If you have been waiting for the right time to plan a cruise, this week brought some genuinely exciting news.

Norwegian Cruise Line opened its Summer 2028 bookings. Princess Cruises released its 2028 Alaska season. Holland America Line unveiled an expanded Europe program. And there are still several late-summer cruise deals available right now.

Here’s the thing: the best cabins and most convenient departure dates can disappear quickly when a new season opens. So today, I’m breaking down the biggest cruise news and deals in plain English: what is new, which promotions have deadlines, and where you may find the best cruise deals 2026 has to offer.

As always, specific fares, availability, eligibility, and promotion terms can change. If you see something you like, we can check the details together before you commit.

Norwegian Cruise Line Opens Summer 2028 (And Miami Is a Big Part of It)

Norwegian Cruise Line opened bookings for its Summer 2028 season on August 11, 2026. The new program includes more than 450 voyages across 20 ships, sailing from 25 homeports and visiting nearly 150 destinations in 51 countries.

That gives you a lot of ways to plan ahead: whether your jam is a quick Bahamas getaway, a week in the Caribbean, or a longer European adventure.

A few highlights stand out:

• Norwegian Gem returns to Philadelphia for another season.
• The ship is scheduled to offer 7-day Bermuda cruises beginning in April 2028.
• Many of those Bermuda itineraries include an overnight stay at Royal Naval Dockyard.
• Norwegian Jewel makes its Morocco debut, with calls at Casablanca and Agadir on select Canary Islands itineraries.
• Newer ships will have a strong presence in the Caribbean, including sailings from Miami.

The big Miami news

Norwegian’s 2028 Caribbean program is especially interesting if you like the convenience of sailing from South Florida.

• Norwegian Aqua is scheduled to offer 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises from Miami during summer 2028.
• Norwegian Aura is planned for 7-day Eastern Caribbean sailings from Miami, including ports such as Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Great Stirrup Cay.
• Norwegian Luna is scheduled for a special 10-day repositioning cruise from Miami to New York in May 2028, with calls at Aruba, Curaçao, and San Juan.

And for the winter 2027–2028 season, Norwegian Luna, Norwegian Joy, and Norwegian Jewel also add more Miami options, including Eastern Caribbean, Bahamas, Southern Caribbean, and Panama Canal itineraries.

If you are flying from Detroit Metro Airport or arranging a pre-cruise hotel in Miami, we can help build the entire trip: not just the sailing. That may include flights, hotels, airport transfers, and travel insurance.

NCL’s End of Summer Sale

Norwegian’s Summer 2028 launch is paired with its End of Summer Sale, currently scheduled through August 18, 2026.

The advertised offer includes:

• 50% off all cruises
• Up to $750 onboard credit per stateroom on select sailings
• Potential combination with Norwegian’s Free at Sea package, depending on the sailing and fare type

That onboard credit can be useful for specialty dining, shore excursions, drinks, or other experiences once you are on the ship. But: and this is important: the exact value depends on the sailing, cabin category, and terms.

You can review current options through Norwegian Cruise Line’s cruise deals page, or you can send us the dates you are considering and we’ll compare the options for you.

Princess Cruises Opens Its 2028 Alaska Season

Alaska continues to be one of the most requested cruise destinations, and Princess Cruises just gave travelers another reason to start planning early.

Princess opened its 2028 Alaska season with:

• 185 departures
• 14 unique itineraries
• Eight ships
• Sailings ranging from 4 to 16 days
• The new Star Princess
• Departures from Seattle, Vancouver, Whittier, San Francisco, and Los Angeles

The program includes visits to Alaska favorites such as Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway, along with scenic cruising through Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord, and Endicott Arm.

There are also 86 scheduled visits to Glacier Bay National Park, which is a major selling point for travelers who want that classic glacier-viewing experience.

Which Alaska itinerary is right for you?

Princess offers two main approaches:

Roundtrip Inside Passage cruises

These are convenient if you want to fly to one city, board the ship, and return to the same general area. Seattle and Vancouver departures can be especially appealing for first-time Alaska cruisers.

Voyage of the Glaciers itineraries

These one-way sailings travel between Vancouver and Whittier, near Anchorage. They are a great fit if you want to combine your cruise with time in Alaska’s interior.

Princess also offers cruisetours that combine the cruise with land-based stays near destinations such as Denali National Park. In other words, you can enjoy the ship and then continue exploring Alaska by rail, motorcoach, and lodge.

