Kids cruise for free this summer
CroisiEurope is offering free cruise places for children under 16 across a range of European itineraries.
The initiative includes supervised kids’ clubs, tailored menus and a series of child-friendly excursions, with sailings spanning rivers and coastal routes in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Croatia.
Highlights include five- and seven-night cruises on the Douro from Porto, featuring visits to Régua, Pinhão and Salamanca, where families can enjoy an interactive museum experience and a day at a water park. Prices start from £1,164 per adult, with departures in July and August.
In Spain, a seven-night Guadalquivir itinerary round-trip from Seville calls at Córdoba, Cádiz and Granada, with excursions to Seville Aquarium and Isla Mágica theme park. Fares lead in at £1,481 per adult.
Shorter options include a four-night Rhine cruise from Strasbourg, priced from £864, offering a visit to the Museum of Mechanical Music and optional time at Europa-Park or Rulantica.
In France, itineraries span the Rhône, Loire and Bordeaux regions, with activities ranging from treasure hunts and wildlife spotting to theme park visits and immersive cultural experiences. Prices start from £1,135 per adult depending on route and duration.
Italian sailings include five-night cruises from Venice with lagoon tours and city-based treasure hunts, while Adriatic departures from Dubrovnik explore Croatia and Montenegro. On these coastal cruises, children receive a 30% discount rather than free places.
The operator said the offer is limited to two children per paying adult and excludes excursions and port fees.
Windstar opens UK base; calls for UK trade partners
Windstar Cruises is establishing a formal operating presence in the UK, in a move designed to accelerate international growth and significantly expand distribution to British travel agents.
The cruise line has created Windstar Cruises UK Ltd and is in the process of securing consumer bonding through ABTOT, enabling it to sell cruise-only products in the UK with full financial protection. Plans are also underway to obtain ATOL bonding later this year, which will allow the company to offer flight-inclusive packages for the first time in the UK market.
The expansion will enable more UK agents to contract directly with Windstar and access its online booking engine, while existing partnerships with platforms such as Traveltek and Odysseus will continue.
The announcement comes as the line grows its fleet to eight yachts. Star Seeker joined in December 2025, with sister ship Star Explorer due to debut in December 2026. The additions will boost capacity and create new itinerary options, including a planned return to Tahiti in 2027 with Wind Star sailing alongside Star Breeze.
President Christopher Prelog said the move would strengthen trade relationships in a key market.
“We’re excited to strengthen our presence in the UK and expand our support for the travel trade,” he said, noting the company has welcomed British guests for more than 40 years.
The UK push is being led by Helen Beck, Managing Director, Global Commercial, who described the launch as “the first step in significantly increasing Windstar’s distribution in the UK”.
Further underlining its investment, Windstar has launched a series of ex-London sailings aboard Star Pride and confirmed that Star Explorer will be christened in London in June 2027.
The line’s European footprint is also expanding, with 19 UK ports of call and an extensive Mediterranean programme spanning Italy, Greece and Spain.
Agents wishing to work with Windstar Cruises in the UK should contact Augustus Lonsdale, Head of Sales at augustus.lonsdale@windstarcruises.com
MSC Northern Europe summer season on sale now
MSC Cruises has launched its Northern Europe summer season with MSC Euribia, offering a programme of sailings through Norway’s fjords and key regional destinations.
Operating from Kiel and Copenhagen, MSC Euribia will take guests deep into the Norwegian fjords, with itineraries including calls at Hellesylt/Geiranger and Flåm. The voyages are designed to showcase UNESCO-listed landscapes, combining dramatic natural scenery with visits to Nordic coastal towns.
Onboard, the ship features more than 10 dining venues, 21 bars and lounges, and extensive family facilities, including a 700sqm kids’ area, five pools and the Ocean Cay AquaPark. Entertainment includes large-scale shows at the Delphi Theatre and live music in the Carousel Lounge.
MSC Euribia is one of four ships deployed by MSC Cruises in Northern Europe for summer 2026.
Recently upgraded MSC Magnifica will operate seven- and 11-night sailings from Warnemünde, calling at destinations including Oslo, Stockholm and Riga. The ship now features the line’s MSC Yacht Club concept, alongside enhanced spa, fitness and dining facilities.
MSC Preziosa will sail from Hamburg on itineraries ranging from seven to 14-nights, covering Iceland and the Norwegian fjords, with ports of call including Reykjavik, Tromsø and Bergen, as well as Scottish ports such as Invergordon and Kirkwall.
Meanwhile, Southampton-based MSC Virtuosa will offer a mix of Northern Europe, Mediterranean and Canary Islands itineraries, with destinations including Akureyri, Ísafjörður and Sandnes in Norway.
The programme offers flexible embarkation options and a wide choice of itineraries, positioning Northern Europe cruises as an alternative to traditional summer holidays.
