Cruise: Luxurious Cruise Adventures Around the Globe

EMERALA AZZURALuxurious Cruise Adventures Around the GlobeBy Paloma Villaverde de RicoHave your clients heard the call of expedition cruising? Are they eager to explore South America during a leisurely sailing? Do they want to discover a fairy tale landscape in the Netherlands? Do they get excited envisioning themselves on the balcony of a small ship viewing the picturesque New England scenery? Cruise lines have put a cornucopia of luxurious offerings on the table for the 2025, 2026 and 2027—and yes, you’re going to want to start thinking ahead, because capacity is going fast.At the 2024 Dream Vacations and CruiseOne National Conference, travel advisor Brad Oakes told the crowd of fellow Dream Vacations franchise owners that, “Cruise lines have already opened their 2027 itineraries, and if you don’t start thinking two years out, you’re making a mistake. Get out and get in front of it.” That said, there are some clients who book last-minute, so we’ve packed this feature with a varied collection of luxury sailings for the coming years, because your clients aren’t cut from the same mold. ACL ROOMThe Luxury of Traveling LocallyFor those who are accustomed to jetting around the world, there’s a sense of luxury when a vacation doesn’t include having to pull out one’s passport—that’s what American Cruise Lines’ sailings offer. American’s intimate ships—accommodating just 90 to 180 guests—sail over 50 U.S. itineraries visiting 125 ports-of-call in 35 states. The cruise line knows its own backyard intimately, offering everything from fall foliage sailings in New England to itineraries that take in historic U.S. rivers and U.S. national parks. Says Melissa Young, American’s Director of Business Development, “Many people only think of the Mississippi when they think of U.S. river cruising, and we do offer exceptional cruises there too of course, but we offer so much more. Cruising on American’s ships, you can go harbor hopping in New England, visiting places like Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Block Island and Newport; or sail the intracoastal waterway from Charleston to Amelia Island. We also offer many interesting theme cruises like our Civil War, Fall Foliage and Culinary cruises. We even have an antiques-themed cruise this summer, where our guests will cruise Maine’s picturesque coastline and harbors and have the opportunity to meet appraisers from ‘Antiques Roadshow’ [it’s on the 9-day Maine Coast & Harbors cruise’s June 16 sailing]. American’s fleet and offerings across the country are totally unique and always growing.” On that point, for 2025 and beyond, American is debuting new ships and eight new itineraries. When it comes to newbuilds, American has signed contracts with Chesapeake Shipbuilding for four more new ships, bringing the line’s total orderbook with Chesapeake to 10 ships over the next three years. Among those are: the 125-passenger Patriot-class ships, American Patriot and American Pioneer coastal ships (coming this year) as well as American Maverick and American Ranger coastal ships (2026); plus the new riverboat American Encore (2026). ACL QUOTE Among the new itineraries is an 8-day Potomac River & Chesapeake Bay cruise; a longer Florida cruise, the 15-day Grand Florida Coast & Keys cruise; and a brand-new Mississippi Explorer cruise between New Orleans and Memphis. The latter allows for more time to explore along the Lower River, with new stops in Tunica and Cleveland, Mississippi. These itineraries on a small vessel are ideal for new-to-cruise, says Young, because “unlike traditional large cruise ships, our small ships sail right into the heart of most U.S. destinations. Our guests never encounter crowds or long lines.... “American’s ships can navigate both rivers and shallow coastal waters and dock in quaint historic ports that larger ships simply can’t reach.”Setting the Bar HighGlen Rothe, VP of North American Trade Sales for Crystal, tells Recommend that the cruise line “sets the bar for upmarket cruise lines. For example, in April 2025, we’ll launch a Cape Town to Tema (Ghana) sailing—a journey that’s exclusive to our brand. We have many guests that choose to take back-to-back voyages with us so it’s important that we provide different ports of call on every segment to ensure that these guests can see something different.”CRYSTAL QUOTE He adds that to create variety for the diverse tastes of Crystal guests, the cruise line offers themed itineraries, such as a golf-focused sailing with legendary coach David Leadbetter or voyages featuring Grammy Award-winning entertainers like Gloria Gaynor. “Wellness is another key focus for today’s upscale travelers,” he says, “which is why we’ve introduced