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Welcome to John’s GTM Weekly Cruise News and Hot Cruise Deals, delivered directly to your inbox by Global Travel Media.

If ever there was a time to hunt for a decent cruise deal, this could be it! Offers are coming thick and fast, from Australia’s summer cruising season to Europe, the polar regions, and voyages stretching into 2027, 2028, and even 2029. The world’s cruise lines are certainly giving us plenty to think about, not least how to fit all those holidays into one lifetime.

Australia’s 2026–27 summer cruise season is gathering pace, with major ships already arriving and many more to follow. But an important distinction separates ships based here year-round from seasonal visitors and international vessels calling in during longer voyages. A busy harbour is one thing; keeping a ship permanently based in Australia is quite another.

Indeed, Carnival’s decision to withdraw Carnival Adventure and Carnival Luminosa from Australia in March 2028 makes that point rather neatly. Carnival has since announced a 2028–29 program for its two remaining year-round Australian ships, Carnival Splendor and Carnival Encounter. So there is still plenty of cruising ahead, even if the fleet arithmetic is becoming a little less cheerful.

MAJOR CRUISE LINES & THEIR SHIPS

The following is a selection of confirmed ships sailing from or visiting Australia during the 2026–27 period. It is not an exhaustive count of every visiting vessel. Kimberley expedition cruises generally operate in a different season from the southern summer wave season.

PRINCESS CRUISES

Royal Princess – Sydney-based itineraries, including Australia and New Zealand.
Grand Princess – predominantly Brisbane departures, plus the 79-night Circle Pacific voyage.
Crown Princess – Australian and regional voyages, including a 28-day round-Australia itinerary.
Coral Princess – an Australian visit as part of a wider world-voyage program, rather than the three-ship regional deployment.

Princess has advertised 42 itineraries and 62 departures across its three principal regional ships.

For more information, visit PRINCESS CRUISES.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Anthem of the Seas – Sydney departures for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
Quantum of the Seas – Brisbane departures for Queensland and South Pacific itineraries.

These are Royal Caribbean’s two Australian summer ships for 2026–27. Voyager of the Seas is associated with the following 2027–28 program and should not be counted in this season.

For more information, visit ROYAL CARIBBEAN.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

Carnival Splendor – year-round Sydney cruises.
Carnival Adventure – Sydney and other Australian departures, including short breaks and longer regional sailings.
Carnival Encounter – year-round Brisbane cruises.
Carnival Luminosa – seasonal Brisbane sailings.

Carnival Adventure is scheduled to depart Sydney for Tokyo on 20 March 2028, while Carnival Luminosa is scheduled to leave Sydney for Los Angeles on 15 March 2028. Both are to leave the Australian fleet.

For more information, visit CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE.

CELEBRITY CRUISES

Celebrity Edge – Sydney-based Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific cruises.
Celebrity Solstice – regional sailings, including a Sydney departure scheduled for 31 October 2026.

The two ships are scheduled to operate 20 regional sailings between them.

For more information, visit CELEBRITY CRUISES.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

Norwegian Spirit – cruises visiting Australian and New Zealand ports, including Melbourne, during the summer season.

For more information, visit NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

Noordam – Australia and New Zealand itineraries, including an Australian circumnavigation.

For more information, visit HOLLAND AMERICA LINE.

CUNARD

Queen Victoria – Australian calls during the ship’s 2027 world voyage, including Sydney.

For more information, visit CUNARD.

OCEANIA CRUISES

Riviera – Australian and New Zealand itineraries, including published Melbourne calls.
Regatta – a scheduled Melbourne visit in February 2027.

For more information, visit OCEANIA CRUISES.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

Seven Seas Explorer – Australia and New Zealand voyages, including calls in Sydney and Melbourne.

For more information, visit REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES.

VIKING

Viking Venus – several Australian and New Zealand port calls in the 2026–27 season.
Viking Orion – further regional Australia and New Zealand itineraries.

