Cruise News Roundup - June 6, 2026
Here is a cruise news roundup for The Cruise Boys® blog, featuring the latest updates from Holland America, Princess Cruises, and important news regarding LGBTQ+ travel safety.
Holland America Jumps on the Winter Europe Trend
If you've ever wished you could experience Europe's historic cities without the shoulder-to-shoulder summer crowds, Holland America is making that a reality. They are expanding to year-round Europe cruising for the 2027-2028 season aboard the Nieuw Statendam.
This move aligns with a growing trend in the cruise industry: swapping sweltering, crowded Mediterranean summers for cooler, quieter, and more authentic winter experiences.
Here is what to expect from this new winter deployment:
Christmas Markets: In December, the Nieuw Statendam will head north for 13- and 15-night holiday sailings to the Baltic and Scandinavia, visiting famous Christmas markets in Germany and Copenhagen. You can even take an excursion from Helsinki to Lapland to visit Santa Claus Village.
Slower-Paced Mediterranean: After the holidays, the ship will reposition to the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands. These 7- to 15-night voyages will visit Spain, Italy, France, and Greece, offering a much more relaxed way to see these cultural hubs.
Princess Cruises Unveils its Largest Europe Season Ever for 2028
Princess Cruises is going all-in on Europe for 2028, announcing their biggest season in the region's history. The deployment features an impressive 291 departures across 150 unique itineraries, utilizing six ships: Caribbean Princess, Enchanted Princess, Majestic Princess, Regal Princess, Sky Princess, and Sun Princess.
Key Highlights of the 2028 Season:
Maiden Calls in Ireland: For the first time, Princess will call on Galway and Killybegs, unlocking the rugged beauty and rich culture of Ireland's west coast. These ports will be featured on new 8-night "Circle Ireland" itineraries roundtrip from Southampton.
Pole-to-Pole Odyssey: A brand new 53-day epic voyage that links Antarctica and the Arctic in one continuous journey.
More Time Ashore: The itineraries include 32 late-night or overnight stays in ports like Istanbul, Mykonos, Ibiza, and Amsterdam, giving guests more time to experience the local nightlife and culture.
Important Safety Update: Riskline's 2026 LGBTQ+ Risk Map
For our LGBTQ+ travelers, it's crucial to stay informed about the legal and social climates in the destinations we visit. Riskline, a travel intelligence firm, has released its 2026 LGBTQ+ Risk Map, and the findings are a sobering reminder that safety and inclusion vary drastically around the world.
The 2026 map classifies 91 countries as "high concern" for LGBTQ+ travelers, highlighting a growing wave of rights rollbacks globally. This includes recent legislative changes and increased restrictions in several countries.
When planning your next cruise, it is more important than ever to research the laws and cultural attitudes of the ports on your itinerary.
Other Notable News
NCL Cancels Winter Voyages on Norwegian Viva: Norwegian Cruise Line has canceled about three months of scheduled sailings on the Norwegian Viva (Nov 2027 to Jan 2028). The ship will reposition to Miami instead of operating its planned Caribbean routes from San Juan.
Carnival Jubilee Achieves LNG Milestone: The Carnival Jubilee became the first cruise ship to refuel with Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in Latin America and the Western Caribbean, utilizing a mobile bunkering solution at Isla Tropicale in Roatán, Honduras.
— The Cruise Boys®