If you love cruising, there is something weirdly motivating about seeing what other cruisers are actually booking. Not wishlists. Not “I might.” Real trips planned for real cabins.
We pulled results from more than 500 bookings from our cruise community, then paired those insights with a large travel survey from Globus (25,000 people). The result: a clear picture of where people are headed next, which cruise lines are standing out, the cabin and month trends that keep showing up, and the booking strategies that are saving travelers serious money for 2026 and 2027.
Where most people are cruising next (destination trends)
Let’s start with the big question: what are people booking most for 2026 and 2027?
From the hundreds of bookings we reviewed, the top destination category is:
- #1 European river cruises (about 28% of bookings)
This is where the big names come up again and again: Viking, Avalon, Ama, Uniworld, Tauck, Emerald, Scenic, and others. River cruising continues to feel like the “right size” trip for many travelers, with classic routes and a built-in sense of place.
The next tier of popularity looks like this:
- #2 European cruises (including European coast)
- #5 Mediterranean
- #6 another major Europe-adjacent category in the mix
When you add those Europe-focused categories together, they land very close to the river cruising share. In other words: Europe is still the gravity well for the cruising community.
What about the other major regions people ask about?
- Transatlantic and transpacific are high up on the list, especially because many regular cruisers plan crossings well in advance.
- Alaska is also pretty high.
- Caribbean is lower than you might assume.
One important nuance: this is specifically for the audience in our cruising circle. If the typical traveler were younger, or if families with kids were booking in higher numbers, the Caribbean and Bahamas would likely climb.
Which cabin types are getting booked most
Cabin preference is one of those topics that feels intuitive, but it’s still useful to see the pattern.
For the bookings we analyzed, the most popular cabin type is:
- Balcony (about 75% of bookings)
After that, the choices break down like this:
- Suites are a bit higher than expected in the overall mix.
- Inside + Ocean View combine for about 12%.
If your priority is saving money, here’s the practical rule that shows up again and again:
Inside cabins often cost roughly 25% to 50% less than a balcony.
The most popular month to sail (and why shoulder season wins)
People want good weather, but they also want to avoid the worst crowds and costs. That balance shows clearly in the month data.
When asked which month is most popular, the answer is:
- October
October is sitting in the sweet spot between summer and fall, where you can often get a more comfortable experience without peak-season intensity.
The next most popular months in the top group are:
- May
- April
- September
- June
If you have flexibility, this “shoulder season strategy” is one of the easiest ways to get value without feeling like you compromised on travel quality.
The cruise lines people are booking most
After destination and season, the next question is the one that usually matters most: which ocean and river cruise lines are leading right now?
For this round, the results were both river and ocean, and the top picks are noticeably clustered.
River cruise leader: Avalon (neck and neck energy)
On river cruises, Avalon Waterways is the #1 booking choice. It’s also extremely close to a top ocean brand in the overall mix, making it feel like a “race at the top” more than a landslide.
Other river brands that remain strong in the booking profile include:
- AmaWaterways
- Viking
Ocean cruise leaders: Holland America and Celebrity
For ocean cruising, the top ocean choices right now include:
- Holland America
- Celebrity Cruises
After that, you can see other lines showing up frequently, including Princess, Azamara, Norwegian, and Oceania. (The list continues beyond the top few, but those names are where the demand concentrates.)
One reason smaller and mid-size ships keep showing up in bookings is that many travelers are drawn to itineraries that feel more personal. Lines like Oceania, Azamara, Viking often run ships that can be around 1,000 people or less, which appeals to cruisers who want a little more intimacy.
Who makes up the cruising community behind these bookings
It helps to understand the audience that produced these trends, because cruising demographics shape everything from destinations to cabin choices.
- About 80% of the cruising community in this dataset is 55 and up
- About 20% is younger than 55
- In the U.S., the audience skews even more, around 70%
And this is not a small bubble. There are 28 different countries represented in the broader community. That global mix matters because it reinforces that these are not just “local” vacation preferences. It’s a wide range of cruisers looking for value and unique itineraries and who often have time to plan properly.
What people want next (Globus survey results)
To expand beyond booking data, the team also looked at a Globus survey: 25,000 people answering questions about where they want to go next.
Top land destinations people want next
The top land destination picks are:
- Ireland
- Scotland
- England
Next up:
- Australia and New Zealand
After that, you see strong interest in:
- Italy
- Greece
- Switzerland
These aren’t shocking, but the rankings are useful when you are deciding where to prioritize your next trip.
