Fall 2026 itineraries

[lois00525]

Are there any European cruises you guys think are must-dos?

Our favorite is the itineray in May sailing from Barcelona through the Mediterranean. This itineray also sails in July but the prices are higher. We also like the Western Med from Southampton in September. The Fjords are beautiful and we did this sailing in 2018. The sailings from Barcelona stop in Rome, Naples, Florence and a port in France which is what we like. We have sailed this itinerary several times because there is alot to do in the ports and we choose different excursions each time we go.

 

[AquaDame]

Are there any European cruises you guys think are must-dos?

I'm an odd duck perhaps but we ended up regretting taking a Norwegian Fjord cruise and now I'm uncertain if cruising in Europe is right for us. If I did it again I'd only be looking at ones that act like a Caribbean cruise, stopping at multiple islands such as the Greek or other Mediterranean ones that cover ground that might be difficult to manage OYO. Another big factor is daylight hours - sunset earlier fills me with less regret. Going back to the ship every night to have the same meals instead of staying in port having local meals and still sightseeing since the sun was up so late was really hard. Around summer solstice it doesn't truly set in Norway.... All aboard time never felt too early until then.

 

[peder]

I'm an odd duck perhaps but we ended up regretting taking a Norwegian Fjord cruise and now I'm uncertain if cruising in Europe is right for us. If I did it again I'd only be looking at ones that act like a Caribbean cruise, stopping at multiple islands such as the Greek or other Mediterranean ones that cover ground that might be difficult to manage OYO. Another big factor is daylight hours - sunset earlier fills me with less regret. Going back to the ship every night to have the same meals instead of staying in port having local meals and still sightseeing since the sun was up so late was really hard. Around summer solstice it doesn't truly set in Norway.... All aboard time never felt too early until then.

Itinerary selection is really important. You can find itineraries that have long times in port and even overnights. But when you only get something like 7am - 2pm in Alesund and the city doesn't even seem to wake up til noon, you're missing a lot.

We have booked an MSC cruise with an overnight in Okinawa, and we've booked a Royal cruise with an overnight in Phuket. I find that Holland America does a great job in general offering lots of overnight stays, but if you're open to multiple lines and you do your research, you can find great cruises with long days in port and sometimes even multiple overnights on a single itinerary. One big key in general is finding compact itineraries on smaller ships in places like the Greek Isles, or more of the "world" cruises that cover some ground and quite often have 1 or more overnights.

This is a long way of saying that cruising can fit what you're looking for, but you have to go out of your way to find unique itineraries.

 

[AquaDame]

Itinerary selection is really important. You can find itineraries that have long times in port and even overnights.

Agreed, but when you realize you'd have a better time parked, you might opt to stay on land. We're lucky to be young enough that packing/unpacking and hauling our luggage is still doable without much fuss. I know only unpacking once is huge to a lot of folk.

 

[lois00525]

Agreed, but when you realize you'd have a better time parked, you might opt to stay on land. We're lucky to be young enough that packing/unpacking and hauling our luggage is still doable without much fuss. I know only unpacking once is huge to a lot of folk.

This is the case with us because both my husband and I are in our 70s, and it is easier for us to be on a ship.
In our younger days, we drove up to Canada from N.Y, visited multiple cities and we absolutely loved it.

 

[Cfabar1]

I think the idea of waiting to try to sell through the summer cruises more is very likely the reason for the delay.

Revenge travel is over and the fleet is expanding.

 

[LAS2AMS]

It isn’t like the itineraries aren’t predictable…

 

[CaseyCruiser]

It isn’t like the itineraries aren’t predictable…

The itineraries might be predictable but I can't book any until they are released. I have a placeholder burning a hole in my pocket.

 

[LAS2AMS]

The itineraries might be predictable but I can't book any until they are released. I have a placeholder burning a hole in my pocket.

Fair but some posters are hoping the Disney Magic is headed to Bora Bora when in reality it’s going to do more bora bora 3/4 day itineraries from San Diego.

