So, what’s new in the ever-evolving world of cruising? The Meandering Traveler suggests readers check out exciting cruise news from Azamara Cruises, Viking, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea.
Some developments involve new programming. Others are about a rewarding October promotion or a new onboard service that’s complimentary for guests.
And in one case, our exciting cruise news is just about remembering that cruise lines can take you to enticing special events or annual celebrations. Let’s delve into some enticing items – small tidbits and big news too!
(Shown in the photo above is one of the new AzAmazing Evening presentations in Asia for 2026. Photo courtesy of Azamara Cruises.)
1. Exciting Cruise News: New 2026 AzAmazing Evenings
Travelers seeking a smaller ship experience with in-depth cultural enrichment definitely should check out Azamara Cruises. This upper premium line is famed for its strong destination immersion and extended calls at port destinations.
One facet of that? Recently, the line unveiled 35 new AzAmazing Evenings for 2026. First launched in 2011 as exclusive events for the line’s guests, AzAmazing Evenings are one-of-a-kind, complimentary cultural celebrations.
They unfold across the globe. So, whether you’re sailing to Alaska, Japan, Africa, the Mediterranean or South America, you’ll discover “experiences that truly showcase the heart of each destination and foster deeper connections with local culture, people, and traditions,” says Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruises.
“It’s 2026 all part of Azamara’s commitment to Destination Immersion and our promise to ‘Own the Night,'” she adds.
AzAmazing Evenings in 2026
So, let’s look at what this means.
- Voyages of Nine+ Nights: Nearly every 2026 cruise of nine nights or longer will feature an AzAmazing Evening ashore. The line will bring its guests closer to local culture in remarkable settings.
- Cruises of Seven or Eight Nights: In addition, guests sailing on Azamara’s seven- and eight-night cruises in 2026 will enjoy these extraordinary cultural evenings on board.
- Rare exceptions (when there might be no AzAmazing Evening) are select transoceanic crossings or charter cruises.
Exciting Cruise News: Azamara Highlights
The following highlights represent just a few of the new 2026 AzAmazing Evenings. Many of these will unfold during multiple sailings throughout the year.
Traditions of Hiroshima: An Evening of Kagura, Myth & Dance – Hiroshima, Japan:
- The 14-Night Japan Intensive Cruise (departing March 13, 2026, on Azamara Pursuit) will offer guests a unique glimpse into Hiroshima through Hiroshima Kagura.
- This exclusive evening at the Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima begins with a sake barrel opening ceremony. Following is a show featuring the dramatic Yamata-no-Orochi myth. That’s a tale about a legendary eight-headed serpent.
- Guests will witness the energetic Mihara Yassa Festival Dance, a centuries-old celebration of joy and community.
Sound, Light & Mombasa After Dark – Mombasa, Kenya:
- Guests departing on the 17-Night Eastern & Southern Africa Cruise (departing April 24, 2026, on Azamara Onward) will enjoy an AzAmazing Evening at Fort Jesus Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- A candlelit walking tour through the fort’s passageways will lead into a multi-sensory show blending Swahili rhythms, contemporary beats, local dancers, 3D projections, lasers, holograms, and fireworks.
- The experience will highlight Mombasa’s colonial history and cultural resilience.
- Guests will enjoy local snacks and drinks during the evening.
A Finnish Evening at the Helsinki Music Center – Helsinki, Finland:
- On the 11-Night Baltic Intensive Cruise: Copenhagen, Helsinki and Stockholm (departing July 9, 2026, on Azamara Journey) guests will enjoy an AzAmazing Evening at the Helsinki Music Center.
- The evening will begin with a sparkling wine welcome before guests are guided into the main concert hall, reserved exclusively for Azamara. There, organist Miikka Kallio and artistic producer Vesa Ruotonen will lead a one-hour performance featuring Finnish music.
- Guests will listen to an incredible modern concert hall organ — the world’s largest. They’ll also see stunning visuals celebrating Finland’s musical heritage.
More Fabulous New AzAmazing Evenings
An Alaskan Adventure: Timber, Traditions & Toasts – Ketchikan, AK:
- Guests embarking on the 12-Night Alaska Cruise (departing August 3, 2026, on Azamara Pursuit) will kick off their Alaskan adventure with an AzAmazing Evening in Ketchikan.
