Two cruise lines recently announced plans to expand their operations in Europe, adding winter cruising in the region.
Holland America and Celestyal became the latest in an increasingly long list of brands sailing year-round in the destination.
Holland America Line is deploying its largest and newest ship, the Nieuw Statendam, for a winter and early spring season in the region.
In a recent press release, the premium company said that the vessel will offer itineraries to both Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, giving guests access to seasonal experiences, regional traditions, and a greater mix of destinations.
The Zuiderdam will also arrive in the region earlier, offering winter itineraries in the Mediterranean in early 2028.
Holland America said that the decision was driven by an opportunity to “showcase a completely different side of the destination,” focusing on “quieter, more immersive, and deeply seasonal” experiences.
With its deployment in the Middle East canceled, Celestyal Cruises is also expanding its operations in Europe starting later this year.
Both the Celestyal Discovery and the Celestyal Journey will offer additional cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean during off-season months in 2026-27.
The company is also planning to launch a year-round operation in Europe with the Celestyal Discovery, which will add Western Mediterranean itineraries in winter.
With details still set to be announced, the new deployment will debut in the 2026-27 winter before returning in 2027-28.
As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, winter cruising in Europe is seeing an uptick, with more cruise lines moving to year-round cruising in the region.
Other brands that added year-round cruising in the Mediterranean or Northern Europe over the past few years include Celebrity, Windstar, Oceania, Regent, Azamara and Explora.
Traditional players in the region also expanded their off-season operations in the region recently, with brands like Costa, AIDA, MSC, Viking and TUI adding ships, itineraries and more capacity.
