageways not accessible to larger ships, such as Alert Bay, the Inian Islands, and remote stretches of the Alaska and Canadian Inside Passage. In addition, glacier viewing is a must-see when sailing to Alaska, and every Seabourn voyage will feature a glacier experience. The season will also offer more sailings into Glacier Bay National Park than any other luxury cruise line, allowing guests the rare chance to view multiple glaciers on a single journey.

Visit: www.seabourn.com

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Announces Four New EUROPA 2 Voyages for Summer 2027

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has unveiled four new summer cruises aboard the luxury ship EUROPA 2, scheduled between June 2 – August 3, 2027. Replacing previously planned Red Sea routes, the new itineraries will take guests from Asia across the Indian Ocean and southern Africa to the western Mediterranean.

With a maximum of 500 guests, the EUROPA 2 is renowned for its award-winning service, spacious design, and innovative programming such as the IN2BALANCE wellness format. Guests will enjoy extended overnight stays in Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City, explore the volcanic island of Réunion, experience vibrant cities like Cape Town and Maputo, and discover remote destinations such as St Helena and the Cape Verde Islands, before continuing into the Mediterranean.

New Itineraries at a Glance:
• Focus on the Far East: IN2BALANCE cruise, June 2-20, 2027 (18 days), from Hong Kong via Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Port Kelang (Kuala Lumpur) and the Malaysian Island of Penang to Port Louis/Mauritius.
• Adventure in South Africa: June 20 – July 3, 2027 (13 days), from Port Louis/Mauritius via Reunion, Maputo/Mozambique and with several stops along the coast of South Africa to Cape Town.
• From endless dunes to Atlantic dreams – the wild beauty of Namibia and sun-drenched Cape Verde: IN2BALANCE cruise: July 3- July 21, 2027 (18 days), from Cape Town via Luderitz and Walvis Bay in Namibia, and on via Jamestown/St Helena and the Cape Verde Islands of Sal and Sao Vicente to Santa Cruz/Tenerife.
• Between island splendor and coastal charm – volcanic islands, Balearic hotspots and picturesque coastal towns: July 21- August 3, 2027 (13 days), from Tenerife via La Gomera and La Palma, Portimao, Cadiz and Malaga, as well as the Balearic Islands of Ibiza and Mallorca, continuing to the Sardinian ports of Alghero and La Maddalena, via Corsica to Civitavecchia (Rome).

Visit: www.hl-cruises.com

Explora Journeys announces exclusive Prelude Journey for Explora III

Explora Journeys, the luxury ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, has recently announced an exclusive opportunity for select guests to be the very first to experience Explora III ahead of her official launch and Maiden Journey.

A Mediterranean Prelude to Explora III, a preview sailing from July 24 to 29, 2026, will offer guests a rare first glimpse of the newest ship in the fleet, offering never-before-experienced insights and perspectives. Designed as an intimate and immersive behind-the-scenes preview, this one-time Journey is an invitation to discover the elegance and innovation of Explora III before she is introduced to the wider world during her inaugural Journey from Barcelona to Lisbon, August, 3 to 10, 2026.

Departing from Genoa and concluding in Civitavecchia (Rome), A Mediterranean Prelude to Explora III will trace the glittering coastlines of the French and Italian Rivieras, providing countless golden moments in which to linger, connect and absorb the Med’s radiant midsummer allure. In Marseille, guests can explore the vibrant energy of the Vieux-Port before continuing to Saint-Tropez, where sun-drenched beaches and boutique-lined streets capture the Côte d’Azur’s signature glamour. The pastel harbourfront of Villefranche-sur-Mer offers a quieter charm, serving as the perfect starting point for discovering Nice’s palm-shaded avenues and Belle Époque elegance. Crossing back into Italy, Livorno provides a gateway to Tuscany’s rolling landscapes and the Renaissance treasures of Florence, before the Eternal City beckons as the prelude Journey’s final port of call.

Visit: https://explorajourneys.com