Cruises

MSC Cruises Opens Bookings for 2028 Alaska Summer Season

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MSC partira en Alaska pour l'été 2028. DepositPhotos.com/DonyaNedomam

Hurtigruten


The cruise line is already gearing up for its third season in Alaska. MSC Cruises has opened sales for its itineraries for the summer 2028, with MSC Poesia as the vessel dedicated to this program.

Departing from Seattle, the ship will offer 7-night cruises starting on April 24, 2028. The itineraries will notably allow guests to discover Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau and Tracy Arm in Alaska, as well as Victoria, in British Columbia.


A Renovated MSC Poesia

For this new season, passengers will rediscover a recently renovated MSC Poesia, which notably welcomes the new MSC Yacht Club.

This concept « ship within a ship » includes 69 suites, a 24/7 butler and concierge service, as well as several private spaces : restaurant, lounge, solarium with whirlpools and a grill restaurant with bar.

The ship’s renovation also allowed the addition of two specialty restaurants: Butcher’s Cut, focused on meat, and Kaito Sushi Bar, dedicated to Japanese and Asian specialties.

The MSC Aurea Spa has also been modernized, while the ship now features a MSC Gym Powered by Technogym, a Gentleman’s Barber, several training studios and a Top 15 Exclusive Solarium reserved for Aurea guests.

The itineraries offered in Alaska will place emphasis on the landscapes and nature of the region.

Among the highlights announced are sailing through the Tracy Arm fjord, with its glaciers and waterfalls, as well as calls at Juneau, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point.

Polynesia: Aranui Cruises Opens 2028 Bookings With New Itineraries

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Aranui Cruises ouvre les réservations pour sa saison 2028 - Depositphotos.com @AlexShadyuk

Hurtigruten


Aranui Cruises officially opens sales for its 2028 program.

With more than four decades of activity, the Polynesian company continues its cruise model that blends freight transport with exploration travel, featuring two complementary ships: the Aranui 5 and the Aranoa, a new mixed cargo vessel whose delivery is planned for March 6, 2027.

For this new season, the company is resizing its offer with the return of the Aranui 5 to its historic 12-day itinerary to the Marquesas Islands and an expanded program for the Aranoa.


Aranui 5 Refocuses on the Marquesas

In 2028, the Aranui 5 will dedicate its entire schedule to the Marquesas Islands.

In total, 23 departures of 12 days are planned for the year, thus returning to the company’s classic itinerary.

To read: Polynesia: I tested for you the Aranui 5 Australes cruise

This shift responds notably to logistical constraints related to freight activity, essential for the populations of the archipelagos served.

To accompany this return to the historic itinerary, Aranui Cruises also announces that the 2027 prices for Marquises cruises will be maintained.


Aranui Cruises: Four itineraries for the New Aranoa

The new Aranoa, currently under construction, will have its own program in 2028. In total, four distinct itineraries will be offered, for 23 departures.

The first will combine the Australes and the Society Islands, with calls at Bora Bora, Raiatea, Moorea and Huahine. This 12-day voyage will be offered 14 times, compared with 13 days for the equivalent itinerary in 2027.

A second route, also devoted to the Australes and the Society Islands, will take travelers further with a stop at Rapa, one of the most isolated islands in French Polynesia. With a duration of 13 days, this itinerary will also include Moorea, Bora Bora and Raiatea, but not Huahine.

The Aranoa will also head toward Pitcairn and the Gambier Islands for two 12-day departures. This cruise will offer the chance to discover one of the most remote territories in the Pacific, notably linked to the history of the Bounty mutineers.

The company will offer a shorter format, with a five-day departure dedicated to the Tuamotu. This new product will allow travelers to explore the archipelago’s coral atolls over a shorter period.

On the occasion of the 2028 sales launch, Aranui Cruises is implementing several commercial advantages, including a 15% discount on Aranoa voyages and a 10% discount on Aranui 5 voyages, for bookings made before December 31, 2026.


