Princess Cruises has announced its biggest-ever Alaska season for 2026, highlighted by the debut of the newest ship in its fleet, Star Princess. The expanded Alaska program features eight ships, 180 departures, and 19 destinations.

For the first time, guests will have the opportunity to explore Alaska aboard a Sphere class ship as Star Princess sails her first summer season in Alaska, offering beautiful wildlife and glacier views. Star Princess will be the second ship in the Sphere class after Sun Princess, and is set to launch in fall 2025.

Bookings open on August 1st with the “Better Than Best Price Guarantee,” offering the best rates and 120 percent of the price difference as onboard credit if a lower rate is found before final payment. This promotion ends on September 2nd.

Highlights for Princess’ 2026 Alaska season include:

Eight Ships Sailing in Alaska

In 2026, travelers will be able to choose from 180 departures from five ports aboard eight ships. Options include:

Voyage of the Glaciers

Discovery, Grand, Coral, and Island Princess will offer seven-day journeys to view two Alaska glaciers, and Princess takes more guests to Glacier Bay National Park than any other cruise line. These itineraries are combinable for guests to indulge in a 14-day Voyage of the Glaciers Grand Adventure.

Inside Passage

Guests can enjoy seven to 20-day cruises and up to four glacier-viewing experiences when they sail the Inside Passage and visit the highest-rated Alaska destinations and lesser-known gems from convenient homeports, including weekend departures from Seattle (Ruby and Star Princess), San Francisco (Ruby Princess), Vancouver (Emerald Princess), and Los Angeles (Emerald Princess).

Longer Sailings

Guests who want to spend more time with Princess this Alaska season can opt for a 20-day Ultimate Alaska Solstice on Ruby Princess sailing roundtrip from San Francisco, and a 16-day Inside Passage on Emerald Princess roundtrip from Los Angeles.

Adventures Ashore

Princess gives guests the chance to expand their cruise experience with shore excursions. From “Cook My Catch” fishing for dinner, flying on a helicopter through mountainous views, watching breaching whales, and more, guests have a plethora of excursions to choose from.

‘North to Alaska With Princess’ Program

The award-winning “North to Alaska with Princess’ program enriches each Alaska cruise with cultural and educational activities including naturalist talks, a planetarium Northern Lights experience, and a fresh local Alaska seafood menu. In addition, the popular Junior Ranger program for young cruisers ensures guests of all ages enjoy their Alaska cruise as they explore the state’s rich history.

Cruisetours

Combining a cruise with a land tour is a great way to maximize an Alaska vacation, including the chance to visit Denali National Park and beyond. The 2026 season includes over 20 cruisetour options.

One highlight is the 15-night National Parks Tour, perfect for those who want to seamlessly get their National Parks Passport stamped. Guests will adventure to five of Alaska’s parks including Glacier Bay, Denali, Wrangell-St. Elias, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Skagway. The experience combines a seven-day cruise, scenic rail travel, and eight nights ashore, including stays at four Princess-owned wilderness lodges.

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MSC Cruises has announced details on the attractions and experiences that will be in The Harbour, a brand-new outdoor space specifically designed for kids and families on MSC World America. The ship is set to launch in April 2025 with a range of new and reimagined venues and concepts tailored for the U.S. market.

The crowning glory in the vessel’s Family Aventura district, The Harbour is a brand-new outdoor park designed to connect guests to the ocean. There, families will be able to come together to enjoy activities, soak up the sun, enjoy delicious bites, and relax. In the evening, live musicians will offer performances for parents, while kids and teenagers can continue to enjoy the attractions that remain open.

The Harbour Aquapark

The Harbour Aquapark features an impressive range of water slides, plus a splash area. The 90-degree vertical drop slide is a thrilling experience, where guests will freefall through a trapdoor to the decks below before twists and turns bring them to the splash zone. There’s also a raft slide with virtual reality technology and a dueling slide to race friends.

Jaw Drop @ The Spiral

A striking architectural masterpiece, Jaw Drop takes riders through the jaws of a shark and spiraling down 11 decks through the heart of the World Promenade. The stainless-steel dry slide spirals through dark and light segments offering glimpses of sea views out the back of the ship.

