The 15 big cruising trends you’ll want to get behind

Next big things in travel: Cruising

With record-busting numbers of people keen to cruise, what new developments are on the horizon?

Net zero cruising

MSC Euribia can sail net-zero at least some of the time.

Cruise ships are notorious for environmental unfriendliness, but genuine changes are afoot, with the cruise industry investing significantly in renewable technologies, battery storage, alternative energy sources and more efficient fuel. The cruise industry has set a net-zero target for 2050 but already some individual ships have vastly reduced emissions. Viking has just announced that Viking Libra, the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship, will launch in late 2026. Companies such as Ponant and Hurtigruten aim to launch ships by 2030 that run on wind and solar power and use low-temperature hydrogen fuel cells. Even big-ship companies are making progress. MSC Euribia proved in sea trials it can sail net-zero at least some of the time, and Royal Caribbean Group aims to launch a net-zero ship by 2035. See hurtigruten.com; msccruises.com.au; ponant.com; royalcaribbeangroup.com; vikingcruises.com.au

Emerald Cruises expansion

Artist’s impression of Emerald Kaia.

We like seeing Aussie travel companies striding – or sailing – the world stage, and you’ll be seeing more of Emerald Cruises (part of the Scenic Group) over the next few years, with a recent announcement of major expansion. Two new ocean yachts, Emerald Kaia and Emerald Astra, will launch in April 2026, and another two next-generation yachts, Emerald Raiya and Emerald Xara, are slated to follow in 2027. All four will carry 128 passengers in all-suite accommodation and have multiple dining venues, a spa and marina platform. The yachts will sail itineraries in the Seychelles, Mediterranean and Caribbean. Emerald will also be launching Emerald Lumi on the company’s first Seine River cruises in 2026, taking its European river fleet to 11 ships. See emeraldcruises.com.au

Big ships

While the trend towards smaller ships continues, predictions that big-ship enthusiasm is dwindling seem misplaced. To judge from the order books, we’ll be seeing many more large ships in future. Norwegian Luna arrives in April 2026 and will carry what could be called a modest 3571 passengers. July 2026 sees the arrival of Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas which will have the biggest pool at sea, six other pools, a water park and 40 restaurant and bar choices for 5610 passengers. MSC World Asia launches in December 2026 with 5400 passengers. Other large ships as yet unnamed will be coming in 2027 from Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, MSC, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. See msccruises.com.au ; ncl.com, royalcaribbean.com

Land and sea connections

Scenic Eclipse in the Orkney Islands.

Last year we reported on the rise of land tours before and after a cruise, which range from port-city hotel breaks to short, guided getaways to inland destinations. But far more ambitious land-sea journeys are becoming more common, too. Cruise lines want a slice of the lucrative land market, and customers in an uncertain world are increasingly keen on single, seamless holiday packages. Some travel companies with both land and cruise arms are perfectly placed to deliver. Scenic is unrolling a collection of worldwide Grand Journeys in 2026 that range from 41 and 86 days and match land journeys with ocean and river cruises. Examples include a Portugal to Switzerland and Machu Picchu to Caribbean journey. See scenic.com.au

Nile River cruising

A rendering of the Viking Ra on the Nile River near the Temple of Sobek and Haroeris in Kom Ombo, Egypt.Credit: Viking

In the last 15 years Egyptian tourism has been battered by the Arab Spring and COVID, and it looked as if the Gaza conflict might put tourists off again. Yet this ancient country, as it has done numerous times over the last two centuries, is becoming a hot destination all over again. Bookings on the Nile surged this year, the season has been steadily lengthening, companies such as Scenic and Travelmarvel are making a return in 2025 and 2026 respectively, and new ships are launching. A total solar eclipse over Egypt in 2027 is creating further demand for special eclipse cruises. Viking Cruises recently launched two new ships and is taking its Nile fleet to 10 by 2026. Its popular cruise-tour will be bolstered by 221 new departures by 2027. See scenic.com.au; travelmarvel.com; vikingrivercruises.com.au

Expedition cruising

Antarctic kayaking off Aurora Expeditions’ Greg Mortimer.

