What’s Hot in Cruising Destinations for 2026, 2027 & Beyond
- Wendy Byard
- Sep 17
- 2 min read
Early releases, trending destinations, and a few surprises worth dreaming about…
One of the best things about cruising is that you can plan as far ahead as you like — and right now, many of the most exciting sailings for 2026 and even 2027/8 are already open to book. If you’ve ever missed out on a dream itinerary because you waited too long, consider this your gentle nudge to look ahead. Because some of these are seriously tempting…
River Cruises Making Waves
The Magdalena River, Colombia — NEW from AmaWaterways and in 2027 for Riviera Travel. This is one of the most exciting additions to river cruising in years. Journey through Colombia on an immersive cruise that combines lush jungle, vibrant cities, and Afro-Colombian and Indigenous heritage. Departures are filling fast!
The Nile, Egypt — A classic with new sparkleEgypt is seeing a huge resurgence — not least because the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo is (finally!) opening its doors. A Nile cruise lets you explore temples, tombs, and ancient wonders with the comfort of a floating boutique hotel. Just add your own Agatha Christie moment.
Japan Goes Mainstream
Celebrity Cruises home porting in Japan from 2028
This is big news. Japan is one of the most-requested cruise destinations — and from 2028, Celebrity will be homeporting here, opening up a wider range of sailings that go deeper into the region. Expect cherry blossoms, bullet trains, and cultural magic with a touch of modern luxury.
Booking Early = Peace of Mind
If you’re travelling solo (or you just like to get what you want), booking early is often the only way to:
Lock in the best cabins (including solo rooms)
Secure early-booking bonuses or low deposits
Give yourself time to pay it off in chunks
Some of the most extraordinary cruises I’ve found have been 18–24 months in advance — and they’re the ones that sell out first.
Try the New Cruise Search Tool!
If this has got you dreaming, why not have a little browse? My brand new Cruise Search Tool is now live on the website — and it's designed to make planning easier than ever.
You can filter by cruise line, destination, month, or duration — and while solo pricing isn’t yet included (that’s something I still check for you personally), it’s a brilliant way to narrow down your options and find sailings that suit you.
If something catches your eye, just send me a message and I’ll do the rest — solo price and all.
Interested in knowing what kind of cruiser you are? Want to know which cruise lines are best suited to you? Then why not take my quiz and find out! Click the button below to get started.
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