On the finish of 1 yr and the start of the subsequent there’s at all times a whole lot of protection within the media about journey developments. And naturally they’re typically centered on locations. In a single listing of “sizzling” locations, Forbes Journey Information tells us that large occasions just like the Formulation 1 race in Monaco makes its listing of high locations (we’re forward of Forbes on that one, see why). Greece’s Athens Riviera, simply ten miles south of Athens (and an ideal pre- or post-Greek Isles keep) makes the lower. Amsterdam celebrates 750th anniversary in 2025.
Lots of the “new” developments for 2025 that I’ve come throughout over the previous few weeks aren’t all that new. Reserving.com tells us that the newborn boomer technology (individuals born from 1946 – 1964) is extra in “high-octane adventures” for the extra adventurous amongst us however our itineraries, notably within the Caribbean, Tahiti and Central America/Panama Canal have lengthy featured active-focused shore tour menus.
We do love Expedia’s “phenomena listing” which, once more, isn’t a brand new idea, however highlights some actually cool lures of sure locations, like Iceland’s lava fields and black sand seashores; we’d add that our August 2026 “photo voltaic eclipse” voyage (pictured above) round Iceland goes to be particular.
Extra than simply specializing in stylish, in-demand locations to go to in 2025, nevertheless, we’re seeing that vacationers are intrigued by experiences and journeys that enable explorations in new methods, not simply in 2025 but additionally for a number of years to return. We turned to Jess Peterson, Windstar’s director of vacation spot expertise & itinerary planning, who stays up on shifts and modifications as he and his staff are actually planning itineraries and laying the groundwork as far forward as 2028 (solely our voyages by June 2026 have been introduced, so watch this area!).
“Whether or not it’s visiting a brand new place or reconnecting with a much-loved vacation spot, one development we’re seeing amidst our personal vacationers is the need to expertise journey with recent eyes,” he tells me. Particularly, right here’s how Windstar is evolving its personal voyages by 2027.
Second cities
Final yr, there have been a whole lot of journey headlines that centered on over-tourism, particularly (however not restricted to) in Europe, the place demonstrations (and hiked charges for guests) occurred in locations equivalent to Barcelona, Santorini, Amsterdam, Dubrovnik, Venice and extra. Peterson says that as his staff develops new itineraries, it’s wanting more and more at “second cities.”
Whereas Windstar nonetheless does sail out and in of main locations, lesser-known locations in comparatively shut proximity supply vacationers a brand new twist. “Milos, in northern Greece, is a superb instance,” he says. “It’s a lot much less crowded, very lovely and our friends who’ve visited actually prefer it. Reggio Calabria, the toe of Italy’s boot, is sort of new to Windstar, and will get only a few cruise calls. In Asia, we’ve a powerful Japan program that visits many “second cities” there along with Tokyo and Kyoto. We’ll even be increasing to Vietnam and Thailand.”
It’s not simply the place you go, it’s when
My greatest journey in the previous couple of years was a then-new providing from Windstar – a late winter crusing from Rome’s Civitavecchia to Barcelona, by way of Florence, Good, and Marseilles. I’d been to all of those cities earlier than throughout extra fashionable journey months in spring, summer season and fall. Winter was particular; temperatures had been moderately comfy, crowds had been sparse, and since it wasn’t excessive vacationer season, I felt like I used to be having extra of an area expertise. I joined residents in visiting artwork museums and galleries, and indulging in lengthy, lazy lunches at locals’ trattorias, bistros and markets. Actually I cherished the expertise a lot I signed as much as cruise from Venice to Rome (by way of Croatia and Sicily) in January of 2025. I can’t wait to see these a lot cherished locations by recent seasonal eyes.
Windstar’s year-round schedule of Mediterranean sailings has expanded in 2025 to incorporate the Iberian peninsula and the Adriatic; the chance to discover coastal Christmas markets through the festive season is one other lure.
Longer journeys, extra flexibility
As many vacationers right now are selecting extra versatile work schedules, slicing again on career-long tasks or retiring altogether, taking longer journeys, consisting of disparate elements, is extra fashionable.
“One development we’re seeing amongst our friends is a twist on back-to-back cruising,” Mathy Wasserman, a associate in Flying Giraffe Journey, tells me. Cruise strains are nonetheless creating “back-to-backs” that may be booked as seven, 14 or 21 days with out visiting the identical port twice. What’s new, she tells me, is that purchasers (and their trip planners) are cobbling collectively a choice of experiences that every one join. Some are beginning off their European holidays with a cruise, then flying to a close-by vacation spot for a villa rental expertise, after which hopping again onboard.
You don’t must plan every part individually, both. Windstar lately launched a brand new tour possibility that mixes a Tahitian cruise with a keep on the magnificent Brando Resort.
New approaches in fashionable cruise areas
Perhaps you’ve traveled to Rome, Naples, and Venice various occasions. However have you ever ever skilled Italians’ holidays on the seaside in summer season? Peterson says that Windstar has created a brand new itinerary, roundtrip from Rome, that gives a beach-oriented journey, visiting locations equivalent to Corsica and Sardinia and increasing the alternatives for the ships’ marinas to be open.
French Polynesia is one other during which Windstar is creating new experiences, including journeys to the unique Marquesas and one other to Fiji and the Cook dinner Islands that may be itineraries in their very own rights – and likewise be mixed with Society Island sailings.
And should you assume you’ve been there and carried out that on a Canada/New England cruise, a brand new alternative opens up in autumn of 2026 with an intensive 14-night Newfoundland cruise, working from Montreal.
The place are you hankering to journey or, higher but, what sorts of journeys are you contemplating
For his half, Peterson, who simply returned from an itinerary planning journey to Vietnam, can’t wait till that itinerary might be finalized for 2027. “It’s model new,” he says, “and I can’t wait to expertise it – this time as a passenger.”
What about you? The place will you go this yr and subsequent? Will you journey in another way (multi-generational, honeymoon, or a phenomena crusing ) — or all three? Please share your plans within the feedback beneath.