cruises

Experts say there is a major shift in travel trends in 2026

Flight chaos and cost driving people to trains and cruises, report says Holiday experts say the rising cost and uncertainity of air travel is sparking a rising interest in rail and cruise breaks in the UK. Bookings for rail and cruise itineraries have jumped 31% year-on-year, according to a report from The Luxury Holiday Company – with 87% saying they are interested in a rail or cruise holiday in 2026.

Nearly half say these types of holidays now offer better value for money and 27% say they want to avoid ‘airport hassle’

The report also found a growing shift towards multi-generational holidays whike people want to prioritise ease, comfort and ‘together time’. The data shows that European-specific rail holidays are alsogetting longer, with average stays increasing by 14%, while European and Scandinavian cruises have surged by 433% year-on-year.

Scenic journeys also play a major role, with more than a third saying scenery and views are a core part of the holiday experience.

Alison Nicolle, rail and cruise travel specialist at The Luxury Holiday Company, said: “Our research shows Brits’ travel priorities this year include a strong desire for experience-driven or bucket-list-style holidays. We’re seeing a rise in rail and cruise holidays year on year, and there’s no sign of this slowing down.

“In 2026 travellers want to see more, and enjoy the journey itself, all while reducing the stress of constant planning. We’ve seen demand rise for groups booking a cruise or rail holiday, as group bookings have skyrocketed 55% in the past year.

“This isn’t just a niche trend. Groups want holidays where everyone, from grandparents to grandchildren, can experience beautiful destinations, relax and enjoy the journey itself. Slowing down, seeing nature and prioritising relaxation over adventure are the most important factor to more than a third of travellers this year.

“Clients are booking longer rail journeys as well as choosing itineraries that combine scenery, culture and indulgence. It’s no longer about getting there quickly, it’s about travelling well.”

WANT to get the best value out of your cruise – and explore gems on both sides of the pond?

Transatlantic repositioning cruises offer just that.

As cruise companies relocate their ships from Europe to the Caribbean and beyond for winter warmth, you can get some amazing deals.

Combining a few ports of call on each side of the Atlantic, as well as some extended sea days, these one-way sailings offer the best of both worlds, with port days and plenty of time to relax at sea.

And cruise lines often offer really competitive prices – or throw in extras such as free drinks or tips – to tempt holidaymakers on board.

Lisa Minot has the lowdown on six great transatlantic sailings.

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DEFINITELY KNOT YOUR AVERAGE CROSSING

You’ll get a free all-in package, with alcoholic drinks, wifi and tips, worth more than £1,000pp on Windstar Cruises’ Knot Your Average Crossing from Lisbon to Barbados.

Departing Portugal on November 10, 2026, on this 14-night non-stop voyage on the 148-guest sailing ship Wind Star, guests can step up to the flying bridge to take the helm, and learn age-old seamanship skills.

There are talks on legendary explorers and pirates and you can learn to read charts, tie sailor’s knots and even navigate the vessel alongside the ship’s officers.

Prices start from £2,682pp, including all meals, drinks and activities.

See windstarcruises.com.

MIAMI SPICE

You can save 50 per cent off the original fare sailing on Oceania Marina’s transatlantic sailing from Barcelona to Miami.

Departing November 25, 2026, the 15-day sailing offers the chance to enjoy port days in Spain and the Caribbean.

You will enjoy calls at Valencia, Alicante, Malaga and Funchal in Madeira before crossing the Atlantic and calling at San Juan in Puerto Rico and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.

Oceania cruise fares include speciality dining, tips, free wifi plus a choice of wine and beer by the glass or shore excursion credits.

This sailing is now on sale from £1,415, down from £3,629.

Book by September 8 at oceaniacruises.com.

GOING SOUTH

Transatlantic sailings don’t have to end in North America.

With Celebrity Cruises’ sailing onboard Celebrity Equinox you’ll enjoy calls in Brazil and Argentina after your ocean adventures.

Departing Barcelona on November 19, 2026, you’ll explore Tangier in Morocco before your South American odyssey, calling at Salvador de Bahia and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

You’ll visit Montevideo, Uruguay before arriving in Buenos Aires.