Amelia Brille Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
See all articles by Amelia Brille

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MSC Cruises: MSC World Europa in the Mediterranean and MSC World Asia in the Caribbean for Winter 2027-2028

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Le MSC World Asia proposera lors de l’hiver 2027-2028 des croisières de sept et quatorze nuits au départ de Fort-de-France, Pointe-à-Pitre et Bridgetown @MSC

Hurtigruten


The MSC World Europa will not be heading to the Middle East during the 2027-2028 winter season. MSC Cruises has decided to keep its vessel in the Western Mediterranean, where it will offer seven-night itineraries.

The company is thus making a substantial adjustment to its original program. Marseille will be among the embarkation ports for the MSC World Europa, alongside calls planned in Barcelona, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Messina, and Valletta.

This retention strengthens MSC Cruises’ winter offering from France. It also confirms the company’s intention to operate one of its newest ships in the Mediterranean year-round, a vessel that entered service in 2022.


The MSC World Asia will serve the French Antilles

The scope of movement is not limited to the Mediterranean. The MSC World Asia, due to enter service in December 2026, will head to the southern Caribbean for the winter of 2027-2028.

The new vessel will offer seven- and fourteen-night cruises from Fort-de-France, Pointe-à-Pitre, and Bridgetown.

The itineraries may notably include calls in Saint Lucia, Grenada, Saint Martin, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, as well as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

This positioning will give French and Caribbean markets direct access to MSC Cruises’ new flagship. The MSC World Asia will notably incorporate some elements already present on other ships in the World class, to which will be added new attractions such as Cliffhanger, a swing installed above the sea.

Bookings initially made aboard the MSC Meraviglia will be transferred to the MSC World Asia. Customers will be contacted individually if this substitution also affects their itinerary.

Explora Journeys Cancels Middle East Cruises for Winter 2027-2028

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Explora Journeys annule ses croisières au Moyen-Orient pour l’hiver 2027-2028 © Explora Journeys

Hurtigruten


Explora Journeys (groupe MSC) renounces positioning its ships in the Middle East and the Red Sea during the winter of 2027-2028.

The luxury cruise line says it has conducted a reevaluation of its deployment schedule, taking into account developments in the region, according to Cruise Industry News.

Explora I was to sail in the Gulf from November 2027 to February 2028, with calls in several countries in the region. Explora V, which is due to enter service at the end of 2027, was planned to operate in the Red Sea between late January and mid-March 2028.


Repositioning of the Explora I and Explora V ships

Explora Journeys now plans to completely overhaul the itineraries for both ships. Explora I will be assigned to South America, while Explora V will operate in the Mediterranean.

The company says it has made this decision sufficiently in advance to provide greater clarity to customers and travel professionals planning their reservations for 2027-2028.

Passengers who have already booked an itinerary affected by these cancellations will see their booking automatically canceled and will receive a full refund of the cruise fare. Explora Journeys also plans a 250-euro credit per person, limited to two travelers, usable for a new booking made within one year.

The new itineraries for Explora I and Explora V are expected to be announced and opened for bookings on September 9, 2026, according to Cruise Industry News.

This decision follows a similar announcement from MSC Cruises, which has also revised the winter 2027-2028 schedule for the MSC World Europa. The vessel, initially planned for the Middle East, will ultimately remain in the Western Mediterranean during that period.

Celebrity Cruises Unveils 2028-2029 Itineraries

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Programmation 2028-2029 de Celebrity Cruises. Photo: Celebrity Cruises

Hurtigruten


Celebrity Cruises unveiled its 2028-2029 schedule, notably featuring four Edge-class ships in Europe.
The line also plans to extend certain seasons and add new ports of call, with itineraries ranging from 7 to 14 nights depending on the destination.
The Celebrity Beyond, recently refurbished, will return to Europe for the first time since 2023. Departing from Southampton, it will present 7- to 14-night cruises to Norway, Iceland, and Scandinavia, while the Celebrity Apex will head toward Scandinavia and the British Isles.


Celebrity Cruises: Japan Available Year-Round

The Celebrity Solstice, recently renovated, will, in 2028, embark on its first full season in Japan, from April through October. The line will also offer extended calls at Kyoto and Aomori, as well as itineraries that allow exploration of Tokyo and Okinawa.

Celebrity Cruises will also bolster its offerings in Alaska, with three ships planned in the region. For the first time, the Celebrity Equinox will feature seven-night itineraries between Vancouver and Seward, while the Celebrity Edge will begin its fifth Alaska season.