Rock Climbing Wall

An adventure for kids, little ones can enjoy climbing the vibrant rock wall as they attempt to navigate different handholds and footholds to see how far they can get.

High Trail Ropes Course

Offering the ultimate challenge, the two-level ropes course will span over 6,000 square feet and be enriched with two Sky Rails similar to a zip line.

The Harbour Light House

A thematic playground for kids modeled after the iconic lighthouse at Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island, this lively safe haven is filled with a slide and play stations designed to spark imagination and physical activity.

The Harbour Bar & Bites

Those looking to take a break from all the excitement can opt for The Harbour Bar & Bites, offering a selection of convenient quick and easy bites as well as drinks, all ready to order to pick up and go.

Family Dwelling Area

Guests can make their way to the family dwelling area, which features comfortable seating and shade to sit back and relax while taking in the ocean views.

Cliffhanger

Announced earlier this year, the unique Cliffhanger attraction is the only over-water swing ride at sea, featuring four-seat swing towers over 160 feet above the ocean, propelled back and forth for a one-of-a-kind thrill.

Together with the Doremiland kids area and Sportsplex, The Harbour forms the ship’s Family Aventura district — becoming the go-to destination for kids and families aboard MSC World America.

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Crystal has announced the release dates for its 2026 itineraries as a prelude to the official launch. This provides guests with plenty of advanced notice to plan their next Crystal cruise.

After spending the first part of the year in Africa and Asia, including the enchanting cherry blossom season in Japan, Crystal Symphony will return to the U.S. for the first time since 2019 for a season in Alaska, followed by Canada and east coast sailings. The ship will close out the year with holiday sailings in the Caribbean.

Following her world cruise, Crystal Serenity will remain in the Mediterranean and northern Europe. Then she will embark on a transatlantic voyage which will eventually cross the Panama Canal to explore countries along the Pacific Coast of Central and South America before bringing her to California for the holidays. Serenity will then kick off the 2027 World Cruise from San Diego.

On August 27, 2024, individual cruise segments for the first two calendar quarters will begin rolling out for Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. In the first week of December 2024, all remaining 2026 itineraries for both ships will be available to book.

“We recognize that our loyal guests are eagerly awaiting the release of our 2026 itineraries,” said Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group. “Our team has been diligently working to craft the most exceptional and unforgettable travel experiences for our guests, from experiencing Japan’s stunning Cherry Blossoms during peak season to a complete solar eclipse in Western Europe. We are confident that the upcoming itineraries will exceed expectations and provide unparalleled adventures for all.”

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Passengers cruising on the Holland America ‘Majestic Japan’ Legendary Voyage are in for an exclusive experience. The line’s Fresh Fish Ambassador Chef Masaharu Morimoto will be joining the Westerdam voyage to visit his hometown of Hiroshima, Japan. Chef Morimoto will be on board a portion of the 53-day voyage from September 24 to 30, 2024 offering special experiences, a culinary demonstration, and a “coffee chat” where guests will be able to get to know the chef in a more intimate environment.

A highlight of Chef Morimoto’s time on board will be three Morimoto By Sea pop-up dinners in Pinnacle Grill, where guests will have up-close access to the chef while they dine. Morimoto By Sea — a standalone venue on Nieuw Amsterdam and a pop-up on the line’s other 10 ships — is a multi-course dinner with signature dishes created by Chef Morimoto that celebrate Holland America’s Fresh Fish Program. Other experiences with Chef Morimoto are still being planned.

“I am excited to sail on board a Holland America Line cruise that puts such a deep focus on my home country of Japan, its unique local ingredients and visits my hometown,” said Chef Morimoto. “To be able to share my passion for fresh fish while visiting a place that means so much to me will be memorable for not only the ship’s guests but for me personally.”

Holland America ‘Majestic Japan’ Legendary Voyage

Departing September 1, 2024, the 53-day Majestic Japan voyage will set sail for Alaska, Japan, and Hawaii roundtrip from Seattle, Washington. The journey visits 21 total ports and extensively explores the beauty of Japan during the fall months with 13 calls throughout the country. Overnight visits include Yokohama (Tokyo) and Honolulu, Hawaii.