Popular excursions include a Moroccan Tea and Bread experience in Tangier, Carnival Behind the Scenes with Dance Lesson in Rio and a birdwatching trip in the Wetlands west of Montevideo.

Prices start from £699pp, including full-board and entertainment.

See celebritycruises.com.

FIT FOR A QUEEN

This cracking transatlantic deal on Cunard’s Queen Anne includes a stay in Miami and return flights.

Departing Southampton on January 10, 2027, this 15-night trip includes 12 nights onboard as well as a two-night hotel stay in Miami.

It includes calls at Hamilton, Bermuda, Port Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale before you dock in Miami for your 4H hotel stay.

Onboard, all meals, afternoon tea, theatre shows and gym are included.

It’s from £1,159pp.

See seascanner.co.uk.

THE MIGHTY QUINN

Enjoy shows by actor, singer and dancer Ray Quinn, on P&O Cruises’ flagship Arvia as it sails from Southampton to the Caribbean.

The X Factor finalist and Dancing On Ice winner will be performing in The Limelight Club throughout the sailing, which departs October 23.

The 15-night sailing includes calls at Santa Cruz, Tenerife, before the delights of Philipsburg in St Maarten, St Kitts, Castries in St Lucia and finally Barbados.

The fare, from £945pp, includes return flights. See iglucruise.com.

HOMEWARD BOUND

With Holland America, you can sail to Blighty from Florida.

The 12-night sailing departs Fort Lauderdale April 4, 2027 and calls at Kings Wharf, Bermuda, before a relaxing seven days sailing.

There’s plenty to do on the Nieuw Statendam, with its Music Walk district featuring sophisticated live venues including BB King’s Blues Club and Rolling Stone Rock Room.

The ship will call at Portland for Weymouth before arriving in Dover.

Prices are from just £819pp.

With their Have It All package, from £1,599pp, you also get a drinks package, wifi, tips, speciality dining and two shore excursions.

See hollandamerica.com for details.

Cruisers are being warned over a common balcony habit that breaks strict P&O rules and could see their holiday terminated early

Passengers looking forward to a cruise holiday may have packed their cigarettes or vape without giving much thought as to whether or not they can be used on the ship. But P&O Cruises has strict rules about smoking on board, with some breaches potentially putting the rest of a traveller’s holiday at risk.

Smoking is not permitted in cabins, on cabin balconies or in public rooms across P&O Cruises ships. Instead, guests are restricted to designated smoking areas on the open deck, which can vary depending on the weather and cleaning arrangements.

The same rule applies to electronic cigarettes. P&O says e-cigarettes, including those which do not produce smoke or vapour, can only be used in designated smoking areas and are prohibited in the same public areas.

This means a passenger who steps onto their private balcony for a cigarette is still breaking the cruise line’s rules, despite being outside. Guests are instead told to use the ashtrays and receptacles provided in designated smoking areas and make sure smoking materials are fully extinguished. The permitted locations are signposted, although the cruise line says they can change.

Consequences of breaking P&O rules

P&O’s code of conduct sets out the potential consequences of serious or disruptive behaviour on board. The cruise line says disrespectful or offensive behaviour can result in a holiday being terminated, with onward travel arranged at the guest’s own cost.

Its FAQ separately states that dangerous or violent behaviour may result in an individual guest or an entire party having their holiday terminated and having to make their own way home.

P&O’s published smoking policy does not say that every smoking breach will automatically result in immediate removal from the ship. However, passengers should not assume that breaking on-board rules is consequence-free, particularly where behaviour is considered serious or disruptive.

Beyond the threat of early disembarkation, guests caught lighting up inside their stateroom also risk steep cleaning charges billed directly to their onboard account. Because fire is considered the primary safety threat at sea, cabin smoke detectors are highly sensitive and actively monitored around the clock.

Passengers are advised to check their ship’s daily newsletter or speak to guest services upon embarkation to locate designated smoking zones. Taking a moment to double-check permitted deck areas ensures holidaymakers avoid costly fines or an unwanted confrontation with security.

