The summer’s scorching sun continues, and the holidays are almost over; that means it’s just about time for another interesting edition of Iglu Cruise News, a round-up article that touches on some of the cruise industry’s most interesting news and highlights some of the things the Iglu Cruise creative team have been working on over the last month.
With so much to look forward to, we don’t see any point in wasting time. So, let’s jump into the biggest cruise news of August 2026 and what you can look forward to in the future cruise-wise.
A monthly round-up of the biggest cruise news…
Cunard confirms incredible excursion for 2027 world voyages
Earlier this month, Cunard revealed a few more exciting details about what you can expect to enjoy at select stops on Queen Victoria’s upcoming Full World Voyage, an epic 109-night sailing calling at destinations like Hong Kong, Cape Town, Los Angeles, Singapore, and more.
When stopping in Sydney, Cunard cruisers will have the opportunity to explore the stunning Blue Mountains, climb Sydney Harbour Bridge, or visit the historic wine-growing region of Hunter Valley. Meanwhile, a call at Cape Town will afford you the opportunity to scale Table Mountain or explore Groot Constantia, one of the oldest wine farms in South Africa. Beyond, you’ll find enriching experiences that explore local cuisines and cultures, insightful adventures to fascinating places, and sightseeing opportunities you’ll never forget.
For more details about where you’ll be stopping on this sensational sailing, check out Queen Victoria’s World Cruise from Southampton to Hamburg here. You can also find more on other Cunard world cruises and world cruise segments right here.
Holland America Line bolstering poolside entertainment on two ships
As part of Holland America Line’s transformational Evolution upgrades, both Oosterdam and Zuiderdam are set to receive brand new poolside bandstands alongside a host of other incredible updates and improvements. These new bandstands, which will create a dedicated live music and entertainment space in the Lido Pool area, will ensure everyone onboard can enjoy an exciting day of poolside entertainment, whatever the weather.
Set to begin in 2027, Holland America Line’s exciting Evolutions will also introduce new venues, such as Grand Dutch Café, to select ships, along with new staterooms and suites, including the stunning Bridgeview Suites, refreshed interiors, and more. Expect more information about what to expect on these evolved Holland America Line ships in the coming months.
New details on Norwegian Aura arrive ahead of May 2027 debut
Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest and longest ship, Norwegian Aura, is on the way, and this month saw the cruise line detail some of the fresh and familiar experiences you can expect to encounter when you embark on a Norwegian Aura cruise from May 2027 onwards.
Ushering in a new era of wellness at sea for Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Aura will boast an expanded iteration of the Mandara Spa; spanning two decks, this will feature spaces and experiences inspired by forest canopies, cave-like retreats, cascading waterfalls, and more, inviting guests to enjoy the restorative powers of nature alongside a sumptuous selection of spa treatments – available in one of 24 treatment rooms. It’s also going to feature an expansive Thermal Suite with signature experiences such as the Sensory Rain Pool, dedicated Foot Spa, Reflection Pool, Aromatic Steam Room, and more, further enriching your onboard experience.
Zen Lounge, Reflection Pool, and Meditation Room
Norwegian Aura will also feature new dining options like Tamara – the cruise line’s first speciality restaurant dedicated to Indian cuisine – and The Panorama Room – an immersive dining experience that uses vibrant LED display and dynamic special effects to elevate each moment – alongside familiar favourites like Le Bistro, Sukhothai, and Cagney’s Steakhouse. A selection of new and expanded bar and lounge areas will complement the existing dining options, giving every type of traveller somewhere to socialise and enjoy engaging entertainment.
Le Bistro, Cagney's, and the Panorama Room
This ship will also be home to Ocean Heights, a hub of fun and family-friendly activity for everyone to enjoy; here, you’ll find the impressive Aura Ropes Course, the vibrant Aura Midway, and Moon Climber: a multi-level obstacle course. With so many exceptional experiences awaiting, upcoming cruises on Norwegian Aura are not to be missed!
Marella Cruises boosts non-alcoholic drinks options across fleet
Starting this month, Marella Cruises’ selection of non-alcoholic drinks is about to be even more impressive, with the cruise line confirming that 18 new non-alcoholic cocktails will be available in bars onboard alongside a robust range of other alcohol-free wines, spirits, beers, and ciders.
