Azamara Cruises has unveiled its collection of36 new AzAmazing Evenings® for 2027, expanding its signature lineup of exclusive evening experiences designed to bring travelers closer to the heart of every destination. Launched in 2011 exclusively for passengers of Azamara, AzAmazing Evenings are one-of-a-kind, complimentary events that celebrate the people, traditions, music, and artistry of destinations around the world — from the islands of Hawai’i and the fjords of Northern Europe to the vibrant cities of South America and the cultural landmarks of Southeast Asia.
“AzAmazing Evenings are one of the many ways we honor our commitment to Destination Immersion® and our promise to Own the Night,” said Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruises. “Our new 2027 collection offers guests even more unforgettable performances, local traditions, and meaningful cultural moments that allow them to connect more deeply with the communities they visit even after the sun has set.”
With the addition of 36 new events, Azamara will offer 121 total AzAmazing Evenings throughout 2027, including 101 immersive shoreside events and 20 onboard cultural activations that inspire guests to forge deeper connections with the places they visit. Every cruise of nine nights or longer features an AzAmazing Evening ashore, bringing passengers even closer to the local culture in remarkable settings, while those sailing on seven- and eight-night cruises will enjoy these extraordinary cultural celebrations onboard.
Highlights of the New 2027 AzAmazing Evenings:
An Evening of Hawaiian Spirit – Honolulu, Hawai’I | January 5-23Passengers embarking on the Pacific Islands Cruise: Oahu, Kauai & Bora Bora will enjoy an unforgettable evening at the historic Hawaii Theatre featuring an exclusive performance by four-time GRAMMY® Award-winning Hawaiian artist Kalani Pe’a. Through music and storytelling, they will uncover the rich traditions and contemporary spirit of Hawai’i in one of Honolulu’s most iconic cultural landmarks.
Spirit of Brazil: From Gafieira to Samba – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | February 7-17Guests sailing on the Brazil Intensive Cruise: Rio de Janeiro, Paraty & São Paulo will explore the vibrant rhythms and traditions of Brazil during a transformative evening at Pier Mauá. Featuring Samba de Gafieira, Frevo, Capoeira, live percussion, and an interactive Rio Carnival finale complete with dazzling costumes and samba dancers, the celebration captures the passion and energy of Brazilian culture.
Majestic Dragon Pearl Show – Ha Long Bay, Vietnam | March 24 – April 2The Vietnam Intensive Cruise: Ho Chi Minh City, Hue (Da Nang) & Ha Long Bay offers travelers the opportunity to immerse themselves in The Quest for the Sacred Pearl, a spectacular theatrical production blending traditional Vietnamese music, contemporary dance, and cutting-edge 3D mapping technology. Set within Vietnam’s first cave show dining venue, the performance brings the country’s legendary folklore and cultural heritage vividly to life through breathtaking visuals and storytelling.
An Irish Spirit Social at Midleton Distillery – Cork (Cobh), Ireland | June 10-28Passengers traveling on the Transatlantic Cruise: New York, Canada & London will discover the craftsmanship behind Ireland’s world-famous whiskey during an exclusive evening at Midleton Distillery, home of Jameson Irish Whiskey. The experience includes a private guided tour, curated whiskey tasting, paired canapés, and live traditional Irish music and performances, offering an authentic celebration of Irish heritage and hospitality.
Estonian National Male Choir Live at the Opera – Tallinn, Estonia | July 29 – August 13Guests departing on the Baltic Intensive Cruise: Stockholm, Helsinki & Gdansk will enjoy an extraordinary performance at the Estonian National Opera by the acclaimed Estonian National Male Choir, the world’s only large-scale professional male concert ensemble. The evening showcases an inspiring repertoire spanning Gregorian chants, folk songs, classical works, and contemporary compositions within one of Estonia’s premier cultural venues.
From historic theatres and iconic cultural venues to immersive performances celebrating local traditions, AzAmazing Evenings transform each destination into an unforgettable celebration of music, storytelling, history, and culture. Exclusive to Azamara guests, these curated experiences foster deeper connections with the people and places they visit, creating lasting memories that extend well beyond the voyage.
For more information or to book a sailing, visit www.azamara.com.
Manila is one step closer to the construction phase of a new cruise port project that will finally allow more ships to sail to the Philippines.
Port of Manila, Philippines (Richie Chan) and Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas, the largest ship to ever visit Manila.
The cruise port in Manila, Philippines, has welcomed ships from Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line in the past. But those visits have been few and far between.
The reason? Manila doesn’t have a dedicated terminal built for modern cruise ships.
Vessels have historically had to use the city’s busy industrial cargo port at Pier 15, where larger ships put a real strain on the port’s infrastructure.
Past Visitors to Manila
When big ships do visit, they make headlines, and they also highlight the current limitations of the port.
Back in June 2018, Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas made history as the largest cruise ship to ever call at any Filipino port. Carrying nearly 5,000 passengers and over 1,500 crew members, the Quantum-class vessel proved the demand was real.
But it also showed how difficult it was to process that many guests through a working cargo pier. The port just wasn’t built for this kind of passenger traffic.
Mainstream lines have visited Manila occasionally since then, but mostly as special stops or repositioning routes.
Here are a few times mainstream cruise lines have stopped by Manila:
Norwegian Cruise Line: NCL brought Norwegian Jewel to Manila in November 2023 for a full turnaround sailing, though disembarkation logistics through the commercial port caused a few traffic bottlenecks.
Royal Caribbean: Returned in March 2024 with Serenade of the Seas during its Ultimate World Cruise that made all those headlines on TikTok and Facebook. At 90,000 gross tons, it was roughly half the size of Ovation.