Nothing new about this style of small-ship adventure, but this once niche segment is booming. Ten years ago, fewer than 100,000 passengers took an expedition cruise. This year, four times as many set sail on some 100 expedition ships belonging to 20 cruise lines. Australians shine on the expedition front, with Aussie-owned companies such as Aurora Expeditions, Chimu Adventures, Coral Expeditions and Scenic sending ships to the far corners of the Earth. APT also offers expedition cruises on chartered ships. Expedition ships average 160 passengers with cruises lasting an average 11 days. As for the next big things within expeditions, expect more millennial, Gen Z and solo travellers, and increasing itineraries in “water-water” destinations such as the Indian Ocean and West Africa. See aptouring.com; aurora-expeditions.com; chimuadventures.com; coralexpeditions.com; scenic.com.au

Ships with sails

Artist impression of the classic French interiors of Orient Express Corinthian, launching 2026.

OK, you’re allowed to raise your eyebrows at the thought of sails on ships being the way of the future rather than a relic of the past. Only a few companies such as Star Clipper and Windstar offer cruises under canvas. But if research and development go the right way, a more futuristic “sailing” ship might become more common as companies seek alternative propulsion systems to fossil fuels. They won’t only be very small ships, either. Orient Express Silenseas, due to sail in mid-2026, will have French-developed SolidSail technology, with three huge sails made from glass panels reinforced with carbon fibre. Ponant and Hurtigruten are looking at adding sails to their new ships, too, while Carnival Corporation is studying vertical rotors that will be powered by wind. See carnivalsustainability.com; hurtigruten.com; ponant.com

Persian Gulf cruising

Celestyal Journey entering Dubai.

Why this region didn’t emerge as a cruise destination long ago is a mystery: it has good tourism infrastructure and airline connections, a predictable climate, distinctive culture and conveniently close ports. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to cruise the Persian Gulf in future, with Dubai’s cruise terminal positioned as a major hub, and other new terminals gracing harbourfronts from Bahrain to Muscat, Kuwait, Doha and Abu Dhabi. MSC Cruises is a regional regular and homeports MSC Euribia in Dubai over the winter cruise season. Small-ship company Celestyal Cruises has extended its Persian Gulf options and will have two ships in the Gulf this coming season. Explora Journeys meanwhile is launching into the 2026-27 season, and many other cruise lines make occasional visits. Expect more to come. See celestyal.com; explorajourneys.com; msccruises.com.au

Cruise-free ports

Juneau, Alaska is among a growing list of port cities placing limits on large cruise ships.Credit: iStock

It isn’t all good news in cruising. A growing swell of public pressure against overcrowding and pollution is seeing more ports ban or limit cruise ship arrivals. From July this year ships carrying more than 2500 passengers will be turned away from Nice and adjacent Villefranche-sur-Mer, long staples of the Mediterranean cruise circuit. Some are calling for ships to be banned entirely from the French Riviera. Nice joins a list of other cruise-sceptic ports from Juneau in Alaska to Palma, Majorca in Spain that have put varying limits on cruise ships. Cities such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bordeaux and Venice have moved ships out of city centres. In Europe, you might expect more noisy anti-cruise demonstrators holding signs and placards, or chanting and banging saucepans, as you disembark your ship.

Alaska cruises

Royal Caribbean homeport four ships in Alaska. Pictured: Radiance of the Seas.Credit: Michel Verdure

Alaska has long been a cruise staple, but the next few years will see more ships than ever before sail its glacier-nibbled coastline and fabled Inside Passage that runs between the coast and islands of Alaska and British Columbia. By 2026, Royal Caribbean will have four ships homeported for Alaska cruises, Princess will offer itineraries on a record eight ships, and MSC Cruises and Virgin Voyages will send ships for the first time. Azamara returns after a seven-year absence. The boom has been fuelled by Americans looking for post-pandemic domestic destinations, increased ship capacity and the development of new ports and more varied itineraries. More ships are now visiting smaller ports such as Valdez, Kodiak Island and Homer. See travelalaska.com

River cruising beyond Europe

Murray River Paddlesteamers and APT are partnering, bringing a new level of luxury to the Murray River.

