October 2026 Newsletter
Ahoy JGOOT Cruisers!
Welcome to the October edition of the JGOOT Cruises Membership Newsletter! As always, we’re here to bring you top tips, exciting updates, and must-book deals to make your cruising experiences even better. Let's dive in!
🚢 Captain’s Tip: Book the itinerary, not just the ship.
A beautiful ship is great—but if the destinations are the reason you’re cruising, look beyond the port names.
Compare how long you’ll actually be in each port, whether any are tender ports, how far the port is from the city you want to visit, and whether the itinerary includes any overnight stays.
Two cruises can look almost identical on paper but give you very different experiences once you factor in the actual time you’ll have ashore.
Japan Cruise Spotlight: We get a lot of questions about cruising Japan, and Holland America is offering several ways to experience the region aboard the Westerdam. This fall, the ship is sailing roundtrip from Tokyo on itineraries that visit multiple Japanese ports, including Kobe, Kochi, Toyama and Sakata, along with Busan, South Korea. Additional Japan cruises are also planned for spring 2027, making this a great option for travelers who want to see several destinations in one trip without constantly changing hotels or hauling luggage between cities.
Norwegian Cruise Line is also putting more focus on Japan, with the Norwegian Jade returning to the region for the first time since 2019. This fall, the ship will sail a series of 9- to 14-night itineraries from Yokohama, Tokyo and Incheon, including a two-week voyage visiting ports across Honshu and Shikoku such as Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Nagoya and Shimizu, plus Busan, South Korea. The Jade will return again for a spring 2027 season, giving travelers another option for seeing multiple destinations in Japan without having to piece together a complicated land itinerary.
Princess Cruises Festive Lineup: Princess Cruises is leaning into holiday travel with a lineup of festive 2026–27 sailings across Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico and the Panama Canal. Guests can expect seasonal touches like tree-lighting celebrations, holiday music, themed parties, gingerbread house making, family activities, holiday movies, special menus and select religious observances onboard. Featured itineraries include a Thanksgiving-week Mexican Riviera sailing, Christmas cruises through the Caribbean and Panama Canal, and a 16-day Hawaiian Islands voyage over New Year’s.
Royal Caribbean Partners With Sandals: Royal Caribbean Group is making a major move beyond cruising, announcing a partnership with Sandals Resorts that will give Royal Caribbean a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts. The deal, valued at approximately $3 billion, is expected to close in early 2027 and could eventually make it easier for travelers to move between cruise and all-inclusive vacation experiences across the two brands. For now, existing reservations, loyalty programs and resort and cruise operations will continue as usual, but this is definitely one to watch as Royal Caribbean continues building a broader vacation ecosystem beyond the ships themselves.
New Beach Club At Half Moon Cay: Holland America is giving RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay a refresh ahead of the private island’s 30th anniversary in 2027. Guests sailing select Caribbean itineraries from October 2026 through April 2027 will see upgraded cabanas, refreshed bars, more loungers and beach seating, a new complimentary island barbecue pavilion, and a new exclusive Beach Club with priority tendering, waiter service, included drinks, beach accessories and specialty food options. The updates are designed to add more comfort and choice without changing the laid-back island experience longtime Holland America guests already love.
Oceania Announces World Cruise Segments: World Cruise Inspiration 🌎 You don’t have to commit to 180 days at sea to get a taste of a world cruise. Oceania has opened individual segments of the Oceania Aurelia’s 2028 Around the World voyage, with sailings ranging from 10 to 19 days across six continents. Options include:
Two Oceans Odyssey — 17 days, Miami to Los Angeles, Jan. 19, 2028
Panama Canal, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua and MexicoLos Angeles to Papeete — 18 days
A transpacific-style journey into French PolynesiaSouth Pacific Serenade — 19 days, Papeete to Sydney, Feb. 23, 2028
Bora Bora, Pago Pago, Vava’u, Lautoka, Port Vila and NoumeaSydney to Bali — 14 days
Australia into Southeast AsiaIsles of the Orient — 14 days, Bali to Taipei, Mar. 27, 2028
Jakarta, Singapore, Puerto Princesa, Coron, Manila, Salomague and HualienPearls of East Asia — 12 days, Taipei to Tokyo, Apr. 10, 2028
Busan, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Kochi and OsakaTreasures of Southeast Asia — 12 days, Hong Kong to Bangkok, May 2, 2028
Ha Long Bay, Ho Chi Minh City, Sihanoukville and Ko KoodTimeless Mediterranean — 14 days, Istanbul to Barcelona, June 20, 2028
Athens, Messina, Salerno, Rome, Florence/Pisa, Nice, Saint-Tropez and more
It’s a great reminder that “world cruise” doesn’t have to mean taking half a year off—you can choose one incredible stretch of a much larger journey.
