If you have been waiting for a reason to start planning your next cruise, this is it.

This week brought exciting updates from Holland America, Princess Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line. We are talking about Alaska 2028 sailings, brand-new ships, Half Moon Cay visits, and cruise deals that may help you save on a 2026 or 2027 vacation.

And honestly? Cruise planning can feel like a lot when you are trying to compare ships, ports, deposits, flights, hotels, and onboard extras by yourself. I have been there. That is why I like to break down the news in plain English.

Here is what you need to know as of August 29, 2026.

Holland America Opens Alaska 2028 Bookings (and These Sailings Are Special)

Holland America has opened bookings for its 2028 Alaska cruise season, and early planners have some genuinely interesting options.

The season includes sailings from Seattle, Vancouver, San Diego, and Whittier. Cruise lengths range from seven to 18 days, giving you plenty of ways to build an Alaska vacation around your schedule.

One of the biggest updates is the arrival of the reimagined Oosterdam.

Oosterdam will debut Holland America’s Evolution transformation in Alaska. New and updated features include:

• Purpose-built Solo Verandah staterooms
• New Bridgeview Suites with forward-facing views
• The popular Grand Dutch Café
• Refreshed staterooms and public spaces
• Enhancements inspired by Holland America’s Pinnacle Class ships

Oosterdam will also be the primary ship for Holland America’s Alaska Cruisetours, which combine a cruise with overland travel into Denali and the Yukon (that is travel-agent-speak for seeing more of Alaska before or after your time at sea).

The new Alaska itineraries to watch

The most talked-about sailing is the new 11-Day California to Alaska: Shores, Fjords & Glaciers voyage.

It sails from San Diego to Vancouver aboard Zaandam, departing April 29, 2028. Ports and highlights include:

• Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
• Juneau
• Ketchikan
• Wrangell
• Klawock
• Prince Rupert

Here is the important detail: the 11-day San Diego-to-Vancouver itinerary is on Zaandam, not Oosterdam. Oosterdam has its own exciting new option: the 16-Day Great Bear Rainforest & Alaska Explorer, sailing roundtrip from Vancouver on April 28, 2028.

That Oosterdam sailing includes the Great Bear Rainforest, Hubbard Glacier, Prince Rupert, Kodiak, Anchorage, and Valdez.

Nootka Sound makes a first appearance

Select Great Alaska Explorer and Great Bear Rainforest itineraries will include scenic cruising through Nootka Sound for the first time in Holland America history.

Nootka Sound sits along the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island. Expect forested shores, remote waterways, and beautiful Pacific Northwest scenery that most traditional Alaska itineraries do not include.

Pro Tip: If Alaska is your dream trip, do not wait until the last minute to compare 2028 options. The best balcony locations, convenient departure dates, and popular Cruisetour combinations can disappear early.

You can explore Holland America’s Alaska sailings and then let us help you compare the details.

Princess Cruises Plans Bigger Ships and New Caribbean Stops

Princess Cruises has announced a new Voyager-class series that will eventually bring three of its largest ships ever to the fleet.

The three ships are being ordered from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. Each ship is expected to be:

• Approximately 183,000 gross tons
• Able to accommodate around 4,700 guests
• Dual-fuel powered, primarily using LNG
• Built at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard in Italy

The delivery schedule is long-range:

• First ship: late 2035
• Second ship: late 2038
• Third ship: late 2039

So, let me be straight with you: these Voyager-class ships are exciting cruise news, but they will not be sailing in 2026 or 2027. Princess has not yet announced all of their venues, itineraries, or names.

That said, the announcement tells us where the cruise industry is heading: larger ships, more open-air spaces, upgraded dining, and newer marine technology.

Half Moon Cay is coming to select Princess itineraries

Princess has also announced that select Caribbean itineraries will begin stopping at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay starting in November 2026.

This is a big deal for travelers who love a relaxing beach day. Half Moon Cay is known for clear water, soft sand, and that easy private-island feel.

The Princess ships expected to visit include:

• Enchanted Princess
• Caribbean Princess
• Sun Princess
• Coral Princess
• Regal Princess
• Sky Princess

Here is the small-print truth: not every November 2026 Princess sailing will necessarily include Half Moon Cay. Itinerary updates are still rolling out, so check the individual day-by-day schedule before booking.