experiences that combine mindfulness with exploration.” Culinary is also top of mind for many of today’s luxury cruise travelers, with Rothe pointing to the line’s culinary offerings, including the only Nobu and Beefbar restaurant concepts at sea. Additionally, the line has launched the first and only Casino de Monte-Carlo at sea, which debuted on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity in November and December, respectively. That “underscores our commitment to providing exclusive, one-of-a-kind amenities for our guests,” says Rothe. He also reminds travel advisors that Crystal has the “added benefit of our partnership with sister brand, Abercrombie & Kent, [so] guests can enjoy world-class service and expertly crafted shore excursions.” Looking farther out into the horizon, Crystal will be welcoming a third ocean ship to its fleet with delivery tentatively set for 2032; it will be similar to its sister ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. The Art of Slowing DownAsk Jamie Paiko, Cunard’s VP of Sales, North America, what she thinks the cruise line’s ideal target client is and her answer might surprise you and lead to an interesting conversation about today’s luxury traveler. “Our customer is not determined by age, income level or geographic area but by mindset. When you step onto a Cunard ship, there is an emotional connection to a legacy of exploration and timeless elegant style. We live in a world defined by casualness but also of immediate response, 24-hour demands on our time and information overload. On board a Cunard vessel, guests discover the art of slowing down, the luxury of time, as well as things like an enthusiasm for dressing up, making dinner an event and that these experiences are timeless and never really go out of style.”CUNARD For luxury clients who might be on the fence about taking a cruise, Paiko tells advisors to “emphasize the inclusive nature of the cruise experience. Many first-time cruisers are unsure about the cost but highlighting that meals, entertainment and various activities are bundled into one price can provide a clear value proposition.” She adds that for global travelers, the line has “carefully curated itineraries that feature a mix of must-see destinations to unique smaller ports of call.” Cunard’s new program of voyages sailing from October 2026 to April 2027 include more than 40 new voyages featuring 101 unique destinations across 57 countries, including 62 UNESCO World Heritage sites. With 22 overnight port calls and 26 late-evening departures, highlights include two maiden calls for the fleet: Ferrol, Spain and Acajutla, El Salvador, both aboard Queen Victoria. Another must-book is the 56-night South America Discovery voyage, which sails on Queen Anne roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale and includes an overnight stay in Rio de Janeiro. And Cunard devotees will love the news that the 2,000-guest Queen Elizabeth is undergoing a significant refit from Feb. 25 to March 13, 2025, in Seatrium’s Admiralty Yard in Singapore, preparing her for a new Alaska season from Seattle in June and a debut voyage from Miami to the Caribbean on Oct. 16 (this will be the first time in Cunard’s history that one of its ships will spend a full season in Miami).Authentic AdventuresSailing on smaller vessels to explore lesser-known ports around the world has emerged as an ideal choice for luxe travelers who would like a cruise vacation but want a more intimate experience. Smaller vessels, in fact, says Ken Muskat, Managing Director, USA at Scenic Group, are an ideal recommendation for first-time cruisers. Emerald Cruises’ Star-Ships and luxury superyachts, he says, “offer an intimate, boutique hotel feel, which helps ease first-time cruisers into the experience without feeling overwhelmed. With thoughtfully designed itineraries and inclusive pricing, guests enjoy world-class dining, guided excursions and impeccable service without worrying about hidden costs. In addition, our ships can access sought-after destinations larger vessels can’t reach.” He points to hidden gems along the Mediterranean and Adriatic coasts as well as to culturally rich river routes across Europe and Southeast Asia. He adds, “What sets us apart is our ability to blend luxury with authentic adventure. Programs like EmeraldPLUS and EmeraldACTIVE provide enriching experiences—whether it’s savoring local culture in a private home or kayaking along a stunning coastline. These unique touches appeal to travelers who value personalized, immersive journeys over traditional cruising.” Coming in 2026 is the Emerald Astra, joining Emerald Cruises’ river fleet and the seventh to sail the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. Welcoming 180 