If you have been waiting for the right time to book a cruise, this week is worth watching. We have a major Norwegian Cruise Line sale ending soon, new Princess Cruises Alaska itineraries for 2028, and an exciting Holland America transformation now open for reservations.

And honestly? Cruise news can move fast. A fare may change, a popular cabin category may disappear, or a special promotion may end before you have time to compare everything.

So, here is your friendly, no-nonsense cruise roundup for August 16, 2026, from our travel-planning desk in Flushing, Michigan.

1. Norwegian Cruise Line: 50% Off Cruises Through August 18

This is the most immediate cruise deal in the roundup.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s End of Summer Sale runs through August 18, 2026, with:

• 50% off all cruises
• Up to $750 onboard credit per stateroom on select sailings
• Availability across many destinations and cabin categories
• Eligibility for new individual bookings, including solo travelers
• Potential to combine the promotion with eligible Free at Sea benefits

The sale applies to cruises that are open for sale during the promotional period, including many newly released 2028 voyages. The exact onboard credit depends on the itinerary length, cabin category, and whether the sailing qualifies.

You can review the promotion through Norwegian Cruise Line’s cruise deals page and check the official promotion terms.

Myth-busting the “up to $750” language

Let me be straight with you: “up to $750” does not mean every booking receives $750.

The onboard credit varies. A longer cruise in a balcony cabin or higher category may qualify for more, while a shorter sailing or lower cabin category may receive less, or may not be included in the onboard credit portion at all.

Also, onboard credit is not the same as cash back. It is generally used for eligible purchases on the ship, such as:

• Specialty dining
• Spa services
• Shore excursions
• Drinks
• Certain onboard activities

Pro Tip: If you are interested in this deal, do not wait until August 18 at bedtime. Promotions can end at a stated time, and availability can change before the sale officially closes.

2. Norwegian Opens Summer 2028 Bookings

Norwegian is not just offering a short-term sale. The cruise line also opened its Summer 2028 program, featuring more than 450 voyages across nearly 150 destinations and 51 countries.

The program includes a particularly strong Caribbean lineup, with cruise itineraries ranging from quick three-day getaways to longer 14-day voyages.

One example is a seven-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary aboard Norwegian Aura, sailing roundtrip from Miami and visiting destinations such as:

• Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
• St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
• Tortola, British Virgin Islands
• Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island

For travelers in Michigan, Miami can be a convenient cruise gateway when you are comparing flights from Detroit Metropolitan Airport. You can also build a complete vacation package with a pre-cruise hotel, flights, transfers, and travel protection.

Here’s the thing: new itineraries often offer the best selection of dates and cabins. The absolute lowest price is not always available on day one, but early booking can help you find the cabin location, dining time, or sailing date that fits your plans.

3. Princess Cruises Opens Its 2028 Alaska Season

If Alaska is your dream destination, Princess Cruises has opened a very impressive 2028 season.

The program includes:

• 185 departures
• 14 cruise itineraries
• Eight ships
• Voyages ranging from four to 16 days
• Departures from Seattle, Vancouver, Whittier, San Francisco, and Los Angeles
• Visits to 16 destinations, including Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway
• Scenic cruising through Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord, and Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier
• 86 visits to Glacier Bay National Park

Princess is also offering cruisetours that combine a cruise with time in Alaska’s interior. These vacation packages may include land transportation, wilderness lodge stays, rail travel, and visits near Denali National Park.

You can read the full details in the Princess Cruises 2028 Alaska announcement.

Which Alaska itinerary is right for you?

If you are new to Alaska cruising, a roundtrip Inside Passage sailing from Seattle or Vancouver may be the easiest place to start. You unpack once, enjoy the scenery, and return to the same general departure region.

If you want a deeper Alaska experience, consider a one-way Voyage of the Glaciers itinerary between Vancouver and Whittier. You can then add a cruisetour through the interior.

That option takes more planning, especially when flights and hotels are involved. But wow moments? Absolutely.

