Silversea Expands its Voyages
Silversea, a leading experiential luxury and expedition travel brand, will offer 230 new voyages for 2026/2027.
The new voyage collection, which will take guests to all seven continents, features 131 expedition voyages to some of the world’s most remote regions.
It also includes 99 ocean sailings that will blend luxury and cultural immersion in more than 400 destinations in 85 countries.
Journeys will coincide with the most enriching experiences, festivals, and events, from iconic fixtures such as the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro and the Cherry Blossom season in Japan to lesser-known, local gems.
Guests will also have more options to combine shorter sailings, including seven- to-10-day voyages in the Caribbean, with Silver Ray sailing from Miami for the first time.
Plus, for the first time, all ocean-going ships in Silversea’s fleet will offer S.A.L.T. culinary experiences ashore from 2026.
There will also be 131 new expedition voyages that range from 6 to 76 days aboard Silver Endeavour, Silver Origin, Silver Cloud, and Silver Wind, departing between March 2026 and May 2027.
Silversea’s broadened expedition offerings include – Silver Cloud departing in August 2026 on a 76-day Grand South Pacific Expedition, spanning 11 countries and exploring some of the extended region’s most remote and pristine destinations.
There will also be a diverse offering of 40 Antarctica voyages aboard three ships, from seamless six-day fly-cruise sailings to immersive 18-day explorations of the Antarctic Peninsula, the Falkland Islands, and South Georgia.
Explora Journeys’ New Itineraries
Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group, has expanded its destinations for Explora I, Explora II, and the highly anticipated Explora III.
Explora III is set to join the growing fleet in the summer of 2026.
“An Ocean of New” campaign reflects the exploration of new destinations, new experiences, and new itineraries across Northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland, and the East Coast of the US and Canada, including New England.
Meanwhile, Explora I and II will explore new itineraries in the Mediterranean, offering guests a range of new destinations and new experiences.
Launching in summer 2026, Explora III will set sail for her 7-night maiden journey on August 3 from Barcelona, Spain to Lisbon, Portugal.
In her inaugural season, Explora III, will pass along the Atlantic coast of Portugal and France, continuing to the UK, Ireland and the Baltic Sea, before exploring the dramatic landscapes of Northern Europe.
The ships feature spacious ocean suites, penthouses and residences, designed to offer a luxurious oceanfront, home at sea.
Outstanding culinary offerings and ocean-inspired wellness experiences are tailored to help guests discover the “Ocean State of Mind”.
European Waterways Expands Culinary Experiences
The luxury hotel barge cruising company will extend its extraordinary culinary experiences that blend fine dining, cultural immersion and the art of slow travel.
From dining in a historic winemaker’s “cuve” to savouring meals in the private salons of châteaux, the gastronomic adventures create a feast for the senses, offering guests a deeper connection to the heritage and flavours of Europe.
Highlights include:
Maison Champy
Enjoy a private wine tasting and exclusive lunch in the historic cellars of Burgundy’s oldest winery. Set amid the UNESCO-listed Côte de Beaune vineyards, guests savour premier and grand cru wines followed by a gourmet lunch served in a former wooden wine vat.
Frerejean Frères Champagne House
Savour a tour and tasting at the boutique grand cru winery in the Côtes des Blancs village of Avize in Champagne culminates in a private lunch in the family’s elegant salon. En route, guests will visit a picturesque vineyard to learn the nuances of champagne grape growing.
Villa Ca’Zen
Nestled along the River Po in Italy, this 17th-century stately home close to Venice is the setting for an intimate dinner hosted by its current owner, a Baroness. Guests experience an enchanting evening where Lord Byron once penned his famous poetry.
Domaine Chanson
In the heart of Burgundy’s wine capital, Beaune, guests tour the 15th-century Bastion de l’Oratoire, whose thick stone walls create the perfect environment for ageing wine. A private gastronomic lunch at the domaine’s château completes the enchanting experience.
Château de Ricey-Bas
A gourmet lunch with the Baron and Baroness awaits at this 12th-century château in Burgundy. Guests are welcomed with a champagne aperitif before dining in either the private salon or the 15th-century vaulted kitchen. The afternoon is spent exploring the château’s interiors and gardens.
