From the wild shores of the Galápagos to the ancient fjords of Norway, plus a Bahamian water park that delights, and the most ambitious ship ever built, cruising’s next chapter promises something grand for everyone.
If you’ve been waiting for the perfect excuse to finally book that dream voyage, consider this your sign and your shortlist. The cruise industry is firing on all cylinders right now, launching ships that feel more like cities, reimagining private islands as full-blown theme parks, and crafting itineraries so immersive you’ll return home with sea legs. Here’s the scoop on four maritime adventures that deserve a spot on your radar.
Celebrity Flora in the Galápagos: Explore Luxury at the Edge of the World
Some destinations don’t just call to the traveler in you, they summon the naturalist, the adventurer, the person who once stared at a giant tortoise in a zoo and thought, I need to see one in the wild. For those explorers, Celebrity Cruises has just opened bookings for its 2028 Galápagos season aboard the Celebrity Flora, and it’s every bit as extraordinary as you’d hope.
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Celebrity Flora, FL, Galapagos Islands, all suite luxury mega yacht, exterior, zodiac, tender, Novurania, boarding, embarkation, aft, Marina,
Celebrity Flora, FL, Galapagos Islands, all suite luxury mega yacht, jacuzzi, pool, outdoor, lounge, couple, views,
The 100-passenger vessel is designed specifically for sailing in the Galápagos archipelago. More than 50 all-inclusive sailings are on offer, with activities ranging from snorkeling alongside sea lions and kayaking with sea turtles to exploring coastal cliffs and coming face-to-face with, you guessed it, giant tortoises, all guided by Galápagos National Park expert naturalists. Itineraries run from seven to 16 nights, with the longer options incorporating extended land adventures in Quito, Ecuador, as well as Lima, Cusco, and even Machu Picchu.
What sets this program apart is its immersive good. In partnership with Galápagos National Park, Celebrity’s “Rewilding Galápagos” initiative invites guests to help restore the natural habitats of the islands. For example, visiting a Scalesia reforestation area to plant seedlings with expert naturalist guides. When guests sail in 2028, the initiative will reach a milestone of 100,000 trees planted. To cruise the Galápagos with Celebrity isn’t just a bucket-list moment; it’s a chance to leave something significant behind.
Royal Caribbean’s Hero of the Seas: The Icon Class Leveled Up
Arriving in August 2027, Royal Caribbean’s Hero of the Seas is the fourth ship in the Icon Class—the largest cruise ships in the world—and when it sets sail from Miami it will do so with a jaw-dropping lineup: eight neighborhoods, the most pools at sea, 28 dining venues, new family raft slides, and new accommodation styles for multigenerational families, including a three-story Ultimate Family Treehouse.
Hero of the Seas will boast nine unique swimming spots, such as the new Caribbean-inspired Coconut Cove pool, three adults-only pools, and an expanded Swim & Tonic concept. The Category 6 waterpark—already legendary on earlier Icon Class ships—gets even bigger here, and now features two new family raft slides, including the first-ever funnel raft slide at sea. High above the waves, Crown’s Edge takes guests on a high-flying adventure with skywalk and zipline experiences.
Sailing seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages, every one of which includes a call at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Hero of the Seas is the kind of ship that makes vacation planning feel like the best problem to have.
Princess’s 2028 World Cruise: Around the Globe in 115 Days
For the boldest adventurers among us—the ones who don’t so much plan a trip as commit to a transformation—Princess Cruises has charted the ultimate journey. The 2028 World Cruise aboard Coral Princess offers travelers a chance to circle the globe in style. And the sheer scope of it is staggering.
Dubrovnik is a stunningly beautiful coastal city located in the southern part of Croatia, bordering the Adriatic Sea. Often referred to as the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” Dubrovnik is known for its charming Old Town, ancient city walls, and rich cultural heritage. The city has a fascinating history that dates back to the 7th century, and it has served as a major trading hub for centuries. Dubrovnik is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been featured in many popular TV shows and movies, including “Game of Thrones.” With its picturesque beaches, stunning architecture, and rich history, Dubrovnik has become a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world who come to enjoy its natural beauty, warm climate, and Mediterranean charm.
There are three options: a 115-day roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale departing January 3, 2028; a 115-day roundtrip from Los Angeles departing January 18; or a 100-day voyage from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale, also January 18. During the 115 days, jet-setters will visit 49 destinations in 24 countries on five continents, sail 36,000 nautical miles, cross the equator twice, and wake up each morning to a different corner of the world. The itinerary reads like a greatest-hits album of the planet: Cartagena, the Panama Canal, Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne, Mauritius, Cape Town, Namibia, the Canary Islands, Gibraltar, Dubrovnik, Athens, Rome, Barcelona—to name only a handful.