Chef Morimoto will embark Westerdam on September 24th at Osaka and sail to Kochi, Sakaiminato and Toyama before debarking at Kanazawa on September 30th. The ship will visit the chef’s hometown of Hiroshima on September 26th.

The three options for guests to book while Chef Morimoto is sailing are:

• 53 days (full cruise), roundtrip Seattle, September 1 to October 24
• 51 days, Vancouver to Seattle, September 3 to October 24
• 34 days, Yokohama to Seattle, September 21 to October 24

A fourth bookable segment, prior to the chef’s visit, is a 19-day segment from Seattle to Yokohama from September 1st to 21st.

Morimoto By Sea

Whether at the standalone venue on Nieuw Amsterdam or at a pop-up experience in Tamarind or Pinnacle Grill, Morimoto By Sea’s menu features inspired cuisine for a broad range of palates. The dishes served there — and across all venues on Holland America’s ships — are sourced from a global network of ports to serve fresh fish on board.

The experience, offered for a cover charge, include a multi-course menu along with Chef Morimoto’s exclusive alcoholic beverages that complement his dishes.

Cruise-only fares for the full 53-day Majestic Japan cruise start at $7,894 per person, based on double occupancy. Taxes, fees, and port expenses are now included in all cruise fares.

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Virgin Voyages — an adults-only cruise line that has been only for adults since its launch — has announced a kids sail free promotion. But don’t worry, the line is not ditching its “adults-only” rule.

In a unique twist on popular promotions where cruise lines allow kids to sail free in the same stateroom as two adults paying the full fare, Virgin Voyages is joining in on the fun. Now through August 23rd, if you book a 2024 sailing in a Central Sea Terrace (balcony cabin) or below for two, you can bring the “kids” for free — as long as they’re ages 18 to 26.

This is the perfect opportunity for parents or guardians to take their high school or college graduate on a celebratory vacation, or just have a fun family getaway without worrying about kids being underfoot.

Eligible cabins include: Central Sea Terrace, The Sea Terrace, Limited View Sea Terrace, The Sea View, and The Insider. XL Sea Terraces and Lock-it-in (guarantee) cabins are excluded.

To take advantage of this offer, you must book by August 23, 2024 and sail between July 23, 2024 and December 31, 2024. It’s available on all ships in all regions, but is subject to availability. Excluded holiday sailings include the December 30th sailing on Valiant Lady and the December 28th sailings on Resilient Lady and Scarlet Lady.

The offer is only applicable for one “child.” If there are two or three “kids,” the second and third must pay the prevailing cabin price. To book using this promotion, you must call Virgin Voyages’ customer service, which the line calls Sailor Services.

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Carnival Corporation has announced that it has ordered three new mega ships for Carnival Cruise Line. The vessels will be part of a new class, and come in at a whopping 230,000 gross registered tonnes. In comparison, the current world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, is 248,663 gross tons.

The agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri provides for the design, engineering, and construction of the liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered ships, which are scheduled to be delivered in the summers of 2029, 2031, and 2033.

“We are proud to be known as America’s cruise line with tremendous guest loyalty and an outstanding team that has enabled us to deliver memorable vacations to over 100 million guests,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “For this next generation ship, we are focused on creating innovative guest experiences that will take Carnival Cruise Line into the future with new FUN features and excitement that we know our guests will LOVE.”

With today’s order, there have been five new ship orders for Carnival Cruise Line announced in 2024. Earlier this year, Carnival Corp. placed newbuild orders for two more Excel-class ships that are set to join the Carnival Cruise Line fleet in 2027 and 2028. The company is also in the process of transferring a total of five ships from sister brands to the Carnival Cruise Line fleet between 2023 and March 2025.

