September 9, 2026

If a cruise has been sitting on your wish list, today is a good day to take another look.

Holland America’s Labor Day promotion ends today, September 9, and several fall cruise itineraries are already getting attention. We also have fresh Alaska news, a long Panama Canal sailing from Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line perks, and plenty of new-ship buzz.

And honestly? There is a lot happening at sea right now.

Here is the latest cruise news and the best cruise deals 2026 travelers should know about from here in Flushing, Michigan.

1. Holland America’s Labor Day Deal Ends Today

Let’s start with the most urgent news.

Holland America Line’s Labor Day promotion ends September 9, 2026, for eligible new bookings. The offer applies to select sailings departing October 2026 through May 2027.

The advertised highlights include:

• Up to 40% off select cruise fares
• Deposits starting at $25
• Up to $400 onboard credit per stateroom
• Select cruises to the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, the Panama Canal and the Pacific Coast

This is a strong opportunity if you are thinking about a winter escape or spring getaway. A January cruise to Mexico? A February Caribbean sailing? A Panama Canal adventure before summer? These are exactly the types of vacation packages that may fit this offer.

Myth-busting: Does “up to $400 onboard credit” mean everyone gets $400?

Not necessarily.

The actual onboard credit can depend on the sailing length, cabin category and other offer rules. The $25 deposit and 40% savings are also limited to qualifying sailings and available inventory.

Here’s the thing: a deal is about the total value, not just the largest number in the advertisement.

Before you book, compare:

• The final cruise fare
• Taxes and fees
• Cabin location
• Onboard credit
• Cancellation terms
• Travel protection
• Flights and hotels before or after the cruise

Holland America’s official cruise deals page has the current terms. You can also read our earlier Labor Day cruise deals update for more sale details.

Pro Tip: If you are serious about booking today, do not wait until late tonight. Promotions can be capacity-controlled, which is travel-agent-speak for “the sale may still be active, but the cabin you want could be gone.”

2. Holland America Opens 2028 Alaska Bookings

Planning ahead? Holland America has opened bookings for its 2028 Alaska season, and there are some genuinely interesting additions.

The season includes six ships:

• Oosterdam
• Noordam
• Eurodam
• Koningsdam
• Westerdam
• Zaandam

Sailings range from seven to 18 days, with departures from Seattle, Vancouver, Whittier and a new route from San Diego to Vancouver.

The biggest talking points are:

The reimagined Oosterdam

Oosterdam is scheduled to debut Holland America Evolution updates during the 2028 Alaska season. The ship will also serve as the primary vessel for Alaska Cruisetours, which combine a cruise with overland exploration into places such as Denali and the Yukon.

The refreshed ship is expected to include:

• Solo Verandah staterooms
• New Bridgeview Suites
• The Grand Dutch Café
• Refreshed public areas and staterooms
• New ways to enjoy scenic Alaska views

I remember when I first started helping travelers compare Alaska cruises. Many people assumed an Alaska trip had to be rugged, complicated and exhausting. It does not. You can watch glaciers from a balcony, take an easy scenic excursion, ride a train or simply enjoy the scenery with a hot coffee in hand.

A new 11-day San Diego-to-Alaska voyage

Holland America’s new 11-day California to Alaska: Shores, Fjords & Glaciers voyage sails aboard Zaandam, departing San Diego for Vancouver on April 29, 2028.

Planned highlights include:

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

There is also new scenic cruising through Nootka Sound on select Great Alaska Explorer and Great Bear Rainforest itineraries. Nootka Sound is located along Vancouver Island’s rugged west coast, with forested shores and remote Pacific Northwest scenery.

You can review Holland America’s 2028 Alaska cruise listings and let us help you compare the ship, route and cabin options.

3. Princess Cruises: A 22-Night Panama Canal Sailing Is Coming Up

If fall travel is your jam, take a look at Coral Princess.

Princess Cruises has a 22-night Panama Canal & Pacific Coast voyage departing September 23, 2026, from Vancouver and ending in Fort Lauderdale.

