If a cruise has been sitting on your travel wish list, this is a good week to take another look.

Several cruise deals are ending soon, including savings from Princess Cruises and Holland America. Norwegian Cruise Line is also showing attractive fares on select South Pacific and Australia sailings aboard Norwegian Spirit.

And honestly? The best cabins, departure dates, and flight options can disappear before the advertised deadline.

Here is the cruise news I am watching today, Monday, September 7, 2026, from ITS Travel Services in Flushing, Michigan.

1. Princess Cruises Sale Ends September 8

Let’s start with the most urgent deadline.

Princess Cruises is offering up to 40% off select fares, along with a reduced $99 deposit for the first two guests on qualifying bookings. The sale ends September 8, 2026.

That gives you very little time to compare options if you are considering a fall 2026 getaway, a Caribbean cruise, or an Alaska vacation.

The offer may apply to select:

• Caribbean sailings
• Alaska itineraries
• Canada and New England cruises
• Mexico and California Coast voyages
• Longer international itineraries
• Select cruise-and-land vacation packages

What should you know before booking?

The headline savings are exciting, but not every sailing qualifies.

Cruise fares and deposit terms can vary by:

• Ship
• Sailing date
• Stateroom category
• Itinerary length
• Number of guests
• Availability at the time of booking

The $99 reduced deposit is designed to make booking easier today, but it does not mean the rest of the cruise balance disappears. Taxes, fees, port expenses, and optional add-ons may still apply.

Myth-busting moment: A lower deposit does not always mean a lower total vacation price.

Here’s the thing: the best value might be a slightly higher fare with a better cabin, included package, or more convenient flight schedule. That is why I like to compare the entire vacation instead of focusing only on the first number you see online.

You can review the current Princess Cruises sale, then ask us to check which sailings fit your dates and budget.

2. Holland America Labor Day Deal Runs Through September 9

Holland America’s Labor Day promotion continues through September 9, 2026, on select sailings.

This is one of the strongest cruise deals for travelers planning a 2026 or early 2027 vacation package.

The promotion includes:

• $25 deposits on select cruises
• Up to 40% off fares
• Up to $400 onboard credit on select sailings
• Departures from October 2026 through May 2027
• Select Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada & New England itineraries

The promotion is especially interesting if you are thinking about fall foliage in Canada and New England. Imagine sailing from Boston or another convenient departure port while visiting places such as Halifax, Québec City, Bar Harbor, or Saint John.

That kind of trip can combine coastal scenery, historic towns, local seafood, and colorful autumn views in one easy vacation.

What can you use onboard credit for?

Onboard credit is spending money placed on your cruise account. Depending on the specific offer, it may help pay for eligible extras such as:

• Shore excursions
• Specialty dining
• Drinks
• Spa services
• Other onboard purchases

The exact amount depends on the sailing, cabin category, cruise length, and promotion terms.

The maximum $400 credit will not apply to every booking. A shorter cruise in an inside stateroom may receive less, while a longer sailing or suite may qualify for more.

That is not a deal-breaker. It simply means you should look at the complete offer.

You can see Holland America’s Labor Day Deal details, including the current destination options and terms.

My quick take

Holland America may be your jam if you prefer:

• A more traditional cruise experience
• Relaxed onboard spaces
• Scenic destinations
• Fall foliage or warm-weather escapes
• A longer itinerary with time to settle in

For travelers in Flushing, Fenton, Grand Blanc, and throughout mid-Michigan, we can also look at flights, hotels, transfers, and rental cars to build a complete vacation package around your cruise.

3. Norwegian Cruise Line Fares From $115 Per Day

Norwegian Cruise Line is showing promotional fares from $115 per person, per day on select South Pacific and Australia sailings aboard Norwegian Spirit.

This is the type of deal that can make a faraway vacation feel more realistic: especially if Australia, New Zealand, or the South Pacific has been on your list for years.

Of course, “from $115 per day” is a starting fare, not a promise that every cabin or date will be priced that way.

