Main image credit: Getty.
Havila Voyages has an early bird promotion offering savings of up to £290 per cabin, with the added bonus of the same amount in on-board credit.
The limited-time campaign covers all sailings from January 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027 on the Norwegian coastal routes, including the 12-day ‘Bergen–Kirkenes–Bergen Round Voyage’ and selected one-way or partial segments.
New bookings made for the Round Voyage will qualify for the full £290 per cabin saving plus £290 onboard credit, while the Voyage North and Voyage South will both qualify for £140 savings plus £140 credit.
Solo travellers have not been forgotten, with the saving and onboard credit amount being £140 for the Round Voyage and £70 for the Voyage North or Voyage South.
The offer is valid for new bookings made until November 15, 2025.
The onboard credit, issued in NOK, can be spent on local food and beverages, curated excursions, or unique experiences along the route.
Celestyal maintains commitment to Gulf cruises
Celestyal Journey will open its winter Arabian Gulf season on December 6, 2025, with a special Abu Dhabi Grand Prix celebratory cruise, before operating the seven-night ‘Desert Days’ itinerary for the rest of the season, sailing round-trip from Doha and calling at Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, as well as two full days and an overnight stay in Dubai.
Celestyal Discovery will then join her fleet mate for her inaugural season in the region, departing December 12, 2025 and launching the line’s new three-, four- and seven-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ cruises, sailing round-trip from her winter homeport in Abu Dhabi and calling at Doha, Qatar; Khasab, Oman; Dubai, UAE; Sir Bani Yas Island, UAE and maiden visits to Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.
As part of its updated deployment plans, Celestyal has amended its two 14-night repositioning sailings, departing November 22, 2025, onboard Celestyal Journey, and November 28, 2025, onboard Celestyal Discovery.
Two new seven-night Athens to Jeddah itineraries will now operate, sailing from Athens, Greece, on the same departure dates. Celestyal Journey will now call at Marmaris, Turkey, three ports in Egypt – Port Said, Sharm El Sheikh, and Safaga – concluding in Jeddah. Celestyal Discovery will call at Kusadasi, Turkey, two ports in Egypt – Sharm El Sheikh, and Safaga –concluding in Jeddah. Six-night segments will also be available from the Turkish ports.
A majority of the guests who are booked on the original segments departing Athens, sailing to Sharm El Sheik and Jeddah will be unimpacted; for some there will be port changes or shorter sailings offered.
Following these departures, both ships will continue their passage from Jeddah to Abu Dhabi, to arrive in the Arabian Gulf in time to commence the season as planned.
Sail with explorers on new Ponant cruises
Ponant Explorations has expanded its partnership with The Explorers Club to include Paul Gauguin Cruises and Aqua Expeditions, beginning in late 2026. The voyages will bring scientists, filmmakers, authors, photographers and other distinguished members of The Explorers Club onboard.
Beginning in the winter 2026/2027 season, there will be two departure dates for Paul Gauguin and four departure dates for Aqua Expeditions. Ponant Explorations will feature more than 15 voyages with The Explorers Club in 2026 and 2027, including speakers such as New Zealand Mountaineer Peter Hillary (son of Sir Edmund Hillary) and American filmmaker, author, and conservationist John Heminway in 2027.
Where possible, these departures will also seek to engage guests in citizen science opportunities, particularly on Le Commandant Charcot, where The Explorers Club Science Grantees travel aboard to conduct research projects throughout the sailing and in the ship’s purpose-built science laboratories.
One notable Paul Gaugin itinerary featured is an 11-day round-trip ‘Society Islands and Tuamotus’ voyage in Tahiti featuring Jad Davenport, a National Geographic photographer, writer, and filmmaker whose four-decade career has taken him to more than 160 countries. The cruise sails May 29 – June 9, 2027.
Aqua Expeditions will run a seven-night ‘Peruvian Amazon Expedition’ sailing featuring Andrés Ruzo, a geothermal scientist, conservationist, educator, and TED speaker. The cruise departs November 7, 2026.