The vast majority of river cruising is undertaken in Europe and a great chunk of that on the Rhine and Danube rivers. But we’ll see more river cruises developed elsewhere in years to come as demand for river-cruising grows and European rivers get more familiar – and congested. Two choice examples are up and running this year, with AmaWaterways offering cruises on Colombia’s Magdalena River and Australia Star launching on our own Murray River. Cruising isn’t new to the Murray but the new ship, a partnership between Murray River Paddlesteamers and APT, ups luxury levels. The Mekong, Peruvian Amazon, Ganges, Mississippi, Chobe River in Botswana and Intracoastal Waterway (partly on rivers and canals along America’s east coast) are also tipped for growth. See amawaterways.au; aptouring.com

Great Lakes cruising

Ponant ship Le Soleal sailing under Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver Harbour.Credit: Ponant

The outsized lakes that straddle the border of Canada and America have hovered under the radar for a long time, with only local companies St Lawrence Cruise Lines and Pearl Seas Cruises sailing there. Then Viking Cruises began operating its expedition ships on the lakes in 2022 and found so much international demand that it doubled capacity the year after. It is adding two new itineraries in 2026. Now things are hotting up even more, with American small-ship company Victory Cruise Lines returning to the region this year with itineraries that visit all five lakes, and French expedition company Ponant also sending two ships to the Great Lakes. Numbers are still modest, with only 22,000 passengers projected in 2025. An uncrowded cruise destination awaits – for now. See ponant.com; victorycruiselines.com; vikingcruises.com.au

Winter cruising in Europe

As summer crowds and heat continue to surge, we’ll be seeing more off-season cruising in Europe – although soon it will hardly be off-season at all, and the steep discounts once offered on fares will steadily shrink. The attraction? Fewer tourists in monuments and museums, seasonal atmosphere and an alternative experience, though unpredictable weather and short daylight hours are downsides. A flotilla of cruise ships is now sailing the Mediterranean into November and resuming as early as February, and even in the Baltic Sea some are lingering right through winter. Copenhagen expects more than 50 cruise ships to arrive this 2025-26 winter season. Cruises to see the Northern Lights in Norway and Christmas-market river cruises on the Rhine and Danube are also growing in popularity. See vikingcruises.com.au

Ocean lines take to rivers

Ponant acquired a stake in Aqua Expeditions … Aqua Expeditions’ Aria Amazon.

Time will tell if this is the next big thing, but two ocean cruise companies have already announced a move into the river-cruise market and, given its potential for more expansion, we might assume others are considering it. This year French expedition company Ponant acquired a stake in Aqua Expeditions, a boutique operator on the Amazon and Mekong rivers. The hefty bank balance of Ponant’s parent company Artemis Group suggests expansion of Aqua Expeditions might be on the cards. Meanwhile, Celebrity Cruises has announced an order for 10 river ships, open for booking this year but the first not sailing until 2027. The company remains tight-lipped on details but will sail first in Europe before expanding to other world rivers. See aquaexpeditions.com; celebritycruises.com

Short-break cruising

Sometimes it pays to look to Americans, who form the world’s largest cruise market, to see what might be happening elsewhere soon. And considering the trend towards three-and four-day cruises among Americans, you can bet they might soon be booming in Australia, too. Short-break cruising is increasingly popular because it provides a quick getaway at a budget price. Many younger first timers want to see if they enjoy the cruise experience. Cruise lines like it because onboard revenue is higher per day than on longer cruises. Carnival, Celebrity, Princess and Royal Caribbean all offer short-break cruising from Australia, which range from between two and five nights. Short cruises also make for interesting add-ons while visiting destinations such as Singapore, Europe or the Caribbean. See carnival.com.au; celebritycruises.com; princess.com; royalcaribbean.com