If Hawaii, Bora Bora, Fiji, or a relaxing ocean getaway is your jam, today’s cruise news is worth a close look.

Norwegian Cruise Line has opened bookings for its summer 2028 season, including exciting new opportunities aboard Norwegian Spirit in Hawaii and the South Pacific. And if you are hoping to book something sooner, Holland America’s Labor Day savings may help you lock in a warm-weather vacation package before the deadline arrives.

Here’s the thing: the best cruise deals do not always wait around. Popular routes, convenient departure dates, and desirable cabins can disappear quickly, especially when a new season first opens.

Let’s break down what you need to know as of August 25, 2026.

Norwegian Spirit Is Heading to Hawaii and the South Pacific in 2028

Norwegian Spirit will spend the summer of 2028 exploring some of the most beautiful islands in the Pacific.

The ship is scheduled to offer 11- to 13-night itineraries between April and October 2028, with sailings connected to four important homeports:

• Honolulu, Hawaii
• Sydney, Australia
• Lautoka, Fiji
• Papeete, Tahiti

Bookings are now open.

For travelers who want more than a quick beach vacation, this is a big opportunity. These itineraries can combine Hawaii with French Polynesia, Fiji, Vanuatu, Australia, and other South Pacific destinations in one extended journey.

Imagine starting in Honolulu, enjoying time on Oahu, and then sailing toward destinations such as:

• Hilo and Kona
• Maui and Kauai
• Bora Bora
• Moorea
• Raiatea
• Rarotonga
• Fiji
• Vanuatu
• Brisbane and Sydney

That is a lot of wow moments packed into one cruise.

Why Norwegian Spirit’s 2028 Season Stands Out

Many cruise travelers dream about the South Pacific but get overwhelmed by the logistics.

You have to think about long flights, island transfers, hotels, transportation, and how to visit multiple destinations without spending half the trip packing and unpacking.

A cruise can simplify much of that.

Your stateroom travels with you while you wake up in a new destination. You can enjoy onboard dining and entertainment between ports, then step ashore for snorkeling, cultural tours, waterfall visits, beach time, or local food.

Norwegian Spirit’s 2028 deployment is especially appealing because it offers several ways to approach the region:

• Start in Honolulu for a Hawaii and French Polynesia combination.
• Begin in Papeete for an immersive Tahiti-focused itinerary.
• Depart from Lautoka to explore Fiji, Vanuatu, and the South Pacific.
• Start in Sydney for a longer Australia and island adventure.

These are not just “sit on the ship and look at the water” vacations. Of course, there will be plenty of beautiful sea days. But the itineraries are designed to give you meaningful time in destinations that are difficult to combine on a traditional land vacation.

You can review the available Norwegian Spirit South Pacific itineraries and start thinking about which direction fits your travel style.

Norwegian Cruise Line Opens More Than 450 Summer 2028 Voyages

Norwegian Spirit is only one piece of the larger announcement.

Norwegian Cruise Line has opened its summer 2028 program with more than 450 voyages across 20 ships. The season includes a wide range of itineraries, from short getaways to longer international cruises.

Some highlights include:

• Norwegian Aura sailing from Miami
• Norwegian Prima returning to Galveston
• Norwegian Aqua offering short Bahamas cruises
• New and returning itineraries across the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, and the South Pacific

This variety is good news whether you are testing the waters with your first cruise or planning a major milestone trip.

A three- or four-night Bahamas cruise might be perfect for a quick escape. A seven-night Caribbean sailing could give your family a full week away without taking too much time off work. And a 12-night Pacific itinerary could be the once-in-a-lifetime trip you have been talking about for years.

The August 27 Booking Deadline Matters

Norwegian Cruise Line’s opening incentives are scheduled to end on August 27, 2026.

That means you have only a short window to compare available sailings and determine whether the current offer works for you.

Let me be straight with you: a promotion does not automatically make every sailing a good value. The best cruise deal is the one that fits your dates, budget, cabin preferences, and travel goals.

Still, booking early can provide advantages:

• Better selection of cabin locations
• More options for connecting rooms
• Greater availability for popular dates
• More time to arrange flights and hotels
• More time to plan shore excursions
• A chance to secure current pricing before inventory changes

If Norwegian Spirit’s South Pacific season is on your wish list, I would not wait until the last minute to start looking.

