MSC Cruises Shares Six Travel Trends Inspiring Bookings in 2026

MSC Cruises has unveiled six travel trends that are shaping guests’ booking patterns and driving itinerary offerings heading into 2026. From travelers planning holidays centered 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.

Fan voyages

Set to draw fans from around the world, 2026 will be a standout year for sporting events. Millions of fans will travel across the globe to catch their favorite team competing for victory. A good portion of these fans will take full advantage of their practical travel and turn it into a fan voyage by extending their trip into a full holiday, and maximize their time in and around the sporting destinations with pre- or post-cruise experiences. Many of these sporting events will see travelers 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.

Approximately five million fans are expected to attend major soccer events in cities across the U.S. in 2026, including Miami and Seattle—both home ports for MSC Cruises. From these cities, travelers can extend their holidays pre- or post-game with a seven-night sailing to Alaska from Seattle onboard MSC Poesia, or a seven-night Caribbean sailing from Miami onboard MSC World America, the line’s newest flagship.

In addition, MSC Cruises will once again serve as the title sponsor of three Formula 1 World Championship Grand Prix races in 2026, the Formula 1 MSC Cruises Gran Premio de Barcelona-Catalunya 2026 in Spain, Formula 1 MSC Cruises United States Grand Prix 2026 in Austin and Formula 1 MSC Cruises Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2026 in Brazil. With a loyal fanbase worldwide, many will travel to these cities and many others to experience the adrenaline-pumping events. Formula 1 fans can attend the Grand Prix in Austin after a seven-night Caribbean voyage aboard MSC Seascape, sailing from Galveston, TX.

Rise of the “me-kend”

The rise of the “me-kend” (a weekend “just for me”) is trending as travelers are embracing indulgent quick trips as a form of self-care. Holidays are no longer saved for birthdays or long stretches of paid time off work—instead, people are looking for a weekend getaway to serve as a quick mood-booster.

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.

Kidfluencing

Another trend driving travel choices in 2026 is the influence of children on a family’s holiday decisions. More than 80 percent of parents say their kids help choose and plan their trip, with kids bringing ideas that are fueled by curiosity, creativity and online inspiration.

MSC Cruises offers family programming onboard, driving interest from children with spaces and activities that aim to give them the freedom to express their creativity, play, socialize and explore. From kids’ clubs offering more than 100 hours of entertainment for different age groups, to the Sportplex 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 also enjoy spending time together with experiences like game shows and theater performances.

Quiet-cations

In the digital age, more people are looking to find quiet, calm ways to escape, with their digital devices firmly switched off. In 2026, travelers will look to swap the noise of daily life and the distractions of an overstimulating world for the soothing stillness of nature. Holidays will be used to restore a sense of calm, with 43 percent of travelers 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 Strait Point, Tracy Arm Fjord, and Juneau in Alaska; and Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. Guests will enjoy a peaceful getaway, discovering breathtaking wonders both from the ship and during excursions. From viewing picturesque fjords and watching humpback whales to hiking up Mount Roberts and discovering glaciers, a cruise through Alaska centers guests back in the beauty of nature and provides a serene retreat.

Low-season travel

More travelers are recognizing the benefits of traveling 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, MSC Cruises will allow guests to explore the Southern Caribbean and Antilles, as well as Greece and 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 cultures, where beautiful bays and beaches meet cosmopolitan flair with mild temperatures and a relaxed rhythm. Guests sailing aboard MSC Lirica, MSC Divina and MSC Orchestra can explore Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean. MSC Lirica will offer seven-night sailings during the shoulder seasons from Venice-Marghera to destinations including Kotor, Mykonos, Syros and Ancona. MSC Divina will depart from Civitavecchia (Rome); ports of call include Mykonos, Kusadasi, Marmaris and Naples. MSC Orchestra will offer seven-night sailings from Bari (Italy) to Greece (Piraeus for Athens and Corfù), and beyond.

All-inclusive and personalized luxury experiences

The most popular luxury travel experiences in 2026 will be all-inclusive and personalized. Affluent travelers 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. 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. Personalization goes above and beyond with every detail attended to, from the perfect pillow selection to a fully stocked personalized mini bar and late-night treats delivered by the butler. 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.

For more information, visit www.msccruisesusa.com.

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