 

[DCLMP]

I'm an odd duck perhaps but we ended up regretting taking a Norwegian Fjord cruise and now I'm uncertain if cruising in Europe is right for us. If I did it again I'd only be looking at ones that act like a Caribbean cruise, stopping at multiple islands such as the Greek or other Mediterranean ones that cover ground that might be difficult to manage OYO. Another big factor is daylight hours - sunset earlier fills me with less regret. Going back to the ship every night to have the same meals instead of staying in port having local meals and still sightseeing since the sun was up so late was really hard. Around summer solstice it doesn't truly set in Norway.... All aboard time never felt too early until then.

We DIY most of our port days and try eating lunch on land to get the local cuisine. I think the biggest challenge for families in Europe is the hotels. Rooms are always designed for two. I always think foreigners must be amazed by our Hyatt houses and residence inns. Rooms that sleep 6 with a kitchen aren’t something I’ve not been able to find outside the US.

 

[FrancisK7]

I'm an odd duck perhaps but we ended up regretting taking a Norwegian Fjord cruise and now I'm uncertain if cruising in Europe is right for us. If I did it again I'd only be looking at ones that act like a Caribbean cruise, stopping at multiple islands such as the Greek or other Mediterranean ones that cover ground that might be difficult to manage OYO. Another big factor is daylight hours - sunset earlier fills me with less regret. Going back to the ship every night to have the same meals instead of staying in port having local meals and still sightseeing since the sun was up so late was really hard. Around summer solstice it doesn't truly set in Norway.... All aboard time never felt too early until then.

I honestly wouldn't even have thought about daylight hours. That's an excellent point.

 

[Jodi]

It isn’t like the itineraries aren’t predictable…

This is true. And while I hope for a NYC port, it would also be amazing to see a San Diego cruise up the coast (or on the way to Vancouver), stopping in San Francisco & Seattle. I'd sign up for that in a minute!!

 

[FrancisK7]

The Panama canal one always seems to sell out fast. What makes it so awesome? Is it a bucket list item for some like Alaska?

 

[jwalk03]

The Panama canal one always seems to sell out fast. What makes it so awesome? Is it a bucket list item for some like Alaska?

Yes- it’s a unique cruise that doesn’t get offered often.

 

[Cfabar1]

Though I have not done one, I would be extremely interested in a P.C. if for no other reason than the history. It was more interesting as an idea when the Magic and Wonder could use the original locks, but still is something I hope to experience at least once in my lifetime..

In response to the earlier comments about itineraries all being the same, that's true, but if I am looking at specific dates that I want to sail, it is too much work to figure out what the four and five night ships are doing, plus we don't know where the Magic and Wonder are going and when - those are the ships I would prefer to sail on.

It's pretty clear what the Wish and Treasure will be doing, but the other ships there is a little more ambiguity going into 2026 if travel dates matter to you.

 

[o&smom]

Interesting. We love the Transatlantic cruises and have been sailing this itinerary almost every year (alternating with Panama Canal) since the Transatlantic itineraries were announced in 2007. I am not too happy with the layout of the Wish, and it was a big change for me when Dream started to cruise in Europe. I guess we will sail the Wish in Europe if it comes to be, even though it has a very different layout of the Magic or Dream, as we love to go to Europe. Right now just focusing on the Fall 2026.

My husband and I were just discussing this tonight at dinner. We also are not fans with the layout and many spaces on the Wish even though it is a very pretty ship. We have been planning to go back to Europe soon. Ended up booking Alaska for this year expecting to go to Europe next year and then the PC cruise came back and we could not pass that up. Planning on Europe in 2027 at this point. Positive way to think about it is that Europe is so port intensive that there won’t be that much time on the ship. Still worried about lack of storage on a longer cruise/trip with three people. Thank goodness it has such an amazing and beautiful laundry room.

 

[bobbiwoz]

The Panama canal one always seems to sell out fast. What makes it so awesome? Is it a bucket list item for some like Alaska?

It was for us, a bucket list!

After doing it on DCL, we still thought it was special enough that we did two partial crossings of the canal on Princess! Would do it again!

 

[FrancisK7]

It was for us, a bucket list!

After doing it on DCL, we still thought it was special enough that we did two partial crossings of the canal on Princess! Would do it again!

Amazing! How did you like the experience on DCL vs Princess? Would love to hear about your trips!

 

[mocodis]

Its already middle of July. I am counting on the new 2026 itineraries to come out this week, like Tuesday.

 

[Disneyworldlocal]

It’s got to be this week.