Iglu Cruise News - September 2026
September (and the glorious summer sunshine) is coming to a close, which means it’s just about time for another iteration of Iglu Cruise News – a monthly article that highlights some of the most interesting news from across the cruise industry, and what the Iglu Cruise creative team have been up to over the last four weeks.
It’s safe to say that this month has been a busy one, so let’s jump into some of the biggest cruise-based news stories of September 2026 and what you can look forward to when you book one of the incredible upcoming cruise deals available with Iglu Cruise.
A monthly round-up of the biggest cruise news…
SeaDream Yacht Club unveils SeaDream III and teases upcoming itineraries
Earlier this month, SeaDream Yacht Club announced its next new cruise ship, SeaDream III, an impressive-sounding vessel that represents an exciting new chapter for this incredible luxury cruise line.
Debuting in July 2029, SeaDream III is a 230-guest ship that aims to elevate the excellent onboard experience available aboard SeaDream I and SeaDream II with a wider variety of suites, more spacious social spaces, three watersports marina platforms, and expanded spa and fitness amenities. Effectively twice as large as both SeaDream I and SeaDream II, SeaDream III is certainly going to be a different experience for those who have sailed with SeaDream Yacht Club before; however, SeaDream is committed to ensuring the onboard experience maintains the cruise line’s signature personalised service, exceptional cuisine, and relaxed atmosphere.
While the specifics of what you’ll encounter on SeaDream III when you embark are being kept under wraps, SeaDream Yacht Club has confirmed that this exciting new ship will be sailing throughout Asia and Australasia following its debut season in Japan specifically. Then, the wider world awaits. It’s expected that SeaDream III will sail to six continents and 73 countries in its first two years, with SeaDream planning to use the ship to offer itineraries everywhere from the Baltic and the British Isles to Canada, the Caribbean, and beyond.
Designed to travel further than SeaDream I and SeaDream II, while still maintaining the intimate onboard feel of sailing with SeaDream, there’s a lot to look forward to from SeaDream III. Be sure to keep an eye on the latest SeaDream Yacht Club cruise deals for upcoming itineraries aboard this cruise line’s impressive fleet and more from SeaDream III in the coming months.
{{{Deals;cruises/seadream;Upcoming SeaDream Yacht Club cruises}}}
MSC Cruises’ Musica enters lengthy drydock for significant improvements
MSC Musica’s long-awaited 45-day drydock in Malta started this September, and there are a lot of exciting improvements to look forward to when it returns to service in November.
Alongside extensive refurbishments to several of the ship’s most popular social spaces, this extensive upgrade will see MSC Cruises’ remarkable Yacht Club introduced to the ~92,000 GT cruise ship. An exclusive ship-within-a-ship experience that offers select guests an elevated onboard experience, with unique suite-level accommodation, a dedicated lounge space, a Yacht Club-exclusive fine dining restaurant, and a secluded pool deck perfect for soaking up the sunshine in a relaxed atmosphere, the introduction of MSC Yacht Club to MSC Musica is an incredible improvement on the amenities currently available.
This refurbishment will also see two popular MSC Cruises dining spots debut on MSC Musica: Kaito Sushi Bar and Butcher’s Cut. Bringing even more sensational food from around the world onboard, these restaurants are worth checking out when you next embark aboard this improved ship.
The major upgrades highlighted above are also complemented by significant improvements to the MSC Aurea Spa facilities onboard and the introduction of a new fitness centre, replacing the existing nightclub space; this should offer everyone onboard a better balance of available experiences. You’ll still find plenty of places to dance the night away on MSC Musica, but also more opportunities to focus on your personal wellness while sailing. For more on upcoming MSC Musica cruise deals, keep an eye on Iglu Cruise in the coming weeks and months.
Royal Caribbean reveals Legend of the Seas’ Godmother
This month, following a successful launch, Royal Caribbean revealed that retired U.S. Air Force General Lori J. Robinson has been named the godmother of Legend of the Seas, the latest Icon-class cruise ship to join this cruise line’s impressive fleet.
Royal Caribbean president and CEO Michael Bayley had the following to say regarding the decision: “General Lori J. Robinson embodies courage, determination and a spirit of service that make her a legend in her own right and a remarkable godmother for Legend of the Seas… We are honoured to celebrate her incredible legacy as a 37-year Air Force commander who has defied all limits, along with the countless stories of military service across our Royal Caribbean family, from the crew who create unforgettable vacations to the guests who sail with us from around the world.”
Meanwhile, General Robinson said the following: “I am deeply honoured to be named godmother of Legend of the Seas and take part in such a special tradition for Royal Caribbean alongside my family. Throughout my career, I have seen the importance of bringing people together in pursuit of a shared purpose, and Legend creates those same connections for families and loved ones. Having the ship’s naming ceremony on Veterans Day makes this especially meaningful to me, and I look forward to recognising the generations of men and women who have served.”
