What’s new, fun or fantastic in the world of luxury travel and cruising? Heading into the last seven weeks of the year, we’re excited to showcase seven top travel news happenings or resources for 2026 or beyond. So, let’s dive in!
1. Top Travel News: Crystal’s 1st New Ship in 25 Years!
Loyal past Crystal guests truly can’t wait for the line’s next chapter! What’s that about? “The ultra-luxury line will build its first new ship in 25 years,” explains Shelby Steudle, president, Pavlus Travel & Cruises. “This snazzy new ship is expected to begin service in 2028.”
Now, under the ownership of Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group, Crystal has announced two key construction milestones. The ship’s steel cutting will take place in May 2026, with the keel laying occurring in December 2026.
“Behind the scenes, our teams have been working diligently on every element of this extraordinary project—from design and craftsmanship to technical innovation,” says Cristina Levis, CEO, A&K Travel Group. “These milestones represent more than construction progress; they are a testament to our shared commitment with Fincantieri.”
Levis says that commitment is all about delivering “the most exceptional ship at sea, on schedule and with an unparalleled attention to detail.”
What’s the name of the new Crystal ship? Well, it’s not yet been announced. But the line promises that will happen “shortly.” New suite categories details will also follow by year’s end.
So, talk to a skilled personal travel planner about any interest in sailing on this ship. Timing-wise, the new Crystal ship’s 2028 inaugural season will go on sale next spring. But a waitlist will open in advance! So, be sure your travel planner knows your interest.
2. Top Travel News: Tauck’s New Video Library
Nothing sets the stage for a fabulous vacation better than viewing videos of destinations, cruise ships, hotels, destination experiences and tours. So, The Meandering Traveler loves that Tauck has debuted a new video gallery.
Now, it’s easy to experience the magic of Tauck’s destinations before you even head out. So, when you do travel, you’ll have a deeper appreciation of what you’ll see.
The Tauck video gallery showcases everything from viewing Egypt’s Valley of the Kings at night to elephant spotting on an African safari or a private concert in a European palace.
Here’s the link to the Tauck Video Library Page. So, check it out. “But then, if you find the perfect vacation to suit your needs, contact a Pavlus Travel personal travel planner,” says Pavlus‘ Steudle.
Potential Tauck travelers should know this: “We’re the world’s top seller of Tauck so we are experts in this product and we offer a value-added amenity for those who book with us,” Steudle emphasizes.
“In addition, we never charge our clients a service fee for professionally making and managing any vacation booking.”
3. Port Everglades, FL, Welcomes 3 New Ships
As the winter Bahamas/Caribbean cruising season begins, Port Everglades in Greater Fort Lauderdale, FL, is welcoming three snazzy new upscale ships:
- Celebrity Cruises 3,260-passenger Celebrity Xcel
- Disney Cruise Line‘s Disney Destiny
- Princess Cruises new 4,300-passenger Star Princess
But there’s more news! Coinciding with the ship arrival celebrations, Port Everglades will also soon unveil new infrastructure too. Most notable is the soon-to-open Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel and an expanded convention center.
Plus, a new roadway “flyover” is designed to take drivers directly from U.S. 1 (Federal Highway) to the convention center and event space. That new flyover also provides a shortcut to the beach.
4. “Noctourism” Wows on Seabourn!
Preparing for its 2026 sailing season, Seabourn is shining a spotlight on “noctourism.” What is that? It’s the growing travel trend of exploring destinations after dark!
Guests might witness the colorful Northern Lights in the Arctic region, attend an exclusive concert among the ruins of ancient Ephesus in Turkiye, or watch a sacred Baining Fire Dance light up the night in Papua New Guinea.
Whether ashore or on deck, “the night has always held a special allure, and our after-dark experiences invite guests to see the world in ways that are both rare and unforgettable,” says Mark Tamis, Seabourn’s president. “These are the kinds of moments our guests remember most and remind them why travel is so powerful.”