Guests who book a 100- or 115-day sailing by August 31, 2026, can enjoy the Princess Premier package included—covering unlimited drinks, unlimited specialty dining, and unlimited Wi-Fi—plus up to $3,000 USD in onboard credit per stateroom. A 115-day cruise at this level isn’t just a vacation; it’s a life chapter.
If you don’t necessarily want to go all the way around the world, but an immersive European journey sounds good, Princess still has you covered. The line’s 2028 Europe season—its largest ever—features 291 departures across 150 itineraries, which translates to some 128 destinations in 37 countries—including first-ever calls to Ireland’s rugged west coast in Galway and Killybegs on certain journeys.
Whether you’re drawn to the primal wonder of the Galápagos, the sun-soaked thrills of a Bahamian water park, the family-first discovery of the newest mega-ship at sea, or the impossible grandeur of a global circumnavigation, one thing is clear: the age of the extraordinary cruise is very much upon us. The only question left is where—and when—you’ll set sail.
No matter what type of cruise you’re interested in, Interval Travel’s expert cruise team can make booking your journey easy. And remember, when you book your cruise through Interval Travel®, there are no booking fees, and as an exclusive Interval member benefit, you’ll receive up to $200 worth of Onboard Credit per cabin.
Plus, as an Interval member, you can even trade your week or points toward the purchase of a cruise.
With cruise exchange, you have the power and flexibility to use your membership to do something new and exciting. Here’s how:
Log in to your member account, go to the Exchange tab, and select Cruise Exchange to search for itineraries. You can exchange your timeshare week or points toward the purchase, subject to an exchange fee.
How the Booking Process Works
- Access the Portal: Navigate to the Exchange section on the Interval World homepage to view your deposited weeks or points.
- Search Availability: Enter your preferred cruise lines and dates.
- Get a Quote: The transaction requires applying your timeshare unit and paying an exchange fee.
- Finalize: Once you select a cabin, the remaining balance for the cruise fare will be provided. You are not locked into the trade until you enter payment details and confirm.
Plan Ahead: Several of the sailings mentioned in this article are capacity-controlled and expected to sell quickly. Contact Interval today to make an exchange well in advance.
The New Wave of Cruise Cuisine
From Bon Voyage to Bon Appétit, discover the latest array of dining offerings
Celebrity Flora, Princess Cruises
Boasting a more field-to-fork experience, Celebrity Flora is introducing an all-inclusive experience option that covers every meal, drink, and excursion. Once aboard, you can check out The Seaside Restaurant, which anchors their fine dining offering with nightly Ecuadorian-inspired dishes (think coastal seafood accentuated with tropical fruit) that rotate daily, while the al fresco Ocean Grill on Deck 7 invites salt-air lunches of palate-pleasing dishes. Depending on the destination, you’ll find locally grown fruits that makes menus feel authentically of the place. The real star though will be locally sourced seafood, prepared with the care you’d expect from a five-star resort.
Hero of the Seas, Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean’s fourth Icon Class ship arrives with a fleet-record 28 dining venues and two showstopper concepts: the Orleans Parish Supper Club brings multi-course Cajun and Creole cuisine to the table alongside live jazz and craft cocktails, delivering French Quarter elegance on the high seas. Meanwhile, Royal Railway℠ – Hero Station seats guests in vintage train cars for a technology-driven, destination-themed experience billed as “the most immersive dining at sea.”
Families can also sign up for hands-on cooking classes. The revamped AquaDome Market food hall debuts four entirely new stall concepts, including Crème de la Crêpe and freshly squeezed juices from Simply Pressed.
Coral Princess World Cruise, Princess Cruises
Departing January 3, 2028, this 36,000-nautical-mile circumnavigation across 49 destinations promises menus as ambitious as the itinerary itself. Every dish is prepared from scratch using regionally sourced ingredients, and the menu reinvents itself port-by-port: from South Pacific seafood to South African braai (barbecued meats). Specialty dining events and regionally themed entertainment evenings create a sense of cultural continuity throughout the 115-day voyage. Princess Cruises, recognized as the “Best Cruises for Food Lovers” by Food & Wine magazine, also offers onboard gastronomy workshops pairing culinary education with the destinations guests are about to explore.