The final cost can depend on:

• Inside, oceanview, balcony, or suite category
• Sailing date
• Cruise length
• Taxes and fees
• Port expenses
• Airfare
• Transfers
• Optional beverage, dining, Wi-Fi, and excursion packages

Pro Tip: When comparing long-haul cruise deals, do not forget the flights. A low cruise fare can lose its shine if the airfare, overnight hotel, and airport transfers are not planned carefully.

That is where a travel agency can save you time. We can compare the cruise price with the cost of getting to the departure port and help you decide whether a cruise-only booking or full vacation package makes more sense.

4. Norwegian Luna Brings New Energy to Miami

There is also exciting cruise news for travelers who prefer departing from Florida.

Norwegian Luna, NCL’s new Prima Plus ship, is homeporting in Miami for Caribbean and Bahamas sailings. The ship features the Aqua Slidecoaster, a hybrid waterslide and rollercoaster that brings a serious wow moment to the top deck.

Norwegian Luna is offering a mix of:

• Short Bahamas getaways
• Seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises
• Western Caribbean itineraries
• Calls at Great Stirrup Cay
• Visits to destinations such as Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Cozumel, and Roatán

The ship also includes multiple dining choices, outdoor areas, entertainment, family activities, and spaces for adults who simply want to relax.

I remember when people first started asking me whether newer ships were worth the extra attention. My answer has always been simple: it depends on what you want from the vacation.

If your family wants activities and flexibility, Luna may be a great fit. If you would rather spend your days reading, exploring ports, and enjoying quiet meals, another ship might suit you better.

That is why the ship is only one part of the decision. The itinerary, cabin location, departure port, and overall vacation style matter just as much.

5. Star Princess Is Sailing Alaska From Seattle

Princess Cruises is also making news with Star Princess, which is sailing Alaska itineraries from Seattle.

The ship’s 2026 Alaska season includes weekly roundtrip voyages through the Inside Passage, with potential stops such as:

• Ketchikan
• Juneau
• Skagway
• Sitka
• Scenic cruising near Endicott Arm
• Dawes Glacier

Star Princess is a newer ship with updated public spaces, dining, entertainment, and accommodations. But the real star of the trip is still Alaska itself.

You might watch for whales, see bald eagles, ride the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, explore a glacier, or simply enjoy the view from your balcony with a warm drink.

Alaska cruises are not only for experienced travelers. I have helped many first-time cruisers discover that Alaska can be comfortable, scenic, and surprisingly easy to enjoy.

You can explore Princess’ Alaska cruise options or learn more about Star Princess.

Pro Tip: Book With a Travel Agency, Not Just a Search Box

Big travel websites are convenient. I understand the appeal.

You can search at midnight, sort by price, and see hundreds of cabins in a few minutes.

But cruises have a lot of moving parts. A travel advisor can help you compare the details that are easy to miss, including:

• Cabin location
• Deposit deadlines
• Final payment dates
• Cancellation terms
• Onboard credit
• Beverage and dining packages
• Flights and hotels
• Transfers
• Travel protection
• Shore excursions
• Cruise-and-land vacation packages

At ITS Travel Services, we help travelers in Flushing and across mid-Michigan sort through those decisions without the cold, one-size-fits-all experience of a large booking website.

The goal is not simply to find the cheapest fare. It is to find the cruise that fits your comfort level, travel dates, budget, and idea of a great vacation.

Which Cruise Deal Should You Explore First?

Here is my simple take:

• Choose Princess Cruises if you want up to 40% off select fares and the reduced $99 deposit before September 8.
• Choose Holland America if you want up to 40% off, $25 deposits, and possible onboard credit before September 9.
• Choose Norwegian Spirit if a South Pacific or Australia itinerary from $115 per day sounds like your kind of adventure.
• Choose Norwegian Luna if you want a newer ship, Miami departures, Caribbean cruise deals, and the Aqua Slidecoaster.
• Choose Star Princess if Alaska scenery, Seattle departures, and a newer Princess ship are calling your name.

These cruise deals are time-sensitive, and availability can change quickly.

Still, you do not have to decide everything today by yourself.

If you are curious about one of these sailings, contact ITS Travel Services and tell us where you would like to go, when you want to travel, and what matters most to you.

We can explore the options together: no pressure, no confusing sales pitch, just a friendly conversation about your next cruise.