If you love cruising, today is a big day. Several major cruise lines have opened exciting 2028 sailings, and some summer promotions expire tonight.

Here’s the thing: the best cruise deals are not always about finding the lowest advertised fare. You also need to look at the ship, the itinerary, the departure port, onboard credit, family pricing, and what is actually included.

So, grab your coffee and let’s look at today’s biggest cruise news and deals for August 18, 2026.

1. Norwegian Cruise Line Opens 2028 Bookings (And Philadelphia Is Getting a Star Turn)

Norwegian Cruise Line has opened bookings for its 2028 program, including more Caribbean sailings, additional island calls, Miami departures, and new ships joining the lineup.

One of the biggest headlines for travelers in the Mid-Atlantic is Norwegian Gem’s planned debut from Philadelphia in April 2028.

That means travelers from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and nearby areas may be able to drive to the port instead of booking an expensive flight to Florida. For many families, that is a big deal.

Norwegian Gem is scheduled to offer seven-night Bermuda sailings from Philadelphia, including time at Royal Naval Dockyard. Some itineraries may also include calls along the Atlantic Coast, such as Norfolk or other regional ports.

Philadelphia is also a fun city to visit before or after your cruise. You can explore:

• Independence Hall
• The Liberty Bell
• Reading Terminal Market
• The Philadelphia Museum of Art
• The famous LOVE sculpture
• A classic Philly cheesesteak (because honestly, can you visit Philadelphia and skip that?)

NCL’s Philadelphia cruise page currently highlights Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Canada and New England itineraries.

Norwegian’s End of Summer Sale Ends Tonight

This is the urgent part.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s End of Summer Sale expires today, August 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

The promotion offers:

• 50% off open-for-sale cruises
• Up to $750 onboard credit per stateroom on select sailings
• Potential combination with NCL’s Free at Sea benefits, depending on the sailing and current terms

Now, quick myth-busting: “up to $750” does not mean every cruise receives $750. The amount can depend on the ship, sailing date, cabin category, and promotion eligibility.

Onboard credit is also not cash back. It is credit you can use during the cruise for things such as shore excursions, specialty dining, spa services, or other qualifying purchases.

Pro Tip: If you are interested in a 2028 sailing, do not wait until the last minute tonight. Prices and cabin availability can change while you are comparing options. We can help you check the actual fare breakdown before you book.

2. Norwegian’s 2028 Caribbean Season Brings More Choices (Miami Is Still a Hot Starting Point)

If Bermuda is not your jam, Norwegian’s expanded 2028 Caribbean season offers plenty of warm-weather options.

Miami remains one of the most convenient cruise hubs in the country, especially for longer Caribbean itineraries. Travelers can look for sailings that visit more islands and spend more time in the Eastern, Southern, or Western Caribbean.

Depending on the itinerary, you may find calls in destinations such as:

• St. Thomas
• St. Maarten
• Puerto Rico
• Barbados
• The Dominican Republic
• Jamaica
• The Bahamas
• Great Stirrup Cay

The appeal is simple: unpack once, visit multiple destinations, and let someone else handle the driving.

And honestly? That is one of the reasons we love cruises at ITS Travel Services. You get the excitement of a big vacation without arranging a new hotel, rental car, restaurant, and transfer every few days.

NCL’s vacation search page is a helpful place to browse available sailings. We can also help you compare Miami departures with cruises from Philadelphia, Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, or other ports.

3. Princess Cruises Opens Its 2028 Alaska Season (Glaciers Included)

Princess Cruises has opened its 2028 Alaska season with an impressive 185 departures across 14 itineraries and eight ships.

The fleet includes the new Star Princess, along with:

• Discovery Princess
• Emerald Princess
• Royal Princess
• Coral Princess
• Crown Princess
• Island Princess
• Ruby Princess

Cruise lengths range from four to 16 days, giving you flexibility whether you want to test the waters with a shorter sailing or plan a full Alaska vacation package.

The popular Voyage of the Glaciers itineraries are also returning. These sail between Vancouver and Anchorage-area port Whittier and can include visits to Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and scenic glacier regions.