With over 3,000 guest staterooms, the ships will be the largest in Carnival Corporation’s global fleet. They’ll be able to carry almost 8,000 guests at full capacity. Once delivered in 2033, Carnival Corporation will have a total of 16 LNG-powered ships, making up almost 30 percent of the company’s global capacity. The new ships will also feature advanced energy efficiency, waste management, and emission reduction technologies to further reduce the company’s environmental footprint.

“We are excited to join forces with Carnival Cruise Line to debut a new class of ship, which will be the largest cruise ship ever constructed by Fincantieri and the largest ship ever built in Italy. We are proud of the role Fincantieri has played in helping Carnival Corporation secure its position as the world’s largest cruise company and look forward to continuing this success story together,” said Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO, Fincantieri.

This order is contingent upon financing, which is expected to be completed later this year. Design details and itinerary information for the new ships will be announced in the future.

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Princess Cruises has revealed that some of the previously announced top-deck features for its new ship Sun Princess will not be opening.

In a press statement, the line said “We regret to announce that Princess is unable to accept delivery of the RollGlider, Coastal Climb, and Ropes Course features within Park19 aboard Sun Princess and those experiences will not be opening.”

Park19 is a three-story family activities area at the top of the ship. The rollglider would have been an overhead track that allowed seated and harnessed riders to reach speeds of up to 11 miles per hour during a 60 to 90 second experience.

Coastal Climb was supposed to be a climbing structure where passengers could ascend from deck 19 to deck 20 through a series of obstacles. Once at the top, they’d be able to slide back down to the bottom.

The statement continued, “We are actively evaluating these areas for future recreational opportunities to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all our guests.”

No reason has been given as to why the attractions will not be opening.

Other attractions and amenities that are currently open and available in Park19 include:

• Infinite Horizon: Leaning tilt walls that cantilever over the side of the ship, allowing guests to peer out from deck 19 and look down to deck 9 and beyond
• Hammock Area: Relaxing hammocks that offer a great way to hang out with family and friends
• Splash Zone: A whimsical splash area with pop jets and a beautiful water sculpture offering a refreshing and relaxing area to chill
• Recreational Court: This multifunctional sports court offers a number of options including cornhole, ping pong, shuffleboard, and more
• Jogging Track: A refreshing open-air track where guests can walk, jog, or run at their own leisure and pace

Sun Princess is Princess Cruises’ newest ship and the first in its Sphere class. It debuted in February 2024.

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MSC Cruises has shared its most popular cocktails, revealing what thousands of cruisers will be sipping on this summer. The line has also introduced two brand-new drinks fleetwide.

Timeless Classics

Some cocktails are simply synonymous with tropical and cruise vacations, and it’s no different aboard MSC Cruises’ ships. These classics are top choices among guests right now:

• Aperol Spritz: This Italian classic remains a top choice, offering a mix of Aperol, prosecco, and a splash of soda water, garnished with an orange slice.
• Margarita: Especially popular in the U.S., this refreshing cocktail is crafted with tequila, triple sec, and fresh lime juice.
• Piña Colada: This popular tropical cocktail combines light rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice, garnished with a slice of pineapple.
• Strawberry Daiquiri: This classic cocktail is the ideal summer treat, featuring rum and strawberry puree.
• Mojito: A favored staple, a mojito combines rum, fresh mint leaves, lime juice, sugar, and soda water, capturing the essence of summer in a glass.

The Cocktail of the Moment: Gin & Tonics

• Elderflower GT: Combining a mix of fruity and floral notes, this trending cocktail blends BUSS N°509 Elderflower Gin, Fever-Tree Mediterranean tonic, dehydrated orange peel, a cinnamon stick, and cloves.
• Passion Fruit 0.0 GT: For those preferring a tasty alcohol-free alternative, this cocktail combines BUSS N°509 passion fruit 0.0 gin, passion fruit puree, lemon juice, Fever-Tree light tonic, dehydrated lemon, passion fruit, and coriander seeds.

New cocktails include:

• Jasmine & Rose G&T: This flavorsome choice features Bloom pink gin infused with real rose petals and jasmine flowers, creating a smooth and sophisticated taste with floral notes and a touch of sweetness, garnished with dehydrated grapefruit and fresh rosemary.
• Skinny Lemongrass & Ginger G&T: This fresh cocktail is made with a refreshing blend of Whitley Neill lemongrass and ginger gin, Fever-Tree aromatic tonic, fresh lime juice, and honey syrup, garnished with dehydrated lemon and fresh ginger.