The $84 Million Solution
In a few years we could see a lot more ships visiting Manila. Plans are moving forward on a 5 billion Philippine peso (around $84 million USD) dedicated cruise hub capable of hosting up to four cruise ships at once.
The project will move cruise operations completely out of the commercial cargo area and over to Entertainment City at the end of Aseana Avenue.
The site sits right next to major resort complexes like Solaire and Okada Manila, and it is located roughly 10 minutes from Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Early plans for the new hub include:
Four Berths: Space designed to dock four large cruise ships simultaneously.
Deeper Waterways: A designated navigational channel spanning 1 kilometer wide and 15 kilometers long to accommodate larger ship drafts safely.
An Integrated Waterfront Hub: Modeled after facilities like Hong Kong’s Ocean Terminal, pairing passenger halls with dining, retail, and entertainment spaces.
Becoming a True Homeport
The main goal of the new facility is converting Manila into a major regional homeport where cruises will start and end. That would be huge both for the city and for cruise passengers wanting more unique sailings out of Asia, giving Singapore a run for its money.
Speaking to The Philippine Star, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago highlighted why the location is critical for cruise lines:
“The site is nearer the airport, and what we want to do is when the project is finished, we want to market Manila as a home port for cruise ships. Tourists can fly to Manila to hop on a cruise trip, and they can also fly out of Manila if the cruise trip ends here,” Santiago told The STAR back in May.
The PPA is finalizing a 25-year lease agreement with the Philippine Reclamation Authority for the property, with groundbreaking targeted for late 2026.
According to reporting from CruiseMapper, the PPA will oversee initial development before partnering with private port operators for daily management.
Once operational, the hub should finally give mega-ships from Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and NCL a home in the Philippines and hopefully open up new itineraries for the region.
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Celebrity Cruises announced its ocean deployment for 2028-2029 that includes new ports, a return to old favorites, and coordinated overnight stays in Egypt.
For the first time, four Edge class ships will sail in Europe, and the cruise line will sail to Alaska, Asia, Australia, New England, and South America.
Celebrity Beyond
Celebrity Cruises will offer more sailings to bucket list destinations, and add new restaurants and poolside dining options on Celebrity Beyond.
Highlights of these newly announced sailings include:
Overnight visits to Egypt on Celebrity Infinity.
Celebrity Cruises’ first-ever visit to Galway, Ireland, on Celebrity Apex’s new British Isles itineraries, plus a return to Bari, Italy, for the first time in more than a decade on Celebrity Constellation and Celebrity Infinity.
Round-trip Hawaii sailings from Los Angeles, and Celebrity Equinox’s first Alaska season.
The first full Japan season for the Solstice Series with 2028 sailings on the renewed Celebrity Solstice.
An extended South America season and a return to Antarctica on Celebrity Equinox.
Sailings to Europe
Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Xcel, Celebrity Ascent, and Celebrity Apex will be the four Edge class ships based in Europe.
For cruises in the Mediterranean, Celebrity Xcel, Celebrity Ascent, and Celebrity Eclipse offer seven- to 11-night sailings to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Greece, and Turkey.
On Celebrity Constellation, guests will be able to enjoy the best of Italy and Croatia on 10- and 11-night sailings, including Celebrity Cruises’ first visit to Bari, Italy, since 2014.
Celebrity Infinity will sail year-round in Europe and offer the cruise line’s first sailings to Egypt since 2023. The cruises to Egypt will feature an overnight stop in Alexandria.
Celebrity Infinity in Piraeus, Greece. Photo: Cruise Fever
Alaska
Three Celebrity ships will sail to Alaska in 2028. Celebrity Edge will return to the 48th state for a fifth season while Celebrity Equinox visits Alaska for the first time. The ship will sail one-way, seven-night cruises from Vancouver and Seward.
Celebrity Millennium will sail roundtrip, week-long cruises from Vancouver.
Warm Weather Cruises
For warmer cruises, Celebrity will offer new round-trip sailings to Hawaii from Los Angeles on Celebrity Equinox.
Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Solstice return to Australia and New Zealand.
With 23 sailings departing from Sydney and Auckland, guests can choose from Australia and New Zealand itineraries ranging from four-night escapes to 14-night journeys on Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Solstice.
South Pacific sailings on Celebrity Solstice take guests to destinations like Tauranga, New Zealand; Lifou, Loyalty Islands; and Mystery Island, Vanuatu.
Other Regions
Celebrity Cruises will also offer cruises to Japan, Asia, South America, and Antarctica in 2028 and 2029.
Celebrity Solstice will sail a full season in Japan for the first time from April to October 2028. There will be 17 visits to Okinawa on Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Millennium.
Overnight visits in Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand; Benoa, Bali, Indonesia; Hanoi, Vietnam; Hong Kong, China; and Penang, Malaysia will take place on Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Millennium.
Celebrity Equinox will offer 12- to 16-night cruises in South America and Antarctica.
Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises, gave the following statement about this new deployment:
“We’re delighted to give our guests more ways than ever to experience the world’s most extraordinary destinations in 2028 and 2029. From the breathtaking fjords of Norway to the untouched beauty of Antarctica, these itineraries offer endless opportunities to explore, pairing immersive destinations with the elevated hospitality and unforgettable moments that define The Celebrity Way.”