New best of experiences on Sun Princess Med sailings
Princess Cruises is introducing new ports of call in 2026/2027 and 16 enhanced cruises for Sun Princess‘ seven-night Western Mediterranean itineraries. The updated cruises will depart from April 4, 2026, through to October 17, 2026.
Guests will enjoy calls to Mallorca (Palma), and Corsica (Ajaccio) as well as an overnight stay in La Spezia (for Florence/Pisa). To allow for these enhanced experiences, Gibraltar will no longer be included on these voyages.
On sale now, Sun Princess cruises from Barcelona to Civitavecchia (Rome) feature a mix of cultural capitals and lesser known spots with shore excursions offering ‘best of’ experiences in each new port:
- Corsica (Ajaccio) – Birthplace of Napoléon Bonaparte, Ajaccio is rich in history and natural beauty. Guests can step inside Bonaparte Maison, his childhood home, or discover A Cupulatta Tortoise Sanctuary, where more than 180 species of tortoises and turtles roam in a peaceful setting.
- Genoa (for Cinque Terre) – From this historic port city, travellers can journey to Cinque Terre, where five villages cling dramatically to the cliffs above the sea. A guided exploration reveals colourful harbours, narrow lanes, and sweeping views, paired with the chance to sample the region’s famous pesto. Others may choose to linger in Genoa itself, once a maritime powerhouse with a rich architectural and culinary heritage.
- Marseille (for Provence) – France’s oldest city serves as a gateway to Provence. Excursions showcase Aix-en-Provence with its elegant boulevards and lively squares or lead up to the hilltop Basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde for panoramic views of Marseille’s terracotta rooftops and azure coastline.
Depending on departure date, select itineraries include additional ports of call to:
- Mallorca (Palma), Spain – A full-day tour combines Palma’s Gothic landmarks, countryside treasures, and a traditional tapas lunch, while wine enthusiasts can savour the varietals of Santa Maria del Camí during an exclusive tasting. Excursions include ‘Mallorca Uncorked’, ‘Best of Palma de Mallorca’, and ‘Vintage Train, Ancient Oil Mill and Tasting’.
- Ibiza, Spain – Visitors can stroll the sands of Las Salinas, climb to the UNESCO-listed Dalt Vila to see its cathedral and castle encircled by 16th-century walls, or venture north to discover the heritage of Jesús Village, Santa Eulalia, and Puig de Missa. A culinary highlight awaits at Can Curreu, a tranquil country estate where authentic island specialties are served.
- Santa Margherita/Portofino, Italy – From Santa Margherita, guests can hike along the rugged coastline to Portofino, explore the UNESCO-cited Cinque Terre, or visit the fishing village of Camogli and the secluded bay of San Fruttuoso, home to a 10th-century abbey. Food lovers will find hands-on experiences as well, from olive oil tastings to a Rapallo foodie walking tour and an interactive pesto-making class.
As part of Princess Cruises’ ‘More Ashore’ programme, select voyages feature an overnight in La Spezia offering time to discover Florence, Pisa, and Tuscany at a more leisurely pace.
Eight new ships for AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways plans to deliver eight new Europe ships, scheduled for 2030. With these additions, the company’s global fleet will grow to more than 40 vessels, doubling its vessel count since 2020.
Each day on an AmaWaterways cruise offers up to seven included excursions tailored to a wide range of interests and activity levels, from historical walking tours and scenic bike rides to wine tastings and unique local experiences like truffle hunting in the south of France.
Onboard, leisure options include sun deck pools, walking tracks, fitness rooms, spas, and local cultural performances each evening. Wellness Hosts lead daily exercise and relaxation classes, and guests are accompanied throughout their journey by a dedicated Cruise Manager, with select suites offering butler service.
Further details on the new ships will be announced in the months ahead.
