The 2027 issue of Cruise & Ferry Itinerary Planning is out now.
The cover is dedicated to Northern Europe, one of the cruise industry’s most diverse regions. In our regional spotlight, executives from Explora Journeys, HX Expeditions, MSC Cruises, Viking and Windstar Cruises explain how guest expectations, destination management and emerging ports are reshaping Northern European itineraries.
“Tourism that is socially accepted, environmentally responsible and economically valuable benefits residents, visitors and local businesses alike,” says Francesco Di Palma, vice president of itinerary management and port and fleet captain at Explora Journeys.
Davide Truscello discusses Costa Cruises' most popular itineraries in our keynote interview, including the line's Northern Europe Voyages (Photo: Costa Cruises)
Balancing these pressures is a challenge for every cruise line. In our keynote interview, Davide Truscello, pricing, itinerary and revenue planning director at Costa Cruises, explains how guest appeal, operational feasibility and environmental regulation come together in every itinerary decision.
“A port is not simply a destination; it is an integral part of the overall value proposition of an itinerary,” says Truscello.
That thinking runs through the rest of the issue. In our feature, Vitor Alves, executive director of guest experience and product development at AROYA Cruises, and Luke Clarke, senior sales director for the UK, Ireland, India and Africa at Swan Hellenic, discuss how they identify destinations that offer authentic experiences. Our Planner Perspectives go further, with itinerary leaders explaining how they find those places in practice.
Explora Journeys’ Di Palma makes the case for closer, long-term partnerships between cruise lines and ports, while Michael Braathen, director of itinerary planning, port operations and land programme at Mystic Cruises reveals how Atlas Ocean Voyages is expanding into Asia and Africa. Victory Cruise Lines’ vice president of destinations, Shelly Hartfield, describes working with local communities to connect guests with the cultures of the Great Lakes.
“We want to discover what truly defines a community – its people, traditions, history and culture,” says Hartfield.
Explora Journeys' Francesco Di Palma shares more about Explora Journeys relationships with the destinations it travels to in his planner perspective (Photo: Explora Journeys)
Time onshore is becoming a differentiator for cruise lines. Our Marketwatch section reports on Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and others adding late departures and overnight stays to their 2027 and 2028 itineraries.
Meanwhile, shorter voyages are opening up new markets. HX Expeditions’ head of expedition product, Lasse Roebers, explains how careful planning aims to deliver depth and discovery in less time.
“We want to create a unique and meaningful experience, even on a shorter voyage,” says Roebers.
Our Maiden Season section follows the first itineraries of new ships Legend of the Seas, MSC World Asia, Viking Libra and Seven Seas Prestige.
The new Mindelo Cruise Port is among the new investments covered in the cruise infrastructure report (Photo: Enapor)
Destinations are preparing too. Our report looks at how ports around the world are investing in new berths, larger terminals and shore power to keep pace with fleet growth. In a commentary, Hirohito Ito of Central Consultant explains how AI could help ports forecast passenger flows, staffing needs and energy demand.
Destinations also need to make their case to cruise lines. Jason Gelineau, former head of product at Explora Journeys, offers advice to ports and destinations looking to connect with cruise brands.
“You can’t sell a secret,” says Gelineau. “Nothing beats meeting people in person at events.”
Cruise associations are working to make those introductions. In our Association Highlights, Cruise Baltic’s Ida Katrine Skaarup talks about how the network helps planners discover new ports and assess their suitability, while the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association’s Adam Ceserano discusses preparing the Caribbean for its biggest wave of visitors yet.
Our destination coverage also includes a viewpoint from Tourism Prince Edward Island’s Craig Sulis on how the island’s storytelling heritage, from Anne of Green Gables to Netflix’s forthcoming This Summer Will Be Different, is driving shore excursion demand. In the Caribbean, Jamaica Vacations and Aruba Tourism Authority discuss how they are prioritising authentic shore experiences.
Jon Ingleton, executive editor of Cruise & Ferry (Photo: Sustainable Design Summit)
Finally, this issue is the first since the loss of Jon Ingleton, executive editor of Cruise & Ferry, who died in 2026. In a tribute, his brother and our publisher, Toby Ingleton, remembers Jon and his passion for cruise, generosity and unmatched work ethic.
“He will be remembered for what we all gained: his warmth and friendship,” writes Toby.