Celebrity Cruises gave the following dates for when these new cruises will open for bookings:
On sale now: Summer 2028 Japan
August 25, 2026: Europe, Bermuda, Canada, and New England
September 1, 2026: Alaska, Hawaii, and South America
September 29, 2026: Australia and Winter 2028/29 Asia
Coming soon: Caribbean and 2029 Galapagos
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River cruises can look surprisingly similar at first glance. They all sail sleek ships through beautiful scenery, stop in historic towns and promise great food, fascinating excursions and a relaxing week away.
So it’s easy to assume that choosing between them is simply a case of finding the itinerary you like at the best price. That’s exactly what I used to think.
But, after sailing on several river cruises, visiting over 20 ships and chatting to the people who know them inside out, I’ve realised there are some surprisingly big differences between the cruise lines.
Some include far more than others. Some are much more active. Some attract guests from all over the world, while others create a very different onboard atmosphere.
If you’re trying to decide which river cruise line is right for you, there are some things I’d always check before booking…
1. Do They Sail Where You Want To Go?
The first thing I’d check isn’t the ship or what’s included. It’s where the cruise line actually sails. Some people assume this isn’t really a concern with river cruising, but they’re wrong!
Most river cruise lines offer the classic European routes along the Rhine and Danube. If you fancy the Rhône, Seine, Douro, Dutch Waterways, Main or Moselle, you’ll have slightly fewer options.
Then, if you want to cruise on the Elbe, Po, Guadalquivir or some of the smaller rivers in France, you’ll have even fewer options.
But the biggest differences tend to appear once you start looking beyond Europe. If you’re dreaming of somewhere a little more adventurous, such as Vietnam and Cambodia, you’ll find far fewer cruise lines operating there.
It’s also worth thinking about how many itineraries a cruise line offers in the destinations you’re interested in. Some companies have just one or two routes, while others offer several variations, giving you more flexibility over things like cruise length, start and end points, and the places you’ll visit along the way.
2. What’s Actually Included?
This is probably the biggest mistake first-time river cruisers make.
It’s really easy to compare two prices and assume the cheaper cruise is better value. But until you know what’s included, you’re not really comparing like for like.
For example, some river cruise lines include excursions, while others charge extra. Drinks policies vary too, with some including wine, beer and soft drinks at mealtimes, while others offer drinks all day or not at all. Gratuities, WiFi and airport transfers are other things that can make a surprisingly big difference to the final cost of your holiday.
On my recent Emerald river cruise, I loved not having to constantly think about what was costing extra. Excursions, gratuities, WiFi and drinks with lunch and dinner were all covered.
And yes, you can leave the dining room with a full glass of wine and enjoy it on the sun deck!
That doesn’t mean every cruise line should include exactly the same things. Some travellers would rather pay a lower fare and choose which extras to add, paying for drinks and excursions individually, while others prefer to have as much as possible included from the start.
The important thing is to compare the whole package rather than just the number on the booking page. Sometimes the cruise that looks more expensive at first glance can actually work out to be better value in the end.
This is something I’d never really thought about before I started river cruising, but it can make a surprisingly big difference to your holiday.
Some river cruise lines attract guests from all over the world, others from just one or two countries. That means announcements, port talks and excursions may be delivered in several different languages.
On my recent Emerald river cruise, everyone onboard spoke English, and there was a really nice mix of guests from the UK, Ireland, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Other cruise lines, such as TUI river cruises, market to only British guests.
In contrast, when I cruised with Viva Cruises, almost all of the other guests were German speakers. Not only did that make socialising very difficult, but we had to sit through a port talk in German for 15 minutes every day, which got a little tiresome.
It’s also worth thinking about the sort of atmosphere you’re looking for. Some river cruise lines feel very traditional, while others have a more contemporary feel. Some attract mainly retired couples, while others appeal to a broader mix of ages, including younger couples and families on selected sailings.
None of these approaches is better than another. It simply comes down to the kind of holiday you enjoy. If you’re someone who loves meeting new people, for example, the guest mix onboard can have just as much impact on your cruise as the itinerary itself.
Emerald Cruises River Exclusive Offer
Get an additional £150pp saving on any departure year (2026 or 2027) when quoting the discount code JENNI.
Shore excursions are a huge part of any river cruise, so I’d always look beyond the simple question of whether they’re included or not (although, that’s a pretty important question too).
Think about the types of excursions on offer too. Some cruise lines focus mainly on traditional guided walking tours, while others offer a wider choice, including cycling, hiking, food experiences and cultural events.
One thing I really liked about Emerald Cruises was that there was usually more than one way to explore each destination. If you wanted a classic guided tour, that was available. If you’d rather get out on an e-bike or join a guided hike, there were EmeraldACTIVE excursions too.
Then there were EmeraldPLUS experiences, which are designed to give you something a little different. On my Rhine cruise, that included a private classical concert which genuinely felt like it should have cost extra.
It’s also worth checking whether excursions cater for different mobility levels. During my cruise, Emerald Cruises offered both standard and gentle walking groups, which was a huge help while I was recovering from a broken toe. It meant I could still enjoy the destinations without worrying about holding everyone else up with my slower pace!
5. The Ship Itself
It’s easy to assume that all river cruise ships are pretty much the same. After all, they’re all built to fit through the same locks and sail under the same bridges.
But once you step onboard, the differences become much more obvious. These aren’t cookie-cutter vessels.
Some ships feel quite traditional in terms of the decor, while others are much more contemporary.
Cabin layouts vary too, with some offering French balconies, others step-out balconies and some using clever designs that maximise the space inside the room.
Public areas can be just as different, from cosy lounges designed for quiet evenings to ships with much more emphasis on wellness and onboard facilities.
