Luxury ocean and river cruise lines are extending seasons in Europe and the Med, and ships are staying in ports overnight, providing more opportunities for clients to linger longer in desirable destinations.
Advisors are seeing growing demand for coolcations and cruise lines are on the case. Many ocean and river cruise companies are extending their seasons in Europe and the Mediterranean for weeks beyond the traditional May to September window, opening new opportunities for luxury cruisers.
Well-travelled clients increasingly look for quality time in sought-after destinations.
Suffocating heat and crowds are a turn-off and there are many other advantages to visiting glorious cities such as Paris, Rome, Lisbon and Istanbul in what was once known as the shoulder season.
Similarly, late-night departures from ports and overnight stays make for a more relaxed experience. Guests can explore on their own and find shops, bars and restaurants only locals know about – or enjoy exclusive cultural events organised by the cruise line. Azamara set the ball rolling with its AzAmazing Evenings more than a decade ago and its 2026 sailings include 35 events in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
In 2024, Regent Seven Seas Cruises introduced Immersive Overnights – cruises that include an overnight stay in every port of call. Regent’s 2026-2027 Voyage Collection includes eight Immersive Overnight itineraries in Europe, with three more added for 2027-2028. Overnight Immersion cruises offer a range of fabulous evening excursions in cities as diverse as Barcelona, Stockholm, Monte Carlo and Athens.
Winter in the Med
December marks the end of Oceania Nautica’s first winter cruises in the Mediterranean, just as Oceania announces that its newest ship, Oceania Allura, will embark on her first full winter season in 2027-2028.
“Winter sailings in the Mediterranean have a completely different pace and atmosphere to those in the summer months,” says Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises. “We are so excited to offer our well-travelled guests these opportunities to explore this perennially popular region, affording them countless opportunities to linger longer with extended days in port and overnight stays to savour the season’s rich flavours and traditions.”
Oceania Allura’s winter cruises will range from nine to 26 days between November 2027 and March 2028, calling at ports in Greece, Turkey, Italy, France and Spain.
Other luxury lines such as Crystal, Explora Journeys, Regent, Seabourn, Silversea and Viking also offer cruises in the Med either year-round or until December, then starting again in March or April.
Apart from fewer crowds and significantly cooler weather, what else can clients expect in the Med “off season”? Fares are well priced, many Mediterranean cities host Christmas markets (river lines have been across this for many years), locals are less stressed by hordes of visitors and queues for famous galleries, churches and monuments are much reduced, even non-existent.
Another reason to take a winter cruise is to escape Australia’s hot and humid summer months. The only problem, according to Lisa Pile, RSSC VP Sales & GM for Asia Pacific, is that airlines need to come to the party and provide more flights at better price points to cater to demand.
“Regent now operates from March to November in Europe, but the airlines aren’t keeping up,” Pile told Karryon recently. “We rely a hundred per cent on airlift and need more seats from Australia to cater to the booming fly-cruise market.”
Summer in Japan
Silversea’s recently released collection of 2027-2028 voyages includes the ultra-luxe line’s debut summer season in Japan in 2027. Between July and August, the elegant, 596-guest Silver Muse will sail six combinable cruises that are timed to coincide with cultural events, including the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto and Awa Odori in Tokushima, Japan’s biggest dance festival.
Other highlights will include calls to Hiroshima, Akita, Nagasaki, Shimizu near Mount Fuji, Busan, Jeju, Okinawa, Amami Oshima and Kagoshima. Overnights in Osaka will enable guests to explore the city’s vibrant street food and nightlife.
Preparing for hot weather is essential, although savvy Aussie travellers know to pack hats, lightweight layered clothing, sunscreen, umbrellas and to take fans (buy traditional fans in Japan rather than plastic, battery-operated models) and water bottles on excursions.
The bonus: fewer queues at museums, shops, restaurants and galleries (all air-conditioned) plus Silver Muse has a very nice pool.
Onboard, the S.A.L.T. culinary program is designed to deepen guests’ connections to Japan, with shore experiences including an umami discovery in Osaka and explorations of Kyoto’s regional specialties.
Winter river cruises
Christmas markets in Europe are a major drawcard for river cruisers – they generally open in mid- to late-November and run through December. Later this month, I will be cruising the Danube on AmaWaterways’ Festive Delights itinerary from Bucharest to Budapest, and I can’t wait to visit Christmas markets and explore historic cities as winter draws in. My review will follow soon…
Meanwhile, other luxury river lines such as APT, Uniworld, Tauck and Scenic are sailing the Rhine, Main and Danube until December, then starting up again in February and March. Emerald Cruises now operates European river cruises every month of the year except January.
Nightlife on river cruises has traditionally been rather tame but Avalon, for one, is upping the ante with its Avalon After Dark experiences. In 2026, its ships will offer more overnight docking in cities so guests can explore ashore throughout the seasons. It is also introducing Sky Grill Dinners and extended bar hours on the Sky Deck.
For more information, visit AmaWaterways, APT, Avalon Waterways, Azamara, Crystal, Explora Journeys, Oceania Cruises, RSSC, Scenic, Silversea, Tauck, Uniworld