For more information, visit VIKING.

AZAMARA

Azamara Pursuit – Australia and New Zealand voyages, including a scheduled Melbourne visit in January 2027.
Azamara Quest – a scheduled Melbourne call in February 2027.

For more information, visit AZAMARA.

SILVERSEA

Silver Moon – Australia and New Zealand voyages, with a Melbourne turnaround in January 2027.
Silver Dawn – a Brisbane-to-Singapore voyage departing 22 February 2027.

For more information, visit SILVERSEA.

SEABOURN

Seabourn Quest – world-cruise voyages including Australia and the South Pacific, with a Melbourne call scheduled for March 2027.

For more information, visit SEABOURN.

EXPEDITION & SMALL SHIPS

CORAL EXPEDITIONS – Coral Adventurer, Coral Discoverer and Coral Geographer, offering Australian coastal and expedition itineraries across different times of year.
PONANT EXPLORATIONS – Le Jacques Cartier and Le Soléal, with expedition voyages covering destinations including the Kimberley and nearby regions.
TRUE NORTH – small-ship Australian coastal expeditions; check itineraries against the operator’s latest departure schedule.

The Kimberley program is largely separate from the traditional summer wave season. A ship visiting Melbourne once, after all, is not quite the same as one operating from Sydney every second weekend!

Now, on to this week’s cruise news and holiday offers. Some tempting possibilities are here, with several deadlines approaching quickly.

TRAVELRITE’S CYCLING CRUISES & TOURS

Travelrite has found a splendid way of combining two holidays in one: a cycling adventure by day and a cruise ship to return to afterwards.

Its published 2027 program includes the British Isles aboard Majestic Princess, the Baltic and Scandinavia, Australia’s Southern Shores and Japan aboard Diamond Princess. Routes vary in distance and difficulty, with several focusing on comparatively gentle rail trails.

For more information, visit TRAVELRITE CYCLING TOURS.

CRUISEABOUT

Cruiseabout is comparing the three distinctive cruise brands within Royal Caribbean Group:

Royal Caribbean – big-ship entertainment, activities and family-friendly experiences.
Celebrity Cruises – contemporary premium cruising with an emphasis on dining and design.
Silversea – intimate, all-suite luxury ships and destination-focused journeys.

Cruiseabout offers cruise-only and cruise-and-stay packages, with advertised savings on selected departures.

As ever, check the applicable cabin category and actual inclusions before booking.

For more information, visit CRUISEABOUT.

IMAGINE CRUISING

Imagine Cruising is advertising an All-Inclusive Azamara East Coast Australia Voyage with Cairns Escape from A$4,699 per person.

The 12-night holiday departs on 14 November 2027 and combines a 10-night Azamara cruise with two nights in Cairns, with advertised flight and tax inclusions.

A tempting combination for anyone who would rather unpack once or, in this case, only twice!

For more information, visit IMAGINE CRUISING.

MY CRUISES

My Cruises has a collection of early-booking packages, several with a booking deadline of 31 October 2026.

Published examples include:

Norwegian Aura: Greece, Croatia and Romantic Italy – a 15-night fly, stay and cruise holiday from A$7,990 per person, departing 12 May 2027.
Africa, Madagascar and India’s Golden Triangle – an exploration cruise and touring package from A$12,990 per person.
Celebrity Nebuta Festival: Japan and South Korea – a 14-night fly, stay and cruise holiday from A$5,990 per person, departing 26 July 2028.
Avalon Waterways: Lapland Christmas Discovery and Rhine River – a cruise-and-land holiday from A$14,990 per person.

These advertised figures are per person, twin share, and depend on package inclusions, departure arrangements and availability.

Several other packages circulated earlier have passed their published promotional deadlines, so I have not included them as current deals.

For more information, visit MY CRUISES.

PANACHE CRUISES

Panache Cruises is promoting luxury cruising, including Silversea itineraries in Asia, the Mediterranean and the Pacific.

