If you are trying to find the best cruise deals 2026 has to offer, August is giving us three very different ways to save: onboard thrills with Norwegian, warm-weather value with Holland America Line, and early planning opportunities with Princess Cruises.
Here’s the thing: the lowest cruise fare is not always the best overall value. A deal may include drinks, dining, Wi-Fi, onboard credit, or even access to a brand-new ship feature. That can make a big difference once you add everything up.
I’ve been watching cruise pricing since my first cruise in 2012. My former wife and I took a Carnival cruise for our honeymoon, and I still remember sitting on the balcony in the morning with the sea air coming through. That trip hooked me for good.
Today, I’m looking at the latest news from Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, and Princess Cruises, and what it could mean for your next vacation.
Norwegian Cruise Line: Caribbean thrills aboard Norwegian Luna
Norwegian Luna is one of the biggest stories in current cruise news. The ship is sailing seven-day Caribbean cruises round trip from Miami during the 2026 season, with itineraries visiting destinations such as Great Stirrup Cay, Puerto Plata, Tortola, Cozumel, Roatán, and Harvest Caye.
The ship’s headline attraction is the Aqua Slidecoaster, which Norwegian describes as the world’s first hybrid roller coaster and waterslide. In plain English, it is part waterslide, part coaster, and designed to give you a serious “wow” moment at sea.
Norwegian Luna also features:
- Infinity pools and outdoor spaces
- The Glow Court sports area
- Indulge Food Hall
- The Observation Lounge
- Kids’ Aqua Park
- ELTON: A Celebration of Elton John
- Specialty dining and new restaurants
You can explore Norwegian Luna’s features and itineraries before deciding whether the ship fits your travel style.
What about Norwegian’s More At Sea promotion?
The More At Sea name continues to come up for existing reservations and current cruise shoppers. Depending on when your cruise was booked, the package may include benefits such as:
- Unlimited beverages for eligible guests
- Specialty dining
- Wi-Fi minutes
- A $50 shore excursion credit at each port for the first guest on the reservation
For new 2026 bookings, Norwegian may show the updated package under the Free at Sea name instead. That’s travel-agent-speak for: check the exact promotion attached to your reservation before assuming every benefit is included.
Pro Tip: Compare the total vacation cost
A cruise fare that looks slightly higher may be the better deal if it includes drinks, Wi-Fi, dining, and excursion savings. We can also look at flights, hotels, transfers, and rental cars so your Miami departure does not turn into a stressful travel day.
Holland America Line: Save on Sunshine ends August 31
If your ideal vacation includes warm beaches, relaxed sea days, and ports in the Caribbean or Mexico, Holland America Line has one of the most time-sensitive cruise deals this month.
The line’s Save on Sunshine promotion offers:
- Up to 40% off select tropical cruises
- Up to $400 in onboard credit
- Eligible sailings in the Caribbean, Mexico, Panama Canal, and other warm-weather destinations
- Travel dates generally covering Fall 2026 through Spring 2027
- Booking by August 31, 2026
You can view Holland America’s Save on Sunshine offer and see which sailings qualify.
Onboard credit can be used for items such as shore excursions, drinks, specialty dining, and other purchases. The exact amount depends on the sailing and stateroom, so be sure to review the terms.
Myth-busting the 40% discount
Does “up to 40% off” mean every cruise is 40% off? No: and I want to be straight with you.
“Up to” means the largest discount applies only to certain qualifying sailings, dates, cabin categories, or booking conditions. Taxes, fees, port expenses, gratuities, flights, and optional purchases may not be reduced.
Still, this can be a valuable promotion if you are flexible. Testing the waters with a fall Caribbean cruise or a winter getaway can open up some excellent pricing.
