If you’ve been thinking about booking a cruise, this is a good week to start looking. Several major cruise lines have opened exciting 2028 sailings, while Holland America is offering limited-time savings for travelers ready to sail sooner.

I’m breaking down the biggest cruise news and deals from Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line: without making you dig through ten different booking websites.

And honestly? Cruise planning can feel like a lot. I’ve been there. My first cruise was a honeymoon sailing in 2012 aboard Carnival Imagination, and that trip hooked me for good. Since then, I’ve helped families, couples, and first-time cruisers compare ships, itineraries, vacation packages, flights, hotels, and shore excursions.

Here’s what caught my eye this week.

1. Norwegian Cruise Line Opens Summer 2028 Bookings (Big choices, lots of homeports)

Norwegian Cruise Line has opened its Summer 2028 season, featuring approximately 450 voyages across 20 ships.

That is a lot of options. We’re talking about sailings from major homeports across the United States and around the world, with itineraries visiting destinations throughout the Caribbean, Europe, Bermuda, Alaska, and beyond.

You can review current information through the Norwegian Cruise Line newsroom.

Norwegian Aura: Eastern Caribbean from Miami

One of the most exciting highlights is Norwegian Aura, which is scheduled to sail seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Miami.

Typical stops may include:

• Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
• St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
• Tortola, British Virgin Islands
• Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island in the Bahamas

For travelers in Michigan, Miami can be a convenient starting point if you’re willing to fly from Detroit Metro Airport and add a pre-cruise hotel night. That extra night is something I often recommend, especially for families. Flying in the morning of embarkation can work, but it leaves very little wiggle room if your flight is delayed.

Norwegian Prima Returns to Galveston

Norwegian Prima is also scheduled to return to Galveston, Texas, for Western Caribbean sailings.

These seven-day cruises are expected to include destinations such as Harvest Caye in Belize, Norwegian’s resort-style destination, along with other popular ports in the Western Caribbean.

Pro Tip: Galveston cruises can be a great fit if you want something different from Florida departures. Just remember that you’ll need to plan transportation between Houston’s airports and the port area. A vacation package with a hotel, airport transfer, and cruise can make the logistics much easier.

Norwegian Gem Debuts in Philadelphia for Bermuda

Here’s a nice option for travelers who don’t want to fly all the way to Florida: Norwegian Gem will debut from Philadelphia in April 2028.

The ship is expected to offer seven-day Bermuda sailings featuring:

• An overnight stay at Royal Naval Dockyard
• A stop in Norfolk, Virginia
• More time to explore Bermuda instead of rushing through a short port visit

That overnight call is the wow moment. Bermuda is one of those destinations where more time really matters. You can visit beaches, explore historic sites, enjoy local food, or simply slow down for a day.

2. Princess Cruises Opens Its 2028 Alaska Season (More than just a cruise)

Princess Cruises has opened bookings for its 2028 Alaska season, and the program is packed.

According to the official Princess Cruises announcement, the season includes:

• 185 departures
• 14 unique itineraries
• Eight ships
• Sailings from four to 16 days
• The new Star Princess
• Visits to destinations including Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway
• Scenic cruising through Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord, and Endicott Arm

Departures are available from several ports, including Seattle, Vancouver, Whittier near Anchorage, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

Should you choose a roundtrip cruise or a cruisetour?

This is the question everyone asks.

A traditional roundtrip Alaska cruise is usually the simpler option. You board in Seattle or Vancouver, enjoy the Inside Passage, visit Alaska ports, and return to your original departure area.

A Princess Cruisetour combines the cruise with a land portion through Alaska. That may include time near Denali National Park, Princess Wilderness Lodges, scenic rail travel, and opportunities to explore Alaska’s interior.

In plain English, a cruisetour gives you mountains, wildlife, national parks, and glaciers: not just coastal scenery.

Pro Tip: If Alaska is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for you, I recommend comparing the total vacation package: not just the cruise fare. Flights, hotels, transfers, rail travel, excursions, and extra nights can change the final price significantly.