- Local beer, wine, and regional delicacies will accompany live music and traditional Tlingit dance.
- That will lead to a Timber Carnival at the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. There, lumberjacks compete in thrilling events from chopping and axe throwing to log rolling and the 50-foot speed climb.
Faces of Tradition: Dance, Acrobatics & Magic at Shanghai Centre – Shanghai, China
- The 15-Night China Intensive Cruise (departing October 16, 2026, on Azamara Pursuit) will provide guests with an AzAmazing Evening at the Shanghai Centre Theatre.
- The evening starts with cocktails and a meet-and-greet.
- That will be followed by a dazzling Chinese cultural show that includes acrobatics, dance, folk music, Sichuan Opera face-changing, and magic.
Want More Azamara Info and Advice?
If you’d like to learn more about the Azamara 2026 voyages mentioned above, be sure to contact a skilled personal travel planner.
“Let us help you sort out all the details and get the best price guaranteed,” emphasizes Shelby Steudle, president, Pavlus Travel. “We’ll also help you select the best accommodations for your budget, vacation style and personality.”
Plus, Steudle explains that Pavlus‘ professional travel planners will provide stellar service and expertly manage your booking throughout the entire process, with no service fee — ever!
2. Exciting Cruise News: PressReader Service
Upper premium Oceania Cruises and ultra-luxury Regent Seven Seas Cruises, sister lines owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), have just announced the launch of PressReader.
Travelers on both brands now have complimentary access on their personal devices to thousands of global newspapers, magazines and eBooks. The rollout began October 4, 2025, on the new Oceania Allura, and October 5, 2025, on Seven Seas Navigator.
Look for the 14 other ships in both fleets to receive the new service sometime in November 2025. It will gradually replace printed newspapers onboard — supporting the lines’ Sail & Sustain environmental initiatives.
“We are delighted to provide our guests with an easy, convenient, and sustainable way to stay up to date on the news or relax with their favorite lifestyle magazine or latest eBook thriller while traveling the world in luxury,” says Jason Montague, both brands’ chief luxury officer.
How Does PressReader Work?
Guests can easily connect to PressReader via the ship’s Starlink Internet. Browsing leading titles, guests will discover The New York Times, The Economist and a zillion other potential choices. These include regional publications, lifestyle magazines, and eBooks in multiple languages.
While onboard, guests can also download PressReader content to their personal devices for offline enjoyment. You might, for instance, enjoy a coffee ashore at a local cafe and, at the same time, enjoy headlines from your favorite publication.
Or, you might download an eBook to read on the flight home! And what’s nice is that PressReader is available for all guests onboard, regardless of suite category or loyalty status.
This intuitive platform ensures guests can enjoy seamless access to the stories and publications that matter most to them, anytime and anywhere. Plus, both Oceania and Regent Seven Seas will host their own digital content (including eMagazines and brochures) on PressReader.
Just how extensive are the choices? PressReader’s vast global catalog spans more than 120 countries and 60 languages, ensuring every guest can access publications that resonate with their personal interests.
3. Oceania Cruises: Reprise of Jacques
While we’re on the subject of Oceania Cruises, another recent happening is that upscale line’s reprise of Jacques, its original French restaurant, on the new Oceania Allura.
In fact, acclaimed Chef Jacques Pepin cut the ribbon on October 6 while the ship was in Boston, MA. Pepin is Oceania’s first-ever executive culinary director.
“We first debuted Jacques 14 years ago aboard Oceania Marina, and the following year on Oceania Riviera, and I am delighted to see this wonderful iteration of our much-loved culinary venue aboard our newest ship, Oceania Allura, and her sister ship, Oceania Vista,” says Chef Pepin.
What’s special, though? Travelers sailing on Oceania Allura will discover a reimagined menu in Jacques. The many options reflect both bold new flavors as well as the time-honored classics that have been on the menu since Jacques was first introduced to the Oceania fleet.
So, guests can enjoy duck with a Grand Marnier-infused orange sauce, veal medallions with a morel sauce, and such legendary French desserts such as Crêpes Suzette and profiteroles.
But the new menu options will wow guests as well. Travelers might order a deviled egg topped with smoked trout rillette and sturgeon caviar, and tableside service for such dishes as traditional beef tartare and decadent “sea bass en croute” for two. Yum, yum!
