If you have been thinking about booking a cruise, today is a good day to pay attention.
We have several important cruise news updates for October 1, 2026, including a Princess Cruises price deadline, a Holland America deposit deal, Hurricane Rachel itinerary changes, and a look at Norwegian’s newest ship.
Here’s the thing: cruise prices and promotions can change quickly. A little timing, and a little help, can save you money and stress.
Princess Cruises Price Increase: October 13 Is the Deadline
This is the big one.
Starting October 13, 2026, Princess Plus and Princess Premier will each increase by $5 per person, per day.
For most Princess ships, the new pre-cruise prices will be:
- Princess Plus: $70 per person, per day
- Princess Premier: $105 per person, per day
The official Princess package page explains that buying packages before sailing is generally less expensive than waiting until you are onboard.
For Sun Princess and Star Princess, the packages will be an additional $5 per person, per day.
That may not sound huge at first. But let’s do the quick math. On a seven-night cruise for two people, a $5 daily increase becomes $70 more for the reservation. On a longer cruise, the difference grows.
Standalone MedallionNet Wi-Fi Is Changing, Too
Princess is also updating its standalone Wi-Fi plans beginning October 13.
Here is the breakdown:
- One-device plan increases from $24.99 to $27.99 per day pre-cruise
- One-device plan will be $33.99 per day onboard
- A new two-device plan will cost $39.99 per day pre-cruise
- The standalone four-device plan is going away
- Four-device access will now be available through Princess Premier
Princess Plus includes Wi-Fi for one device per guest, while Princess Premier includes Wi-Fi for up to four devices per guest.
My Take: Don’t Wait If Princess Is Your Jam
Anything booked before October 13 can lock in today’s lower pricing, based on the current promotion details.
That is especially worth looking at if you are already considering:
- An Alaska cruise
- A European itinerary
- A Caribbean getaway
- A longer sailing where daily package costs add up
- A family cruise where multiple guests need Wi-Fi
And honestly? This is exactly the kind of deadline that can slip past people. You get busy, you think, “I’ll check it next week,” and suddenly the price changes.
Holland America Offers $99 Deposits on Select 2027 Cruises
Holland America has launched a limited-time promotion for select 2027 Alaska and Europe cruises.
Book between October 1 and November 2, 2026, and eligible sailings can be reserved with a $99 deposit per person.
The offer applies to select cruises and cruisetours, so not every departure will qualify. Holland America’s Alaska cruise page currently promotes the offer and connects it with the Have It All Early Booking Bonus.
Depending on the sailing, the package may include:
- Up to $300 in shore excursion credit per stateroom
- Up to three nights of specialty dining
- Elite Beverage Package
- Premium Wi-Fi
- Prepaid crew appreciation
That is a pretty attractive combination for travelers who want to test the waters without putting down a large deposit right away.
Why Alaska Is Worth a Look
Holland America remains a popular choice for Alaska because its mid-sized ships offer open viewing areas, scenic cruising, and access to ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Sitka.
Alaska also works well for first-time cruisers. You get spectacular scenery without needing to plan a complicated daily route. The ship moves you from one wow moment to the next.
If you are looking for the best cruise deals 2026 that apply to future travel, this $99 promotion is worth comparing now, especially if you are considering a 2027 vacation package.
A Sweet Caribbean Update
Holland America also announced a new partnership with Magnolia Bakery.
During the 2026–27 Caribbean season, guests can enjoy the Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Bar in the Lido Market. It will be served once per cruise.
The dessert includes the familiar combination of bananas, vanilla wafers, pudding, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped cream. Holland America chefs trained with Magnolia Bakery’s team in New York City to recreate the signature preparation.
The offering is part of the lead-up to the 30th anniversary of RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, Holland America’s private Bahamian island.
The official announcement confirms that the Banana Pudding Bar is tied to Caribbean cruises, not every ship or every itinerary.
Meanwhile, Westerdam is spending its fall season in Japan, giving travelers another reason to look at Holland America’s Asia itineraries. That is a very different flavor of vacation, with opportunities to explore Japan’s cities, cuisine, temples, and seasonal scenery.
Hurricane Rachel Is Reshuffling Mexican Riviera Sailings
Hurricane Rachel is affecting cruise schedules along Mexico’s west coast.