Princess offers several cruisetour collections, including:

• Denali Essentials
• Denali Explorer
• Denali Escorted

You can also explore the Princess Alaska destination page and the Alaska Cruisetour options.

3. Holland America Expands Europe for 2028 (More ports, more seasons)

Holland America Line has opened bookings for its 2028 Europe season, featuring its highest number of European port calls in nearly a decade.

The expanded program includes more visits to:

• Norway
• Spain
• Ireland
• The Netherlands
• Italy
• Greece
• Croatia
• Türkiye

The official Holland America announcement says the season will operate from January through early December, with cruises ranging from seven-day getaways to 48-day Legendary Voyages.

Five ships are scheduled to sail in Europe:

• Rotterdam
• Nieuw Statendam
• Nieuw Amsterdam
• Volendam
• Zuiderdam

Mediterranean or Northern Europe: which is your jam?

The Mediterranean is a natural fit if you want sunny ports, ancient history, beaches, and food that makes you want to cancel your return flight.

Northern Europe is perfect if fjords, scenic landscapes, charming coastal towns, Iceland, Greenland, the British Isles, or the Baltic are calling your name.

Holland America is also emphasizing longer port visits, overnight stays, and late departures on select itineraries. That means more time ashore: always a good thing in my book.

Pro Tip: Don’t automatically assume a seven-day cruise is the best value. Sometimes a 10- or 14-day sailing gives you a better mix of ports, fewer repeat destinations, and a more relaxed pace.

Cruise Deals to Watch This Week (Here’s the fine print)

Holland America Labor Day Deal

Holland America’s Labor Day promotion runs through September 8 and includes:

• Up to 45% off select cruises
• $99 deposits
• Up to $400 onboard credit per stateroom

You can view the Labor Day Deal and compare eligible sailings.

What can onboard credit cover? Depending on the sailing and the cruise line’s terms, it may be used toward things such as:

• Shore excursions
• Specialty dining
• Spa services
• Select onboard purchases

Save on Sunshine

Holland America’s Save on Sunshine promotion ends August 31 and offers:

• Up to 40% off select cruises
• Select fall 2026 through spring 2027 sailings
• Up to $400 onboard credit

This could be a good deal if you’re ready to travel sooner rather than waiting for 2028.

Myth-busting: Does “45% off” mean everything is half price?

Not quite.

Cruise promotions usually apply to select sailings, stateroom categories, dates, or fares. The advertised discount may not apply to every cabin or every departure.

Also, onboard credit is not the same as cash. You generally cannot withdraw it from an ATM or take unused credit home. It is meant to be used during your cruise.

And the $99 deposit? That is only the initial amount required to secure the reservation. You’ll still have a final payment deadline before sailing.

That’s travel-agent-speak for: the deal can still be excellent, but you should compare the complete price and terms.

How ITS Travel Services Can Help

Big travel websites can show you hundreds of results, but they usually won’t help you decide whether a Miami, Galveston, Philadelphia, Seattle, or Vancouver departure makes the most sense for your family.

At ITS Travel Services, we help you compare:

• Cruise lines and ships
• Departure ports and flights
• Hotels before or after your cruise
• Shore excursions
• Travel protection
• Rental cars and transfers
• Full vacation packages

We’re based in Flushing, Michigan, and we work with travelers throughout the Flint area, Metro Detroit, and beyond. Whether you’re testing the waters with your first three-night cruise or planning an Alaska cruisetour years in advance, we can help make the process less stressful.

You can learn more about our cruise experience, browse shore excursion information, or contact ITS Travel Services.

No pressure and no hard sell. Just tell us what kind of trip you’re considering, what dates you have in mind, and what matters most to you. We’ll help you explore the possibilities and find the cruise: or complete vacation package: that feels right.

Reach us at 810-247-6455 or email Travel@ITSTravelServices.com.