Holland America also opens 2028 Europe bookings
If you are planning far ahead, Holland America has opened bookings for its 2028 Europe season. That gives travelers access to future sailings in:
- Northern Europe
- Norway and the fjords
- Iceland
- The British Isles
- The Mediterranean
- Greece and Croatia
- The Canary Islands
- Transatlantic crossings
The renovated Zuiderdam is part of the news. The ship’s Holland America Evolution enhancements are scheduled to debut in Europe on April 2, 2028. Its initial program includes Mediterranean cruises before moving toward Amsterdam and Northern Europe.
You can read the official Holland America Europe 2028 announcement for more itinerary details.
Pro Tip: Book Europe early if your dates are firm
Europe cruises can fill quickly when travelers want specific departure ports, balcony cabins, or popular summer dates. If you are considering a 2028 vacation package with flights and hotels, early planning gives us more choices to work with.
Princess Cruises: A major 2028 Alaska season is now on sale
Princess Cruises is putting a major focus on Alaska for 2028. The season includes approximately:
- 185 departures
- 14 itineraries
- Eight ships
- Five departure ports, including Seattle, Vancouver, Whittier, San Francisco, and Los Angeles
- Cruises ranging from shorter voyages to extended Alaska adventures
The eight ships scheduled for the program include:
- Star Princess
- Discovery Princess
- Emerald Princess
- Royal Princess
- Coral Princess
- Crown Princess
- Island Princess
- Ruby Princess
The new Star Princess is one of the biggest draws. The ship combines Alaska scenery with next-generation onboard spaces, including panoramic views, expanded dining, entertainment, and the Sanctuary Collection.
You can view Princess Alaska cruises or explore Star Princess itineraries.
For travelers who want more than a cruise, Princess also offers cruisetours that combine the sailing with time in Denali, Fairbanks, Kenai, and other Alaska destinations. That can be a wonderful fit if you want to see Alaska by sea, land, and rail.
Princess Standby Program: Last-minute rates from $79 per day
Here is one of the most interesting cruise deals in the current market: Princess Cruises’ Standby Program.
On select sailings, you can join the standby list between seven and two days before departure. If Princess confirms your space, reduced rates start at:
- $79 per day per person for inside or oceanview cabins from Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, or Los Angeles
- $99 per day per person for balcony cabins from those ports
- $119 per day per person for inside or oceanview cabins from Seattle
- $199 per day per person for balcony cabins from Seattle
The program is available only on select sailings, and confirmation is not guaranteed. You must also be comfortable with a last-minute trip and limited control over your exact stateroom.
Important spoiler: $79 per day is not a guaranteed 2028 Alaska fare
The $79 rate is a standby starting price: not a way to lock in a 2028 Alaska cruise today. Princess reviews availability close to departure, and the program is designed for travelers who can pack quickly and drive to the port.
That makes it more realistic for a last-minute Caribbean or West Coast sailing than for a carefully planned Alaska vacation with flights, hotels, and excursions.
You can read the full Princess Standby Program details, including eligibility, refund rules, and booking instructions.
Which cruise deal fits you best?
Here is my quick take:
- Choose Norwegian Luna if you want a new ship, Caribbean beaches, family activities, and the Aqua Slidecoaster.
- Choose Holland America Line if you want a more relaxed experience and can use the Save on Sunshine promotion before August 31.
- Choose Princess Cruises if Alaska is on your bucket list or you want to plan a larger 2028 vacation package.
- Consider Princess standby if you live within driving distance of an eligible port and can travel with very little notice.
And honestly? There is no single “best” cruise line for everyone. The right choice depends on your budget, travel dates, cabin preferences, dining expectations, and how much planning help you want.
At ITS Travel Services, LLC, we help travelers from Flushing, Genesee County, the greater Detroit area, and beyond compare real cruise options without spending hours jumping between big travel websites.
We can help with the cruise, flights, hotels, rental cars, transfers, vacation protection, and shore excursions.
If one of these cruise deals sounds like your jam, contact ITS Travel Services or call 810-247-6455. No pressure and no hard sell: just start a conversation with us, and we’ll help you see what fits.