Updated August 22, 2026
If you love cruise news, new-ship announcements, and a good vacation deal, today is a fun day to be a traveler.
Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed more about its massive new Norwegian Aura, Princess Cruises has opened bookings for its 2028 Alaska season, and Holland America Line is offering significant savings on select warm-weather sailings through the end of this month.
And honestly? There is something here for almost every type of cruiser: families chasing wow moments, couples dreaming about Alaska, and travelers who simply want to escape the cold without spending more than necessary.
Here’s the latest from my desk at ITS Travel Services in Flushing, Michigan.
1. Norwegian Aura is coming: and it is a big deal (literally)
Norwegian Aura will be the largest ship ever built for Norwegian Cruise Line. The ship is scheduled to debut in Europe in May 2027 before crossing the Atlantic and beginning Caribbean sailings from Miami in June 2027.
According to Norwegian Cruise Line’s official announcement, Norwegian Aura will measure nearly 1,130 feet long, weigh approximately 169,000 gross tons, and accommodate about 3,840 guests at double occupancy.
That is a lot of ship. But the real story is what NCL is putting onboard.
The headline features on Norwegian Aura
- Ocean Heights, a multi-level outdoor activity complex
- Six waterslides for different ages and comfort levels
- The Drop, a 10-deck free-fall dry slide
- Eclipse Racers, dueling mat-racing waterslides
- An 82-foot ropes course
- A rock-climbing wall and outdoor midway games
- A larger pool deck with additional seating and infinity hot tubs
- An expanded adults-only Vibe Beach Club
- The largest Haven complex in NCL history
- A two-deck Mandara Spa with a Snow Cave and expanded thermal experiences
For families: plenty of action
The Ocean Heights area is designed to keep families busy from breakfast until bedtime. You can race down Eclipse Racers, try The Wave with a group, or brave Aura Free Fall if you are feeling especially adventurous.
The Drop is the returning Prima-class dry slide that sends riders down 10 decks: from deck 18 to deck 8. Let me be straight with you: I have seen people get excited just watching a cruise ship’s waterslide. This one may have passengers lining up before the ship even leaves port.
There is also a dedicated Kids’ Aqua Park, Adventure Alley for younger children, and a Teen Hangout for older kids who want their own space.
For adults: relaxation is still part of the plan
Not every cruise day needs to be an obstacle course.
Norwegian Aura’s expanded Vibe Beach Club will offer an adults-only retreat with loungers, infinity hot tubs, a bar, and more room to unwind. The Mandara Spa is also expected to be a major draw, especially for travelers interested in wellness and contrast therapy.
The Snow Cave is designed to provide a cold-temperature experience after time in hot saunas or steam rooms (that’s wellness-speak for alternating heat and cold to help you cool down and reset). The thermal suite will include several additional relaxation spaces, including saunas, plunge experiences, a salt room, and meditation areas.
And then there is The Haven.
The Haven gets even bigger
Norwegian Aura will have 159 Haven suites, making it the largest Haven complex in the NCL fleet. Guests will have access to a private restaurant, bar, lounge, pool, sundeck, outdoor sauna, and dedicated concierge and butler service.
The Haven is NCL’s “ship-within-a-ship” concept. In plain English, you get the excitement of a large cruise ship with a quieter, more private retreat when you want one.
Norwegian Aura will debut with a Mediterranean voyage from Trieste to Barcelona on May 21, 2027. After a transatlantic crossing, the ship will sail seven-day Caribbean itineraries from Miami, including Eastern Caribbean routes in summer and Western Caribbean sailings later in 2027.
You can view Norwegian Aura itineraries directly through NCL.
Norwegian Cruise Line also previews its 2028 summer season
NCL is not only talking about Norwegian Aura. The cruise line has also announced exciting deployment plans for 2028.
Norwegian Gem debuts in Philadelphia
Norwegian Gem is scheduled to debut in Philadelphia in April 2028, giving travelers in Pennsylvania and surrounding states another convenient way to reach Bermuda and the Atlantic Coast.
Reported itinerary details include seven-night sailings from Philadelphia to:
- Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda
- Norfolk, Virginia
- Philadelphia
For travelers in the Northeast, this could be a very practical option. You may be able to drive to the port instead of purchasing flights, which can make a big difference in the total cost of your vacation package.
Norwegian Prima returns to Galveston
Norwegian Prima is also returning to Galveston for Western Caribbean service. The program is expected to provide year-round Caribbean vacation options, with seven-day itineraries visiting destinations such as Harvest Caye in Belize.
