September 11, 2026
If you have been waiting for the right time to plan a cruise, this is a good week to pay attention.
There is fresh cruise news from Norwegian, new Princess Cruises offers for current and future sailings, and a major Disney Cruise Line booking window that opened this week. Holland America Line’s recent fall and winter promotion has also just ended, but similar deals may continue to rotate.
And honestly? The best cabins, family staterooms and convenient departure dates do not always wait around.
Here is what I am watching today at ITS Travel Services in Flushing, Michigan.
1. Explorations by Norwegian Launches With a 371-Day World Voyage
This is the cruise news item everyone is talking about.
Explorations by Norwegian launched on September 1, 2026, with the Regatta beginning a 371-day world voyage from Rome.
According to Euronews, the ship is scheduled to visit approximately:
- 220 ports
- 62 countries
- Six continents
- Destinations across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, North America and South America
That is not your typical seven-night getaway from Miami. This is a serious around-the-world adventure for travelers who want to unpack once and keep exploring.
The full voyage is a big commitment, of course. But here’s the helpful part: shorter regional segments may also be available, allowing you to experience a portion of the journey without spending more than a year at sea.
Possible regions include the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Panama Canal, the Amazon, Asia and Australia.
Pro Tip: If the full 371-day itinerary is not your jam, ask about segment options. A 19-night or month-long portion may deliver the same wow moments without requiring a full year away from home, work or family.
And yes, the original sailing has already departed. However, future segments and additional Explorations by Norwegian opportunities may be worth watching if you love unusual itineraries and smaller-ship travel.
2. Norwegian’s Great Tides Waterpark Opens at Great Stirrup Cay
Norwegian Cruise Line has another big update: the new Great Tides Waterpark opened at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas on September 4, 2026.
Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian’s private island destination, and the new waterpark adds even more family-friendly fun to an already popular beach day.
This is especially appealing if you are traveling with children, teenagers or a group with different vacation styles. Some guests can enjoy the beach, while others head for waterpark attractions, swimming and active adventures.
Norwegian continues to promote offers such as:
- Up to 50% off cruise fares on qualifying sailings
- Free or reduced fares for a second guest on select offers
- Free at Sea package options
- Military discounts
- First responder discounts
- Last-minute cruise deals on select departures
You can review the current Norwegian Cruise Line deals, then compare the final price for your dates. Promotions can change quickly, especially on popular Bahamas and Caribbean sailings.
Myth-busting: Does “50% off” mean half-price vacation?
Not always.
A cruise fare discount usually applies to eligible cruise fare portions. Taxes, port expenses, gratuities, airfare, transfers, hotel stays and optional upgrades may still be separate.
That does not make the offer worthless. It simply means you should compare the complete vacation package, not just the largest number in the advertisement.
At ITS Travel Services, we can help you compare the cruise with flights, hotels, transfers, rental cars and travel protection so there are fewer surprises later.
3. Princess Cruises Offers Value for Families and Alaska Travelers
Princess Cruises has several offers worth reviewing right now.
Princess Plus and Princess Premier
Princess Plus and Princess Premier are designed to bundle popular extras into the cruise fare. Depending on the package, benefits may include:
- Beverage options
- Wi-Fi
- Gratuities
- Specialty dining
- Other onboard amenities
These are not simply cruise fare discounts. They are convenience packages that may make sense if you already planned to purchase drinks, internet or specialty meals.
Free third and fourth guests on select sailings
Princess is also promoting free third and fourth guest cruise fares on select voyages.
This can be valuable for families sharing one stateroom. However, taxes, fees and other travel expenses may still apply. The sailing must qualify, and the guests generally need to be booked in the same stateroom.
When you check a specific voyage, look closely at the fare breakdown. If the third and fourth guests show a zero cruise fare but still show taxes and fees, that is usually how the promotion is structured.
You can browse Princess cruise deals and promotions or review the free third and fourth guest offer.
2028 Alaska Early Booking Bonus
If Alaska has been sitting on your travel wish list, Princess is now promoting its 2028 Alaska Early Booking Bonus.
The offer can include:
- Up to $500 in instant savings
- Up to $500 in onboard credit
- Early dining reservations
- Room location upgrades
- Other early-booking benefits
This is for 2028 Alaska sailings booked during the offer window, not necessarily for cruises departing in 2026.
