Affluent travellers increasingly look for curated updates on the premium and luxury cruise sector. This weekly round‑up highlights notable announcements and changes from leading ocean, river and expedition cruise brands, offering insights to help plan your next extraordinary voyage.
Viking opens bookings for 2027‑2028 voyages
Viking has begun accepting reservations for its 2027‑2028 ocean and expedition itineraries. The collection features new Antarctic Circle cruises, along with South America & Chilean Fjords, Northern Europe and Australia & New Zealand sailings. The season also introduces the 998‑guest Viking Lyra. Early bookings secure preferred suites and shore experiences on these destination‑focused small‑ship voyages.
Oceania Cruises strengthens its luxury positioning
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced that Oceania Cruises will sharpen its luxury positioning with a new brand identity that emphasises extraordinary value. Four new Sonata‑class ships are scheduled for 2027, 2029, 2032 and 2035, while the older Insignia will leave the fleet in 2027. With a chief luxury officer overseeing the transformation, Oceania aims to compete head‑on with top‑tier brands through enhanced culinary programs and elevated accommodations.
Regent Seven Seas relaxes dress code
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has updated its evening attire policy fleet‑wide. The line now encourages an “elegant casual” standard after 6 p.m., allowing refined denim, sport coats and dress sneakers. T‑shirts, shorts and baseball caps remain prohibited, while passengers who enjoy formal wear are still welcome to dress up. This shift reflects a broader movement toward relaxed sophistication in the luxury travel space.
Terra Nova Expeditions enters the expedition market
A new expedition brand, Terra Nova Expeditions, is converting the former mail ship St Helena into a 1C ice‑class vessel that will carry just 98 passengers. Led by former Albatros Expeditions executive Greg Carter and staffed by seasoned industry veterans, the ship will debut in Antarctica in 2026/27. With fewer than 100 guests, the company promises an intimate polar experience that will compete with the most exclusive expedition offerings.
Azamara enhances top‑suite benefits
Azamara has unveiled a new suite experience for its Club World Owner’s Suites, Club Ocean Suites and Spa Suites. Beginning in April 2026, guests booking these accommodations will receive an Ultimate Beverage Package, an exclusive Acamar Experience dinner, unlimited Starlink Wi‑Fi for two devices and complimentary laundry. Guests in Club Continent Suites will receive Basic Wi‑Fi and expanded laundry service. The enhancements raise the value proposition for travellers who prioritise inclusions and personalised service.
Windstar introduces “Quick Getaways”
Windstar Cruises will launch a collection of 3‑ to 5‑night European yacht voyages in spring 2026. Itineraries such as “A Taste of Southern France,” “La Dolce Vita in Italy & France,” “Belgium: A Sweet Getaway” and “St. Malo Getaway” combine marquee cities and off‑the‑beaten‑path ports on yachts carrying 148–342 guests. Book by 31 August 2025 to receive up to $200 in onboard credit and double All‑In package value.
Ponant enhances documentation support through Smartvel
Ponant has expanded its partnership with travel‑tech firm Smartvel to incorporate “EntryDocs for Cruises” into its booking platforms. The tool provides guests with real‑time entry and health requirements for each port and flight, personalised by nationality and residence. This integration simplifies pre‑cruise paperwork and supports Ponant’s commitment to seamless, stress‑free travel planning.
Seabourn unveils 94‑day Pole‑to‑Pole Grand Expedition
Seabourn Venture will operate the line’s first “Pole to Pole: Grand Expedition,” a 94‑day voyage departing 17 August 2027. Spanning more than 20,500 nautical miles, it will traverse Antarctica, South Georgia, the Falklands, the Chilean fjords, the Northwest Passage and remote Canadian Arctic islands. Guests receive up to $10,000 in onboard credit, business‑class airfare, a polar parka and optional submarine and kayak excursions. This once‑in‑a‑lifetime journey caters to travellers who seek bucket‑list experiences across both polar regions.
Ponant retraces historic North Pole expedition
Ponant’s icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot is hosting an expedition to retrace the 1985 journey to the geographic North Pole undertaken by Sir Edmund Hillary and Neil Armstrong. Descendants Peter and Alexander Hillary and Mark Armstrong are aboard, and a documentary project and scientific data collection are planned. The voyage combines exploration heritage with modern sustainability and scientific discovery.
Lindblad Expeditions adds 2026 voyages amid strong demand
Lindblad Expeditions announced that it will add four voyages in 2026 after optimising its deployment and reducing non‑revenue days. Booking curves for 2025 and 2026 are ahead of last year, with charters representing a growing share of 2026 bookings. Some departures on the company’s European River Cruise programme for 2024 are already sold out, underscoring robust demand.
MSC Group underscores sustainability progress
MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys detailed their progress toward net‑zero greenhouse‑gas emissions in the MSC Group’s 2024 sustainability report. The report highlights a new energy‑transition plan with interim reduction targets, 50,000 tonnes of CO₂ saved through fleet optimisation, and a tenfold increase in shore‑power connections. Initiatives include diversity and inclusion programmes, whale‑strike avoidance training and low‑impact Protectours shore excursions—signals of a broader commitment to responsible luxury.
Explora Journeys launches limited‑time “Invitation to Explore” sale
Explora Journeys has introduced a promotion offering up to €2,000 per suite in savings on select 2025‑2026 voyages when booked between 4 and 26 August 2025. The promotion applies to ocean‑front suites on journeys in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and extended Grand Journeys. Travellers can book via the Explora Experience Centre or their preferred travel advisor.
With the luxury cruise landscape evolving rapidly, VoyagesNetwork.com continues to monitor and analyse developments to help you plan your next extraordinary voyage. Check back regularly for more updates, and connect with our advisors to explore bespoke itineraries tailored to your travel aspirations.
