Due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, Princess Cruises is joining its sister cruise line Holland America Line in changing its world cruise itinerary for 2026 to avoid sailing in the Red Sea.
The Carnival Cruise Line-owned cruise lines already altered their 2024 and 2025 world cruise itineraries to avoid the region. Both cruise lines consult with global security experts to ensure they uphold high standards of safety.
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Holland America Line recently updated its 2026 Grand World Voyage sailing aboard Volendam to swap a route through the Red Sea with new segments of the journey that will offer more ports for passengers to explore in Asia.
Rather than revising its planned 2026 World Cruise like Holland America, Princess Cruises has replaced the world cruise with a new 131-day Circle Pacific Voyage. Visiting 60 ports in 19 countries around the Pacific Ocean, this new sailing is the cruise line’s most destination-rich voyage ever offered.
Princess Cruises had to change its world cruise.
Image source: Princess Cruises
New Circle Pacific Voyage will visit Hawaii, Asia, Alaska, and more
Departing from Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 5, 2026, aboard Coral Princess, the new Circle Pacific Voyage will first sail through Hawaii, French Polynesia, the South Pacific, New Zealand, and Australia.
The ship will then head north on a tour of Asia that includes an extensive journey through Japan, followed by a Pacific crossing to experience the natural wonders of Alaska. The final leg of the voyage ventures southbound along the scenic Pacific Coast before ending in Los Angeles on May 16, 2026.
Passengers can also book a shorter 115-day roundtrip voyage from Los Angeles, departing Jan. 21, 2026, as well as shorter segments sailing in various regions.
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The new Circle Pacific Voyage is on sale now and Princess Cruises is offering a special early booking incentive for passengers who book the full 131-day or 115-day voyage by Dec. 31, 2024. With the early booking offer, passengers will receive Princess Premier Package perks plus up to $500 onboard credit, free EZair airfare for the first two passengers in the stateroom, and free transfers from Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale and Miami International Airports.
The Princess Premier Package is Princess Cruises’ top-tier onboard cruise package, which offers impressive unlimited perks from high-speed Wi-Fi to unlimited drinks, specialty dining, premium fitness classes, and more. Daily gratuities are also included with the package.
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Princess Cruises’ 2026 itineraries include sailings in Canada and New England
With its recently announced 2026 Canada and New England season, the cruise line is also offering unique opportunities to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.
A highlight of the season includes a special 14-day Canada & Colonial America cruise on Sapphire Princess marking the United States Semiquincentennial in 2026. Sailing from Québec City to Fort Lauderdale, the voyage features an overnight in New York City and historic visits to Saguenay, Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island), Sydney (Cape Breton Island), Halifax, Boston, Newport, and Norfolk (for Williamsburg and Jamestown).
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Sapphire Princess will sail its first-ever season in Canada/New England in 2026, joining Majestic Princess, which sails seven-day Canada/New England roundtrip cruises from New York. In addition to the special Canada & Colonial America cruise, Sapphire Princess will sail Princess Cruises’ popular 10-day Classic Canada/England from Boston to Québec and vice versa.
Passengers who want to spend more time exploring historic cities and monuments can combine a scheduled 2026 cruise with multiple days on land through two cruisetour options.
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With seven nights on land, the Historic America Cruisetour visits Washington D.C., Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate, Colonial Williamsburg, Independence Hall in Philadelphia and the Gettysburg Battlefield.
The Maple Explorer Cruisetour visits Niagara Falls as well as eastern Canadian cities including Ottawa, the capital of Canada, and Montréal. A cruise through the Thousand Islands is also a highlight.
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