Last Month in Cruise November 2024 Review - Written By Sara Macefield
With the busy Wave season just around the corner, this was a month of planning ahead as cruise lines released more details of new ships, a profusion of destination-rich itineraries for 2026 and even USA birthday celebration sailings.
Looking ahead to 2026
Volcano trekking and stargazing are adventures Saga Cruises is promising on 11 new voyages for winter 2026 to the Canary Islands, Mediterranean and Norway for the Northern Lights. Oceania unveiled the second swathe of its 2026 collection with more than 60 new itineraries, including 17 new Grand Voyages with a 69-day Istanbul to Singapore voyage on Sirena. Princess Cruises debuted its most destination-loaded voyage ever with a 131-day Circle Pacific voyage to 60 ports departing January 2026 on Coral Princess, while Windstar Cruises released its autumn 2026 Canada & New England season on Star Pride with a new 14-night Quebec and Newfoundland Adventure.
New ship news
Crystal confirmed its order for a new 690-guest ship which will be similar to sister ships Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony with 2032 pencilled in for its delivery from Italian shipbuilders Fincantieri. Closer to launch is Windstar’s new 112-suite Star Seeker motor-yacht, which was floated out and is due to enter service in December 2025, though with only five months go, MSC Cruises’ unveiled more details of its forthcoming flagship World America, which will offer 19 different cabin options. It will also be MSC’s first ship with seven on-board districts including the Family Aventura area featuring the adrenaline-pumping Cliffhanger swing that dangles guests 50m over the ocean.
Happy Birthday USA
July 4, 2026, marks 250 years since America’s birth, so what better way to push the boat out for this momentous occasion than on a cruise? Carnival Cruise Line is getting ready to party with 10 special sailings with seven of its ships gathering close to its Celebration Key resort in the Bahamas and three others meeting at sea near the Mexican resort of Ensenada for on-board festivities. Princess is also marking this semi-quincentennial with a 14-night Canada & Colonial America voyage in October 2026 aboard Sapphire Princess as part of its Canada and New England season
All new on the rivers
Whirling dervishes, the spectacle of 100 floating candles (biodegradable, of course) and a prayer to Hapi, the god of the Nile River, marked the blessing of TUI Al Horeya, TUI River Cruises’ first ship to sail this legendary Egyptian waterway. Meanwhile, Tauck is to welcome two new-builds to its fleet of river ships with the duo debuting in spring 2026 and boasting spacious accommodation with 80 per cent of cabins being at least 225 sq ft. One of the new craft, holding 130 guests, will sail the Rhone and its slightly smaller sister, holding 124 guests, will cruise the Seine.
Making a difference
It’s not all about selling cruises, as the industry does a stack of good deeds too. P&O Cruises and Cunard teams notched up their 10th beach clean of the year, while Regent Seven Seas Cruises is encouraging guests to take part in a Relay for Life at Sea by walking laps on Seven Seas Grandeur in aid of cancer sufferers. On the sustainability front, the MSC Foundation is supporting valuable new research into endangered corals.