September also saw Royal Caribbean confirm that Hero of the Seas’ Chief Dog Officer (CDO) will be named Dolly, following a contest and popular vote held the month prior. Paying homage to the late country singer Dolly Parton, who passed away in late August, Dolly joins Icon-class CDO’s Rover, Sailor, and Skipper. Much like the other loveable Golden Retrievers, we fully expect Dolly to be among the most popular crew members aboard Hero of the Seas when it joins Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas and other Icon-class cruise ships in 2027.
Carnival Cruise Line confirms first details about Carnival Tropicale
Carnival Tropicale, Carnival Cruise Line’s fifth Excel-class cruise ship, is coming, and this month saw new details emerge regarding what guests can expect onboard when it embarks on its maiden voyage in April 2028.
An impressive 18-deck ship, Carnival Tropicale is set to feature some of Carnival Cruise Line’s most popular entertainment experiences and restaurants, including: Sunsation Point, an activity area designed for the whole family; Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, a sensaitonal iteration of Carnival Cruise Line’s popular onboard waterpark; Hawaiian restaurant Uki Lei Lie; Fettuccine, a dining spot serving dishes that blend Greek cuisine with authentic Italian flavours; several sports courts and video arcade spaces, and Emeril’s Coastal Seafood, showcasing sensational seafood from Carnival’s Chief Culinary Officer Chef Emeril Lagasse.
Primarily sailing from Galveston, Texas, Carnival Tropicale will also feature popular social spaces like the exclusive Loft 19, the adults-only Serenity Retreat, and the vibrant Grand Central area. Full of favourite Carnival Cruise Line venues and amenities spread across six distinct zones, including the Lido and Summer Landing, Carnival Tropicale is set to be a sensational addition to this cruise line’s impressive fleet. Keep an eye out for more information ahead of this ship’s debut.
Grand Central, Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, and Summer Landing (from Carnival Festivale and Carnival Mardi Gras)
This month also saw Carnival Freedom enter a scheduled drydock in France, with numerous technical improvements and general refurbishments expected ahead of its return to service in October. This ship is also receiving a new funnel, revitalising Carnival’s traditional whale-tail design after its removal in March 2024.
Uniworld details plans for 2028, with three new ships coming
Earlier this month, Uniworld shared an exciting update on its plans for 2028, including confirmation that another three boutique river cruise ships are debuting throughout the year.
Aiming to introduce guests to even more sensational destinations along the Danube, the Rhine, and the Mekong River in Southeast Asia, Uniworld’s fleet will welcome S.S. Helen, S.S. Clara, and Mekong Mystique in 2028; with eight new itineraries accompanying this fleet expansion, a fresh variety of unforgettable river cruise experiences awaits travellers choosing Uniworld in the coming years. These include exploring festive markets along the Moselle, escapes to ports in Eastern Europe, and so much more.
Details on Uniworld’s new river cruise ships are light at the moment, but we do know the S.S. Helen and S.S. Clara will host 154 guests at a time, while the Mekong Mystique will have accommodation for just 68 guests at once. Adding to Uniworld’s four new river cruise ships expected throughout 2027, the next two years have been named “one of the most significant periods of investment and growth in Uniworld’s history” by Uniworld president and CEO Ellen Bettridge – and we’re inclined to agree.
For more on Uniworld’s upcoming itineraries, check out the latest river cruises with Uniworld right here, and we’ll share more details regarding S.S. Helen, S.S. Clara, and Mekong Mystique when they’re available.
HX Expeditions highlight exciting fleet enhancements for 2026
Aiming to make expedition cruising more intuitive and exciting, September saw HX Expeditions confirm a series of interesting guest-focused fleet enhancements including a new pre-departure experience tailored to each guest’s specific booking, access to new HX app features, and additional amenities on several ships in HX Expeditions’ fleet.
On Fridtjof Nansen, Roald Amundsen, Fram, and Spitsbergen, guests will now be able to use the HX app to find essential travel information easily, receive real-time updates on their expedition, and access more onboard services throughout their escape with HX Expeditions. Fridtjof Nansen, Roald Amundsen, and Spitsbergen will also now feature a 24/7 Grab-and-Go food station, a fantastic addition to the dining options available onboard that will make grabbing a bite to eat throughout your adventure even easier.
Suite guests sailing with HX Expeditions will also find additional Vinoble Cosmetics products in their room to use and take home, with more products available to purchase on Fridtjof Nansen, Roald Amundsen, Fram, and Spitsbergen. If you’re looking to make the most of HX Expeditions’ new Vinoble Cosmetics products, you’ll even find spa treatments using these fantastic products on Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen. Complemented by the opportunity to get your hands on Groundtruth travel bags and accessories, these additions are certain to elevate everyone’s experience aboard HX Expedition’s impressive ships.