Evening Shore Excursions
Seabourn also offers evening shore excursions. So guests can step ashore after sunset to savor local culture, wildlife and traditions. Among the curated excursions are:
Evening at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Hobart, Tasmania: As dusk descends in Tasmania, guests will encounter the island sanctuary’s nocturnal eco-system. Guests will see or encounter Tasmanian devils, quolls, wombats and friendly, free-roaming kangaroos and wallabies.
This evening excursion is available on Seabourn Quest’s 17-Day “World Cruise: Australia Explorer.” Departing March 9, 2027, this voyage sails from Sydney, Australia, to Fremantle (Perth), Australia. At press time, fares started at $18,099 per person, double occupancy.
Hong Kong Nightlife by Tram: Taking a ride to the top of Victoria Peak aboard the historic Peak Tram, guests will gaze in awe at sweeping views of the illuminated city and harbor. Then hopping on a classic double-decker tram, they’ll enjoy a leisurely tour of Hong Kong Island and its vibrant sights and nightlife.
This nocturnal excursion is available on Seabourn Sojourn’s 10-Day “World Cruise: Jewels of Japan” itinerary on April 4, 2026. Guests will sail from Hong Kong, China, to Busan (Pusan), South Korea. At press time, fares began at $7,999 per person, double occupancy.
“Call us and chat with a Pavlus personal travel planner about any potential Seabourn vacation,” suggests Pavlus’ Steudle. “We’ll answer questions and provide more information about these and other nocturnal experiences, shore excursions and dining options.”
5. Top Travel News: Azamara’s Maiden Calls & More
Do you love it when a favorite cruise line adds new ports of call to their itinerary lineup? How about creating new, combinable voyages? Or visiting maiden ports of call?
Well, then you’ll be interested in this news. Azamara unveiled its winter 2027-2028 cruise season, featuring 87 voyages across its four-ship fleet. Travelers will discover everything from rare itineraries through Egypt to expanded combinable cruises.
Among the combined voyages are two cruises that together create a 28-night journey at the height of Asia’s cherry blossom season. Sailing on Azamara Pursuit, which carries 702 or so travelers, cruise guests will depart March 3, 2028, on “Vietnam & Hong Kong Cruise: Ho Minh City, Hue & Hong Kong.”
At press time, fares for this 14-night voyage started at $4,109 per person, double occupancy.
But then they’ll also remain on the ship for the next sailing — a 14-night “Japan Intensive Cruise: Tokyo, Sakata & Nagasaki” cruise. Pricing for this 14-day northern Asia adventure started at $5,499 per person, double occupancy, at press time.
“For those who truly desire to explore Asia with in-depth exploration of Vietnam, Hong Kong and Japan, this is a one-of-a-kind, highly appealing vacation,” says Pavlus’ Steudle. “Why not give us a call to discuss options for either voyage individually or the full combinable shebang!”
More Port Time, Maiden Calls
Given Azamara’s “Destination Immersion” focus, the new itineraries will deliver 150+ late night stays. Plus, the line’s ships will spend 60 overnights in ports.
Most of all, we’re excited about Azamara’s maiden calls at these ports, not previously on the line’s schedules:
- Brazil: Sao Francisco do Sul and Paranagua
- The Bahamas: Bimini
- Australia: Fraser Island and Gladstone
- North Africa: Algiers, Algeria.
Bimini is often characterized as the sport fishing capital of the world. Across the globe in Australia, Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island with crystal-clear freshwater lakes.
In turn, Algiers is famed for its UNESCO World Heritage Sites including its exotic Kasbah (sometimes spelled Casbah), a maze of streets, pathways, shops and historic homes.
6. 250-Day Countdown Begins: The British Are Coming!
Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 (QM2) will take center stage in New York Harbor on July 4, 2026, as part of Sail4th 250, the official event marking America’s 250-year Independence Day celebration.
QM2 will play a key role in hosting NBC-TV’s national coverage. So, the decidedly British brand, owned by Carnival Corporation, an American company, will give Americans an exclusive front row seat for the International Parade of Sail. That’s billed as the largest maritime gathering in New York City in decades.
Guests both sailing on the Cunard ship and those viewing on their screens at home or on a smartphone will have a front row seat. They’ll view more than 100 vessels — led by QM2 — as they sail through the harbor.