Virgin Voyages Status Match: Virgin Voyages is expanding its Status Match program beyond cruise loyalty, allowing travelers with qualifying airline, hotel or cruise status to fast-track into the Virgin Voyages Sailing Club and receive Blue Extras on a new sailing. The offer is designed to give travelers VIP-style perks without having to build status from scratch with Virgin. Apply here by October 31, 2026.
PROMOS:
Labor Day is a popular time for cruise lines to roll out limited-time promotions, and more deals are likely to appear throughout the holiday weekend.
Keep an eye out for offers like:
🎉 Free or discounted fares for 3rd and 4th guests
💳 Bonus onboard credit
🍹 Included or upgraded drink packages
🍽️ Specialty dining and Wi-Fi bundles
💸 Reduced deposits and limited-time cruise fares
If you’re considering a cruise for late 2026 or 2027, it’s worth comparing the Labor Day offers before booking. Some promotions may only last a few days, while others could be replaced by stronger deals as the weekend unfolds.
⭐ Deal Alert: Margaritaville Cruises Labor Day Sale
Margaritaville at Sea is celebrating Labor Day with a limited-time Flash Sale available on bookings made through September 8. The promotion applies to select sailings, including 2027 cruises aboard the Paradise, Islander and Beachcomber.
Offer highlights include:
60% off cruise fares on all itineraries
$50 deposits per person on select sailings
Free 3rd and 4th guests on select cruises when sharing a stateroom with two paying guests
Complimentary stateroom selection on eligible sailings
Free stateroom upgrades on select departures
⭐ Deal Alert: Cunard Labor Day Sale
Cunard has launched a Labor Day Sale with fares starting at $999 per person and up to $300 in onboard credit per stateroom on 158 select voyages. The promotion runs through September 9 and applies to sailings from October 2026 through December 2027 across all four Cunard ships.
Eligible itineraries include Caribbean and European cruises, Transatlantic Crossings, Canada/New England sailings, Mediterranean voyages, and select segments of the 2027 World Voyage.
Featured sailings include:
Queen Elizabeth: 12-night Eastern Caribbean roundtrip from Miami, departing December 17, 2026, with balcony fares from $1,499 per person
Queen Mary 2: 7-night Transatlantic Crossing from New York to Southampton, departing June 14, 2027, with balcony fares from $1,799 per person
Queen Anne: 17-night World Voyage segment from Fort Lauderdale to Rio de Janeiro, departing January 22, 2027, with balcony fares from $2,899 per person
⭐ Deal Alert: Azamara Labor Day Promotion
Azamara is celebrating Labor Day with a limited-time offer featuring Four Free Nights plus $600 in onboard credit on select sailings booked through September 6.
The promotion includes a number of destination-focused itineraries for travelers looking at fall and winter getaways, including:
18-night Western Africa Voyage aboard Azamara Pursuit, departing November 21, with stops including Banjul, Walvis Bay and Lüderitz
22-night Amazon Intensive Voyage aboard Azamara Quest, departing November 18, featuring calls along the Amazon River and an overnight stay in Manaus
16-night Western Australia to Asia aboard Azamara Journey, departing February 20, with stops in Western Australia plus overnight stays in Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City
⭐ Deal Alert: MSC Labor Day Promotion
MSC Cruises USA is offering a Labor Day Sale with added perks on select Caribbean and Bahamas sailings, including onboard credit, free kids’ fares on many departures and complimentary balcony upgrades on eligible cruises from Port Canaveral.
Offer highlights include:
Up to $300 in onboard credit per stateroom
Kids sail free on most eligible sailings
Balcony staterooms for the price of an interior on select MSC Seaside and MSC Divina cruises from Port Canaveral
Flexible booking options allowing guests to move eligible reservations to another ship or sailing date
The promotion applies to select three-, four- and seven-night Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries aboard MSC Seaside, MSC Divina, MSC Meraviglia and MSC Armonia.
4 Night Bahamas Cruise from Miami
Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Ship: Norwegian Getaway
Sailing Date: September 7, 2026
Departure Port: Miami, FL
Stateroom: Balcony
Price: From $199 per person
A balcony cabin for under $200 per person on a four-night cruise is the kind of last-minute pricing that immediately gets our attention. This Norwegian Getaway sailing comes out to about $50 per person, per night for a balcony and includes stops at Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau, plus a full day at sea. With NCL’s newly expanded private island experience in the mix, this is a seriously strong value for a quick Bahamas getaway.