4. Exciting Cruise News: Viking’s October Sale
Many cruise travelers love Viking. Good to know? For both new-to-cruise and loyal past guests alike, Viking has launched its newest sale running now from October 31, 2025.
“This promotion offers compelling value across Viking’s entire portfolio of river, ocean and expedition voyages,” stresses Pavlus’ Steudle. She explains that during this sale, potential guests will discover the following:
- Reduced fares across Viking’s many itineraries.
- Value for international airfare — even “up to free” air tickets in certain cases!
- $25 deposits on new bookings.
For Viking vacations in 2026 and beyond, this sale provides travelers with an opportunity to plan ahead and also secure savings. So, whether you’re interested in a river cruise, ocean voyage or expedition cruise, good options are available.
But the clock is ticking on this offer, which expires at month’s end. So, give a skilled personal travel planner a call. Get moving now to ensure you secure this offer.
5. Exciting Cruise News: Silversea Event Voyages
Sometimes, exciting cruise news entails activities associated with events or seasonal festivals. Yet sometimes they may be overlooked by potential guests. With that in mind, here are few of these enticing 2026 voyages publicized by ultra-luxury Silversea this month.
Rio Carnival (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Joy absolutely erupts during Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival extravaganza. Visitors will view massive floats, elaborate costumes, and hundreds of dancers performing choreographed routines to samba themes. It’s incredible, and “fun, fun, fun!”
Here’s the official Carnival link to learn more about the Brazilian city’s Carnival, how it originated, what it entails and so on.
One easy peasy way to visit Rio Carnival is by booking an ocean voyage on the 392-passenger Silver Whisper. During the ship’s voyage from “Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro,” departing February 2, 2026, Silversea will offer guests an opportunity for up-close Carnival views.
Following a scenic drive to the famed Sambodromo, the Carnival experience will unfold. Silversea’s guests will sit in grandstand seating with great views of the Carnival spectacle. It’s all about celebrating rhythm, color and culture in an unforgettable way.
At press time, pricing for this voyage started at $7,440 per person, double occupancy. But talk to an experienced travel advisor for any questions and to expertly manage your booking. That way, you can sit back, relax, and dream about the celebratory Carnival experience in Brazil!
Monaco Grand Prix (Monaco)
During May 29, 2026, voyage from “Civitavecchia (Rome) to Barcelona,” guests aboard the 728-passenger Silver Ray will witness one of the world’s most prestigious Formula 1 (F1) motorsports races — the Monaco Grand Prix.
Did you know that this F1 race is one of the oldest motorsports races in the world? Yes, it began more than 95 years ago!
Providing unique access, Silversea will take guests to one of three unique vantage points just steps away from the zooming sounds and high speeds of the legendary F1 circuit. Guests will watch the racing action from either a private rooftop, apartment terrace or grandstand seating.
At press time, fares for this F1-related voyage started at $10,000 per person, double occupancy. Use the contact information here for more information.
New Year (Hong Kong, China)
Guests who sail into Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor typically enjoy amazing skyline views and a spectacular nightly lighting show. But this is even more spectacular during the end-of-year holiday season.
Luxury travelers setting sail on Silversea’s “Singapore to Hong Kong” sailing that departs December 26, 2026, will enjoy the best of the holiday season and fireworks.
Bathed in color and light, travelers will toast to the New Year with a perfect view from the sea. At press time, prices for this journey on the 596-passenger Silver Muse started at $8,400 per person, double occupancy.
Other Special Event/Seasonal Journeys
Other special or seasonal events offered by Silversea include these.
- Japanese Cherry Blossom Season in spring 2026 with roundtrip Tokyo voyages on both Silver Moon and Silver Nova.
- Venice Carnival in Italy on a Silver Muse journey from Fusina (Venice) to Civitavecchia (Rome).
- Total Solar Eclipse (Mediterranean Sea): In August 2026, Silversea’s Silver Shadow will become a floating observatory during this roundtrip voyage from Nice, France when one of nature’s most awe-inspiring moments takes shape.
- And others.
So, use the contact information below and chat with a personal travel planner about all the new options above, accommodations choices, pricing and air ticketing.
As 2025 counts down, it’s time to plan a fabulous 2026 vacation with some great new options. Take advantage of the new itineraries, recently introduced programming, onboard services or promotional offers.
And remember, you can double your vacation fun by taking a special event voyage or seasonal celebration cruise!