guests, the ship will be designed to mirror the sleek elegance of the line’s luxury superyachts, featuring a modern, grey-tinted glass exterior, a pool/cinema and multiple dining options.Bespoke VoyagesSeabourn’s Rob Coleman, Sr. VP of Sales, says that the cruise line caters to today’s affluent travelers with bespoke experiences that range from innovative onboard offerings to awe-inspiring voyages. “We continuously innovate and refine our offerings to keep the experiences exciting and fresh for our repeat guests,” he says. “We curate new itineraries that explore both popular and less-traveled destinations…and introduce new onboard offerings.” For the latter, Coleman points to several programs, including Zero @ Sea, an array of non-alcoholic cocktails available fleetwide in all bars and lounges aboard the ships (there’s also an upgraded selection of nonalcoholic wines, sparkling wines and beers); the Image Masters Program, a new photography program available on select expedition voyages offering in-field instruction on photo composition, camera techniques, editing and retouching, led by a nature photographer; and the Connoisseur Collection, a series of onboard premium epicurean and reserve wine experiences, ranging from premium whiskey and wine tastings to “Dinner Under the Stars” and curated meals paired with premium wines. “Each voyage is curated to offer bespoke experiences that cater to diverse tastes and preferences,” notes Coleman. When touching on new itineraries, he points to the two Solar Eclipse sailings in 2026: On Aug. 7, Seabourn Sojourn’s 10-Day Spanish Gems & Solar Eclipse voyage will depart roundtrip from Barcelona and offer an opportunity to view the total solar eclipse occurring at sunset on Aug. 12, 2026; on Aug. 8, Seabourn Ovation will sail a 14-day West Ireland Gems & Solar Eclipse voyage, from Dover, England, to Reykjavik, and the ship will be off the coast of Ireland to view the solar eclipse. For clients looking to take an expedition cruise, in late 2025 and early 2026 Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit will operate a series of 11- and 13-day voyages to Antarctica, as well as two 21-day and one 28-day voyage that will include South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Following the Antarctica season between March and November 2026, Seabourn Venture will sail on a series of 10- to 25-day voyages to Iceland, Greenland and the British Isles. Seabourn Pursuit will operate expedition voyages ranging from 10 to 22 days to the South Pacific and the Kimberley in Western Australia between March and November 2026. Both ships return to Antarctica from November 2026 through March 2027.UNIWORLDVIP TreatmentEllen Bettridge, CEO of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, tells Recommend that every single passenger who sails with the river cruise line “is treated like a VIP. Uniworld guests can expect their drink order to be remembered, candy or freshly baked cookies placed in their room and a helping hand whenever needed. Once a guest experiences one Uniworld cruise, they quickly learn that they can trust us to treat them to the best sights and activities in any destination, from central Europe to far-flung destinations like Egypt and India.” That’s why, she says, “repeat guests make up a significant portion of our bookings.” Whether repeat or first-timers, Bettridge says that your client “will get to focus on what they enjoy most without worrying about logistics,” adding, “our sailings are truly all-inclusive, including offshore guided tours and activities in lesser-known destinations.” Advisors can make their clients feel like a VIP, she says, by offering them sailings that speak exclusively to them. “More than ever before,” says Bettridge, “travelers are showing an increased desire for more specialized and unique experiences, inspiring us to raise the bar and develop a wide range of new themed cruises. From our first-ever cruise exclusively for women to all-inclusive golf packages, a music-themed cruise, our returning LGBTQIA+ Out! On the Rivers sailing, family Generations cruises and more, we are expanding our portfolio to further cater to a range of interests and passions. We’re doing all this while maintaining those unique Uniworld touches.” Included among the new offerings for 2025 is the first-ever Women-Only cruise, sailing on Aug. 24, 2025, for the Burgundy and Provence itinerary. This voyage is designed to connect women through unique experiences, such as truffle hunting, onboard workshops led by local artisans, a bike ride to the Chartreuse, lavender weaving, burlesque sessions and a chocolate and wine pairing experience. For music lovers, the Music of the Danube cruise will offer a series of musically themed