The 2028-2029 schedule also includes itineraries to Australia and New Zealand, Southeast Asia, South America and Antarctica, as well as to Bermuda, Canada and New England.

Reservations for Europe, Bermuda, Canada and New England open on August 25, 2026. Sales will follow on September 1 for Alaska, Hawaii and South America, then September 29 for Australia and the winter 2028-2029 in Asia.

How River Cruises Adapt to Dry Rivers

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Le Danube est tombé cet été à son plus bas niveau jamais enregistré - DepositPhotos.com, Mario Kprn

Hurtigruten


The drought affecting parts of Europe has seriously complicated this summer’s river tourism season.

From the Danube to the Rhine, via the Main and several French canals, low water levels are making certain stretches difficult, even impossible, to navigate.

Nevertheless, cruise operators are avoiding cancellations as much as possible. They have developed a whole range of solutions: changing boats, reversing itineraries, relocating port calls, overnight stays in hotels, or coach transfers.

An adaptability that allows departures to be saved, but which can also significantly alter the trip purchased by the client.


VNF : the small-draft network far more affected

In France, Voies navigables de France (VNF) wants to avoid generalizations.

In a note published on August 13, the institution notes that 97.5% of the large-draft network remains operational despite the drought.

The situation is markedly different on the small-draft network, particularly important for river tourism : only 71.5% of the network remains operational.

This difference directly concerns pleasure boating, the rental of boats without a license, or some houseboats-hotels.

The situation deteriorated over the summer. By August 15, the reservoir-dams monitored by VNF displayed an average fill rate of 35%, versus 42% at the start of the month and 58% on average over the last ten years on the same date.

The Canal de Bourgogne and the Canal latéral à la Loire were notably closed to navigation as part of restrictions affecting North-South connections. Other incidents were reported on the canal between Champagne and Bourgogne, the Yonne, the Seille or the Ardennes Canal.

Asked, Riverly told us they do not wish to speak on this subject.


The “ship swap” technique

The French difficulties are part of a much broader phenomenon.

AmaWaterways describes a summer “exceptionally dry” in Europe. According to the company, the Danube in Romania fell to its lowest level in around thirty years, while the Rhine, the Main and the upper Danube are operating below seasonal levels.

When certain thresholds are crossed, ships can no longer navigate safely.

Viking has also confirmed exceptionally low levels on parts of the Rhine and Danube and warned that several of its itineraries may be modified.

To avoid cancellations, operators have developed a now well-honed technique: the “ship swap”.

AmaWaterways positions two ships on the same river, on opposite sides of the now-inaccessible sector. During a land excursion, passengers move from one vessel to the other. On arrival, their luggage awaits them in a corresponding cabin. The impassable stretch is thus bypassed without interrupting the voyage.

Viking applies a comparable strategy thanks to identical sister ships navigating in opposite directions. Passengers can switch ships while retaining the same cabin category on the other side of the affected zone.

This arrangement, however, requires a sufficiently large fleet and ships positioned in the right place.


AmaWaterways claims zero cancellations

When changing ships isn’t enough, operators go further.

AmaWaterways explains it can reverse the direction of a cruise, add a night in a city, arrange a coach journey to an inaccessible port of call, or even rebuild the itinerary entirely.

The company thus claims to have not cancelled any departure this summer due to the low water levels.

Rather than dropping a trip when the river becomes impracticable, the aim is to preserve as much of the touring program around the navigation as possible, even if it means completing part of the journey by road.


When the cruise continues on the road

In Budapest, some boats had to stop at Komárom, about 120 kilometers from the Hungarian capital, forcing their passengers to continue by road.

In Bulgaria, near Vidin, 186 tourists had to be evacuated from a vessel that had run aground.

In Spain, El País reported the case of 120 travelers who set out on a Danube cruise. Facing navigation difficulties, a large portion of the itinerary had to be completed by road. The passengers estimated they would cover nearly 1,500 kilometers by coach.


