If you’ve been waiting for the right time to book a cruise, this week has plenty to talk about.

We’re seeing fresh cruise deals, new ships and itineraries, menu updates, and several important schedule changes. Some offers are available for only a few days, while others are opening for sale soon.

And honestly? Cruise inventory can disappear quickly when pricing gets this competitive.

Here’s your cruise news and deals roundup for September 17, 2026, from your friends at ITS Travel Services.

Virgin Voyages Sail & Save: Fares Starting Around $89 Per Night

Virgin Voyages is running its weekly Sail & Save offer from September 16 through September 22, 2026.

Select sailings are starting around $89 per sailor, per night in an Insider cabin. That headline price is generally based on double occupancy, with taxes, fees, and other costs added separately.

You can review Virgin Voyages’ current cruise deals, including the Sail & Save promotion and last-minute offers.

This is a strong option if you want:

• An adults-only cruise
• Caribbean sunshine without a family-waterpark atmosphere
• A more relaxed, modern onboard experience
• A shorter sailing or a last-minute getaway
• A cruise that feels less traditional and more flexible

Virgin Voyages includes several popular dining options in its cruise fare, but some extras: such as certain beverages, shore excursions, and specialty experiences: can still add to your total.

Pro Tip: Don’t compare cruise fares by looking only at the first number you see. I always help clients compare the full vacation cost, including flights, transfers, gratuities, drink packages, and the type of cabin you’re actually getting.

Azamara Reworks Experience More Packages

Azamara is introducing three new Experience More package tiers for sailings departing on or after September 24, 2026.

The new packages are available across all four Azamara ships: Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest, Azamara Pursuit, and Azamara Onward.

Here’s the basic breakdown:

• Essentials: $59 per person, per day, with savings of more than 37 percent
• Enjoyment: $79 per person, per day, with savings of more than 38 percent
• Indulgence: $99 per person, per day, with savings of more than 51 percent

Depending on the tier, benefits may include:

• Starlink Wi-Fi
• Premium or Ultimate beverage packages
• Daily shore excursion credit
• Specialty dining
• Laundry service
• Spa credit

The Indulgence package includes the biggest savings and the most benefits, including unlimited specialty dining and two Wi-Fi devices per person.

You can see the details on Azamara’s onboard packages page.

Here’s the thing: Azamara’s smaller ships and longer port stays attract travelers who want a more destination-focused experience. If you’re looking for a quiet, upscale cruise with time to really explore places like Italy, Greece, Asia, or South America, this deserves a closer look.

Fall Caribbean Cruise Deals Are Testing the Waters Around $410

Late September and October can be a great time to search for Caribbean vacation deals.

The weather is still warm, demand can be softer in some weeks, and select inside cabins are appearing from roughly $410 per person on qualifying itineraries.

Examples we’re watching include:

• Royal Caribbean sailings from Port Canaveral around the high-$400 range
• Select Princess cruises from Port Canaveral near $400 per person
• Norwegian Cruise Line’s seven-night Caribbean sailings from Port Canaveral, with some inside cabins landing near the low-$400 range depending on date and availability

If you have your heart set on Icon of the Seas, let me be straight with you: that ship is usually priced much higher than $410 and sails from Miami rather than Port Canaveral. It is still worth considering for travelers who want Royal Caribbean’s newest ship and biggest onboard attractions: but it should be treated as a premium option, not a true $410 cruise deal.

For the lowest fall pricing, we recommend comparing:

• Sailing length
• Departure port
• Inside versus balcony cabins
• Port taxes and fees
• Whether flights and hotel nights are required

Prices can change several times in one day. If you see a sailing that fits your dates and budget, it may be smart to place a hold while you review the details.

MSC Euribia Is Headed to the Canary Islands for Winter 2027–28

MSC Cruises confirmed that MSC Euribia will sail seven-night Canary Islands and Madeira itineraries during the winter 2027–28 season.

Sales open on September 28, 2026.

The itinerary will offer a winter-sun escape with stops and embarkation options connected to destinations such as:

• Santa Cruz de Tenerife
• Fuerteventura
• Funchal, Madeira
• Lanzarote
• Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
• Santa Cruz de La Palma

Guests will be able to embark from several ports, including Tenerife, Funchal, Arrecife, and La Palma.

This is a great angle for European travelers who want sunshine without heading to the Caribbean. You’ll get volcanic landscapes, colorful towns, local food, and mild winter weather: all while enjoying a newer ship with multiple restaurants, entertainment venues, pools, and family spaces.

Read the official MSC Euribia Canary Islands announcement, then contact us before sales open if this itinerary sounds like your jam.

