MSC Cruises has unveiled six travel trends that are shaping guests’ booking patterns and driving itinerary offerings heading into 2026.
From travellers planning holidays centred around sporting events, to children influencing family holiday choices, these emerging trends are setting the scene for how guests will travel in the new year.
*All details correct at time of publish (17 December 2025)
FAN VOYAGES
2026 is set to be a standout year for sporting events, drawing fans from around the world. Millions of fans will travel across the globe to catch their favourite team competing for victory.
Many of these sporting events will see travellers flocking to destinations near MSC Cruises’ departure ports, making an MSC Cruises’ sailing an easy addition to their existing plans, and allowing them to see multiple destinations without having to repack their suitcase or hire a car.
Approximately five million fans are expected to attend major football events in cities across U.S. cities in 2026, including Miami and Seattle – both home ports for MSC Cruises.
From these cities, travellers can extend their holidays pre- or post-game with a seven-night sailing to Alaska from Seattle on board MSC Poesia, or a seven-night Caribbean sailing from Miami on board MSC World America, the line’s newest flagship.
RISE OF THE ‘ME-KEND’
The rise of the ‘me-kend’ is trending as travellers are embracing indulgent quick trips as a form of self-care.
MSC Cruises offers three-and four-night sailings with a range of accessible embarkation ports that can be reached by car, meeting the demand for these weekend trips and allowing guests to take a short break without having to plan an extended holiday.
Guests can book three or four-night itineraries that visit the sun-soaked Caribbean and Bahamas from Miami with MSC Seaside or Port Canaveral with MSC Seashore with itineraries visiting MSC Cruises’ private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
Guests can also book short sailings to beautiful destinations in the Mediterranean from Genoa with MSC Magnifica and visit the sights of Northern Europe departing from Southampton with MSC Virtuosa.
KIDFLUENCING
More than 80 per cent of parents say that their kids help choose and plan their trip, with kids bringing ideas that are fueled by curiosity, creativity and online inspiration.
MSC Cruises offers award-winning family programming on board, driving interest from children with amazing spaces and activities that aim to give guests the freedom to express their creativity, play, socialise and explore.
From dedicated kids’ clubs offering more than 100 hours of entertainment for different age groups from 0 to 17 years old to Sportplex, a spacious and dynamic gaming space equipped with everything, including basketball, tennis courts, interactive activities and even bumper cars and roller skating on some ships, there’s something to suit the whole family.
Families can also enjoy MSC Formula Racer, immersive VR experiences, an interactive XD cinema or an aquapark with thrilling waterslides. In addition, MSC Cruises partners with LEGO®, providing a unique way for children from all around the world to connect.
Families will enjoy spending time together with experiences like family game shows and theatre performances, and when parents are ready for a date night on their own, children can enjoy entertainment in the kids’ club.
QUIET-CATIONS
In the digital age, more people are looking to find quiet, calm ways to escape, with their digital devices firmly switched OFF.
Holidays will be used to restore a sense of calm, with 43 per cent of travellers wanting to feel closer to nature and one in four turning to quieter hobbies while on holiday.
MSC Cruises will sail its first Alaska season in 2026, with seven-night itineraries on MSC Poesia from Seattle to Ketchikan, Icy Straight Point, Tracy Arm Fjord, and Juneau in Alaska and Victoria in Canada. Guests will enjoy a peaceful getaway, discovering breathtaking wonders both from the ship and during excursions
LOW-SEASON TRAVEL
More travellers are recognising the benefits of travelling in the low season with its milder temperatures, easier attraction access and more affordable pricing. Increasingly, people are looking to take advantage of this time of year to explore popular destinations in a slower and more authentic way.
In 2026, guests can explore the Southern Caribbean and Antilles, as well as Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean, without the peak season bustle.
In the Southern Caribbean and Antilles, guests can sail aboard MSC Virtuosa, MSC Opera or MSC Seaview to explore natural wonders and sophisticated cultures, where beautiful bays and beaches meet cosmopolitan flair with mild temperatures and a relaxed rhythm.
Meanwhile in Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean, guests can sail on board MSC Orchestra, MSC Lirica and MSC Divina while travelling to visit renowned historical sights, breathtaking architectural marvels and beautiful landscapes.
MSC Lirica will offer 7-night sailings during the shoulder seasons from Venice-Marghera (Italy) to iconic destinations including Kotor (Montenegro), Mykonos and Syros (Greece) and Ancona (Italy).
MSC Divina will depart from Civitavecchia for Rome, giving guests the opportunity to discover the stunning sights of Mykonos in Greece, Kusadasi and Marmaris in Turkey and Naples, Italy. MSC Orchestra will offer 7-night sailings from Bari (Italy) to Greece (Piraeus for Athens and Corfù) and Turkey (Izmir/Ephesus and Istanbul).
ALL-INCLUSIVE AND PERSONALISED LUXURY EXPERIENCES
The most popular luxury travel experiences in 2026 will be all-inclusive and personalised. Affluent travellers will look for holiday options that provide the privilege of complete relaxation, where the stress of planning is removed, and their specific needs are met throughout the entirety of their trip.
MSC Yacht Club, MSC Cruises’ ship-within-a-ship concept, caters to guests with an outstanding all-inclusive experience and premier service where every detail is meticulously attended to.
Guests who stay in MSC Yacht Club enjoy priority embarkation and disembarkation, 24-hour butler and concierge services and premier room service delivered at any hour.
Guests also receive a premium beverage package, unlimited Wi-Fi, and thermal spa access, making the MSC Yacht Club experience an all-inclusive sanctuary.
Now open for sale, MSC Yacht Club is available to book on the MSC 2027 World Cruise – the first time that guests will be able to book MSC Yacht Club for this type of itinerary.
Antonio Paradiso, VP of International Sales at MSC Cruises, said:
“Looking ahead to 2026, we’re seeing guests prioritise holidays that are meaningful, flexible, and easy to plan. From families inspired by their children’s creativity to travellers seeking calm and relaxation, these trends are shaping the way people choose to explore.
“With more people looking to switch off and enjoy destinations at a gentler pace, our 2026 programme – from the tranquillity of Alaska to the Mediterranean in its quieter seasons – offers something for everyone.
“For those seeking a fully personalised experience, MSC Yacht Club continues to set the benchmark for all-inclusive luxury at sea. We’re excited for the year ahead and to welcome even more UK and Irish guests on board.”
To book, visit www.mscbook.com or contact the MSC Cruises trade support team.
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