It’s also worth looking beyond the cabin. If you’re planning to spend time onboard between ports, think about how you’ll actually use the ship. Is there somewhere comfortable to sit with a book? A sun deck with plenty of loungers? A fitness area? Bikes to borrow if you fancy exploring independently?
Most river cruise ships have a hot tub on the top deck. This isn’t always ideal in the summer. You would think they would have them set to be a cold plunge pool, but in my experience, they always seem to be hot!
I do prefer when a river ship has a proper pool. The family-friendly ship A-Rosa Sena has two pools – one for adults and one for kids (complete with water guns!).
But my favourite type of pool on a river ship has to be the one on Emerald Cruises’ Star-Ships. These pools have a current you can swim against, a retractable roof, and thanks to the clever raising floor, they transform into a cinema in the evening and an exercise studio in the early morning!
Before you book, I’d spend as much time looking at the ship as you do looking at the itinerary. After all, it’s going to be your hotel for the week.
6. Keeping Active
Not everyone wants the same kind of river cruise. For some people, the perfect day is a gentle stroll around a pretty town followed by a leisurely lunch and an afternoon watching the scenery drift by. Others would much rather get their walking boots on, head out on a bike or fit in a yoga class before breakfast.
That’s why it’s worth looking at what each cruise line offers beyond the standard sightseeing tours.
Some put a much bigger emphasis on wellness and active travel than others, with things like guided hikes, cycling excursions, fitness classes and onboard gyms. If that’s the sort of holiday you enjoy, those extras can make a much bigger difference than you might expect.
I hadn’t really thought much about this until I started river cruising. Now I’d always look to see what’s available, even if I don’t end up using everything. It’s nice to have the choice.
Emerald Cruises is a good example of this. Alongside traditional excursions, there are EmeraldACTIVE experiences for guests who’d rather explore on foot or by bike, and the ships also carry e-bikes that can often be borrowed independently.
It’s a nice option to have, particularly on European rivers where many of the cycle paths are flat and run alongside the water.
7. Food and Drink
Food is a big part of any river cruise, but it’s worth looking beyond the menu photos in the brochure.
It’s also worth looking at the style of dining. Most river ships have a single main restaurant, but the menus, service and overall atmosphere can vary from one cruise line to another. Some put a big emphasis on regional dishes, while others stick to more familiar international favourites.
If you have dietary requirements, don’t be afraid to ask how they’re handled. On my recent river cruise, guests had the chance to speak to the head chef at the start of the sailing, and I received the following day’s menu each evening so I could request any changes in advance if I needed them. It’s one of the best systems I’ve come across, and it made the whole experience feel really relaxed.
Finally, don’t forget that food isn’t just about what’s on your plate. For me, some of the best conversations of the week happened over dinner, chatting with other guests about where we’d been that day and what we’d discovered ashore. However, some people prefer a table for two. Each river cruise line can be quite different in terms of seating arrangements.
One of the biggest differences between cruise lines is what’s included to drink. Some include wine, beer and soft drinks only with lunch and dinner, while others include drinks throughout the day.
If you enjoy a cocktail before dinner or a glass of wine in the lounge each evening, it’s worth checking exactly what’s covered before you book.
8. Dress Code and Atmosphere
If you’ve never been on a river cruise before, it’s easy to imagine everyone dressed up for dinner every evening. I get it – river cruises tend to be a little more expensive than ocean cruises, and people often assume that more expensive also means more formal.
The reality depends very much on the cruise line. Some have a more traditional feel, where guests tend to dress smartly in the evenings and the atmosphere is a little more formal. Others are much more relaxed, with smart-casual clothing being perfectly acceptable and no expectation that you’ll pack a suit or cocktail dress.
It’s also worth thinking about the overall atmosphere onboard. Some river cruises are very quiet, with guests heading to bed soon after dinner ready for the next day’s excursion. Others put more emphasis on evening entertainment, whether that’s live music, local performers or simply creating a lively place to enjoy a drink after a day ashore.
I liked Emerald Cruises’ approach because it felt relaxed without being too casual. People made an effort in the evenings, but nobody looked out of place in a polo shirt, shorts or a simple summer dress. There was usually some entertainment after dinner too, but it never felt like there was pressure to stay up late if you’d rather have an early night.
There’s no right or wrong here. It’s simply about finding a cruise line whose atmosphere matches the sort of holiday you want.
Don’t Just Compare Prices!
It’s tempting to choose a river cruise the same way many people choose a hotel – by finding the itinerary they like at the lowest price.
But after experiencing a few different river cruises, I don’t think that’s the best approach.
Take a few minutes to look at what’s included, the style of excursions, the facilities onboard, the atmosphere and the sort of guests the cruise line attracts. Those things can have just as much impact on your holiday as the destinations themselves.
For me, Emerald Cruises strikes a really nice balance. It feels modern without being flashy, includes the things that matter most and gives you plenty of choice, whether you’d rather spend your day exploring a historic city, cycling along the river or simply relaxing on deck with a drink.
Ultimately, there isn’t one river cruise line that’s right for everyone. But once you know what to look for, you’ll have a much better chance of finding the one that’s right for you.
Emerald Cruises River Exclusive Offer
Get an additional £150pp saving on any departure year (2026 or 2027) when quoting the discount code JENNI.
Booking a river cruise is never as simple as comparing prices. If only!
You might spot one sailing that’s £500 cheaper than another and assume you’ve found a bargain. Then you realise the cheaper fare doesn’t include the excursions, the drinks, the gratuities or even the transfers. Suddenly, it’s not looking quite so cheap after all…
Before I was invited to sail on Emerald Luna, I knew a lot was included. What I didn’t expect was just how rarely I actually had to think about my budget. Once I’d stepped onboard, there wasn’t much left to pay for unless I actively wanted to.