7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale
Cruise Line: Princess Cruises
Ship: Star Princess
Sailing Date: October 24, 2026
Departure Port: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Stateroom: Balcony
Price: From $642 per person
A balcony cabin for just $642 per person on a seven-night Caribbean cruise is an excellent value, especially on the Star Princess. That works out to about $92 per person, per night for a balcony, with stops in Roatán, Belize City and Cozumel plus several relaxing sea days to enjoy the ship.
For travelers who want a newer Princess ship, a private balcony and a classic Western Caribbean itinerary without paying premium pricing, this is a strong fall cruise deal.
River Cruise Deal! - Click here
If you've been thinking about trying a European river cruise, this one may be worth a look.
Grand Circle Travel is offering special promotional pricing on select river cruises through a Travelzoo-exclusive offer.
Based on the information provided, you'll likely need to call Grand Circle and mention promo code ICONICRIVERS by August 5 to receive the discounted pricing shown on the offer page.
A few things to know:
🚢 Includes a variety of European river cruise itineraries
💰 Some departures are discounted by thousands of dollars per person
👤 Grand Circle is known for offering free or low-cost single supplements on many sailings, making it especially attractive for solo travelers
✈️ Airfare is generally not included, but would be better to book on your own with points or cash
Our note: We haven't personally booked through Grand Circle or sailed with the promoted line, so we can't speak to the onboard experience. However, if you've been curious about river cruising and don't mind traveling on a smaller, more traditional ship, these prices could make for a very affordable introduction to the experience.
4-Night Bahamas Cruise from Miami
Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Ship: Norwegian Getaway
Sailing Date: August 31, 2026
Departure Port: Miami, FL
Stateroom: Balcony
Price: From $279 per person
Ports of Call:
Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
Nassau, Bahamas
A 4-night balcony cruise for just $279 per person (about $70 per night) is an incredible value—especially when it includes visits to Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian's private island, and Nassau. Norwegian Getaway also offers a wide variety of restaurants, entertainment, waterslides, and nightlife, making it a fun option for couples, families, or a quick getaway.
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Miami
Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Ship: Norwegian Luna (Norwegian's newest Prima Plus Class ship)
Sailing Date: October 31, 2026
Departure Port: Miami, FL
Stateroom: Balcony
Price: From $989 per person
Ports of Call:
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
Sailing aboard Norwegian Luna, one of Norwegian's newest and most innovative ships, this 7-night itinerary combines beautiful Eastern Caribbean ports with a visit to Great Stirrup Cay, the cruise line's private island. Balcony cabins start at just $989 per person (about $141 per night)—an excellent value for a brand-new ship. Norwegian Luna features exciting attractions, elevated dining, spacious outdoor areas, and the latest evolution of Norwegian's Prima Class design.
For the luxury crowd:
18-Night Mediterranean & Transatlantic Voyage
Cruise Line: Oceania Cruises
Ship: Riviera
Sailing Date: October 30, 2026
Length: 18 Nights
Stateroom: Balcony
Price: From $4,920 per person
Ports of Call:
Bali, Indonesia
Lombok, Indonesia
Komodo, Indonesia
Darwin, Australia
Thursday Island, Australia
Cairns, Australia
Townsville, Australia
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Mystery Island, Vanuatu
Dravuni Island, Fiji
Lautoka, Fiji
This is an exceptional opportunity to experience one of the most highly regarded premium cruise lines at a fraction of the usual cost. Oceania Riviera is offering 18 nights from just $4,920 per person for a balcony cabin—more than 70% off the brochure fare (about $273 per person, per night).
Oceania is known for its The Finest Cuisine at Sea®, elegant smaller ships, destination-rich itineraries, and an experience that's more refined than the mainstream cruise lines. Your fare also includes valuable perks like specialty dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and non-alcoholic beverages on most bookings, making the overall value even stronger than the price alone suggests.
Mark your calendars for this month's Live Q&A session with us on Oct 22 at 9AM PT/ 12PM ET. Be sure to join us at that time using this link to access the livestream.
Get your questions answered and connect with fellow cruisers. We’ll discuss the latest cruise deals, point-maximizing strategies, and more. We always drop a gold mine of information so don't miss out on attending live!
Julie & Mira
JGOOT Cruises Experts
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