Millions of spectators will witness the ships sailing from the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, past the Statue of Liberty and up the Hudson River. Viewers will see more than 50 Class A and Class B tall ships from 30 nations. They’ll also view a fleet of U.S. Navy ships and other ships from allied nations.
Wrapping up the day, QM’s guests will enjoy unrivaled views of the nighttime Macy’s 4th of July fireworks presentation. That will be dramatically set against the backdrop of Manhattan’s skyline
Transatlantic Unity
The 7-night Independence Day Celebration Voyage (M614) departs roundtrip from New York on July 3, 2026. Following the celebrations, QM2 will continue northward for port calls in Newport, RI, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
The journey will end back in New York. At press time, fares began at $3,019 per person, double occupancy.
Chris O’Brien, president of Sail4th 250, says this: “With Queen Mary 2 positioned alongside the Parade of Sail, this historic event now has the sense of prestige and international collaboration that we hoped for from the beginning. Her presence will be a powerful symbol of transatlantic unity and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for everyone watching from the harbor or on board.”
Contact a skilled personal travel planner to reserve a spot on the 250th Independence Day Celebration voyage. Then get ready for an unforgettable grand spectacle.
7. Guided Tours “Have Arrived,” Research Shows!
About a decade or so ago, many people thought guided tours would be “gone” as more people from the “next generations” (those younger than mature travelers or older Boomers) would opt to travel the globe on their own.
The reality? Nothing could be further from the truth. That’s based on a new custom study of 5,000 international leisure travelers by MMGY Travel Intelligence – commissioned by the Globus family of brands.
Top finding? The study reveals that nearly three-quarters of Generation X travelers (74 percent) and Younger Boomers (71 percent) find guided vacations appealing.
Yes, independent travel can absolutely be rewarding. But increasingly, new guided tours aren’t being viewed as a niche choice. Instead, they’re actually at the frontier of travel.
“At the root of this study is a clear truth: travelers want flexibility and ease,” said Steve Born, chief marketing officer for the Globus family of brands. He also stresses that Globus’ guided tours deliver balance. They combine value, peace of mind and wow moments too.
What Travelers Desire
In assessing what travelers crave and how touring delivers that, the survey discovered these factoids.
Desire for Greater Cultural Connections: At least 54 percent of travelers desire to experience new cultures.
“With top tour companies, insider access and local guides take guests beyond just the ‘must-sees’ explains Pavlus’ Steudle. “They also deliver authentic, immersive tales and traditions.”
She cites Globus’ travelers participating in Bedouin bread baking in Jordan or after-hours poetry readings in England. In short, a guided tour can provide deeper connections with the local culture and local experiences that travelers likely couldn’t do on their own.
Desire to See Historic, Iconic Landmarks: Some 52 percent of travelers surveyed also said that historic sights remain essential. And guided touring can deliver more of these sightseeing moments without the wait, thanks to VIP access.
Thoughtful tour itineraries maximize time at must-view historic sites and landmarks. A plus is that experienced tour directors and local guides have the expertise to turn every stop into a story.
Strong Desire to Escape from Stress: At least 50 percent of travelers surveyed said that escaping stress was a motivator for a group tour. Simply put, with Globus, for instance, big trips feel easy.
How so? Guests will see iconic sights, stay in hand-picked hotels, enjoy seamless transport and receive luggage transport. And those are bundled into one effortless, value-packed vacation.
Top Travel News: Tipping the Scale
The surveyed travelers also identified these factors that they said might push them to choose a guided tour versus traveling on their own:
- Good balance of free time and included activities (60%)
- Access to places otherwise off-limits (50%)
- All logistics handled (50%)
- Well-designed, balanced itinerary (49%)
- Discovering hidden gems and surprises (46%)
- Smaller groups for guided touring (55%)
“The bottom line is that guided tours aren’t a step back from independence – they’re a leap forward from do-it-yourself,” according to Pavlus’ Steudle. She explains that with Globus, guests will feel that their trip is upgraded.
“They’ll enjoy exploring the world rather than sweating the details,” she stresses. So, use the contact information below to talk with a personal travel planner and find out more about the Globus options.