Let me be straight with you: itinerary changes can be disappointing. If you booked a cruise to visit Cabo San Lucas or La Paz, you understandably want to step off the ship there.
But cruise lines reroute for safety. That is not a failure of the vacation. It is part of how responsible cruise operations work during hurricane season.
Here are the current updates:
Virgin Voyages: Brilliant Lady
The October 3, 2026 Brilliant Lady sailing from Los Angeles has an alternate itinerary ready because of Hurricane Rachel.
The original itinerary included Mexican Riviera ports such as:
- Cabo San Lucas
- Mazatlán
- Puerto Vallarta
Virgin Voyages is monitoring the storm and adjusting plans based on the safest route. Guests should watch for direct communication from the cruise line.
Carnival Panorama
Carnival Panorama dropped La Paz and Cabo San Lucas from the affected sailing.
The ship is now scheduled to call at Ensenada twice, with additional sea days included in the revised plan.
Carnival is also providing $300 in onboard credit per stateroom for guests on that sailing.
That credit does not replace a port visit, of course, but it can help make the unexpected sea days more enjoyable. Think specialty dining, spa time, drinks, or an excursion for another port.
Carnival Miracle
Carnival Miracle canceled its Cabo San Lucas call on October 1 while repositioning toward Galveston.
Repositioning cruises often cover a lot of distance, so weather-related changes can be especially important as the ship moves between regions.
Grand Princess
Grand Princess canceled its Cabo San Lucas call on October 2.
Princess guests should monitor the Princess cruise updates page and keep notifications turned on in their booking profile.
Pro Tip: Let a Travel Agent Monitor the Weather Changes
When you book with a travel agency for cruises, you are not just paying for help choosing a ship.
We can monitor cruise-line alerts, check whether a port has been replaced, explain onboard credits, and help you understand what happens next. That is particularly helpful when the news is changing faster than the big travel websites can update their pages.
At ITS Travel Services, we help travelers from Flushing, Flint, Detroit, and across Michigan keep track of the details. You should be enjoying your vacation, not refreshing five different cruise websites all day.
Norwegian: More At Sea, Free at Sea, and Norwegian Aura
Norwegian continues to offer strong value through its bundled package approach.
The former More At Sea bundle included benefits such as:
- Unlimited beverages
- Specialty dining
- Wi-Fi
- Shore excursion credits
For existing reservations that include More At Sea, Norwegian says those benefits continue to be honored.
For newer bookings, Norwegian now uses Free at Sea and Free at Sea Plus. The current Free at Sea program includes unlimited open bar, specialty dining benefits, Wi-Fi, and a $50 shore excursion credit at each port for the first guest on the reservation.
So, the simple version is this:
- Existing More At Sea bookings keep their benefits
- New reservations generally use Free at Sea
- Free at Sea Plus adds enhanced drinks, unlimited streaming Wi-Fi, more dining value, and prepaid service charges
Norwegian is also preparing to welcome Norwegian Aura in May 2027.
Aura will be the fifth ship in the Prima/Prima Plus family and is expected to debut in Europe before moving toward Miami. If you like newer ships, modern design, and a more resort-style onboard experience, Aura is one to watch.
What Should You Book First?
Here is my practical short list:
- Princess: Review your options before October 13 to avoid the upcoming package increase.
- Holland America: Check eligible 2027 Alaska and Europe sailings before the $99 deposit promotion ends November 2.
- Mexican Riviera: If you are sailing soon, keep an eye on direct cruise-line updates because ports can change quickly.
- Norwegian: Compare Free at Sea and Free at Sea Plus based on your drinking, dining, Wi-Fi, and excursion plans.
- Complete vacation packages: Look at flights, hotels, rental cars, and transfers together instead of separately.
If you need affordable international flights for a Europe cruise, for example, booking the cruise and air plan together may make the entire trip easier to coordinate.
And no, you do not have to know which ship, cabin, or package you want before reaching out. That is what a travel professional is here for.
Ready to Talk Through Your Options?
We can compare cruise deals, package inclusions, deposit requirements, and travel dates based on what matters to you.
You can learn more about our cruise planning experience, or contact ITS Travel Services at 810-247-6455 or Travel@ITSTravelServices.com.
No pressure and no hard sell. Just start with a conversation, tell us where you would like to go, and we will help you see what makes sense.