experiences on Aug. 3 and Nov. 2 aboard the Enchanting Danube itinerary. Highlights of this journey include a yodeling workshop, a “Sound of Music” tour in Salzburg, an organ concert at Abbey Durnstein and an exclusive Mozart and Strauss concert.WINDSTAR COUPLEA Touch of RomanceInspired by “The Golden Bachelorette” finale, Windstar Cruises, along with Air Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Tourisme, have introduced inclusive packages that put the focus on romance and are ideal for a second honeymoon. These include the Final Rose & Overwater Bungalows Package, which includes roundtrip flight from Los Angeles on Air Tahiti Nui, one night at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort in Papeete before transferring to the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea for three nights in an overwater bungalow. Before meeting Star Breeze in Moorea for a 6-day cruise in the islands, couples can go on an ATV and snorkeling excursion. The line’s Golden Days in Bora Bora Air + Overwater Villa packages from Los Angeles and Seattle also include a Windstar week-long cruise. When asked about these new packages and other new experiences, Dianna Rom, Windstar’s VP of Sales, says, “We keep it fresh by adding new cruising regions, changing up itineraries and adding new shore excursions and cruise tours. We listen to our guests and travel partners, and we keep up on travel trends, all of which inform our deployment planning process.” She tells us that the cruise line is returning to Alaska and Japan with the Star Seeker in 2026 “because that’s where our guests and travel advisors told us they wanted to go.” But it’s more than just the stunning locations that makes Windstar a great fit for both long-time cruisers and new-to-cruise. Rom says, the line offers “personalized service, but we take it further into a friendly relationship between guests and crew. Our small ships are conducive to getting to know one another on a deeper level and the camaraderie that ensues between guests and crew is a very important aspect of the trip. Returning guests are welcomed as part of the Windstar family. We pride ourselves on cultivating a welcoming atmosphere where every guest feels at home.” Plus, she adds, cruisers love the fact that the line is “very port intensive with many overnights. This gives our guests the opportunity to delve deeper into each destination, experiencing the local culture, dining and attractions outside of the typical cruise port times.”Glaciers BeckonAlaska is always at the top of every client’s wish list so we’ve got a trio of offerings you’ll want to keep on your radar:• American Cruise Lines is doubling its capacity in the 49th state this year as the American Constitution gets repositioned to the West Coast to join sister ship, American Constellation; they’ll sail the line’s five Alaska itineraries from May to September. Plus, the line has a 16-day Alaska National Parks itinerary that includes exploration in Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks. • Holland America Line has debuted the 18-day Great Barrier Rainforest and Alaskan Explorer itinerary for 2026 (Sept. 16-Oct. 4). Sailing roundtrip from Vancouver on board Zaandam, highlights include calls in eight ports in Alaska, including an overnight in Anchorage; an 11-hour call in Prince Rupert, BC, where guests can take more shore excursions into the Great Bear Rainforest if they want more chances to see the Spirit Bear; scenic cruising of both Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay; two days scenic cruising of Seymour Narrows, Bella Bella, Grenville Channel, Great Bear Rainforest, Princess Royal Island; and a full day of scenic cruising of the Inside Passage.• In 2026, Princess Cruises will have eight ships sailing Alaska, including Star Princess, which debuts this year; your clients will be able to choose from 180 departures from five ports. Highlights include the 15-night National Parks Tour, with visits to Glacier Bay, Denali, Wrangell-St. Elias, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Skagway, a 7-day cruise, scenic rail travel on Alaska Railroad and stays at four Princess-owned wilderness lodges. Those who want to sail on Star Princess will want to opt for an Inside Passage sailing. EXPLORAIn Other Sailings…• Abercrombie & Kent will launch a new Peruvian Amazon riverboat this year, with the maiden voyage set for April. Travelers will have the opportunity to explore the biodiversity of the Peruvian Amazon aboard the 22-passenger luxury vessel. Three-, 4- and 7-day itineraries will combine river and land excursions, including a visit to Machu Picchu. The river cruise is a joint venture between A&K and expedition yacht company Ecoventura.