DISNEY has confirmed all of the exciting new rides and cruises launching in the next few years.

The announcements were part of Disney’s huge annual D23 event, which talks all things Disney when it comes to films, TV shows and, of course, the theme parks.

The upcoming attraction openings include Disneyland Paris, Disney World and the Disney cruises.

From new dark rides and log flumes, to four new cruise ships and a UK-based stage show – here’s the rundown on all the top attraction announcements:

Disneyland Paris

A number of new announcements were made about Disneyland Paris and some of the park’s upcoming attractions.

Already in the works is a new Lion King-themed water attraction, with three drops including a 15.8metre plunge from Pride Rock.

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Along withDisney‘s first audio-animatronics figure of Scar, the ride will be at the centre of the first immersive world based on The Lion King.

The new land will sit next to the World of Frozen, transporting visitors to the African savanna.

Once completed, the zone will span 30,000sqm and have the log flume alongside a shop, restaurant and character experiences.

Next year, Wilderness Explorers Sky Swings will open, which will be the first attraction at Disneyland Paris inspired by the Up film.

The park will also retire the Star Wars themed Hyperspace Mountain and reimagine the attraction as Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune.

It first opened in 1995 based on Jules Verne’s novel “From the Earth to the Moon” before becoming Hyperspace Mountain in 2017.

The attraction is now set to revert back to its original theme, closing at the end of next year for a few months.

And last but not least, Disneyland Paris will also be getting a new daytime parade.

The parade will feature Aladdin, The Princess and the Frog, Tangled and Coco and will launch in 2028.

It will be the first new parade at the park since 2017.

Disney World, Florida

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is set for several new attractions.

Excitingly, there will be a new Villains Land in Magic Kingdom, home to two major attractions including a Maleficent rollercoaster and a Magic Mirror dark ride.

The Maleficent rollercoaster will take visitors through an enchanted briar surrounding Maleficent’s mountaintop fortress, with yet-to-be-revealed “elements never attempted before.”

The other attraction – Magic Mirror – will be a dark ride with lots of Disney Villains.

Disney stated: “You’ll find the Magic Mirror where the Evil Queen keeps him in the catacombs beneath her pristine palace. After making your way to him, he’ll magically transport you into his mystical Mirror Realm to see things on the other side of the mirror. 

“There, in his ethereal realm, you’ll be transfixed by countless Disney Villains conjured in ways only the Magic Mirror can do. 

“A combination of special effects and physical set pieces will bring his Mirror Realm – and these iconic Villains – to life.”

Disney added: “ If you dare enter the forest of Villains Land, you may soon come across a Wishing Well that’s been torn asunder. 

“Under most circumstances, a Wishing Well would indicate pure and good energy at work, but something dark happened to this one.

“Once upon a time, someone made an evil wish here – a wish so evil it corrupted the stone and broke open the structure, spreading the Well’s poisoned magic throughout the forest.”

In addition to the two major attractions, there will be shops and restaurants.

Magic Kingdom will also be getting two Piston Peak rides in Frontierland, including Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along inspired by the “Diva of Demolition” from Cars 3.

The ride will feature a “huge school-bus-sized animatronic” who hosts a stampeding bash at her “wildest demolition derby yet”.

The other attraction will be Cars Ridge Run Rally, which will be a quest to find “the wildest racer in the wheelderness”.

The ride will go through scenes of America’s national parks, as well as a climb up Piston Peak itself before riders then plummet down toward a geyser field.

Over in the new land of Tropical Americas in Animal Kingdom, there will be a new Indiana Jones Ride with audio-animatronics figures and an original storyline where  guests are transported into the world of the ancient Maya.

Called Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, riders will beneath under an  ancient temple ruin before heading off on their journey.

Also in Tropical Americas will be the new El Carrusel de los Animalitos - a carousel with 22 hand-carved animals inspired by Disney and Pixar stories.

Animal Kingdom will launch a new family-friendly Encanto Ride as well, called Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto.

When visitors enter the house, they’ll board a ride vehicle which will resemble the different pieces of furniture assembled by the power of Casita.