Oceania Cruises Announces the Launch of the Oceania Sonata

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Oceania Cruises annonce la mise à l'eau de l'Oceania Sonata, Depositphotos.com, Photo by portosabbia

Hurtigruten


The Oceania Sonata marks the first of five ships that will compose the new Oceania Cruises Sonata class. It will be followed in 2029 by its sister ship, the Oceania Arietta, and then by three additional units whose deliveries are staggered in 2032, 2035 and 2037.

Resulting from a nearly twenty-year partnership between the operator and the Italian shipyard Fincantieri, this project succeeds the delivery of the Oceania Marina (2011), Oceania Riviera (2012), Oceania Vista (2023) and Oceania Allura (2025).

With a gross tonnage of around 86,000, the Oceania Sonata will offer a volume about 30% higher than that of the Oceania Allura, while adding only 90 more accommodations for a total of 695 cabins and suites reserved exclusively for adults.

A third of the overall capacity will be devoted to suites, including for the first time for the operator four Owner’s Suites with two bedrooms, as well as two new categories: the Horizon Suites (nearly 56 m² with veranda) and the Penthouse Deluxe Suites (around 45 m²).


13 dining venues aboard and an inaugural season spanning Europe and the Americas

On the dining front, the ship will feature 13 dining venues. The offering will introduce two new culinary concepts: La Table by Masters of French Cuisine and Nikkei Kitchen, which will complement the brand’s gastronomic proposition alongside the Grand Dining Room and the brand’s usual dining venues (Jacques, Red Ginger, Polo Grill, Toscana).

For its inaugural season planned from August 2027 to April 2028, the Oceania Sonata will sail to more than 90 destinations. Its inaugural voyage, the Mediterranean Collage (a 14-day journey from Rome to Trieste), will begin on August 7, 2027, tracing a course through Italy, Greece, Montenegro and Croatia.

The summer and winter programs will combine itineraries in the Eastern Mediterranean (Greeks & Byzantines in October 2027), a Panama Canal crossing connecting Los Angeles to Miami in January 2028, as well as Caribbean island itineraries departing from Florida (Tropical Coves in March 2028).

Costa Cruises Launches Winter Promo: 50% Off Beverage and Excursion Packages

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Costa Croisières lance sa « Super promo d’hiver » - Depositphotos.com, maudanros

Hurtigruten


Costa Croisières launches its marketing campaign “Winter Super Promo”.

Valid for any booking made by October 28, 2026 inclusive, this offer for the first time features a 50% discount applied simultaneously to the My Drinks beverage packages and the My Lands excursion packs.

The goal for the cruise line is to make onboard services and onshore stops more affordable, while enabling passengers to tailor their stay across a wide range of itineraries.


Integration of the “Sea & Land” concepts and Mediterranean itineraries

The promotion also applies to the new versions of the “Sea & Land” offers, which pair land-based calls with sea experiences, themed around regional motifs (Dolce Vita, The Golden Islands, Lights of the Mediterranean, or Icons of the Aegean).

Among the proposed itineraries, the Costa Toscana will operate a 7-night Western Mediterranean loop departing from Marseille from October 3 to 10, 2026, with calls in Barcelona, Cagliari, Naples, Civitavecchia and Genoa.

The following spring, the Costa Fascinosa will offer a 6-night itinerary named Dolce Vita departing from La Seyne-sur-Mer from May 1 to 7, 2027, heading to Saint-Tropez, Savona, Civitavecchia, Salerno and Messina.


Deployment of the offer on Caribbean and Canary routes

The pricing scheme also covers the long-haul connections scheduled for the winter season.

The Costa Favolosa will thus undertake 7-night Caribbean cruises departing Pointe-à-Pitre from December 2 to 9, 2026, with daily calls planned at Fort-de-France, Basseterre, St. John’s, Road Harbour and Santo Domingo.

On the Atlantic leg, the Costa Smeralda will undertake a 12-night itinerary to the Canary Islands and Madeira departing from Barcelona from November 14 to 26, 2026, serving notably Málaga, Cádiz, Las Palmas, Funchal, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Puerto del Rosario and Arrecife.