That doesn’t mean everything’s included. There are a few optional extras if you want them. But there were also several things I hadn’t realised were covered until I experienced them for myself.
Some of them genuinely surprised me.
1. Before You Step Onboard
One thing that’s easy to overlook when comparing river cruise prices is what happens after you land.
Airport transfers between the airport and the ship are included, so there’s no need to figure out trains, taxis or public transport in an unfamiliar city. Instead, someone is there to meet you and take you straight to the ship, with the same service provided at the end of your cruise too. It’s so much easier than having to sort it yourself!
On my Rhine cruise, it made the whole journey feel incredibly straightforward. Rather than worrying about directions or dragging luggage across a city, I could just relax knowing everything had already been arranged.
It might seem like a small detail, but after a flight it’s one less thing to think about. And it’s exactly the kind of inclusion that’s easy to miss when you’re comparing cruise fares at first glance.
As for the flights themselves, they aren’t included in the fare prices you’ll typically see advertised, but Emerald Cruises can organise them for you, which does make things a lot simpler.
Hate flying? There are some river cruises that pair well with the Eurostar too, and again there will be transfers arranged to get you to the ship once you get off the train.
Emerald Cruises River Exclusive Offer
Get an additional £150pp saving on any departure year (2026 or 2027) when quoting the discount code JENNI.
When you book an Emerald river cruise, you’re not just getting a place to sleep. The ship itself is a big part of the experience.
Emerald’s purpose-built Star-Ships are bright, contemporary and designed to make the scenery the star of the show. Huge windows fill the public spaces with natural light, while comfortable lounges and the Sun Deck give you plenty of places to sit back and watch Europe’s rivers roll by.
Most cabins feature Emerald’s signature Panorama Balcony. Instead of a traditional step-out balcony, the top half of the floor-to-ceiling window lowers electronically, creating an indoor balcony where you can enjoy the fresh air and the views without sacrificing valuable cabin space.
My Panorama Balcony Suite also included everything I’d expect from a comfortable hotel room, including a queen-size bed, WiFi, bottled water replenished daily, ESPA toiletries, a safe, bathrobes and slippers, a hairdryer and plenty of storage for a week’s holiday.
One of Emerald Luna’s standout features is the indoor swimming pool at the back of the ship. During the day, it’s a great place to cool off or even swim against the built-in current. In the evening, the pool floor rises, the water disappears underneath and the space transforms into a cinema complete with a giant screen and popcorn.
You’ll also find a fitness area, complimentary use of walking poles, inviting lounge spaces and a spacious Sun Deck with loungers, making it easy to relax onboard between ports. For me, it struck a really nice balance – there was plenty to enjoy on the ship, but it never distracted from the destinations themselves.
3. Food, Drinks And Gratuities
Food is included throughout your cruise, so once you’re onboard, there’s no need to think about paying for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It’s really good, too!
Breakfast and lunch combine generous buffets with freshly cooked dishes, while dinner is served at your table with a choice of starters, mains and desserts. The menus change every day, often taking inspiration from the countries you’re sailing through, so there’s always something new to try.
If you have any dietary requirements, Emerald makes things really easy. At the start of the cruise, guests can speak to the head chef about allergies or preferences, and each evening I received the following day’s menu in my cabin. It meant there was plenty of time to ask for any tweaks if I needed them.
Drinks are included too, although not quite all day. Beer, wine and soft drinks are served with lunch and dinner, while speciality teas, coffees and filtered water are available throughout the day.
Outside mealtimes, you can either pay as you go or buy a drinks package if you think you’ll make the most of it.
One inclusion I absolutely loved was the gratuities. They’re already covered for both the crew onboard and the guides and drivers on Emerald’s included excursions, so there were no awkward moments wondering who to tip or how much to leave.
It’s one of those things that’s easy to forget about when you’re booking, but it can make a real difference by the end of the cruise. When you consider most cruise lines charge this as an extra, it’s good to know it’s already covered. But even cruise lines that include gratuities don’t usually cover the tips for excursion guides – that’s properly above-and-beyond stuff!
4. Excursions That Are Already Included
For me, this is where Emerald really starts to shine.
On every touring day, there’s at least one included excursion, so you don’t arrive in a new destination and immediately have to decide whether to spend another £50 or £100 seeing the sights.
The included excursions vary depending on where you’re cruising, but they generally fall into three categories.
The classic guided tours are exactly what you’d expect, with knowledgeable local guides showing you around historic towns, famous landmarks and places that you’d probably struggle to appreciate on your own.
If you’d rather do something a bit more active, EmeraldACTIVE excursions include things like guided hikes and bike rides using the ship’s complimentary e-bikes. It’s a nice option if you’d rather explore under your own steam than follow a walking tour.
Then there are EmeraldPLUS experiences, which are designed to immerse you in the local culture. On my Rhine cruise, that meant a private classical concert, and I genuinely couldn’t believe it was included. It felt like exactly the sort of thing I’d have expected to pay extra for.
Of course, if you want to do even more, there are optional DiscoverMORE excursions available at an additional cost. But that’s exactly how they felt to me – optional. I never had the impression that I was missing out because I hadn’t paid extra.
One thing I also really liked was that Emerald caters for different walking speeds. During my cruise there was a gentle walking group as well as the standard-paced excursions, making it much easier for everyone to enjoy the destinations without feeling rushed. Considering I was cruising with a broken big toe after an injury at home, it was really handy to find excursions that suited me.
