If you love cruising, there is plenty happening this week. Norwegian Cruise Line opened a brand-new waterpark in the Bahamas, Princess Cruises is changing package prices soon, and Holland America has both fresh promotions and newly revised itineraries to consider.
And honestly? Cruise pricing and promotions can change quickly. That is why we like to keep an eye on the details for you, not just the flashy headline.
Here is the latest cruise news and the deals worth checking today, October 8, 2026.
Norwegian Opens Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay
Norwegian Cruise Line has opened Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay, its private island in the Bahamas.
The new waterpark features 19 waterslides and attractions, including:
- 11 main waterslides and attractions
- Eight kid-friendly slides in the Splash Cay area
- Tidal Tower
- Cliffside Cove
- Wandering River
- A large children’s splash zone
- Cliff jumps and family-friendly water experiences
NCL says the waterpark is available to guests sailing to Great Stirrup Cay, and access is free for qualifying guests visiting the island. Because individual sailing inclusions can vary, it is still smart to confirm the details before you book.
The park is designed for families, couples, and anyone who likes a little adventure mixed into a beach day. Minimum height and weight requirements apply to certain slides, so families should review the rules before arriving.
You can see the current details on NCL’s Great Tides Waterpark page.
Why this matters for your next cruise
Great Stirrup Cay has long been a popular beach stop. Now, it gives families another reason to choose an NCL itinerary that visits the island.
If you are comparing Caribbean vacation deals, this may be a nice “wow moment” to look for, especially if you are traveling with children or want more than a quiet beach day.
Pro Tip: Ask whether your specific NCL sailing includes waterpark admission, transportation, towels, meals, and other amenities. That is travel-agent-speak for “let’s check what you are actually getting before you pay.”
Princess Plus and Princess Premier Prices Increase October 13
Princess Cruises is raising the price of its Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages by $5 per person, per day starting October 13, 2026.
The current pre-cruise pricing is expected to move as follows:
- Princess Plus: From $65 to $70 per person, per day
- Princess Premier: From $100 to $105 per person, per day
Sun Princess and Star Princess also have an additional surcharge of $5 per person, per day because of their Sphere-class ship pricing structure.
So, if you have been considering a Princess package, this is the time to compare your options. Booking before October 13 may allow you to lock in the current package price, depending on your sailing and reservation terms.
Here’s the thing: a package may be worthwhile if you already expect to use the included drinks, Wi-Fi, casual dining, fitness options, desserts, or other benefits. But not every traveler needs the same package.
If you rarely drink, do not care about specialty coffee, and plan to disconnect from the internet, buying every extra may not make sense. If you want convenience and fewer onboard charges, the package could be your jam.
You can review Princess package information through its official Plus and Premier package page.
Princess Offers Up to $600 in Instant Stateroom Savings
Princess is also promoting up to $600 in instant stateroom savings on select sailings through November 5, 2026.
The maximum savings generally applies to qualifying longer cruises and higher-category rooms, such as mini-suites and full suites. That means the $600 figure is not a blanket discount on every cruise or every stateroom.
Still, it may be a meaningful opportunity if you are looking at:
- A longer Caribbean itinerary
- A luxury Mediterranean cruise
- A suite or mini-suite
- A special celebration cruise
- A 2026 or 2027 sailing with flexible dates
Princess is also advertising other promotional elements on select sailings, including percentage discounts, reduced deposits, and possible benefits for third and fourth guests. Availability and terms can vary by ship, sailing date, stateroom category, and market.
Review the offer at Princess’ current limited-time promotion page, or let us compare the details for you.
Holland America: Save on Sunshine and New Oosterdam Voyages
Holland America Line is promoting its Save on Sunshine offer for select fall 2026 sailings.