{{{Deals;cruises/hx-expeditions;Deals on cruises to HX Expeditions}}}
If you’re looking for more cruise news from around the world, other highlights include:
- Hurtigruten are debuting exclusive Arctic-aged Barolo wine on its ships sailing the Norwegian coast, with 1,002 bottles raised from a spot 34 metres beneath near-freezing Arctic waters after an entire year of additional ageing; expect a brighter colouring with a more precise flavour profile from this exciting addition to Hurtigruten’s impressive selection of onboard drinks
- Princess Cruises is utilising ChatGPT to make it easier to plan your upcoming cruise in an industry first; a native application that will allow you to refine your plans to cruise with Princess, this could be a fantastic way to browse upcoming itineraries before booking your dream escape with Iglu Cruise
- MSC Cruises’ partnership with Formula One continues, with the cruise line announcing that it will be the title sponsor of three races during the 2027 season; these are the Formula 1 MSC Cruises Belgian Grand Prix, the Formula 1 MSC Cruises Turkish Grand Prix, and the Formula 1 MSC Cruises Premio de Portugal
- September saw Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Jubilee make its maiden call to Celebration Key in the Bahamas, the cruise line’s impressive private island resort destination
- Oceania Cruises is set to host the world’s first-ever entirely gluten-free ocean voyage aboard Oceania Vista in 2028; sailing around the British Isles, this sensational sailing promises to be a unique culinary experience, inviting those who often have to consider food at the forefront of their holiday planning to unwind and indulge, knowing the culinary experience onboard has been crafted with their needs in mind
- This month saw Travelmarvel return to Egypt, with Travelmarvel Sirius embarking on its maiden voyage along the Nile; be sure to keep an eye out for unmissable deals on similar itineraries in the future
- Norwegian Cruise Line has confirmed that Whitney: A Celebration of Whitney Houston will headline the entertainment available aboard Norwegian Aura through 2027 following its maiden voyage; this show is joined by other exclusive entertainment, including The Vinyl Republic’s Journey Through Rock and Kickin’ It Country, LunaTique: Pop Circus, and Latin LIVE!
This month also saw Holland America Line finalise a series of exciting enhancements to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay: the cruise line’s private island resort in the Bahamas. With these improvements, including a new food pavilion, an exclusive Beach Club that guests can book from early October, refreshed bar areas, and refurbished cabanas, it’s safe to say that there’s a lot to look forward to on upcoming cruises to the Caribbean with Holland America Line.
{{{Deals;cruises/holland-america-line/caribbean;Holland America Line's upcoming Caribbean cruises}}}
Iglu Cruise Insider - Our top posts in September
This last month hasn’t just been a busy month for the world’s major cruise lines; the creative team behind Iglu Cruise Insider have been working hard to bring you even more incredible content, with a fresh selection of informative pieces and inspiring posts to check out. While there’s a lot to look at, everything on Iglu Cruise Insider is designed to help you make a decision when browsing for your next cruise escape, ensure you’re informed when planning a cruise holiday, and inspire you to book that bucket-list adventure you’re always talking about.
With that in mind, here are the latest posts from the Iglu Cruise creative team:
- The 10 top global destinations for autumn colours
- Dark skies: Where to see meteor showers
- Top 10 cities ranked for Halloween 2026
- Iglu Cruise staff reviews: Alex’s Action-Packed Mediterranean Sailing with MSC Cruises
- The Ultimate European City Break Destinations
- Luxury cruising: the best small-ship cruise lines
As always, that’s far from the final few posts from the Iglu Cruise creative team. Over the coming weeks and months, keep an eye on Iglu Cruise Insider for more interesting articles, from authentic staff reviews and posts highlighting top cruise deals to travel inspiration and so much more. There’s a lot to look forward to.
Book your upcoming adventure with Iglu Cruise today
Just about ready to embark on your own exciting cruise escape? Iglu Cruise offers a wide variety of sailings around the world, with something for everyone. From luxury escapes and all-inclusive packages to last-minute offers and family holidays you won't want to miss, Iglu Cruise invites you to explore some of the world's sought-after destinations and bucket-list places in comfort with the industry's leading cruise lines.
Meanwhile, Iglu Cruise Insider is home to even more informative and inspirational pieces, including:
- Top destinations on sailings from Southampton
- River cruising: the best affordable luxury river cruise lines
- Cruise ship rooms: choosing the right cabin for you
- Elevate Singapore stays with Iglu Cruise’s exclusive Chef’s Table dining experiences
- Handcrafted holidays: top cruise tour packages you won’t want to miss