Established in 1974, European Waterways offers luxury hotel barging which is an immersive, all-inclusive “gentle voyage of discovery” that focuses on the culture, history, fine wine, and gourmet cuisine of the region. europeanwaterways.com
MSC Cruises’ New Flagship MSC World America
MSC Cruises’ newest flagship, MSC World America, will offer a world of choice with 19 different cabin types, so that every guest can choose comfortable accommodation to meet their needs.
These range from super luxurious over 150m2 Owner’s Suites in the MSC Yacht Club and Duplex Suites with a dedicated entertainment space, to beautiful balcony cabins with ocean views.
There are also interior cabins that offer further value for money – plus family cabins which join together to create flexible accommodation options for larger groups.
MSC World America will also be the first to feature seven on board “districts” designed to let guests of all ages choose their own holiday adventure and get the most out of their time on board.
The first two cabins highlights fall within the MSC Yacht Club, MSC Cruises’ exclusive “ship-within-a-ship” concept, welcoming guests to a world of privacy and luxury.
The keycard-only access area provides the ultimate luxurious experience with exclusive privileges and an oasis of private facilities including 24-hour butler and concierge service, a dedicated gourmet restaurant, lounge, pool and sundeck within easy reach of everything a larger ship has to offer.
Duplex Suites
These lush suites, also in the MSC Yacht Club, provide amble space, spanning two decks. The lower deck offers a dining area, lounge and guest washroom with the upstairs complete with a main bedroom and its own bathroom and bathtub. The suites also offer plenty of outdoor space for lounging and sunbathing – some suites have a two-level private sundeck and a private whirlpool.
Connecting Family Cabins
Guests can expect to find a selection of flexible cabin options, including the option to ‘connect’ cabins together through internal doors, making a cruise the ultimate multi-generational holiday option.
Promenade View Balcony Cabins
MSC World America’s balcony cabins come in various layouts and sizes including cabins overlooking the stunning outdoor promenade – exclusive to World Class ships.
Infinite Ocean View Cabins
Another World Class ship exclusive, these stylish cabins offer a panoramic sliding window that turns into a glass balustrade when open, connecting guests with the sea with uninterrupted horizon views.
Havila Voyages launch Silent Travel
Norwegian coastal cruise line Havila Voyages has launched a “noise forecast”, aimed to inspire travellers to experience the northern calm and “silent travel”.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), noise has become the second largest environmental cause of health problems after air pollution.
In a noisy everyday life, full of traffic, background music, and smartphones, people are becoming increasingly aware of the health benefits that silence provides. Silent Travel is one of 2024’s biggest travel trends.
The company has placed sound measurement stations at several locations along the Norwegian coast and presents live sound measurements on their website. Sound levels are also compared to those of major international cities.
To emphasise this further, in addition to the sound measurements, they have created a Spotify playlist with sounds recorded along the entire Norwegian coast, like birds singing by the river in Øye, rowing in calm water in Geiranger and sheep grazing in Florø.
Maintaining peace and tranquility has also been a key focus in the design of Havila Voyages’ ships.
Compared to ships running on traditional fossil fuels, Havila’s liquified natural gas and battery-powered ships provide a much more silent cruise experience.
Norway’s coastal areas, particularly in the fjords, are naturally sheltered from urban and industrial noise. The rugged cliffs, deep fjords, and remote islands create natural sound barriers, preserving the quiet.
Havila Voyages operates the classical coastal route between Bergen and Kirkenes, with four new-built ships. The ships run on liquified natural gas (LNG) and have large battery packs installed. They can operate up to 4 hours at the time, completely emission-free and silent using batteries.
SleepKeeper Pillow Carriers for Cruisers
SleepKeeper pillow carriers are designed to help travellers take the comfort of their own pillow wherever they go.
These innovative carriers compress standard and king size pillows down to a convenient, portable size, fitting seamlessly into luggage or carry-ons. Lightweight, durable, and water-resistant, they are the perfect solution for anyone looking to enhance their travel experience.
Prioritising Hygiene at Sea
With SleepKeeper, travellers can skip the cabin pillow altogether, bringing their own instead for a cleaner, healthier, and more relaxing night’s sleep.
Its compact design and stylish options make it a smart, travel-savvy choice for cruisers of all kinds.