River “where next” shifts: France and the Douro momentum
Here’s where it gets interesting for river cruise fans.
Yes, many travelers commonly book the Rhine and Danube routes (those make up a large portion of what tends to get booked). But the survey points to what comes after that.
For river cruising “where people want to go next,” the survey results elevate:
- Bordeaux
- Douro
- France river itineraries
The vibe here is clear: travelers want the next wave of river destinations, not just the “classic first pick.”
Customization is the biggest driver
One of the strongest findings across the survey: 9 out of 10 people want to customize their itinerary.
That tracks perfectly with why smaller ships and river cruises remain popular: you can often tailor the experience through itinerary choices and excursion options.
In fact, the survey also highlights:
- 99% want variety of short excursions
So it’s not just “do the must-see.” It’s “give me options that let me choose how active I want to be and what kind of experience I want each day.”
Shoulder season travel remains a favorite
Another data point that matches the booking month trends: 75% prefer traveling in shoulder season instead of peak season.
Travelers specifically mention avoiding crowded times, including periods with lots of families and kids, as well as summer heat.
Solo travel is growing
For solo travelers, there is good news. The survey shows:
- 23% of land travelers plan to go solo
And this is more than theory. We are seeing increasing numbers of solo cruisers across many categories, because some travelers simply do not want to wait for someone else to be available.
Best deals to look for now (and how to book so you actually get them)
Let’s get practical: how do these insights turn into savings?
The short version is that the best deals depend on timing and booking strategy. Many of the strongest offers are tied to limited inventory, and they are often not visible when you try to book too close to departure.
Celebrity: the “all-in” package that can save hundreds
One of the best deals being seen right now is on Celebrity with an all-in deal.
What “all-in” typically includes:
- A booking at the normal rate
- Classic beverage package
- Wi-Fi
- 100% refundable deposits
- Additional onboard credit
Reported savings on these all-in exclusives can range from about $300 to $2,500 per person, depending on sailing and cabin category.
Booking window matters: the sweet spot is typically six months to 18 months from now. If you are trying to book within about 90 days, you usually will not see these types of deals.
These offers are also limited by cabin inventory. Once the allotment is gone, it is gone.
Holland America: “Have it all plus” (early booking bonus)
For Holland America, the key is early booking.
When deals are being recorded for the March 2027 through April 2028 window, the guidance is:
- Plan for 12 months or more in advance
This is where travelers can access Have It All Plus with the early booking bonus.
What it adds:
- Prepaid gratuities (for free)
- Upgraded premium beverage package
- Upgraded premium Wi-Fi
As with most high-value promotions, there is limited inventory. There is also no expiration date on the concept itself, but the available cabins at the bonus pricing are finite.
River cruise deals: Avalon, Ama, and Viking
River cruises can be expensive, so smaller perks can make a big difference to your final value.
Here are the deals highlighted:
- Avalon: frequently can include a free hotel night pre or post worth around $400
- AmaWaterways: sometimes special 5% off savings
- Ama: often includes perks like onboard credit and/or prepaid gratuities depending on the sailing
- Viking: an amazing offer highlighted with about $500 onboard credit or a choice of a beverage package and gratuities
The important takeaway is that these promotions may vary by sailing, but the pattern is consistent: the best offers show up when you plan early and use the right request structure.
Get a personalized quote for a hidden gem itinerary
If you want help choosing between a Rhine or Danube cruise, a Europe ocean itinerary, or a “next wave” river route like the Douro, you can request a free personalized quote.
Go to:
digitalromads.com/cruising
Requests are designed to be short and easy, then handled by the team, including Mark, Monica, Teresa, or others. The promise is a best-deal search plus itinerary ideas, with questions answered directly.
What to do next: your questions and your comment
The biggest conversation starter is simple:
- Where are you planning to cruise next?
- Do these destination and line trends match your expectations?
- Anything missing from your “top 15”?
Drop your thoughts in the comments and ask anything you want to know about cruising. The guidance shared here is meant to spark ideas, but the best results come when your next trip matches your priorities: destination, season, cabin comfort level, and the kind of value you want to lock in early.
Because if there is one theme that runs through all of this, it is that planning ahead plus choosing the right season often beats guessing.
Would You Like a Free, Personalized Quote On Your Next Ocean or River Cruise?
We can share special perks, amenities, upgrades and onboard bonus credit