And here’s the thing: Alaska has a relatively short cruising season. Popular balcony cabins, convenient dates and preferred Glacier Bay itineraries can disappear early.
Pro Tip: Do not wait for the absolute lowest price if your priority is a specific cabin, sailing date or school-break week. Sometimes the best deal is the one that gives you the itinerary and room location you actually want.
4. Holland America’s Fall and Winter Deal Just Hit Its Deadline
Holland America Line recently promoted fall and winter cruise savings for select sailings departing October 2026 through May 2027.
The advertised offer included:
- Up to 40% off cruise fares
- A $25 deposit
- Up to $400 onboard credit per stateroom
- Select cruises to the Caribbean, Mexico, Panama Canal, Hawaii and the Pacific Coast
The published Labor Day deadline was September 9, which means that exact promotion has now passed as of September 11. Still, Holland America frequently replaces one offer with another, so it is worth checking the current Holland America cruise deals.
What does “up to $400 onboard credit” really mean?
The exact credit may depend on the length of the sailing, stateroom type and promotion terms.
Onboard credit can often be used toward eligible purchases such as:
- Shore excursions
- Drinks
- Specialty dining
- Spa services
- Other onboard expenses
It is not the same as cash in your bank account, and it may have restrictions. But if you already planned to enjoy a shore excursion or specialty dinner, it can help improve the overall value.
5. Disney Opens Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 Bookings
Disney Cruise Line opened general bookings on September 8 for its Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 itineraries.
Two highlights are especially interesting.
New York departures
Disney Cruise Line is returning to New York for fall 2027 sailings aboard the Disney Wish.
Depending on the itinerary, cruises may include:
- Bermuda
- Boston
- Halifax
- Saint John
- Charlottetown
- Other Canada and New England ports
For travelers in Michigan, New York may still require a flight or long drive, but it can be an attractive alternative to flying to Florida. You could also add a New York hotel stay and make the trip a complete vacation package.
Panama Canal cruises
Disney Magic is scheduled for 14-night Panama Canal sailings between San Diego and Galveston during the fall 2027 and spring 2028 seasons.
These itineraries may include Mexico, Colombia, Panama and new calls at Fuerte Amador or Colón on select voyages.
You can review the official Disney Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 itineraries before popular cabins become limited.
Pro Tip: Book With a Travel Agency, Not Just a Search Box
I understand why big travel websites are tempting. You can compare hundreds of cruises in just a few minutes.
But cruise vacations have a lot of moving parts.
At ITS Travel Services, we help travelers in Flushing, Fenton, Grand Blanc and throughout mid-Michigan compare the details that matter:
- Cabin location
- Cruise line and ship style
- Beverage and dining packages
- Onboard credit
- Flights
- Pre-cruise hotels
- Transfers
- Shore excursions
- Travel protection
- Cruise-only versus complete vacation packages
I began cruising in 2012 after taking a honeymoon cruise aboard Carnival Imagination. I remember how exciting it was to step onto that ship and realize how much planning had already been handled for us.
That is still what I love about cruising today: you can visit several destinations while unpacking once.
The right travel agency for cruises can also save you time when a promotion changes, a sailing sells out or you need help after booking. That personal assistance is difficult to get from a cold search box.
Which Cruise Deal Should You Watch?
Here is my quick take:
- Choose Norwegian Cruise Line if you want family-friendly private-island time, Great Stirrup Cay and flexible package options.
- Choose Princess Cruises if you are interested in Alaska, family savings, Princess Plus or Princess Premier.
- Choose Holland America Line if you prefer a classic cruise experience and warm-weather itineraries.
- Choose Explorations by Norwegian if a smaller-ship world voyage or regional adventure sounds exciting.
- Choose Disney Cruise Line if you want New York, Canada and New England, or a future Panama Canal sailing.
Cruise deals are changing daily, and some offers are capacity-controlled. If you are curious about the best cruise deals 2026 has available: or you want to start planning 2027 or 2028: send us a note through our Contact Us page.
Tell us where you would like to go, when you want to travel and what kind of vacation sounds like your jam.
We will help you explore the options with no pressure: just a friendly conversation about your next cruise or custom vacation package.