5. It’s The Little Things, Too
It’s often the smaller inclusions that make the biggest difference during a holiday.
WiFi is included throughout the ship, so you can easily keep in touch with family back home, share photos from your trip or look up information about the next destination without paying extra. I used it for a light bit of work too – there’s nothing better than relaxing on the Sun Deck while browsing cruise deals to share with my email subscribers!
You’ll also find complimentary tea, speciality coffee and filtered water available throughout the day. You also get Emerald Cruises water bottles, which are yours to keep. A lovely touch!
Bottled water is replenished in your cabin daily too, which is especially welcome after a long day exploring ashore.
If you like to stay active, there’s a small fitness area onboard along with classes such as yoga and stretching on selected sailings. I also made use of the gym, which was very well equipped for such a small space.
The complimentary walking poles in your cabin are another thoughtful touch, particularly if you’re tackling cobbled streets or uneven paths on excursions.
The ship’s e-bikes are included too, whether you’re joining one of Emerald’s guided cycling excursions or borrowing one independently when they’re available. European river cruises are perfect for cycling, with long, flat paths running alongside many of the rivers, and having the bikes ready to go means you can explore in a completely different way without paying to hire one locally.
None of these inclusions would necessarily persuade me to book a cruise on their own. But together they make the whole holiday feel that bit easier, and they’re exactly the sort of things I’d miss if they weren’t there.
What You’ll Still Need To Pay For
Emerald includes a lot, but not absolutely everything.
If you’d like a drink outside lunch or dinner, you’ll either need to pay as you go or buy one of the drinks packages. Personally, I found the bar prices to be pretty reasonable. Here are the drinks menus if you’d like to take a look for yourself…
If you’d like to get a beverage package you have the choice of:
Premium Package: €14.50pp per day. Enjoy red and white house wines by the glass, draft beers, non-alcoholic beers, soft drinks, juices and mocktails.
Platinum Package: €28.50pp per day. Everything in the Premium Package as well as cocktails, house-brand spirits and mixers, bottled wines (priced below €27), sparkling wine, Prosecco and bottled beers.
Another optional extra you might want to consider is the DiscoverMORE excursions. These are designed to give you an even deeper look at the destinations you’re visiting.
They’re completely optional though, and I never felt like I was missing out by sticking to the included programme. Sometimes they would be offered as an alternative to an included excursion, and sometimes they would be in addition, such as in the evening.
Spa treatments, purchases from the onboard shop and drinks from the minibar in your cabin all cost extra too, which you’d expect. I do think that putting crisps and chocolate in your mini bar is a great idea though!
For me, that’s a pretty sensible list. The essentials are already covered, while the extras are exactly that – extras. It means you can keep your spending to a minimum if you want to, or treat yourself here and there without feeling like you’re constantly being upsold.
Is It Good Value?
Before my cruise, I knew Emerald Cruises included quite a lot. I just hadn’t realised quite how much of the holiday would already be taken care of.
Once you add up the airport transfers, accommodation, meals, drinks with lunch and dinner, gratuities, excursions, WiFi and all of the other little touches, there’s surprisingly little left to pay for unless you choose to.
That’s why I’d always encourage people to look beyond the headline cruise fare. A cheaper price doesn’t necessarily mean a cheaper holiday if you’re paying extra for excursions, tips and everything else once you’re onboard.
Emerald isn’t an all-inclusive cruise line, and it doesn’t pretend to be. But I came away feeling that it includes the things that really matter, while leaving the genuinely optional extras up to you.
For me, that’s a really nice balance.
Emerald Cruises River Exclusive Offer
Get an additional £150pp saving on any departure year (2026 or 2027) when quoting the discount code JENNI.
An expedition cruise ship sailing in Southeast Alaska changed course this week to assist boaters stranded after their small vessel became disabled in a remote coastal area.
UnCruise Adventures’ Wilderness Legacy responded after a 21-foot skiff reportedly ran out of fuel on the night of August 3. According to reporting from the Alaska Beacon, the expedition ship diverted to the scene and helped tow the disabled boat to a safe anchorage in Farragut Bay.
The incident occurred in a part of Alaska where communities and emergency resources can be separated by significant distances. In situations like these, commercial vessels operating nearby can become an important part of the maritime safety network.
Wilderness Legacy is an 86-guest expedition vessel operated by UnCruise Adventures. The ship regularly sails Alaska itineraries focused on wilderness exploration and visits to remote coastal destinations.
The incident has also attracted attention because another large private yacht was reportedly closer to the stranded skiff during part of the situation. While that detail has fueled some online discussion, the notable cruise-industry story is the decision by Wilderness Legacy and its crew to divert and provide assistance.
For cruise travelers, the episode highlights another side of operating ships in remote waters. Cruise vessels are more than vacation platforms, and their crews are professional mariners who may be called upon to assist other vessels when circumstances and operating conditions allow.
The U.S. Coast Guard regularly coordinates maritime search-and-rescue operations throughout Alaska, where mechanical problems, fuel shortages, rapidly changing weather and cold water can quickly turn a boating problem into a potentially serious emergency.
Cruise Addicts is seeking additional confirmation from official sources regarding the exact timeline of the incident and the roles played by the vessels involved.
Cruise passengers visiting Santorini once again have access to one of the island’s traditional routes between the Old Port and the clifftop town of Fira after a temporary closure disrupted visitor movement during the busy summer cruise season.
The stepped pathway connecting Santorini’s Old Port with Fira reopened in early August after being closed in late July when part of a wall from a private building collapsed, sending debris onto the route.
