Innholdsfortegnelse for Cruise Planner 2026 i Cruise & Travel

Deciding you’re going to book a cruise is easy; what’s harder is figuring out where you’re going and who to sail with. But help is at hand with Cruise & Travel’s handy Planner 2026 guide. This bumper edition is designed to help you plan your next cruise holiday (or two), with expert advice on the industry’s leading lines. Whether you’re looking for an oceanbound trip or prefer to sail on a river, we’ve got the low-down on what’s in store next year, so you can choose the itinerary to suit your holiday style and budget. And with river cruising set for a stellar year, we’ve even included a specialist River Cruises guide (p. 35). Not only do we have the inside scoop on all the wonderful new ships coming our…

ORIENT EXPRESS SAILING YACHTS VOYAGES SHAPED BY THE WIND After more than 100 years operating luxury trains, Orient Express is taking to the water in May 2026 with Corinthian, the first of two hi-tech eco-yachts (the other, Olympian, is due to launch in 2027) powered by three rigid sails – each measuring 1,500 square metres – mounted on towering 100-metre-high masts. In line with the company’s luxury credentials, this promises to be a real beauty, with palatial suites (whodunnit fans can snap up the Agatha Christie room) and a variety of restaurants, including La Table de l’Orient-Express with menus by Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno. orient-express.com/sailing VIKING SCANDI-LOOK SMALL SHIPS FOR CURIOUS TRAVELLERS Whether you want to explore the Mediterranean in winter, discover Italy’s stunning Amalfi Coast, delve into Baltic history,…

1 BATHE IN BUDAPEST For an introduction to Hungarian life, take to the waters. Budapest locals love soaking in the many thermal baths, which have been prized since Roman times. The most beautiful is arguably Gellért in Buda, which was built between 1912 and 1918. And CroisiEurope can arrange for you to take a plunge and unwind in this striking secession art nouveau interior. The five-night Beautiful Blue Danube round-trip cruise from Budapest, departing 30 May 2026, is priced from £1,491 per person, excluding flights. croisieurope.co.uk 2 STAY IN THE CENTRE OF PARIS Ever wanted to spend a night under one of the world’s most recognisable monuments? You’re in luck: Viking’s longships dock in the centre of Paris – just a short stroll from the commanding 984-foot-tall Eiffel Tower. The…

CUNARD TRADITION AND FORMALITY IN A CONTEMPORARY WRAPPING Fresh from celebrating its 185th anniversary on Queen Anne in Liverpool in 2025, Cunard has set its sights on more distant lands. For one thing, it’s looking forward to hosting astronaut Tim Peake on Queen Elizabeth’s 2026 season of summer sailings in Alaska (he’ll be on the July 20 departure from Seattle), For another, exciting new shore excursions in the Caribbean await those on the ship’s maiden season of cruises from Miami in winter 2026-27. Cheese and wine picnics in Barbados anyone? Closer to home, food and fjords pair up on new La Gavroche at Sea sailings with Michelinstarred chef Michel Roux. cunard.com SAGA EX-UK SPECIALIST FOR OVER-50S WHO ENJOY PREMIUM CRUISING The past 12 months have been brilliant for fans of…

HAVILA VOYAGES COMFORTABLE ECO-FRIENDLY FLEET For four years, Havila Voyages has been sailing along the Norwegian coast with its quartet of identical ships, Havila Capella, Havila Castor, Havila Polaris and Havila Pollox. They’re equipped with batteries to sail silently and emission free through the fjords. Havila has introduced a new cabin category, the Seaview Superior King, which offers larger beds and extra comforts without the need for passengers to upgrade to a suite. Cruises highlight local cuisine, with a changing menu showcasing the best of the destinations visited. havilavoyages.com CELESTYAL CULTURE-RICH YEAR-ROUND ITINERARIES This family-friendly Greek-owned line specialises in port intensive and immersive cultural experiences aboard its two ships, Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery. Its new tour operator business Celestyal Travel makes it easy for UK passengers to book cruise…

AMAWATERWAYS JOURNEYS NEAR AND FAR Offering cruises in Europe, Egypt, Colombia – the only international line to sail here – and Vietnam and Cambodia, AmaWaterways continues to expand. In spring 2026, AmaSofia becomes the line’s 24th ship, followed by AmaMaya on the Mekong. The arrival of AmaWaterway’s second Asia ship also coincides with a new four-night Riches of the Mekong land extension in Vietnam, which can be booked in conjunction with a two-night stay in Ho Chi Minh City. amawaterways.co.uk AMERICAN CRUISE LINES ALL-AMERICAN ADVENTURES Sailing on more than 50 itineraries across 40 states, ACL offers the ultimate all-American experience on more rivers and coastal routes than any other line. The modern 180-passenger riverboat American Encore launches in 2026 on the Columbia and Snake rivers. Two smaller ships, American Maverick…

OCEAN SHIPS LEGEND OF THE SEAS ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL If the launch of the world’s biggest cruise ship doesn’t do it for you, the fact it’ll be cruising the Mediterranean next summer surely will. Legend of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s third mega-size Icon-class vessel but the first to sail on this side of the pond. There are restaurants and bars galore, including the new Royal Railway, which takes diners on a food journey along the ancient Silk Routes, while ‘sweet surprises’ are promised as the Broadway musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory sets sail in the Royal Theatre. Legend of the Seas will be sailing around the Mediterranean from Barcelona and Civitavecchia (Rome) starting in July 2026; prices start from £1,507 per person for seven nights. royalcaribbean.co.uk EXPLORA III…

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL THE ULTIMATE FAMILY HOLIDAY AT SEA With a new star born in summer 2025 – Star of the Seas, aka the largest cruise ship in the world – Royal Caribbean is counting down to the July 2026 launch of sister ship, Legend of the Seas. So are Royal’s European fans, as the vessel – with its capacity for more than 7,000 passengers – will be the first of these Iconclass mega-marvels to set sail in the Med. Brits have even more reason to get excited as 2026 dawns, as Liberty of the Seas will be arriving in Southampton for a summer season fresh from a revamp that’s adding restaurants and an escape room onboard. royalcaribbean.com MARELLA CRUISES ALL-INCLUSIVE FLY-CRUISE HOLIDAYS AT SEA FOR SUN-LOVING BRITS With two…

QUARK EXPEDITIONS SPECIALIST CRUISE LINE WITH MORE THAN 35 YEARS OF PIONEERING EXPLORATION IN POLAR ENVIRONMENTS Quark Expeditions feature award-winning small ships with twin-engine helicopters, a fleet of Zodiacs for off-ship adventures, and sustainability features that exceed all industry standards. Its 2026 programme features the Total Solar Eclipse sailing in East Greenland, an Antarctic World of Whales and Seals voyage, and camping under the stars at the South Pole. quarkexpeditions.com NATIONAL GEOGRAPHICLINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS EXPLORATION MEETS SCIENCE IN MISSION-BUILT SHIPS THAT SAIL TO THE WORLD’S MOST REMOTE DESTINATIONS Since 2004, Lindblad Expeditions has partnered with National Geographic and now offers more than 100 unique itineraries on 23 owned and chartered ships in more than 70 countries around the world. Offering unparalleled access to far-flung locations, a team of specialist staff encourage…