The itinerary is scheduled to include:

• Vancouver
• San Francisco
• San Diego
• Los Angeles
• Puerto Vallarta
• Huatulco
• Puerto Chiapas
• Puntarenas
• Fuerte Amador
• Full transit of the Panama Canal
• Aruba
• Fort Lauderdale

That is a lot of travel packed into one sailing, but in the best possible way. You get Pacific Coast scenery, Mexican ports, Central America and the full Panama Canal experience without constantly packing and unpacking.

You can view the official Princess itinerary, but keep in mind that cruise availability, pricing and cabin categories can change quickly.

For anyone searching for a longer fall vacation, this could be one of the more memorable cruise options on the calendar.

4. Norwegian Cruise Line: Free at Sea and 2026 Itineraries

Norwegian Cruise Line remains a strong option for travelers who want bundled perks and flexible vacation planning.

The current Free at Sea package can include:

• Unlimited open bar for eligible guests
• Specialty dining meals based on sailing length
• 150 minutes of high-speed Wi-Fi for each guest
• A $50 shore excursion credit at every port for the first guest
• Additional offers on select sailings

For 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line is offering several appealing Hawaii and Canada & New England itineraries.

Hawaii

Pride of America sails seven-day inter-island Hawaii cruises roundtrip from Honolulu. These sailings visit destinations across Oahu, Maui, the Big Island and Kauai.

Norwegian Spirit also offers longer South Pacific and Hawaii itineraries, including some 16-day Hawaii and Alaska “Fire and Ice” voyages between Honolulu and Vancouver.

Canada and New England

Fall is an especially nice time for Canada and New England. Norwegian Escape offers seven-day roundtrip cruises from New York City, with ports that may include Boston, Portland, Saint John and Halifax.

Norwegian Jewel also has longer fall itineraries from Philadelphia.

And yes, the foliage, waterfront towns and seafood are as good as they sound.

Before you assume Free at Sea means everything is completely free, read the official package details. Taxes, fees, gratuities and certain restrictions may still apply.

5. New Ship Buzz: MSC, Royal Caribbean and Oceania

Cruise fans have several new ships to watch.

MSC World Asia debuts in December 2026

MSC World Asia is scheduled to begin seven-night Mediterranean sailings from Barcelona on December 4, 2026.

The ship is expected to feature:

• More than 40 bars, lounges and restaurants
• Seven onboard districts
• Family entertainment areas
• A large World Promenade
• A suspended dragon sculpture
• Pan-Asian dining concepts
• The MSC Yacht Club ship-within-a-ship experience

Royal Caribbean’s Hero of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Hero of the Seas has floated out at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland and is scheduled to debut from Miami in August 2027.

The ship is expected to sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises, with every itinerary visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Oceania Sonata

Oceania Sonata has also floated out and is scheduled to debut in August 2027. Its maiden voyage is planned as a 14-day Mediterranean sailing from Rome to Trieste.

This is a ship to watch if you prefer a more refined, destination-focused cruise style with longer port visits and a smaller-ship atmosphere.

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

I understand why big travel websites are tempting. You can search quickly, compare prices and make a reservation at midnight.

But cruises involve more moving parts than a basic hotel booking.

At ITS Travel Services, we help travelers in Flushing, Fenton, Grand Blanc and throughout mid-Michigan compare the full vacation: not just the first fare that appears online.

We can help you review:

• Cabin location
• Beverage and dining packages
• Flights
• Pre-cruise hotels
• Rental cars and transfers
• Shore excursions
• Travel protection
• Cruise-only versus cruise-and-land vacation packages

That personal help can save time and prevent expensive surprises later.

Which Cruise Should You Consider?

Here is my quick take:

• Choose Holland America if you want to act on today’s Labor Day deal.
• Choose Holland America Alaska 2028 if you want early access to unique scenic routes.
• Choose Princess Cruises if a long Panama Canal voyage sounds perfect.
• Choose Norwegian Cruise Line if bundled Free at Sea perks match your travel style.
• Watch MSC World Asia if you want a brand-new ship in the Mediterranean.
• Watch Hero of the Seas or Oceania Sonata if you are already thinking about 2027.

If one of these cruise deals caught your eye, you can contact ITS Travel Services or call 810-247-6455.

Tell me where you want to go, when you want to travel and what kind of vacation feels right. We can sort through the options together: no pressure, no confusing sales pitch, just a friendly conversation about your next cruise.