That is good news for travelers in Texas and the central United States who would rather avoid flying to Miami or Port Canaveral.
Pro Tip: When comparing cruise deals, do not look only at the fare. Add flights, hotels, parking, transfers, and luggage costs. Sometimes a slightly higher cruise fare from a closer port is the better overall value.
2. Princess Cruises opens bookings for Alaska 2028
If Alaska is on your travel wish list, this is the time to start looking.
Princess Cruises has opened bookings for its 2028 Alaska season, featuring 185 departures across eight ships and 14 different itineraries. Sailings range from four to 16 days, giving you options whether you want a quick scenic getaway or a longer land-and-sea adventure.
The ships scheduled to participate include:
- Star Princess
- Discovery Princess
- Emerald Princess
- Royal Princess
- Coral Princess
- Crown Princess
- Island Princess
- Ruby Princess
The season includes departures from Seattle, Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Anchorage/Whittier.
What can you see on a Princess Alaska cruise?
Princess itineraries may include calls at popular ports such as:
- Juneau
- Ketchikan
- Skagway
- Haines
- Icy Strait Point
- Sitka
- Valdez
Scenic cruising opportunities include Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord, and Endicott Arm with Dawes Glacier.
Here’s the thing about Alaska: the ship is not just transportation. The scenery is part of the experience. You could be enjoying breakfast, stepping onto your balcony, or standing on deck when a glacier comes into view. Those are the moments people remember long after they return home.
Cruise or cruisetour?
Princess also offers Alaska cruisetours, which combine a cruise with overland travel, lodge stays, and rail transportation.
A traditional cruise may be perfect if you want to focus on the Inside Passage and coastal ports. A cruisetour may be better if you want to explore Denali, Fairbanks, the Alaska Range, or other inland destinations.
Princess is promoting a 2028 Early Booking Bonus with benefits that may include:
- Up to $500 in instant savings
- Up to $500 onboard credit
- Room location upgrades
- Early access to dining reservations
- A free meal package on select Alaska cruisetours
You can explore the official Princess Alaska page or review the 2028 Alaska Early Booking Offer.
3. Holland America’s “Save on Sunshine” sale ends August 31
Want to trade gray skies for turquoise water? Holland America Line’s Save on Sunshine promotion is active through August 31, 2026.
The sale applies to select fall 2026 through spring 2027 sailings to warm-weather destinations, including:
- The Caribbean
- Mexico
- The Panama Canal
- Hawaii
- Pacific Coast destinations
- Select holiday cruises
What is included in the promotion?
Eligible bookings may receive:
- Up to 40% off cruise fares
- Up to $400 onboard credit per stateroom
- Free kids’ fares on select sailings
Myth-busting the “free” kids’ fare
“Free kids’ fares” does not mean every child sails free on every cruise.
The offer applies only to select sailings and generally applies to additional guests age 18 and under booked as the third or fourth guest in the same stateroom. Taxes, fees, and other expenses may still apply.
The onboard credit also varies by sailing length and promotion terms. Holland America’s headline advertises up to $400, while the detailed offer page explains that the amount depends on the cruise and eligibility.
In other words: it can be a great deal, but the exact savings need to be checked before booking.
Read the official Holland America Save on Sunshine offer for current terms and eligible sailings.
Which cruise deal makes the most sense for you?
That depends on your travel style.
- Choose Norwegian Aura if your family wants the newest attractions, big-ship energy, and flexible Caribbean cruising.
- Look at Princess Alaska 2028 if glaciers, wildlife, scenic cruising, and possible land exploration are your jam.
- Consider Holland America if you want a warm-weather escape, onboard credit, and potential family savings before August 31.
- Compare departure ports if flights and hotels are pushing your vacation budget higher than expected.
At ITS Travel Services, we help travelers compare cruise lines, ships, staterooms, itineraries, flights, hotels, transfers, and vacation packages. We are based in Flushing, Michigan, and we work with travelers throughout Genesee County and beyond.
Big travel websites can show you thousands of options. But they usually do not know whether you prefer a quiet balcony, a shorter drive to port, a family-friendly ship, or a cruisetour with extra time in Alaska.
We do.
Ready to explore your options?
You do not need to know the ship, sailing date, or cabin category before reaching out. We can start with a simple conversation:
Where do you want to go? Who is traveling? What kind of experience sounds fun? And what would make the trip easier?
You can contact ITS Travel Services, call 810-247-6455, or visit our online booking tool if you already know what you want.
No pressure and no need to have everything figured out. We will help you test the waters, compare the real costs, and find the cruise or vacation package that feels right for you.