The reopening is particularly important for cruise guests. Many cruise ships visiting Santorini anchor offshore and tender passengers to the Old Port directly beneath Fira. From there, visitors typically reach the town using the cable car or the historic stepped pathway.
While the path was closed, local authorities adjusted cruise passenger movements and shore excursion operations. Organized tours were redirected through Athinios, Santorini’s main ferry port, adding another logistical challenge during one of the busiest periods of the Mediterranean cruise season.
With the pathway available again, passengers arriving at the Old Port now have an additional option for reaching Fira. Its reopening may also help reduce some of the pressure on the cable car when multiple cruise ships are visiting the island.
Santorini is one of Greece’s most popular cruise destinations, but its dramatic geography can create transportation bottlenecks. Fira sits high above the waterfront along the edge of the island’s famous caldera, meaning thousands of arriving passengers may be trying to move between the port and town within a relatively short period.
The cable car is often the preferred option for cruise passengers, particularly during the summer heat, but long lines can develop during busy port days.
Travelers with upcoming Santorini calls should still follow guidance provided by their cruise line and shore excursion operators. Local conditions and passenger-routing procedures can change, especially when several ships are scheduled to visit at the same time.
For cruise travelers heading to Santorini, however, the reopening restores an important access route and removes one recent complication from visiting one of the Mediterranean’s most iconic cruise ports.
Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship has joined an exclusive group of cruise vessels to earn a perfect score during a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention health inspection.
Disney Destiny received a score of 100 during a CDC Vessel Sanitation Program inspection conducted on June 6, 2026, according to newly published federal inspection records.
The result marks an improvement for the ship, which earned a score of 96 during its first inspection in December 2025.
CDC Vessel Sanitation Program inspections are conducted to evaluate health and sanitation practices aboard cruise ships that call at U.S. ports. Inspectors examine a wide range of areas, including food preparation and handling, potable water systems, galley sanitation, housekeeping practices, pest management and procedures designed to help prevent gastrointestinal illnesses.
A score of 86 or higher is considered satisfactory under the program, making a score of 100 the highest possible result.
Disney Destiny entered service in November 2025 and currently sails from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. The ship features a heroes-and-villains theme inspired by Disney characters and is a sister ship to Disney Wish and Disney Treasure.
With its latest inspection, Disney Destiny joins several other cruise ships that have earned perfect health inspection scores during the CDC’s current rolling 12-month reporting period.
For cruise passengers, an inspection score represents conditions observed aboard the vessel at the time inspectors were onboard rather than a guarantee of future conditions.
Still, earning a perfect 100 is a notable achievement for one of Disney Cruise Line’s newest ships — particularly after improving from its already strong debut inspection score.
Looking for the cheapest time to cruise during the year? If you’re like me, you want to go on as many cruises as possible, as often as possible. If you try to book a cruise during peak season, you might face some major sticker shock.
Some of the cheapest times of year to cruise are late winter and early fall. There are caveats that go with that, so let’s dive in and find what time of year will save you the most money on a cruise vacation.
Here are some tips for booking a cruise vacation for as little money as possible. And it’s all done simply by choosing the right time of year. Can’t beat that, right?
Rule of Thumb for Cheapest Times to Cruise
While we believe that there are no bad times to take a cruise, certain weeks of the year are often cheaper than others. A good rule of thumb is that prices are likely to be higher around any holidays or when kids are out of school. That’s just how it is.
So basically, the most convenient times of year to cruise are also the most expensive. Do you want to save money? Go against the flow.
Book your vacation while everyone else is busy working or in school. It’ll make your vacation photos that much sweeter when you come back to show all your friends how awesome your cruise getaway was as well.
What causes prices to change from week to week? It is all based on supply and demand. While some weeks (especially Christmas and New Year’s Eve) are notorious for having high rates due to an increase in demand, the following weeks are generally the cheapest times to take a cruise.
It is worth noting that any week can have high prices if a specific sailing is selling well, even if it is during a week listed below. But if you’re asking, “When is the cheapest time to cruise?” you’ve come to the right place.
Cheapest Weeks of the Year to Cruise
2nd week of January through early February – Great rates can often be found right after the extremely popular Christmas through New Year’s Eve season.
Last week of February – Prices are often higher for Valentine’s Day week; who doesn’t want a Love Boat cruise? However, prices tend to drop after Valentine’s Day until Spring Break.
Early May – After the popular Spring Break weeks, there tends to be a slight lull in early May before kids get out of school for summer. Once Memorial Day comes around, prices will go up.
September after Labor Day – With kids back in school and hurricane season in full swing, great rates can normally be found from the week after Labor Day through October.
First two weeks of December – Sandwiched between the popular cruise weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas, the first two weeks of December will often have great rates.
What’s our recommendation for finding the cheapest time to cruise? Book early and take advantage of price drops, guaranteeing that not only will you get the best selection of staterooms, but also the best price.
Up until final payment, just about every cruise line will allow you to move to the lower price if the price of your cabin drops. Carnival Cruise Line even has a fare that guarantees you the best price up until a few days before the cruise.
Chart Showing Cheapest Cruise Weeks
This chart shows the average price of a 7-day to 14-day cruise throughout 2026. The price is for the cost of a cabin per day for two passengers and includes some extra costs like gratuities.
Illustration Credit: Cruise Fever
Use this chart more as a visual than a concrete unit of measurement for the specific costs of cruising during these times.
Notice the price spikes during December’s busy holiday season, followed by the sharp decrease in pricing early into January. This chart is a great way to see the cheapest cruise months at a glance.
Leading into spring, there are some price increases for cruises as people get ready for spring break. However, these prices are still lower than the dramatic increase during the peak cruise season of June and July.
