8 cruise itineraries you need to book for 2025 and beyond
If your 2024 was like mine, you barely had time to prep for the holidays, let alone think about this year’s travel plans. So, now that the gifts are unwrapped and the new year has arrived, you'll be itching to book that next trip.
After digging through what's new and exciting in the cruise industry, I've compiled a list of eight dream-worthy cruise itineraries that are anything but typical. They include new destinations, returns to places cruise lines haven’t sailed in years and waterways that passenger vessels haven’t yet sailed but soon will.
With some cruise lines claiming that up to 75% of their inventory is already sold for 2025, you’ll want to look well into this year — or even 2026 and 2027 — to plan your next at-sea vacation. Add these standout itineraries to your bucket list of cruises for 2025 and beyond.
Note: All prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, unless otherwise noted. Fares were accurate at the time of publication but are subject to change.
AmaWaterways' Magdalena River cruises
Beginning in March, AmaWaterways will become the first major cruise line to sail the Magdalena River, as noted in TPG’s best places to travel in 2025. The waterway flows north across Colombia, through the Andes Mountains, and a cruise along the river offers a glimpse into Spanish colonial life and the flora and fauna of the nearby rainforests.
The cruise line will position two ships, AmaMagdalena and AmaMelodia, on the river, offering two seven-night itineraries — "Wonders of Colombia" and "Magic of Colombia" — which will sail between Cartagena and Barranquilla on a regular cadence. Overnights in Santa Cruz de Mompox, a UNESCO-listed colonial city, and a call on Palenque, known as the first free African town in the Americas, are highlights.
Scenic cruising through the picturesque La Mojana region, visits to Indigenous communities, bird watching and a visit to the floating village of Nueva Venecia are also on the schedule. As is the case on all AmaWaterways voyages, cruise fares — which start at $3,839 per person — include daily tours from local guides.
Azamara Cruises' New England and Canada voyages
In September and October 2025, upscale line Azamara Cruises is returning to New England with three itineraries that range from 12 to 14 nights. Although the region isn’t new for cruisers, this will be the first time in nearly a decade that Azamara will call on Boston; Newport, Rhode Island; and Bar Harbor and Portland, Maine.
With Canadian ports like Saint John, New Brunswick; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; and Montreal mixed in, these itineraries are a great way for passengers to enjoy the allure of charming coastal cities at the peak of leaf-peeping season.
The three one-way sailings include two 12-night “Canada/New England Intensive Voyages,” departing Sept. 23 and Oct. 5, 2025, and a 14-night “Canada/Colonial America Intensive Voyage,” departing Oct. 17, 2025, all on Azamara Quest. Respectively, they sail from Montreal to New York, New York to Montreal and Montreal to Miami (with the last one also making stops in New York; Norfolk, Virginia; and Charleston, South Carolina). Prices start from $3,519 per person for an inside cabin on the Oct. 17 cruise.
Holland America's small-port sailing in Alaska
On Sept. 16, 2026, Holland America will offer a single “Great Bear Rainforest and Alaskan Explorer” itinerary on Zaandam. This rare cruise will travel 18 days round-trip from Vancouver and feature several Alaska ports of call — including Homer, Valdez, Wrangell, Kodiak and Anchorage — not frequently visited by cruise ships. The more commonly visited ports of Ketchikan, Juneau and Sitka also appear on the itinerary.
As part of the voyage, the ship will spend two full days exploring the beautiful and tight channels that cut through the western edge of British Columbia — most notably, the Grenville Channel and the Seymour Narrows.
Fares for this one-off sailing start from $3,029 per person for an inside cabin.
Cruises to Carnival's Celebration Key
Carnival Cruise Line is in the middle of a construction boom, and I’m not referring to ships. Private destination Celebration Key, which will cater to the line's passengers, is slated to open in July 2025 on the south side of Grand Bahama Island.
Carnival cruisers can visit for free during calls there; eventually, the port will have room for up to four ships to dock at the same time. With five distinct areas for passengers to explore, Celebration Key will feature two large waterslides and areas for family activities and sports, as well as an adults-only area and plenty of spots to eat, drink and shop.
More than 500 Carnival itineraries currently have Celebration Key listed as a port of call, meaning you should have no trouble finding a voyage to take you there. Prices start from $334 per person for an inside cabin on a three-night Carnival Conquest cruise, sailing round-trip from Miami on Jan. 2, 2026.
Atlas Ocean Voyages' 2026 eclipse cruises
Eclipse chasers wishing to take in the solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026, are in luck. Atlas Ocean Voyages is offering two voyage options, both of which will put you in a prime viewing location as you enjoy sailings around Europe. You can expect daily lectures and nighttime discussions about the sky from astronomers who will be serving as expedition guides on board.
The first — a weeklong Journey of the Solar Eclipse voyage on the line’s World Traveller ship, from Barcelona to Monte Carlo, Monaco — departs Aug. 9, 2026, and includes visits to Ibiza and Palma de Mallorca, Spain, as well as Cannes, France. The second cruise, a nine-night Polar Eclipse Quest voyage on World Navigator, departs Aug. 11, 2026, sails round-trip from Reykjavik and calls on several small Icelandic towns and local fjords.
Prices for the World Traveller voyage start from $5,500 for an ocean-view cabin (which has a window but no balcony). Fares for the World Navigator cruise start at $8,899 per person for an ocean-view room.
Virgin Voyages cruises from Los Angeles
Although cruises from California aren’t new, we’re excited when brand-new ships sail from the West Coast, giving the often-overlooked region some love. Virgin Voyages' fourth and final ship, Brilliant Lady, is set to debut in fall 2025, and part of its inaugural season will include cruises from Los Angeles.
The vessel will offer a series of three voyages round-trip from Los Angeles, running between April and May 2026. They include a five-night cruise to Santa Barbara and San Diego in California, as well as Ensenada, Mexico; a six-night foray to Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan, Mexico; and a seven-night sailing to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. A fourth sailing, an eight-nighter from Los Angeles to Vancouver, features calls on San Francisco; Astoria, Oregon; and Victoria in Canada’s British Columbia.
Prices start from $896 per person for an inside cabin on the five-night voyage.
Abercrombie & Kent on the Amazon
Starting in mid-2025, Abercrombie & Kent — a luxury travel company that includes small-ship cruises in its portfolio — will position new riverboat Pure Amazon on the Peruvian Amazon, offering three-, four- and seven-night itineraries in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.
Passengers can search for sloths, monkeys and pink dolphins; fish for piranhas; and try their hand at kayaking. But what’s truly special about the experience is that the vessel has only 10 suites and two solo accommodations, meaning the maximum passenger capacity is about 20 people.
Prices start from $5,475 per person for a three-day voyage in accommodations with panoramic windows.
Cunard in South America
This year, Cunard is sending a ship to South America for a circumnavigation of the continent as part of a longer "Grand" cruise that lasts a whopping 78 days.
The 2025 South America Grand Voyage on Queen Victoria is already sold out, but travelers can opt instead for segments of the full voyage. The second half of the full sailing is a 31-night cruise from San Antonio, Chile, to Southampton in the U.K., featuring ports in Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Panama (including a full canal transit), from $5,299 per person for an inside cabin. A 17-night option is also available — sailing from San Antonio, Chile, to Fort Lauderdale — from $2,899 per person for an inside cabin. Both of the segments depart on Feb. 25, 2025.
If you have your heart set on a longer cruise or need more time to plan, you can look to the line’s 2027 Grand South America Adventures itinerary, a 90-night voyage on Queen Anne, sailing round-trip from Hamburg, Germany on Jan. 5, 2027. The itinerary includes ports in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Panama (with a full canal transit). Prices start from $17,029 per person for an inside cabin. Segments are also available.
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.