Pro Tip: If Alaska is on your bucket list, don’t only compare the lowest cruise fare. Look at the flight plan, hotel nights, transfers, port times, and whether you want a balcony cabin. Sometimes the slightly higher package creates a much smoother vacation.

You can see more details on Princess Cruises’ Alaska page.

Holland America Line Expands Europe for 2028

Holland America Line has opened bookings for its 2028 Europe season, and the headline is impressive: the line says it will offer its highest number of European port calls in nearly a decade.

The season includes more visits to:

• Norway
• Spain
• Ireland
• The Netherlands
• Italy
• Greece
• Croatia
• Türkiye
• The Canary Islands
• Morocco

Five ships are scheduled to sail in Europe: Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Volendam, and Zuiderdam.

The season runs from January through early December 2028, with itineraries ranging from 7-day cruises to 48-day Legendary Voyages. Some sailings include overnight stays, extended port calls, and late departures so you have more time ashore.

That is a big deal if you prefer exploring cities instead of rushing back to the ship after a few hours. A late departure in Barcelona, an overnight in a Mediterranean port, or extra time in Norway can create the wow moments you remember long after the vacation is over.

You can read the official details about Holland America’s 2028 Europe season.

Holland America’s Save on Sunshine promotion

Holland America’s Save on Sunshine promotion runs through August 31, 2026, with advertised savings of up to 40% off fares on select sailings. The offer also includes free kids’ fares on select 2026–2027 cruises, subject to availability and restrictions.

This could be a strong option for families who are testing the waters with a cruise or looking for a more relaxed vacation style. Holland America typically appeals to travelers who enjoy good food, comfortable service, destination-focused itineraries, and a quieter onboard atmosphere.

As with any promotion, “up to” is doing some work here (that’s travel-agent-speak for “not every sailing receives the maximum discount”). We’ll want to check:

• The exact sailing dates
• Whether children’s fares qualify
• Which cabin categories are included
• Taxes, fees, and port expenses
• Whether the promotion combines with other offers

The current Holland America offers page is a good place to start, but we can also compare the total cost for your family.

Myth-Busting: Is the Lowest Cruise Fare Always the Best Deal?

And honestly? Not usually.

A low fare may not include the things you care about. Depending on the cruise line and promotion, you may still pay separately for:

• Wi-Fi
• Specialty dining
• Beverage packages
• Shore excursions
• Gratuities
• Flights and hotels
• Transfers
• Travel insurance

The best cruise deals are not always the cheapest number on the first screen. The real value may be a higher fare that includes onboard credit, dining, drinks, Wi-Fi, or a better cabin location.

That is where comparing the full vacation matters. At ITS Travel Services, we can look at the cruise, flights, hotels, rental cars, transfers, and other vacation packages together. You get a clearer picture instead of piecing everything together across five different websites.

Why It Helps to Have a Local Cruise Specialist

I know booking online feels quick. I’ve been there. You click through a few screens, see a price, and think you are finished.

Then the questions begin:

• Is that cabin under the pool deck?
• Does the “free” package really include everything?
• What happens if your flight is delayed?
• Should you arrive in Miami a day early?
• Is that shore excursion covered if it runs late?
• What travel documents do you need?

When you work with ITS Travel Services in Flushing, Michigan, you have someone to help sort through those details. We work with travelers from Flushing, Fenton, Grand Blanc, and throughout mid-Michigan.

You can also review our cruise planning resources, learn more about shore excursions, or visit our Contact Us page.

You are not just buying a cabin. You are planning a vacation that may cost thousands of dollars and take months: or years: to arrange. A little guidance can save time, reduce stress, and help you avoid expensive surprises.

Ready to Explore These Cruise Deals?

The biggest takeaway from this week’s cruise news is simple: 2028 planning is officially underway, and some of the most desirable itineraries are already open.

Norwegian is offering new Caribbean and Miami options. Princess has opened a major Alaska season featuring Star Princess. Holland America is expanding its Europe port calls and offering late-summer savings.

You do not have to know exactly which ship or itinerary you want before reaching out. Just tell us where you would like to go, who is traveling, and what kind of vacation sounds like your jam.

We’ll help you explore the possibilities, compare the total value, and find a cruise or custom vacation package that makes sense for you.

No pressure. No hard sell. Just a friendly conversation to see what is out there.