My Favorite Time to Book Caribbean Cruises
I love booking cruises in September because it’s typically still warm and you can find rock bottom deals. Even though there is the threat of cruising during hurricane season, if you are flexible, you will be fine.
Your ship may have to change its itinerary because of an incoming storm, but pack your sense of adventure, and you will be glad you got such a great deal.
Cheapest Time to Cruise Hawaii
The same rule applies for cruises to and around Hawaii. Book during the slowest time, which is typically from November to February, and you will save the most money. This is also the rainy season for Hawaii, so expect to see a few rain showers on your trip. During holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, you will see a spike in prices, as some travelers want to book their vacations during time already off from work.
Some like to cruise Hawaii between December and April because this is when humpback whales can be seen in these waters.
Between mid-April and mid-June, there is often a lull in travelers to Hawaii, so cruise costs can take a small dip during these times as well.
Cheapest Time to Cruise Alaska
Remember that cruises to Alaska have a relatively short window of time. The cheapest cruises to Alaska will often take place at the beginning of the cruise season (May) and at the end of the season (September).
These times are also more vulnerable to inclement weather, and some tours or ports may be canceled. So in order to save a few bucks, some flexibility is required.
Cheapest Cruise to Mexico
The most inexpensive times to cruise to Mexico will be very similar to Caribbean cruises. The holidays of Christmas and Easter can be particularly busy for travelers in Mexico, and costs will reflect this, with both higher cruise costs and flights.
The end of July through November can be some of the best times to book a cruise to Mexico in terms of pricing. But also remember the end of summer will also be unbearably hot at times in this part of the world, and hurricane season will be in full swing.
If the cost of a cruise is more important than the ideal temperature and meteorological implications, go for it.
In our article on 7 Tips for Scoring the Best Deal on a Cruise, we mention that cruising during the off-season is one of the best ways to stay within your budget. Using the information above, you can find the cheapest time to cruise to The Bahamas or the Caribbean in general.
What Cruise Lines Offer the Cheapest Rates?
Looking to cruise for as little money as possible? Some of the most popular cruise lines that offer great deals on cruises are Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean is on the higher end of that spectrum but offers great value for the price.
MSC Cruises often offers mind-boggling deals as they grow their presence in the U.S. market.
For the absolute lowest price on a short three-day cruise, it’s hard to beat the price of Margaritaville at Sea, with rates often as low as $149.
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Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise company with eight lines and over 90 ships, has announced that it not only achieved a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), but also did so five years ahead of schedule.
Carnival originally had a 2030 timeline for reducing GHG by 20%. They have updated their goals to have a 25% reduction in emissions by 2029.
A Carnival cruise ship in The Bahamas. Photo: Cruise Fever
The efficiency work behind that milestone is also showing up on the bottom line with fuel-efficiency gains on track to save the company roughly $650 million in 2026 alone versus 2019 levels.
So how did Carnival do it with over 90 cruise ships across eight different cruise lines?
They did it through fleet transformation, operational efficiencies, and investments in energy-efficient and low-GHG technologies.
A significant contributor has been its fleet transformation strategy, introducing LNG-powered and more energy-efficient ships while removing its less-efficient ships from the fleet.
Carnival cut its carbon emission intensity through a range of operational refinements and technology investments, from smart itinerary routing, strategic destination development, robotic hull cleaning and more.
Smart routing: Advanced voyage optimization, weather routing and itinerary planning tools find the most fuel-efficient path between ports with no trade-off in guest experience.
Strategic destination development: Exclusive destinations like its new Celebration Key in The Bahamas enable more efficient itineraries and sailing patterns while leveling up the guest experience.
Clean hulls: Robotic hull inspection and cleaning reduce drag and improve performance, lowering fuel use fleetwide.
Together they help squeeze greater efficiency out of every cruise while still delivering award-winning guest experiences on its vessels.
Carnival Corporation’s progress is driven by a comprehensive decarbonization strategy, focused on operational improvements, energy efficiency investments and low-GHG power generation.
Carnival Corporation also uses a range of low-carbon technologies across its fleet. This includes LNG propulsion, shore power, biofuels and battery energy storage, because no single solution alone can deliver net-zero ship operations.
Operational enhancements, including smart itinerary planning and voyage optimization tools, help identify the most fuel-efficient routes and sailing patterns.
Carnival Corporation is also integrating technologies that reduce energy demand, improve hydrodynamic performance and capture energy that would otherwise be wasted.
These efforts range from Power Saver Packs that reduce HVAC and lighting loads to waste heat recovery systems and Air Lubrication Systems that help ships move more efficiently through the water.
The company’s progress, detailed in its newly published 2025 Sustainability Report, is driven by a comprehensive decarbonization strategy focused on operational improvements, energy efficiency investments and low-GHG power generation.
Together, these efforts have delivered sustained emissions reductions over nearly two decades. Since 2008, Carnival has reduced its GHG emissions intensity by 44%, meaning emissions associated with each guest sailing have been cut roughly in half during that period.
Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation, gave the following statement:
“Achieving our 2030 GHG reduction goal five years early is a significant milestone that reflects years of disciplined investment, innovation and operational focus across our global fleet.
“But we’re not treating it as a finish line. Our new 2029 target ensures we’re continuing to improve every part of the equation, from using less fuel to advancing the tools, technologies and infrastructure that will help us lower emissions even further over time. That’s good for the planet, good for our business, and gives us real confidence in the road ahead.”
Carnival Corporation has seven new cruise ships entering service by 2033 that are 20%+ more efficient than their current fleet.
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