CRUISE NEWS

October 1, 2025

Dear Traveler,

Not too long ago, if you asked me where travelers could cruise during the North American winter months, my list of options would be pretty short. Many cruise ships sail the Caribbean this time of year, offering warm weather for travelers looking to get out of the cold. Ships are also repositioned to other locations near the equator and in the Southern hemisphere, to take advantage of the summer weather in these regions. This mean South America, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Asia are also options for wintertime cruises.

But as the luxury cruise line fleets have grown and new cruise lines have entered the market, opportunities to cruise to new regions are starting to emerge. The most recent expansion includes cruises in and around the Mediterranean. While this may mean giving up the typical summer weather that travelers associate with Mediterranean cruises, the tradeoff can mean less crowded port cities and better opportunities to experience the daily lives of the locals and the cultures of the destinations. Cruising around the December holiday season can also allow travelers to participate in local holiday celebrations and unique excursions.

Best,

David

Owner, Barclay & Company Travel

CRUISE NEWS

USEFUL INSIGHTS ON THE LUXURY CRUISE SEGMENT

These winter cruising itineraries are perfect for guests who want to explore new cities and cultures without the crowds of tourists common in peak travel seasons. The weather may not be conducive for hanging out on the pool deck all day long, but by giving up summer weather, guests will be rewarded with unique experiences they can only find during the shoulder and off-season travel periods. And onboard their ship, guests can still enjoy the incredible food and service of the luxury cruise lines.

Regent Seven Seas (Seven Seas Voyager)

10-night IBERIAN ROMANCE

Dec 9 - 19, 2025

Lingering longer in the Mediterranean than in past sailing seasons, the Seven Seas Voyager will travel between Lisbon and Barcelona on this final season sailing before repositioning to the African coast. The Seven Seas Voyager will start by searching for warmer weather, sailing down to the Canary Islands before sailing back north to visit Morocco. The ship will also stop in Gibraltar and along the Spanish Riviera before ending in Barcelona and offering guests the opportunity to visit this lovely Spanish city during the offseason.

The Seven Seas Voyager can host up to 680 guests. With a large and attentive crew and plenty of space for guests, the ship never feels crowded and guests feel pampered. Guests can dine at the six onboard restaurants, grab a drink at any of the bars, enjoy a treatment at the spa, or relax on the pool deck during the southern leg of this sailing.

Viking Ocean (Viking Vesta)

15-night Malta, Morocco & the Mediterranean

Jan 19 - Feb 3, 2026

Round trip from Barcelona, this sailing on the Viking Vesta cruises the full Western Mediterranean. Guests will visit several European ports as well as many more exotic Northern Africa countries and cities.

The Viking Vesta is one of sixteen identical sister ships that form the Viking Ocean fleet. While comparable in size to the Seven Seas Voyager, she can carry slightly more guests, with a capacity of 930. This means a little less room than on an ultra-luxury ship, but the common areas still feel spacious and uncrowded, and the suites are still large and well designed. The tradeoff on slightly less space means fares tend to be a little lower, allowing guests to sail longer with the same travel budget. The Vesta offers guests the option of dining at any of the seven onboard restaurants, offering a lot of variety on a longer cruise.

Silversea (Silver Muse)

10-night Rome to Venice

Feb 3 - 13, 2026

A focused itinerary visiting multiple ports in Italy and two ports in Croatia, this cruise hits the highlights of these countries while avoiding the heat and the crowds of the summer. The ship will also overnight in Naples, offering guests the opportunity to stay longer and enjoy an Italian evening on shore.

The Silver Muse is the first of three sister ships launched a few years ago. She can accommodate up to 596 guests and offers luxury amenities such as butler service for every stateroom. Launched before Silversea introduced its Sea and Land Tastes (S.A.L.T.) program, she has been without this wonderful addition to the Silversea experience. But after going into dry dock at the end of 2025 she will add the S.A.L.T. Kitchen and S.A.L.T. Bar to her onboard amenities, ensure she delivers the same culinary experience offered on her sister ships.

Windstar (Star Legend)

14-night Name of cruise

Dec 13 - 27, 2025

Sailing the Italian, French and Spanish coastline, guests will visit many of the popular Mediterranean ports but offers guests the opportunity to visit without the crowds of the summer. The ship overnights for two nights in Barcelona and one night in Livorno, providing guests plenty of time to extend their onshore explorations.

The Star Legend offers guests a very intimate experience, accommodating a maximum of 312 guests. Her small size also allows her to dock close to the port cities, making exploration simple. Although smaller than some of the other luxury ships highlighted above, she still offers guests the option of five different dining venues and all of the amenities one would expect on a luxury cruise ship.

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If you are ready to plan a trip, I would love to discuss your trip vision and how Barclay & Company Travel can help bring your vision to reality.  

David Barclay

david@barclayandcotravel.com

www.barclayandcotravel.com

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