The previously circulated flash-sale figures could not be confirmed against current published terms, so I would recommend checking directly with Panache for the latest suite prices, any onboard credit and whether discounts can be combined.

A handsome headline saving is only handsome if it is still available!

For more information, visit PANACHE CRUISES AUSTRALIA.

SEABOURN

Seabourn has released more of its 2029 ocean voyages, covering the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska, Canada and New England.

Its Early Booking Advantage offers 10% savings on eligible newly launched departures when booked by 4 November 2026.

Featured destinations include:

Egypt and the Mediterranean – including a return to Alexandria.
Northern Europe – fjords, historic ports and longer summer days.
Canada and New England – coastal cities and autumn scenery.
Alaska – glaciers, wildlife and expedition-team experiences.

The saving is subject to published fare and eligibility conditions.

For more information, visit SEABOURN.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

Regent continues to market its all-inclusive ultra-luxury voyages aboard ships including Seven Seas Grandeur and the forthcoming Seven Seas Prestige.

World of Cruising has publicised various suite upgrades and international itineraries; however, this edition did not independently reconfirm the specific sterling prices previously circulated.

Readers considering those offers should check the departure date, suite category, upgrade terms and current GBP fare directly before committing.

For more information, visit WORLD OF CRUISING or REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES.

QUARK EXPEDITIONS

Quark Expeditions has launched its Arctic 2028 and Antarctic 2028–29 programs, with an early-booking bonus of up to US$2,000 per person plus an additional 10% saving on eligible sailings.

The published early-booking bonus applies to bookings made by 31 October 2026, subject to cabin availability and conditions.

New features include pre- and post-expedition extensions and a Guided Photography Program.

For polar travellers, this is one deadline worth having on the calendar rather than buried at the bottom of a suitcase.

For more information, visit QUARK EXPEDITIONS.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Royal Caribbean is offering Australia-based summer sailings aboard Anthem of the Seas from Sydney and Quantum of the Seas from Brisbane.

Voyages range from short getaways to longer cruises through New Zealand and the South Pacific. Its official Australian website also features international itineraries and limited-time offers that change.

For current fares and conditions, visit ROYAL CARIBBEAN.

PONANT EXPLORATIONS

PONANT Explorations has reduced the initial deposit to 10%, down from the usual 25%, on eligible new bookings made between 24 October 2026 and 31 January 2027.

More than 350 sailings are covered across late 2026 and the 2027, 2028 and 2029 programs, including selected Paul Gauguin Cruises voyages.

One important detail: a further 15% deposit is due 212 days before departure, bringing the total deposit back to 25%.

Standard payment and cancellation conditions continue to apply.

For more information, visit PONANT EXPLORATIONS.

CUNARD

Cunard’s Europe Event offers up to 25% off selected 2027 and 2028 European voyages, together with a reduced initial deposit of 5%.

The promotion ends 30 November 2026 at 11.59 pm AEDT, unless the allocation sells out earlier.

Destinations cover the Mediterranean, the British Isles, Scandinavia and other European favourites.

The balance of the normal deposit and final payment falls due under the applicable fare terms, so don’t mistake the smaller initial payment for a lower total holiday cost.

For more information, visit CUNARD.

EMERALD CRUISES

Emerald Cruises is promoting 15-day European river cruises from A$5,245 per person, with Earlybird offers ending 31 October 2026 or earlier if sold out.

Its river itineraries include the Rhine, Danube, Rhône, Saône and Douro, with included meals, guided experiences and selected drinks as specified for each sailing.

For more information, visit EMERALD CRUISES.

SILVERSEA

Silversea has a Brisbane-to-Singapore voyage aboard Silver Dawn departing 22 February 2027 and arriving 12 March 2027.

The cruise covers 18 nights, with Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef, Indonesia and Singapore among the regional highlights.