Princess Updates Hawaii Plans After Hurricane Lowell

Princess Cruises is adjusting the September 17, 2026 Ruby Princess Hawaii sailing because of Hurricane Lowell recovery efforts.

The ship is skipping its scheduled call at Nawiliwili, Kauai, and adding an overnight stay in Honolulu instead. That gives guests more time to enjoy Oahu while allowing Kauai additional time to recover.

It’s a reminder that cruise itineraries can change quickly when weather or port conditions create safety concerns. If you’re booked on this sailing, check your Princess app, email, or travel advisor messages for the most current instructions.

Princess has also recently made a voluntary buyout offer connected to Island Princess, including a full refund, matching future cruise credit, and travel reimbursement. While this is not a standard offer for every Princess sailing, it does show how closely cruise lines are managing strong demand and operational changes.

Holland America Refreshes Morimoto by Sea

Food lovers have another reason to consider Holland America Line.

The cruise line is rolling out a refreshed Morimoto by Sea menu fleetwide this month, with the full update expected to reach all ships by mid-November.

New dishes include:

• Shokupan Bread Service
• Tan Tan Noodles in red curry broth
• Popcorn Shrimp
• Vegetable Wonton
• Miso Lamb Chop
• Orange Chicken
• Grilled USDA Prime Rib
• Butter Poached Lobster Tail
• An updated Morimoto Sushi Mori

The refreshed experience begins with Chef Morimoto’s Shokupan Bread Service, featuring his take on Japanese milk bread.

The dedicated Morimoto by Sea restaurant is available on Nieuw Amsterdam, while other Holland America ships feature pop-up versions of the experience. The update arrives ahead of the 2027 Alaska season, including Chef Morimoto’s planned time aboard Nieuw Amsterdam.

You can read more about the refreshed Morimoto by Sea menu.

Norwegian Aura Adds Whitney Houston Show and New Dining

Norwegian Aura debuts on May 21, 2027, beginning with a Mediterranean sailing from Trieste, Italy, to Barcelona.

After a transatlantic voyage, the ship will begin its Caribbean season from Miami in June 2027.

The biggest entertainment news is “Whitney: A Celebration of Whitney Houston.” The 45-minute production will feature live vocals, a live band, immersive visuals, and songs including:

• “I Will Always Love You”
• “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”
• “It’s Not Right, But It’s OK”

Norwegian Aura will also introduce:

• Panorama Room, a redesigned complimentary dining space
• Tamara, Norwegian Cruise Line’s first dedicated Indian specialty restaurant
• “ILLUMINOX: Infinite Wonder Unboxed”
• The Vinyl Republic live music experience
• The adults-only LunaTique: Pop Circus

The ship’s Eastern Caribbean sailings from Miami are expected to visit destinations such as Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Great Stirrup Cay.

You can read the Norwegian Aura entertainment announcement for more details.

Quick Cruise News Hits

A few more stories caught our attention this week:

• Royal Caribbean named retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Lori J. Robinson godmother of Legend of the Seas. The naming ceremony is scheduled for November 11 in Fort Lauderdale. The ship will offer Western and Southern Caribbean cruises, including visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay. Read the announcement.
• Regent Seven Seas introduced new culinary venues for Seven Seas Prestige, including Solmar Terrace, an open-air daytime dining space, and Azure, a Mediterranean specialty restaurant.
• Ruby Princess opened San Diego’s biggest cruise season in more than 15 years. The 2026–27 season is expected to bring more than 700,000 cruise passengers to the area. See the San Diego cruise season report.

Want Help Finding the Best Cruise Deals of 2026?

I know it’s tempting to open five browser tabs and try to compare everything yourself. I’ve been there. Cruise pricing, cabin categories, promotions, flights, insurance, and port transfers can become a full-time job very quickly.

That’s where working with a travel agency for cruises can help.

At ITS Travel Services, we help travelers from Flushing, Fenton, Grand Blanc, and throughout mid-Michigan compare cruise lines and build complete vacation packages: not just grab the cheapest number on a screen.

We can help you explore:

• Caribbean vacation deals
• Cruise deals 2026
• European and Canary Islands sailings
• New ship launches
• Adults-only cruises
• Family cruises
• Hotels, flights, rental cars, and transfers
• Custom vacation packages

For more practical advice, check out our Cruise 101 guide or learn why booking with a local travel agency can be easier than booking online.

When you’re ready, visit our Contact Us page and start a conversation. No pressure, no hard sell: just tell us what kind of trip sounds good, and we’ll help you explore the possibilities.