New routes, anniversaries and festive cruises for groups in 2027

There’s lots to look forward to in the world of cruising. Two big names are celebrating anniversaries in 2027 with special offerings for guests, while expanded winter getaways in Europe and beyond provide end-of-year experiences for all types of groups, whether you want to squeeze in a last-minute escape this year or you’re planning ahead as far as 2029. 

New departure points and fresh routes for a flagship

A-ROSA is marking its 25th anniversary in 2027 by refreshing its routes and establishing two new departure points - Duisburg on the Rhine and Vienna on the Danube. A-ROSA FLORA will be based out of Vienna, offering a programme of five and seven night capital city cruises, and longer sailings of 14 and 16 nights reaching the Cataracts and Danube Delta. 

Duisburg in Germany’s Ruhr region will be the new base for A-ROSA AQUA, BRAVA and SENA in 2027, allowing for longer time spent in places like Antwerp, Ghent and Amsterdam. In 2027, the Ruhr will host the International Garden Exhibition (23rd April – 17th October) which groups can experience on northbound itineraries of A-ROSA SENA. 

Two new itineraries will see the river cruise line’s flagship vessel, A-ROSA SENA, venturing south in 2027 for the first time since her maiden launch. Groups can sail from Duisburg to Mainz on the seven-night Middle Rhine Valley, Vines & Lorelai voyage, passing the Lorelei rock and the terraced vineyards of the Rheingau, with an optional vintner-hosted dinner. The five-night Rhine City Break in Winter swaps vineyards for fairy lights on a route that calls at Cologne, Bonn and Rüdesheim.

Festive season cruises

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ 2027 festive itineraries include a five-night cruise to Honfleur and Hamburg’s Christmas markets, and a 14-night sailing to the Canary Islands and Madeira for winter sun and Funchal’s New Year’s Eve fireworks. 

Find festive magic on the Seine with Riviera Travel’s river cruise through Paris, or experience an elegant Christmas in The Danube’s imperial cities. Groups planning ahead to 2027 or 2028 can take advantage of reduced rates of festive cruises.

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises & Tours have unveiled their festive river cruise collection, with itineraries calling at magical Christmas markets in Cologne, Vienna and Strasbourg. Sailings are booking now for 2027 and 2028, with some availability on 2026 departures for any groups seeking a last-minute getaway. 

Winter sailings and booking ahead for the Med

Greece and Mediterranean specialist Celestyal has unveiled seven new winter 2027/28 sailing options onboard the 1,260-guest Celestyal Journey, including an updated version of the previous ‘Three Continents’ cruise. These include four seven-night ‘Mediterranean Mosaics’ voyages between Athens and Istanbul and three 14-night ‘Three Continents Explorer’ cruises, which stop at breathtaking destinations in Greece, Egypt and Turkey. 

In 2028, there are 124 sailings in the Mediterranean to choose from with Celestyal. Voyages range from three to 14 nights, offering a mix of shorter Greek Islands escapes and longer, more immersive itineraries combining multiple countries in one journey. Itinerary highlights include the seven-night Heavenly Greece, Italy & Croatia and the three- or four-night Iconic Greek Islands sailing.

Saga Cruises turns 30

To celebrate three decades of over-50s sailings in 2027, Saga Cruises is including a selection of premium wines, return nationwide shared chauffeur service, an excursion in every port, speciality dining, on‑board Wi‑Fi, gratuities and more in every no-fly cruise throughout 2027. 

Next year’s no-fly boutique cruise itineraries include a summer voyage to France, Guernsey and the Isles of Scilly, a 19-night Greenland and Iceland Adventure, and 14 nights exploring seven countries in northern Europe. 

Saga’s newest boutique river ship, Spirit of the Lorelei will embark on her inaugural season in 2027, sailing on the Rhine and Danube rivers and stopping at Prague, Budapest, Vienna and more.

Explore the sun-soaked west coast 

Carnival Cruise Line is offering expanded sailings from Long Beach, California to Mexico in 2028/29. The programme runs from May 2028 to April 2029 and features three- to eight-day trips aboard Carnival Radiance and Carnival Panorama. 

The year-round itineraries range from quick Baja Mexico getaways to extended Mexican Riviera adventures that call at Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta. During the festive season, a special five-day sailing on Carnival Radiance departing 21st December 2028, will visit Catalina Island, Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada.