On one cruise, you could be sipping a margarita on deck while pondering which flavour of ice cream to try next, while on another, you could be cutting through the chop of the Arctic sea on the lookout for polar bears and narwhals. The possibilities of a holiday at sea are truly endless, and thanks to the wealth of new and refreshed itineraries and ships launching in 2026, there’s now even more ways for Brits to get their fix of life on the water.

Increasingly popular destinations like the Middle East, Southeast Asia and South America continue to draw the gazes of nomadic explorers looking to satiate their desire to uncover new realms, while returning favourites like the Mediterranean and Caribbean cement their positions as the world’s most preferred hotspots, with year-round sun, sand and sights keeping all ages coming back for more.

We’ve assembled this guide to help you keep abreast of these destinations, providing you with everything you need to highlight the best activities and cruise lines in the world’s most storied cities, port towns and islands. We’ve interviewed the heads of tourist boards and cruise conglomerates from around the world to get an insight into what’s to come next year, and canvassed cruise experts for their top selling tips.