A range of variations on the classic summer cocktails can be found on board, including many more alcohol-free options to suit the preferences of all guests. All MSC ships allow passengers to enjoy whiskey, gin, vodka, and rum tastings, as well as cocktail demonstrations.

Guests can also treat themselves to a range of the line’s Food & Beverage concepts such as the Helios Wine Bar on MSC Euribia, an immersive digital experience for the next generation of wine lovers.

The Gin Project on MSC World Europa is a must-stop shop for gin aficionados with more than 70 craft gins on offer, while MSC Starship Club features Rob, the first-ever humanoid robotic bartender at sea on MSC Virtuosa. For beer enthusiasts there’s the Masters of the Sea microbrewery on MSC World Europa, which gives guests the opportunity to enjoy beer made on board from desalinated seawater.

MSC Cruises’ new ‘World’s Greatest Bars’ program serves up something special for guests by bringing some of the most acclaimed and award-winning bars ashore to the line’s ships as pop-ups for a six-month extravaganza. The program, which started this past April, will be available this summer with the Paradiso pop-up on MSC World Europa and Sips on MSC Euribia.

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Holland America is enticing travelers to plan ahead and book a warm-weather vacation for this winter with its new “Save on Sunshine” offer. The special promotion, which begins today, features up to 40 percent off fares, free gratuities, and 50 percent reduced deposits.

Save on Sunshine is available on select departures from September 2024 through April 2025 and features cruises and back-to-back Collectors’ Voyages ranging from four to 58 days long. Sailings to destinations including the Caribbean, Mexico, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Tahiti, the Pacific Coast, South America and Antarctica, Hawaii, and the Panama Canal are included in the promotion. Bookings must be made by August 20, 2024 to take advantage of the offer.

Save on Sunshine is combinable with Holland America‘s “Have it All” premium fare. When booking with this package, guests receive a Signature Beverage Package, shore excursion and specialty dining credits, and a Wi-Fi Surf Package.

Taxes, fees, and port expenses are now included in all cruise fares. Save on Sunshine is not valid on Grand Voyages or sailings that are three days or shorter.

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Oceania Cruises has announced a new, extensive collection of voyages across east Asia in the first half of 2025. Guests will be able to explore the diverse landscapes of Asia. This includes the vibrant city of Hong Kong and the lush coves of Bali to the ancient temples of Kyoto and the turquoise coastlines of Phuket.

“Asia is one of the most striking regions in the world to explore by sea; the powerful contrasts between its ultra-modern and historic influences are breathtaking,” remarks Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. “Through our thoughtful itineraries and our incredible array of immersive small group tours, guests can enjoy the region’s timeless heritage and impressive futuristic strides in one trip – making guests feel like they’re traveling through time. These destinations are truly not to be missed.”

With Oceania’s large range of small-group shore excursions, guests can experience the cultures, cuisines, and natural beauty of the region in the way they want. There are the below types of excursions and more:

• Food-focused tours that range from cooking classes in Thailand to market visits in Vietnam
• Wellness Discovery Tours that nourish the mind, body, and spirit
• Go Local Tours that invite guests to discover authentic local life
• Go Green excursions that focus on sustainability practices

Those looking for further adventure can take part in one of Oceania’s overland experiences. Guests can trek through jungle hills and mountains to discover the wet caves in the Tu Lan system in China, relax on the banks of the Red River in Hanoi, and tour Asia’s most spectacular attractions including Angkor Wat and the Terracotta Warriors Museum.

Itineraries range from six to 24 days, taking place aboard Oceania’s small luxury ships that carry no more than 1,250 guests each. With the cruise line’s simply MORE value promise, passengers are able to enjoy more value. This includes two for one cruise fares; free shore excursions; free champagne, wine, and beer; and free wifi as they sail among beautiful destinations in Asia.

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