The top travel trends for 2026

Published 19th of December 2025 | By Edwina Lonsdale

From transformative trips to see the wonders of nature, to wellness, food, sport and multigenerational travel, these are the things we see trending for 2026…

2026 Travel Trend: Natural Phenomena

The solar eclipse has captured everyone's imagination, and with a total eclipse due to occur over the Northern Hemisphere in August 2026, ships are offering a combination of the opportunity to view (weather dependent of course) and some fascinating expert lecture programmes. Look out for options with Regent Seven Seas, Windstar, HX Expeditions and Seabourn. If you 'missed the boat' for 2026, another total eclipse will occur in August 2027. An eclipse is a bit of a one-off, but there are other phenomena you might wish to witness.

For example there is nothing quite like seeing the Midnight Sun on a North Cape cruise, whilst there are some winter Northern Lights journeys to consider, such as Ponant or HX Expeditions: a sighting is never guaranteed, but you never know. Passengers bypassing Lipari or Etna at night look out for the glow of volcanic activity, whilst Iceland and New Zealand are great for geysers. If you are very lucky, you might get the opportunity whilst in the Caribbean to experience a bioluminescent bay at night - SeaDream offer a tour when calling at Vieques, but it depends on a moonless night.

Northern Lights, Tromso, Norway — The Northern Lights over Tromso, Norway

Wellness: 2026 Travel Trend

Beautifully appointed spas with excellent treatments are perfect for those who focus on a healthy lifestyle. The current craze for pickleball and paddle tennis is extensively indulged on board a range of ocean ships as well as river vessels, whilst many gyms are fitted out with state-of-the-art equipment such as Amp on Silversea, a precision-engineered, AI-powered strength device with five versatile attachments and intelligent app integration.

There are a whole host of cruises that focus on health, wellness and fitness, but with a relaxed and self-indulgent approach to rejuvenation. Discover the best with our pick of wellness cruises.

2026 Trend: Coolcationing

This trend shows no signs of slowing down in 2026 for a third year, and Antarctica has become the once-in-a-lifetime must do. Those with a taste for expedition cruising then look to the Arctic, hoping for polar bears and stunning scenery, and those in the know want to go even further off the beaten track, with destinations such as Eastern Greenland in the Arctic, or Snow Hill Island in Antarctica.

Talking of cooler destinations, we also see extended seasons: winter in the Mediterranean, for example, with Windstar , Silversea and Oceania, has become an appealing option for culture vultures as a crowd-free and immersive way to explore the great sites - and get away from the overwhelming heat that's found in the summer months.

Leopard seal in Antarctic Sound, Antarctica

Bring the Family: Multigenerational Trips for 2026

Multigenerational trips continue to be popular in 2026, from relaxing on the beaches of the Caribbean to witnessing the giant glaciers of Alaska. Travelling with family can be a great treat, and cruising is the perfect option for multigenerational travel, enabling everyone to go off and do their own thing during the day, getting together in the evening for a festive dinner before once again dispersing for different evening activities. Expedition voyages are a great option - a National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions Galapagos cruise for example features a range of activities combining learning and fun for all ages, with kids and teens participating in the National Geographic Explorers-in-Training programme led by certified field educators.

Meanwhile on classic cruises, the trick is to get the perfect balance: sufficiently luxurious for the older travellers, with enough activity for the kids, and lots of options for young adults too. New entrant to the market Explora Journeys aims for just such a magical solution with dedicated child facilities, larger and interconnecting room options, plenty of dining options and relaxed dress codes, plus impressively high levels of service.

kayaking in the galapagos with national geographic lindblad expeditions — Kayaking in the Galapagos with National-Geographic Lindblad Expeditions

Food, Glorious Food

Food plays major part in the holiday experience for many travellers, and a range of cruise lines tap into this interest in a variety of ways. The Silversea S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste) programme, for example, incorporates some very special trips ashore, culinary experiences on board and hands-on cooking opportunities, with lots of focus on the regions in which the ship is travelling.

Meanwhile on Crystal, a range of restaurants gives guests the opportunity to dine in exclusive restaurants such as Beefbar, Umi Uma curated by Nobu Matsuhisa and the Italian Osteria d'Ovidio where an exclusive collaboration with the Michelin-star rated Ajalmo brothers makes for a very special menu indeed. On Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Explora Journeys guests choose from a wide range of restaurants featuring very different cuisines and dining styles, making each evening a new and exciting experience.

Go Solo in 2026

Solo travel continues to rise in popularity in 2026 as the cruise industry becomes more and more attuned to travellers' needs, with solo travel allowing you to explore at your own pace, make friends as and when you wish, and go at your own pace, to your own schedule.

An increasing number of people choose to travel alone, and a cruise is a perfect choice for a solo traveller: safe, sociable, and luxurious. Amongst Mundy clients, exciting expedition cruising is becoming increasingly popular amongst adventurous individuals travelling by themselves. Lines such as AmaWaterways, Cunard, and Hebridean all offer dedicated solo staterooms, and for expedition, look to cruise lines such as Ponant and HX who have 0% solo supplements across a huge range of cruises.

solo cruiser on Seabourn — Solo cruiser on Seabourn

Colombia, Egypt & Beyond: Hot Destinations for 2026

Of course, there is no such thing as a 'new' destination, but there are a few that have jumped to the top of the list. Central America is one region well served by the cruise industry, with a focus on Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, but our highlight is Colombia, combining a land tour with AmaWaterways' new Magdalena River cruise. On the subject of river cruising, a keen focus on Cairo with the opening of the fabulous new Egyptian Museum means this is a great time to be looking at combing a Cairo stay with a Nile river cruise, with lots of enticing options such as Uniworld's programme with a Jordan add-on. Look out for the chic new A&K Sanctuary vessel Nile Seray.

Japan also remains firmly in the spotlight, with itineraries in the spring (for cherry blossom) and autumn (for fall colours) the norm. Look out for the unusual Japan summer programme from Silversea in 2027, or in-depth 'Hidden Japan' itineraries such as those offered by Ponant, a great choice for those coming back for a second bite of the Japan cherry. With the new Virgin flights into Seoul, it's worth looking for an open-jaw option which gives the opportunity to do a land tour of South Korea before or after your cruise.

Meet the Author

Edwina Lonsdale is Managing Director and together with husband Matthew, owner of Mundy Cruising. Most recently she's cruised on Windstar and has also sailed with Silversea, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas, Crystal, SeaDream, Ponant, AmaWaterways and Aqua Expeditions. Her favourite destination is the Galapagos however she's also enjoyed cruises in the Mediterranean, Danube, Middle East, East Africa & Indian Ocean, Brahmaputra, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, the Mekong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Caribbean and the Arctic. When she’s not travelling she loves reading, food and wine.

More about Edwina

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