You can explore Norwegian Cruise Line vacation options or contact us so we can help compare routes, cabin categories, and complete vacation packages.

Holland America Labor Day Deal Offers Big Savings

Now let’s talk about a deal for travelers who want to cruise sooner.

Holland America’s Labor Day promotion runs through September 8, 2026, with savings that may make it easier to move from “we should take a cruise” to “we are actually going.”

The featured offer includes:

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

Shipboard credit: also called onboard credit: is money placed on your cruise account. You may be able to use it for eligible purchases such as shore excursions, spa services, specialty dining, or other onboard experiences.

In other words, it can help you enjoy more of the trip without paying for every extra entirely out of pocket.

What Kind of Holland America Cruise Should You Consider?

Holland America is known for destination-focused cruising, comfortable ships, attentive service, and a more relaxed onboard atmosphere.

Depending on what you want, you might look at:

• Caribbean cruises for sunshine, beaches, and easy winter escapes
• Mexico cruises for food, culture, and seaside towns
• Hawaii and Tahiti cruises for tropical scenery and longer Pacific journeys
• Panama Canal cruises for an unforgettable engineering and travel experience
• Holiday sailings for a festive getaway without the usual cooking and cleanup

And honestly? A cruise can be a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, retirement, or family milestone. You get the celebration, the destination, and the built-in service all in one place.

You can review Holland America’s cruise deals and view the Labor Day offer. Be sure to review the full terms, eligible sailings, deposit rules, and availability before booking.

Myth-Busting: Is a Cruise Deal Really a Deal?

Some travelers see “45% off” or “up to $400 onboard credit” and immediately wonder what is included.

That is a fair question. It’s one everyone asks.

A cruise fare generally covers your accommodations, many meals, onboard entertainment, pools, and standard activities. But flights, transfers, excursions, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, drink packages, gratuities, and travel insurance may be separate depending on the cruise line and fare selected.

That is why two prices that look similar online may not offer the same overall value.

We can help you compare the full picture: not just the large number on the first screen.

We can also compare Norwegian Cruise Line with Holland America, Princess Cruises, and other cruise lines to help you find the right match. Maybe you want Norwegian’s casual style and flexible dining. Maybe Holland America’s slower pace sounds more comfortable. Or perhaps Princess Cruises has the itinerary, ship, or onboard experience that fits your group best.

There is no one-size-fits-all “best cruise.” There is a best cruise for you.

Pro Tip: Book With a Travel Agency When the Details Get Complicated

Booking online can be convenient, but cruise reservations can involve more moving parts than travelers expect.

Pro Tip: When comparing cruise deals, ask a travel agency to review the complete package: not just the cruise fare.

At ITS Travel Services, we can help you look at:

• Cabin location and category
• Dining and beverage options
• Flights and pre-cruise hotels
• Transfers and rental cars
• Shore excursions
• Travel insurance
• Deposit and cancellation rules
• Group or family cabin needs
• Current promotions and added benefits

We are based in Flushing, Michigan, and we work with travelers throughout the Flint area, Genesee County, and beyond. I began cruising in 2012, when my former wife and I took a Carnival cruise for our honeymoon. I remember how quickly the questions started: Which ship is best? What does the fare include? How do we get the best price?

That first cruise hooked me. Since then, I have helped friends, families, and new clients plan their own time away.

A big travel website can show you hundreds of results. But it usually cannot get to know your family, listen to your concerns, or help you sort out the details when plans change.

That personal support can save time and reduce stress.

Which Cruise Deal Should You Explore First?

If you want a major bucket-list trip, start with Norwegian Spirit’s 2028 Hawaii and South Pacific itineraries. Bookings are open, and the most convenient routes and cabin categories may not stay available.

If you want to travel sooner, look at Holland America’s Labor Day deal before September 8, 2026. The combination of reduced fares, $99 deposits, and shipboard credit could be a strong fit for a Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Tahiti, or Panama Canal vacation.

And if you are still comparing, that is perfectly fine. We can also look at Princess Cruises and other cruise lines to help you find the itinerary that feels right.

You can start by using our online cruise booking tool or visit our cruise and travel services page.

No pressure and no hard sell. Just tell us where you would love to go, when you would like to travel, and what kind of experience sounds like your jam.

Then we can start exploring the possibilities together.