In an effort to broaden the selection of alcohol-free options onboard, without compromising the excitement of ordering a delicious crafted cocktail, the new non-alcoholic cocktails include: the Grapefruit Refresher, with Lyre’s London Dry, pink grapefruit, and soda; a Nojito, an alcohol-free mojito; the lemon-y Summer Sour, utilising Lyre’s London Dry; and the Gentle Fashioned, which mixes Lyre’s American Malt with bitters and orange peel.
Those after something a little different will find a selection of 0% wines available alongside popular options like Heineken 0.0, Somersby Zero, and a selection of Lyre’s alcohol-free spirits. You’ll also find gluten-free Estrella available on onboard, although it still contains alcohol.
With some of this expanded selection of non-alcoholic drinks included in Marella Cruises’ All-Inclusive package, and even more with the Premium All-Inclusive package, there’s a lot to look forward to for those after a low-alcohol alternative to this cruise line’s impressive drinks selection.
Oceania Cruises confirms guest speakers for 2027’s Curated Conversations
This month, Oceania Cruises shared more details about the guest speakers you can look forward to engaging with on select sailings with Oceania Cruises’ Curated Conversations, and there’s a lot to be excited about.
An insightful enrichment programme that will feature fascinating figures from the worlds of film, culture, technology, and the arts discussing their lives and experiences, Curated Conversations promise to be an incredible addition to the onboard entertainment available with Oceania Cruises.
Of those you can expect to encounter on certain Oceania Cruises sailings, highlights include:
- Karen Allen - Los Angeles to Papeete, November 2027
An award-winning actress and director, best known for her role as Marion Ravenwood in Raiders of the Lost Ark, appearances in Shoot the Moon (1982), Starman (1984), and Scrooged (1988), alongside numerous Broadway performances and TV roles.
- Steve Wozniak - Miami round-trip, January 2027
Co-founder of Apple and Silicon Valley icon, revered as one of the most influential innovators of modern technology and has helped fund entrepreneurial ventures focusing on GPS technology, flash memory, ecology, satellites, and more.
With more details on upcoming guest speakers on the way, there’s never been a better time to book a sensational sailing with Oceania Cruises.
A new selection of AzAmazing Evenings is on the way in 2027
Earlier this month, Azamara Cruises unveiled over 30 new AzAmazing Evenings on the way to select 2027 sailings, bringing the total for the year’s selection to 121 exciting events.
An inspired collection of complimentary, unique, immersive cultural experiences designed to invite you deeper into the heart of each destination on your itinerary with once-in-a-lifetime experiences and unforgettable occasions, AzAmazing Evenings are extraordinary. Of this incredible new selection, which will touch Azamara Cruises’ sailings in Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Australasia, examples include:
- An Irish Spirit Social at Midleton Distillery (Cork, Ireland)
- A performance from the Estonian National Male Choir (Tallinn, Estonia)
- An evening of Hawaiian Spirit by Balé Popular do Recife (Honolulu, Hawaii)
- An evening of entertainment and immersive storytelling aboard the USS Midway (San Diego, California)
- A Hiroshima Kagura performance and Sake Barrel opening (Hiroshima, Japan)
- A Starlight Soirée at Napier’s Municipal Theatre (Napier, New Zealand)
Elevated excursions that further immerse you in select destinations on your sailing, upcoming cruises with Azamara Cruises are an exciting option for your next escape.
Disney Cruise Line shares first look at Disney Believe designs
A new Wish-class cruise ship scheduled to debut late 2027, Disney Believe is an exciting expansion to Disney Cruise Line’s impressive fleet of stunning ships, and there’s a lot of interest around the theming of this upcoming vessel. With Disney Destiny leaning on Marvel Comics’ heroes (including Spider-Man and Black Panther), and Disney Treasure featuring Captain Hook and Peter Pan, we now know what characters Disney fans can expect to encounter when they embark on the cruise line’s next impressive ship.