Inside, the space has been transformed into a rainforest with more than 50 animals and guests will travel through different rooms to see them all.

A part of Monstropolis will also open at the theme park next year, while work continues to build a “door coaster”.

The new attraction will be a show at the Glob Theatre called “Welcome to Monstropolis”, with the monsters in the show introducing visitors to Monstropolis.

There will be a new restaurant, Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza, too while next door, will be the Monsters University Alumni Club.

There will be Harryhausen’s Restaurant too, where visitors can see the spot that was a part of Mike and Celia’s most unforgettable dates.

There will even be the famous sushi chef brought to life with a new audio-animatronics figure.

Forbidden Mountain in Animal Kingdom will also be upgraded with a new Yeti audio-animatronic.

Over in EPCOT, Spaceship Earth is getting an update with the storyline of the ride reimagined.

Disney cruises

Disney Believe will be Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship but will also be the final ship in the Wish class.

It will launch in late 2027 and inside passengers with a Moana-inspired Grand Hall, Tinker Bell on its bow and Woody and Buzz Lightyear on the stern.

Attractions on board the ship will feature Disney Animation’s Encanto, Frozen, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Moana and The Little Mermaid.

As for the stern, guests will spot Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story.

Disney has also announced three new ships that will begin launching in 2029 – this will increase the cruise line fleet to 13 ships in total.

After Disney Believe – part of the Wish Class – launches next year, there will Disney Cruise Line will move on to a new ship class.

As part of this new class, there will be three ships that will be bigger than the classic ships but smaller than the newer ships.

Little other details have been revealed about the ships but Disney commented that “there are amazing opportunities to visit new places and reach brand new audiences than ever before”.

New West End show

Disney also confirmed that The Greatest Showman stage musical will open at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane in spring 2027.

The show will replace Disney’s Hercules, which is due to end on September 5.

It will feature all the original film anthems including ‘This Is Me’, ‘Rewrite the Stars’ and ‘A Million Dreams’.

A CRUISE company has cancelled a number of sailings due to low water levels across Europe.

Riviera Travel has cancelled 10 European river cruises and changed six other services in parts of the Rhine, Danube, Moselle and Main rivers.

The cancellations and changes come after a week of high temperatures across parts of Europe as well as little rainfall.

The UK cruise company said it had no other choice but to cancel some sailings, while six others that were due to run on the Rhine and Danube have been altered.

All passengers due to head on a Riviera Travel cruise are being updated multiple times before they travel, from two weeks to 72 hours as the company continues to monitor river levels.

If you are due to travel with Riviera but your sailing is impacted, the company will try to make other arrangements including coach transfers, itinerary changes and ship changes if needed.

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If your cruise is cancelled though, you will get a full refund.

And it isn’t just Riviera Travel that is impacted.

Luxury cruise company AmaWaterways has said: “Due to unusually low water levels on sections of the Rhine and Danube rivers, operational adjustments on select sailings have been deemed necessary.

“As river conditions continue to evolve, modifications may include changes to ports, embarkation or disembarkation locations, motorcoach transfers, ship scheduling, or other itinerary elements.

“Please know that every adjustment is made with the comfort and safety of guests as our highest priority. Guests on affected sailings will be contacted individually via email.”

And Emerald Cruises and Tours has said: “Europe continues to experience an extended period of dry weather, with above-average temperatures and limited rainfall across many regions.

“As a result, water levels on parts of the Danube, Rhine and Main Rivers are significantly lower than usual and are impacting river navigation.

“Some stretches are currently not navigable due to water levels, and our teams are implementing alternative arrangements where required to maintain the best possible experience for our guests.

“All guests due to join impacted cruises departing up until 31 August 2026 should have received an initial notification.

“In circumstances where itinerary adjustments are required, Scenic Group, which includes Scenic and Emerald Cruises, is committed to supporting our guests throughout their journey.”

TUI and Viking also previously warned of disruptions.

Currently, the Danube is at the lowest level ever recorded and the Loire, which is France‘s longest river, has even partially dried up in areas.

The Rhine, which flows through Germany, has also dropped in level.