Third-party holiday packages may add flights, transfers, or extra travel time; these should be distinguished from the cruise length itself.

Suite fares and inclusions vary by offer.

For voyage details, visit SILVERSEA.

CRYSTAL CRUISES

Crystal’s Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony continue to offer voyages across Australia, the Pacific, Asia and Europe.

The Australian Sail & Save promotion previously circulated, with savings of up to A$8,000 per room or suite and US$500 onboard credit, had a published deadline of 30 September 2026.

It is therefore not being advertised here as an active deal.

Anyone interested in Crystal should ask the operator for current, dated promotional terms.

For more information, visit CRYSTAL.

EXPLORA JOURNEYS

Explora Journeys has reached two shipbuilding milestones: the float-out of EXPLORA V and the coin ceremony for EXPLORA VI.

The company’s 2028 plans include Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and North America, with EXPLORA V scheduled to explore the northern seas, and later the eastern coast of North America, and EXPLORA VI earmarked for Mediterranean voyages.

Some individual 2028 itinerary pages are currently marked unavailable, so I have not presented those departures as bookable deals.

The fleet expansion is news enough in its own right, though; in the luxury cruise business, even shipyard ceremonies are fairly lavish affairs.

For more information, visit EXPLORA JOURNEYS.

VACATIONS TO GO

US-based Vacations To Go continues to promote last-minute cruise bargains through its well-known 90-Day Ticker, covering destinations from the Caribbean and Mexico to Alaska and Europe.

We couldn’t independently reconfirm the original list of 15 per-night fares and FastDeal numbers for this edition, so we removed them; these prices change quickly and may depend on US-market booking conditions.

If you have flexible dates, the service remains worth a look.

Just check the currency, port charges, gratuities, airfare and eligibility before celebrating a bargain.

For more information, visit VACATIONS TO GO.

VIKING

Viking encourages travellers to discover destinations through their food, culture, and local traditions, whether exploring a market, learning a regional recipe, or joining a culinary excursion ashore.

On eligible 2027–29 river and ocean voyages, Viking’s Flights on Us promotion offers economy airfares with a promotional value of up to A$2,800 per person, using code FOU28.

This is a maximum airfare benefit, not a cash payment or guaranteed saving of that amount. Eligible flights and any upgrades must satisfy Viking’s conditions.

For more information, visit VIKING.

ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES

Atlas Ocean Voyages plans to debut Atlas Adventurer, its luxury expedition sailing yacht, with future Asia and Africa itineraries.

The announced program includes destinations such as Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean.

Atlas’s dated offer page lists a 30 September 2026 deadline for its Explorer’s Choice Inaugural Offer, although a separate terms page refers to 31 December 2026 for eligible bookings.

Because the published dates conflict, I have not treated the advertised savings as a confirmed current deal.

Travellers should request updated written terms and a fresh quote for any 2028 or 2029 departure.

For more information, visit ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES.

A NOTE ABOUT CRUISE DEALS

All prices, discounts and inclusions are supplied by the relevant operator or travel seller and are subject to change, availability, deadlines and booking conditions.

Prices labelled A$ are Australian dollars; US$ denotes US dollars. Unless otherwise stated, per-person fares are based on twin-share accommodation.

Package fares can differ from cruise-only fares and may or may not include flights, taxes, transfers, gratuities or accommodation.

Confirm the total payable amount, departure dates, cabin category, refund provisions and other conditions with the supplier or your travel advisor before paying a deposit.

That’s my selection of cruise news and holiday ideas for this week.

The industry may be a bit choppy, but the destinations remain magnificent, and there are still some fine deals for anyone willing to do a little homework.

After all, nobody wants the only surprise of a cruise holiday to arrive on the credit card statement!

To catch up on this week’s and recent stories, visit GLOBAL TRAVEL MEDIA CRUISE NEWS.

Watch out for more of John’s GTM Weekly Cruise News and Hot Cruise Deals next Thursday!