Shared during D23’s Horizons: D23 Disney Experiences Showcase earlier this month, Disney Cruise Line has confirmed that Toy Story’s Buzz Lightyear and Woody Pride will feature on Disney Believe’s stern, while the bow will be decorated with Tinker Bell. In the Grand Hall, an impressive Bronze statue of Moana, Pua, and Hei Hei will welcome guests onboard.
Concept art of Disney Believe
Disney Believe is also expected to bring the worlds of Encanto and Frozen to life and feature areas inspired by Moana and The Little Mermaid. So, Disney fans, new and old, will find familiar characters and designs on onboard. With more details on the way, be sure to check out upcoming Disney Cruise Line deals here and save yourself a space on one of Disney Believe’s first few adventures.
In other cruise news from around the world…
- Philadelphia’s brand new PhilaPort Cruise Terminal has welcomed its first guests this month, so expect to see more incredible North America cruise deals departing this fantastic city in the future.
- At the end of July, Celebrity Cruises confirmed that it would increase the amount of tips people pay onboard; this increase means every guest pays an extra $1.50 per day, regardless of their stateroom or suite. Don’t worry if you have already prepaid your tips before the start of the month, though; you’re not going to be charged more.
- Celebrity Cruises has also confirmed that Celebrity Beyond is returning to the UK for an incredible European season in 2028; with some sensational Celebrity Beyond cruises from Southampton, sailing aboard this stunning ship has never been easier!
- Oceania Cruises’ Regatta has also just completed its final voyage for the luxury cruise line ahead of its return to the seas under Explorations by Norwegian; with some truly sensational itineraries on the way, be sure to check out more Explorations by Norwegian cruise deals right here.
- Following an exciting launch, this month saw Explora III make its maiden call in Southampton, marking the start of an exciting sailing to Norway and its stunning Fjords. If you want to see what this new luxury ship is all about, check out upcoming Explora III cruise deals right here.
- Disney Dream also recently made its maiden call in Southampton, kicking off a sensational homeport season from the popular South Coast port; you’ll find more on upcoming Disney Dream cruises from Southampton by following this link.
- Meanwhile, Disney Wonder has just entered a two-week drydock in Victoria for important maintenance and upkeep; it is scheduled to resume service on 7 September 2026.
- Emerald Yacht Cruises has confirmed three sensational sailings with chef Rachel Hargrove; inviting you to explore the destinations on your itinerary through food, each sailing has been designed with regional culinary traditions in mind. You’ll find curated menus and live cooking demonstrations alongside interactive culinary experiences and more available on the following sailings: Cruising the Leeward Islands (December 2026), Sensations of the Seine and Normandy (October 2027), and Caribbean Yachting Hideaways (December 2027)
Iglu Cruise Insider - Our top posts in August
August hasn’t just been a busy month for the cruise lines whisking you away on exciting adventures; the Iglu Cruise creative team have been hard at work creating interesting new content for you to check out, adding an array of new blog posts to Iglu Cruise Insider: your backstage pass to the world of cruising. From staff reviews and guides to travel inspiration and more, there’s a lot to look at, all of which may help you make a decision when you’re browsing for your next exciting cruise escape.
So, you’ll find the latest posts from the Iglu Cruise creative team below:
- The Odyssey: Trending locations that you can visit
- Iglu Cruise staff reviews: Jack's wonderful river cruise with Uniworld
- Top 5 best cruise lines for teens and young cruisers
- The World’s Top 10 Luxury Destinations
- The top 10 most-loved attractions in Canada
- 10 colourful destinations to inspire you to travel
- Top 10 tourist attractions in Ireland
Keep an eye on Iglu Cruise Insider throughout September and beyond for even more incredible travel inspiration, informative guides, and authentic staff reviews – there’s so much more on the way.
Book your next cruise escape with Iglu Cruise today
If you’re ready to embark on your own incredible adventure, Iglu Cruise is the perfect place to book. With an impressive selection of sailings and plenty of cruise deals to choose from, you’re certain to find something to suit you – whether you’re looking for last-minute offers, all-inclusive packages, a cruise from Southampton, or a luxury getaway.
If you’re looking for a little more inspiration, though, here’s a selection of Iglu Cruise Insider posts from earlier in the year:
