If Europe is your happy place, or you’re hoping to snag a cruise deal before the week gets away from you, there’s plenty to talk about today. Royal Caribbean has opened bookings for a major European season, Disney Cruise Line has revealed the name of its first Japan-based ship, and several limited-time offers have real deadlines.

I know sorting out the fine print can feel like a vacation-planning project all by itself. Here’s the good news: we’ve gathered the highlights so you can see what’s worth a closer look. And if you’re planning from Flushing or elsewhere in Michigan, we can help you compare cruise options and vacation packages without bouncing between a dozen big travel websites.

Cruise News

Royal Caribbean’s European cruise season will sail year-round (with seven ships)

Royal Caribbean has announced its first year-round European season for 2028–29, with seven ships scheduled across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Canary Islands. Bookings opened to Crown & Anchor Society members first, with general-public bookings opening October 15, 2026.

The headline ship is Rhapsody of the Seas, sailing from Piraeus (Athens), Barcelona and Lisbon. From May through October 2028, 7-night itineraries will explore Greece, Turkey and Egypt, including overnight stays in Istanbul and Alexandria on select cruises. Some Greek Isles sailings feature extended time in Santorini and the option to visit Royal Beach Club Santorini.

From November, Rhapsody shifts to longer 9–12-night cruises, with destinations including the Canary Islands, Portugal, Morocco, Cyprus, Malta and Greece. The season also brings Royal Caribbean back to Heraklion, Greece, and Cagliari, Italy, for the first time in more than a decade.

Here are the other ships in the lineup:

• Explorer of the Seas: 7-night Greek Isles and Croatia cruises from Ravenna, with select calls in Kotor, Montenegro.
• Freedom of the Seas: 3–9-night cruises from Southampton, including Norwegian fjord scenic cruising and calls such as Copenhagen, Zeebrugge, Bilbao, Le Havre and Lisbon.
• Liberty of the Seas: 7–8-night sailings from Barcelona, Piraeus and Civitavecchia. It will be the first time Freedom and Liberty are in Europe together.
• Jewel of the Seas: 7–11-night cruises from Copenhagen and Stockholm, visiting places such as Helsinki, Visby, Gdynia and Klaipeda.
• Mariner of the Seas: 7-night Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona, Piraeus, Lisbon and Ravenna, with ports including Palma de Mallorca, Porto and Dubrovnik.
• Odyssey of the Seas: 7-night Greek Isles sailings from Civitavecchia from April through October 2028, with visits including Ephesus and Mykonos.

Want the full details? Read Royal Caribbean’s Europe announcement.

Pro Tip: A Mediterranean cruise can involve different embarkation cities and flight plans. We can help you compare the itinerary and the trip around it, including flights and hotels, before you commit.

Disney names its first Japan-based cruise ship

The first Disney Cruise Line ship planned to sail from Japan has a name: Disney Imagination. Oriental Land Company, which operates Tokyo Disney Resort, announced that the Wish-class ship is scheduled to homeport in Tokyo and debut in spring 2029.

Disney says Ariel and Sebastian from The Little Mermaid will feature on the ship’s stern. Plans include about 30 food and beverage venues, stage shows, character meet-and-greets, and areas for both children and adults. The ship is set to be built at Meyer Werft in Germany.

That’s a big future wow moment for Disney fans. For now, specific itineraries and additional onboard details are still to come. See the announcement from The Walt Disney Company.

Holland America returns to Acapulco

Holland America Line’s Eurodam made Carnival Corporation’s first scheduled call at Acapulco in 17 years, arriving earlier this week. The visit is part of a renewed cruise presence at the Mexican port.

Carnival Corporation says its cruise brands are scheduled to make more than 1,300 calls in Mexico in 2026, with approximately 4.6 million visitors expected. The company also announced a planned Acapulco call by Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Firenze on October 26, with more calls to follow. Itineraries can change, so check the current schedule before making plans around a particular port visit.

Navigator of the Seas heads to Asia through October 2027

Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas has left Los Angeles for an extended Asia deployment through October 2027. After repositioning via Tokyo, the ship is scheduled to sail from Yokohama and Singapore.

Singapore departures are set to begin in late October, with 2–10-night cruises to destinations in Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam from Marina Bay Cruise Centre. After the Asia season, Navigator is scheduled to return to California for winter Mexican Riviera and Baja California cruises.

For West Coast travelers, that means a different mix of options while Navigator is away, and a reason to keep an eye on its eventual California return.

Deals to Grab Right Now

Carnival FunPacks: four bundles, booking window ends October 30

Carnival’s new FunPacks bundle popular extras, with advertised savings of 35%–55% compared with buying the included items separately. They’re available to book October 13–30, 2026, for sailings departing October 31, 2026 through December 31, 2027.

Choose based on what you’ll actually use:

• Kidstarter, $25 per day: For kids ages 3–17, with a soda package, social Wi-Fi and arcade tokens.
• Zero Proof, $50 per day: Non-alcoholic CHEERS!, Value Wi-Fi, plus shore excursion and specialty dining discounts.
• Social, $60 per day: Three alcoholic drinks per day, Premium Wi-Fi, a free excursion up to $100 and free specialty dining up to $55.
• Epic, $99 per day: Full CHEERS!, Premium Wi-Fi, two excursions, two specialty meals, laundry and sparkling wine.

Important detail: Everyone age 21 or older in the same stateroom must purchase the same FunPack. Review the FunPacks details and terms before choosing a bundle.

Royal Caribbean pre-cruise flash sale: ends October 20

This is the short fuse: Royal Caribbean’s flash sale on select pre-cruise purchases runs through October 20, 2026, five days from October 15. Discounts apply to eligible beverage packages, shore excursions, internet and dining for select sailings through September 2027.

These extras are purchased separately from the cruise fare (that’s travel-agent-speak for “check what your cabin price includes”). Discounts and availability vary by sailing. See the flash sale terms, then compare your options before the deadline.

Virgin Voyages Sail & Save: low starting rates, changing weekly

Virgin Voyages’ Lock It In rates are advertised at about $69–$119 per sailor, per night on select near-term Caribbean, Mexican Riviera and transatlantic sailings. One example: a 14-night Miami-to-Morocco-and-Spain transatlantic sailing from $69 per night.

The catch? Sailings and prices refresh weekly, and available rates can sell out. Think of this as testing the waters: a promising fare is worth checking promptly, but it may not be there next week. View this week’s Sail & Save offer and example sailings.

Margaritaville at Sea Early Access: limited-time savings

Margaritaville at Sea’s Black Friday Early Access promotion advertises 65% off cruises, free fares for the third and fourth guests on select sailings, and up to 55% off drinks, excursions, spa experiences and more.

One note on timing: the October 14 report says this promotion runs through November 3, 2026, not that the entire sale ends this week. Offers and countdowns can change, so check the live terms and eligible sailings before booking. Here’s the sale report and details.

Let’s Find Your Cruise

Whether you’re dreaming about a European cruise, curious about a new Disney itinerary, or weighing cruise deals for a trip closer to home, we can help you sort through the options. At ITS Travel Services, we can also help build the trip around your sailing with flights, hotels, rental cars and other vacation packages.

Pro Tip: Booking with an agency can save you time comparing ships, dates and trip details. We’ll help you understand what’s included, what costs extra and which offers fit your plans, without the pressure.

Start a conversation with us through www.itstravelservices.com or contact ITS Travel Services. We’re happy to help you explore your options.

Deal deadlines are real, and prices and availability can change. Carnival FunPacks end October 30, and Royal Caribbean’s flash sale ends October 20-so if either one catches your eye, it’s smart to check soon.