Princess is also highlighting:

• Glacier Bay National Park
• Hubbard Glacier
• College Fjord
• Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier
• Alaska cruisetours
• Princess Wilderness Lodges
• Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service

Last-Minute Princess Standby Rates From $79 Per Day

Here is one of the most interesting cruise deals for flexible travelers: the Princess Standby Program offers last-minute rates starting at $79 per person, per day on select sailings.

The program is designed for travelers who can get to the port quickly and do not need to choose their exact stateroom location.

Current standby details include:

• Select departures from Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Los Angeles, and Seattle
• Standby requests generally available seven to two days before sailing
• Inside and oceanview rates from $79 per day from select ports
• Balcony rates beginning at higher daily prices
• Princess assigns the actual cabin based on availability

This is not the right fit for everyone. You need schedule flexibility, and you should be comfortable waiting for confirmation. But if you are retired, work remotely, or simply enjoy spontaneous travel, it could create some real wow moments.

You can review the Princess 2028 Alaska announcement and the Princess Standby Program before making a decision.

4. Holland America Opens 2028 Europe Bookings (Think Fjords, Food, and Long Voyages)

Holland America Line has opened bookings for its 2028 Europe season, with five ships sailing across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, and beyond.

The ships include:

• Rotterdam
• Nieuw Statendam
• Nieuw Amsterdam
• Volendam
• Zuiderdam

The itinerary range is especially appealing. You can choose a seven-day European getaway, a longer 35-day voyage, or a 48-day Legendary Voyage for a much deeper exploration.

Holland America is also reporting record or near-record port calls in:

• Norway
• Spain
• Ireland
• The Netherlands

Northern Europe itineraries may include Norway, Iceland, Greenland, the British Isles, and the Baltic. Mediterranean sailings can visit Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia, and Turkey.

That means you can build the trip around your travel style. Want scenic fjords and cooler weather? Look at Norway. Want sunny beaches, historic cities, and late dinners? The Mediterranean may be your jam.

Holland America’s official 2028 Europe announcement includes seasonal itinerary highlights and booking information.

Holland America Summer and Labor Day Promotions

Holland America’s Save on Sunshine promotion offers:

• Up to 40% off select cruises
• Up to $400 onboard credit
• Free kids’ fares on select sailings
• Booking deadline of August 31, 2026

The offer generally focuses on select warm-weather sailings, so eligibility can vary.

Holland America is also promoting a Labor Day sale with:

• Up to 45% off select cruises
• $99 deposits
• Booking available through September 8, 2026

Let me be straight with you: cruise promotions can be confusing because the headline offer may not apply to every date or cabin. Deposits, onboard credit, kids’ fares, and discount percentages may all have separate terms.

That is where having a travel advisor can save you time. We can compare the real cost instead of stopping at the biggest number on the banner.

What Should You Book First? (A Simple Way to Decide)

Here is my quick guide:

• Choose Norwegian Cruise Line if you want flexible dining, lively entertainment, family-friendly ships, or convenient departures from Philadelphia and Miami.
• Choose Princess Cruises if Alaska, glaciers, cruisetours, and scenic destinations are at the top of your wish list.
• Choose Holland America if you prefer thoughtful itineraries, longer port stays, European culture, and extended voyages.
• Choose standby cruising only if your schedule is flexible and you are comfortable with a last-minute cabin assignment.

I remember when friends and family first started asking me, “What cruise should we book?” The answer was never the same for everyone. One family wanted water slides and nonstop activities. Another wanted quiet evenings and scenic ports. Someone else only cared about finding a good Alaska vacation package.

The best cruise is the one that fits your travel personality.

Ready to Explore These Cruise Deals?

At ITS Travel Services, we help travelers compare cruises, hotels, flights, rental cars, shore excursions, and custom vacation packages.

We are based in Flushing, Michigan, and we work with travelers throughout the United States. You can browse our online booking tool or read our smart traveler’s guide to cruise deals.

If Norwegian’s sale is on your radar, remember that the deadline is tonight at 11:59 p.m. ET. For Holland America, the current deadlines are August 31 and September 8, depending on the promotion.

No pressure and no hard sell. Send us a message, call (810) 247-6455, or contact ITS Travel Services and tell us what kind of trip sounds good.

We’ll start with a conversation and see which cruise package feels like the right fit for you.