The promotion is being advertised as up to 40% off select cruises, including warm-weather itineraries to destinations such as:
- The Caribbean
- Mexico
- The Panama Canal
- Other tropical destinations
These may be attractive options for travelers looking for Caribbean vacation deals without waiting until the last minute. Holland America tends to appeal to travelers who enjoy a more relaxed onboard atmosphere, destination-focused itineraries, and classic cruising.
You can review the Save on Sunshine promotion. Since promotional terms can change, we recommend checking the exact sailing before making a decision.
Oosterdam’s 2027 Evolution voyages
Holland America has also opened bookings for five newly transformed Oosterdam Evolution voyages in late 2027.
The voyages follow the ship’s scheduled transformation and include Mediterranean and transatlantic-style itineraries. The first post-Evolution voyage is expected to depart October 31, 2027, with additional voyages continuing into December.
This is the kind of cruise news that matters if you like sailing on a refreshed ship but still want a more traditional Holland America experience.
You can read more about the new voyages through Holland America’s sailing options or ask us to check the current itinerary lineup.
Zaandam Itinerary Revised for October 15
Holland America has revised Zaandam’s October 15, 2026, 35-day Hawaii and South Pacific voyage.
The sailing will no longer stop at Fanning Island, also known as Tabuaeran, in Kiribati. The revised voyage adds extra time in Kahului and Moorea, and guests are expected to receive a $100 non-refundable onboard credit.
It is always disappointing when a port is removed. I have been there, when you build your whole mental picture around one destination, a change can feel like a letdown.
The good news is that the updated itinerary still includes a long South Pacific experience, and the extra time in other ports may give travelers more room to explore.
If you are already booked, review the revised schedule and credit details with Holland America or your travel professional.
Norwegian Pricing Is More Competitive for 2027 and 2028
Norwegian Cruise Line is adjusting its pricing strategy for select 2027 sailings and newly opened 2028 inventory.
In simple terms, NCL is placing more competitive base fares earlier in the booking process instead of holding prices high and relying heavily on last-minute discounts later.
That does not mean every NCL cruise is automatically cheaper. Prices still depend on the ship, cabin, itinerary, travel date, market, and availability.
But if you are considering a 2027 or 2028 Norwegian cruise, it is worth checking the current price now. Waiting for a dramatic last-minute reduction may not produce the same results it once did.
This is especially important for popular travel periods, balcony rooms, family cabins, and itineraries with limited inventory.
Quick Rundown: Deals Worth Checking Now
Here are the opportunities I would put on your radar today:
Caribbean vacation deals
Check Princess and Holland America for select Caribbean sailings with instant savings, percentage discounts, and seasonal promotions.
Last minute travel deals
Last-minute cruises can still be available, but cabin choice may be limited. Be flexible with your departure city, dates, and room category.
Luxury Mediterranean cruises
Princess’ stateroom savings may be especially worth reviewing for longer Mediterranean voyages and higher-category accommodations.
Cruise deals for 2027 and 2028
NCL’s more competitive early pricing makes now a good time to compare select future sailings rather than assuming prices will drop later.
Vacation packages
Remember to factor in flights, hotels, transfers, travel protection, and shore excursions. A cruise fare is only one part of the vacation plan.
Should You Book Now?
If your dates are flexible and you are simply testing the waters, you may have time to compare.
But if you have a particular ship, balcony cabin, suite, school-break week, or holiday sailing in mind, booking sooner can help you protect your choices.
Pro Tip: Booking with a travel agency for cruises can save you time and frustration. We can compare cruise lines, package pricing, flights, hotels, rental cars, transfers, and vacation protection in one conversation, rather than making you open 20 browser tabs on a big travel website.
At ITS Travel Services, LLC, we help travelers plan cruises and custom vacation packages from start to finish. Whether you are leaving from Florida, flying from Detroit, or planning a longer international getaway, we handle the details so you can focus on the fun parts.
You can learn more about ITS Travel Services, browse our cruise and travel blog, or contact us when you are ready.
No pressure and no hard sell. Just tell us where you are thinking about going, and we will help you see what makes sense.