If Half Moon Cay is your “wow moment,” we can help you verify the port before you put down a deposit.

Norwegian Aura Will Be NCL’s Largest Ship Yet

Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed more details about Norwegian Aura, its largest ship to date.

Norwegian Aura is scheduled to debut on May 21, 2027, with a seven-night Mediterranean sailing from Trieste, Italy, to Spain. After that, the ship is scheduled to cross the Atlantic and begin Caribbean cruises from Miami.

That makes Aura especially interesting for travelers who want choices:

• Luxury Mediterranean cruises
• A transatlantic crossing
• Seven-night Caribbean vacation itineraries
• Departures from Miami
• Family-friendly activities and adults-only spaces

New or expanded experiences include:

• Tamara, Norwegian’s first dedicated Indian specialty restaurant
• The Panorama Room, an immersive dining venue
• NCL’s largest thermal suite
• Ocean Heights, a three-story outdoor complex
• Waterslides and a ropes course
• Expanded pool areas and infinity hot tubs
• An enhanced Vibe Beach Club for adults

The Caribbean itineraries include options featuring places such as Cozumel, Roatán, Harvest Caye, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and Great Stirrup Cay.

For anyone who likes a ship with plenty to do, Norwegian Aura could be worth watching now: especially if you are considering a 2027 family trip or a warm-weather getaway from Miami.

Cruise Deals to Watch Before Labor Day

Now for the part everyone asks about: the savings.

Holland America Labor Day Deal

Holland America’s Labor Day promotion offers:

• 45% off select cruises
• $99 deposits
• Up to $400 in shipboard credit per stateroom
• Booking available through September 8

Shipboard credit can be used for eligible onboard purchases such as shore excursions, spa services, specialty dining, and more.

As always, the exact offer depends on the sailing, stateroom category, length of cruise, and applicable terms. Grand Voyages and very short sailings may be excluded.

Still, this is one of the best opportunities to test the waters if you have been thinking about a Holland America cruise but did not want to commit to a large upfront payment.

Norwegian Cruise Line: 50% Off

Norwegian Cruise Line is also promoting 50% off cruise fares on eligible sailings.

One detail I especially like: the offer can apply to solo travelers, too. Singles may receive the entitled discount, including travelers booking dedicated solo accommodations or paying the applicable single-occupancy fare in a regular stateroom.

Just remember, 50% off does not mean every part of the vacation is cut in half. Taxes, port fees, gratuities, optional add-ons, and certain onboard packages may still be extra.

Myth-busting moment: A cruise deal is not always the lowest price you see in a search result. Sometimes the better value comes from comparing the total package: fare, drinks, Wi-Fi, dining, flights, hotels, transfers, and insurance.

That is where thoughtful vacation planning can make a real difference.

Why Booking With a Travel Agency Can Save You Time and Stress

Big travel websites can show you hundreds of choices. What they usually do not do is help you decide which ship actually fits your travel style.

At ITS Travel Services, we can help you compare:

• Cruise lines and ships
• Alaska, Caribbean, and Mediterranean itineraries
• Cabin locations
• Solo, couple, and family options
• Flights, hotels, rental cars, and transfers
• Shore excursions
• Vacation protection
• Cruise packages and onboard promotions

From our travel desk in Flushing, Michigan, we work with travelers throughout the Flint and Detroit areas and beyond. I have been cruising since my first honeymoon voyage in 2012, and I know how much the right cabin, itinerary, and timing can affect the entire experience.

Pro Tip: Book with a travel agency when the promotion has several moving parts. We can help you check whether the discount applies to your chosen sailing, whether the onboard credit is included, and what extras may still be due before you finalize anything.

Ready to Find Your Best Cruise Deal?

Whether you are dreaming about Nootka Sound in 2028, Half Moon Cay this winter, or Norwegian Aura in the Mediterranean, now is a good time to start comparing.

Deals have deadlines. Popular cabins have limited availability. And the “perfect” sailing for your dates may not stay available for long.

You do not have to have every detail figured out before reaching out. Tell us your destination, preferred travel dates, budget, or even just the kind of trip you want.

Visit ITS Travel Services, browse our cruise and vacation planning resources, or contact us at 810-247-6455 or Travel@ITSTravelServices.com.

No pressure: just a conversation to see which cruise packages and vacation options might be your jam.