Oceania Cruises: Discover the Caribbean in a New Way

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La programmation comprend notamment Dutchman's Caribbean, une croisière de 14 jours au départ de Miami le 11 novembre 2026 à bord d'Oceania Vista - Photo : Oceania Cruises

CroisiEurope


On its ships Oceania Vista, Oceania Allura and the recently renovated Oceania Marina, Oceania Cruises will offer in the Caribbean this winter itineraries of seven to fourteen days, blending major regional ports with more intimate harbors.

The stated aim is to foster immersion through small-group excursions focused on local culture, heritage and cuisine.

Among the highlighted experiences are a visit to a beekeepers cooperative in Saint Lucia, an immersion in banana plantations in Martinique, a discovery of artisan markets of Sainte-Anne in Guadeloupe or even a lunch on a Tortola beach after visiting an organic farm.

In Curaçao, passengers will also have the chance to partake in a cheese and wine tasting in Willemstad’s UNESCO-listed historic center.


Gastronomy at the Heart of the Experience

This approach continues aboard. Oceania Cruises highlights Chef’s Market Dinners, during which the Terrace Café revisits the flavors of the visited ports, as well as the Culinary Center workshops, inspired by local ingredients and culinary traditions.

LYNC photography workshops also complete the activity program.

“Our Caribbean cruises reveal the richness and diversity of this region, blending iconic islands with more intimate ports,” states Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises, in a press release.

“Thanks to a curated selection of immersive excursions, even the most seasoned travelers gain a new perspective on destinations they thought they already knew.”


Five itineraries in the spotlight

The program includes notably Dutchman’s Caribbean, a 14-day cruise departing from Miami on November 11, 2026 aboard Oceania Vista, as well as Caribbean Island Bliss, a ten-day itinerary aboard Oceania Allura starting December 2.

The company will also offer Collector’s Caribbean (December 10, aboard Oceania Marina), Tropical Retreats, a seven-day Christmas cruise departing from Miami on December 21 aboard Oceania Allura, and Caribbean Celebration, a 14-day itinerary allowing guests to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Martinique before continuing to Saint Kitts and Saint Martin.

Finally, Oceania Cruises accompanies this programming with a promotional offer valid until September 8, 2026 on a selection of departures from the United Kingdom and several European cities, including round-trip flights and one night hotel before embarkation.

Luxury Cruises: A New Clientele Follows Hotel Brands Out to Sea

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Croisières de luxe : les marques hôtelières séduisent une nouvelle clientèle - Photo CE

CroisiEurope


According to the latest data published by Global Travel Collection (GTC), cruises operated under hotel brands now account for 5% of upcoming bookings made by its network of luxury travel advisors.

A segment still limited in volume, but it carries a very high-end positioning, with an average price of $40,000 per booking.

For French professionals, Global Travel Collection (GTC) remains a relatively little-known player. A subsidiary of the American Internova Travel Group, it is nevertheless one of the world’s largest networks of advisers specializing in luxury travel. The company unites more than 1,500 advisors who serve a high-end clientele.


“A customer who has been loyal to a hotel brand for fifteen years now boards the ship of that same brand”

One of the main lessons from this study concerns the traveler profile. According to GTC, this new clientele is not made up of seasoned cruisers climbing up the ladder, but of customers loyal to prestigious hotel brands who are taking their first cruise.

“It is about creating a category, not changing one,” explains Angie Licea, president of Global Travel Collection, in the press release.

“A customer loyal to a hotel brand for fifteen years now boards the ship of that same brand, with the same expectations as on land. He does not compare offers with other cruises. He finds the familiar and reassuring experience in a new environment,” she adds.

The average price of these cruises stands at $40,000, roughly four times the average price of a traditional ocean cruise, according to GTC.


The American cruise market is expected to continue growing in 2026

Beyond branded cruises, GTC notes a strong uptick in the yacht segment. Sales would have increased by around $3 million in a year.

According to the data disclosed, the American cruise market is expected to keep growing in 2026, with: an overall 5% growth; 25% growth for river cruises; 40% for yacht cruises.

Global Travel Collection, for its part, says it has recorded a 14% rise in its sales across all cruise segments, nearly three times the market’s expected growth.

“The cruise sector has lost its former reputation faster than almost any other category we track. The ceiling on luxury sea travelers’ spending has risen substantially, and the brands investing in this market are the main reason,” concludes Angie Licea.

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