• Atlas Ocean Voyages has unveiled its 2026 summer itinerary collection with 28 new ports of call. Highlights include marveling at sea eagles and seals in their natural habitat in Bronnoysund, Norway; sipping wine in Cecme, Turkey, famed for its centuries-old vineyards; learning about Viking history in St. Anthony and Red Bay, Canada; and embracing nature while sailing in Iles de la Madeleine (Canada) and Corner Brook (Newfoundland). • Explora Journeys’ EXPLORA III will start sailing in summer 2026 with an inaugural season that will take guests on journeys through Northern Europe’s coastlines, Iceland and Greenland and North America’s East Coast, before positioning to the Caribbean for the winter of 2026/2027.• Oceania Cruises is celebrating 15 years of its Culinary Center and with that comes new culinary classes for 2025: Culinary Northwest Passage; Down Under Abundance; and It’s a Dessert Party. • Riverside Luxury Cruises—with the all-suites Riverside Mozart, Riverside Ravel and Riverside Debussy—has an Early Bird Offer you’ll want to jump on so your clients can discover one of the newest river cruise lines sailing the rivers of Europe. It’s a 15 percent discount for all bookings confirmed by Feb. 28 and 10 percent discount for all bookings confirmed between March 1 and May 31, 2025. • Viking has taken delivery of its newest ocean small ship, Viking Vela, which features 499 staterooms that can host 998 guests. She’ll spend her inaugural season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and in Northern Europe. Viking is working on a project for a partial hybrid propulsion system for future ocean ships based on liquid hydrogen and fuel cells, which could allow the company to operate at zero-emission in the Norwegian Fjords and other sensitive environments. While the Viking Vela has a traditional propulsion platform, she is considered hydrogen-ready and can be retrofitted in the future. Additionally, the cruise line has announced 10 new ocean itineraries in the Mediterranean, UK, Ireland and Northern Europe for 2026 and 2027. The new itineraries range from eight to 22 days and feature 12 additional recurring ports that are new for Viking ocean voyages: Fowey, England; Bordeaux, France; Limerick (Foynes), Ireland; Riga, Latvia; Klaipeda, Lithuania; Londonderry, Northern Ireland; Haugesund, Norway; Palma de Mallorca and Bilbao, Spain; Fort William and Tobermory, Scotland; and Karlskrona, Sweden. The itineraries are the 8-day Amalfi Coast, Africa & Iberia; the 8-day Spain & Portugal Discovery; the 12-day Iberia, France & England Explorer; the 8-day Scandinavia Discovery; the 8-day Baltic Discovery; the 8-day Natural Wonders (between Oslo-Bergen); the 15-day British Isles & Ireland; the 15-day Scandinavia & Baltic Capitals; the 15-day Scenic Scandinavia & Baltic Jewels; and the 22- day Icons of the Viking Age. For the latest Cruise news, skip on over to recommend.com.
Contact InformationAbercrombie & Kent: abercrombiekent.com/agent-servicesAmerican Cruise Lines: americancruiselines.com/travel-advisor-programAtlas Ocean Voyages: agents.atlasoceanvoyages.com Crystal: crystalcruises.com/travel-partner-centerCunard: onesourcecruises.com/onesource/loginExplora Journeys: explorajourneys.com/int/en/travel-advisors/loginHolland America: onesourcecruises.com/onesource/loginOceania Cruises: oceaniacruises.comPrincess Cruises: onesourcecruises.com/onesource/loginRiverside Luxury Cruises: riverside-cruises.com/en/taSeabourn: onesourcecruises.com/onesource/loginScenic Luxury Cruises & Tours: scenicusa.com/travel-advisor-hubUniworld Boutique River Cruises: uniworld.com/usViking: vikingcruises.com Windstar Cruises: windstarcruises.com
COVERTHE TRAVEL CORPORATIONTable of ContentsEditor's NotesTURKISH AIRLINESIndustry Insights: Travel — A Bridge to KindnessAdvisor Speak: When Passion Leads to Top-Selling Travel AgencyCruise: Luxurious Cruise Adventures Around the GlobeEXPLORA JOURNEYSAMERICAN CRUISE LINES SCAMERICAN CRUISE LINESATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES SCATLAS OCEAN VOYAGESDISNEY CRUISE LINE SCDISNEY CRUISE LINEVIKING SCVIKING CRUISESEXPLORA SCRIVERSIDE LUXURY CRUISES SCVancouver: The Ideal Pre- and Post-Cruise GatewayALASKA RAILROAD SCOnboard Review: Disney Treasure–A New Chapter in Cruise Line MagicOnboard Review: The Galapagos with HX— A Transformative ExperienceWEBINAR HOUSE ADOnboard Review: Sail in Style— MSC World Europa’s Yacht ClubOnboard Review: Adults-Only Fun Aboard Virgin Voyages’ Resilient LadyMexico/Caribbean: Romance Redefined—Luxurious EscapesPalladium’s Luxury Experiences for CouplesSANDALS SPREADSANDALS SCOnsite Review: Hyatt Vivid Grand Island—Cancun’s Sexy New NeighborEurope: Club Med Tignes–The Ultimate Alpine EscapeTTC Tour BrandsEDU HOUSE ADRIVERSIDE LUXURY CRUISES