Pro Tip: Alaska is not just about the ship. Think about how much time you want ashore, whether you want to visit Denali, and how comfortable you are with connecting flights or train travel.

4. Princess Announces Three New Voyager-Class Ships

Princess Cruises also announced a three-ship order for its future Voyager class.

The ships are expected to:

• Be built by Fincantieri in Italy
• Measure approximately 183,000 gross tons each
• Carry about 4,700 guests
• Be delivered in 2035, 2038, and 2039

That may sound far away: and it is: but new ships shape the future of cruise itineraries. They can bring more dining, entertainment, family activities, and updated stateroom designs to the fleet.

You can read more in Princess Cruises’ official Voyager-class announcement.

For now, the practical takeaway is simple: if you want to sail on Princess soon, focus on the current Alaska, Caribbean, Europe, or other available itineraries. If you enjoy following new ships and future cruise news, this is one to keep on your radar.

5. Holland America’s Zuiderdam Transformation Is Now Open

Holland America has opened bookings for the newly transformed Zuiderdam, which is scheduled to debut its refreshed experience in Spring 2028.

The ship’s Europe voyages include destinations and regions such as the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and Iceland. That makes this a strong option if your ideal vacation includes historic cities, scenic coastlines, and a more relaxed onboard atmosphere.

The updated Zuiderdam will include several new or refreshed accommodation choices:

• 32 Solo Verandah staterooms
• New Bridgeview Suites
• New Vista Suites
• A reimagined Pinnacle Suite
• Refreshed staterooms throughout the ship
• The Grand Dutch Café, inspired by café culture in Amsterdam and Northern Europe

The Solo Verandah staterooms are especially interesting for solo travelers. They are designed for one guest and include approximately 200 square feet of space, a private balcony, a dedicated workspace, and a glass-walled shower.

The two Bridgeview Suites are designed with forward-facing views, panoramic windows, and approximately 900 square feet of living and sleeping space.

Read the details in Holland America’s official Zuiderdam booking announcement.

Is Holland America right for you?

Holland America may be your jam if you prefer:

• Destination-focused cruise itineraries
• More relaxed onboard spaces
• Enrichment, music, and culinary experiences
• Smaller ships compared with some of the biggest new ships
• A polished but comfortable atmosphere
• More thoughtful choices for solo travelers

It is not about chasing the loudest waterslide or the biggest amusement-park-at-sea experience. It is about enjoying the journey, the ports, and the little details.

How to Find the Best Cruise Deal This Week

Whether you are testing the waters or ready to book, I recommend starting with these questions:

1. What destination sounds best right now? Caribbean sunshine, Alaska scenery, or European history?
2. How flexible are your dates? A little flexibility can open up better fares.
3. Do you need flights and hotels? A complete vacation package may save time and reduce stress.
4. What cabin matters most? Location, balcony, solo space, or suite amenities?
5. What is actually included? Look carefully at taxes, gratuities, drinks, Wi-Fi, flights, and onboard credit.

A big travel website may show you hundreds of choices and leave you to sort out the fine print. We can help compare the practical details: especially flights, hotels, transfers, rental cars, shore excursions, and travel protection.

I still remember booking my first cruise in 2012 after my honeymoon. I thought choosing the ship would be the hard part. Then came the cabin, dining, transportation, excursions, and timing. That experience taught me why personal help matters.

Ready to Explore These Cruise Deals?

If the Norwegian sale catches your eye, August 18 is the important deadline. If you are thinking about Alaska or Europe in 2028, early planning may give you more choices in cabins and itineraries.

You can also browse our cruise and vacation planning resources, learn more about our travel agency, or contact ITS Travel Services.

We are based in Flushing, Michigan, and we help travelers from the Flint, Genesee County, Detroit, and surrounding areas plan cruises and custom vacations around the world.

No pressure and no hard sell. Tell us what kind of trip you have in mind, and we can start exploring the possibilities together.