Celebrity Beyond to Return to the UK with New Features in 2028

Celebrity Beyond to Return to the UK with New Features in 2028

The Celebrity Beyond will return to the United Kingdom in 2028, offering a series of cruises departing from Southampton.

According to a recent press release, the ship will be part of Celebrity Cruises’ largest-ever season in Europe.

The 2022-built ship will return to the British homeport with new features, including a refreshed pool deck experience and new dining venues.

Celebrity said that the deployment will mark the first time the Beyond will sail in European waters since 2023.

The 3,260-passenger ship is scheduled to offer a series of seven- to 14-night cruises to Norway, Iceland and Scandinavia.

Highlights of the itineraries include two-week sailings to Norway and Iceland, visiting Reykjavik, Isafjordur, Akureyri and Seydisfjordur, as well as Geiranger, Alesund, Flam, Nordfjordeid and Bergen.

Before arriving in Southampton, the Beyond is scheduled to undergo a renovation, which will update parts of its guest areas.

New venues coming to the 3,260-passenger ship include the Mediterranean restaurant Bora and the Celebrity Pool Club, which was described as an “elevated poolside experience.”

The company said that the area will offer two new food and drink offerings: Orange Peel Bar & Grille and Tacos del Sol.

Celebrity will operate eight ships in the region in 2028, with the Apex and the Summit joining the Beyond in Northern Europe and Iceland.

While the first will offer itineraries to Scandinavia, the Baltic and the British Isles, the latter is scheduled to operate roundtrip cruises to Iceland.

The Celebrity Xcel, the Celebrity Ascent, the Celebrity Eclipse and the Celebrity Constellation are scheduled to sail in the Mediterranean and Western Europe.

According to the company, the deployment will mark the first time that four of its Edge-class ships will sail in Europe simultaneously.

The Celebrity Infinity is also sailing in the region as part of its year-round European schedule, which includes Eastern Mediterranean itineraries during summers and cruises to the Canaries during winters.

Oosterdam Sets Sail for HAL’s Solar Eclipse Voyage

Oosterdam Sets Sail for HAL’s Solar Eclipse Voyage

The Oosterdam departed from Lisbon on Sunday to kick off Holland America Line’s “Mediterranean Solar Eclipse” cruise.

Sailing from Portugal to Greece, the 13-night voyage is scheduled to sail to six destinations in the region before ending in Piraeus later this month.

Guests will visit ports in Spain, France, Italy and Montenegro, including Alicante, Ajaccio, Civitavecchia, Bari and Kotor. The itinerary is also highlighted by an overnight visit to the port of Barcelona.

As part of the company’s lineup of themed eclipse cruises, the sailing will also feature special programming focused on the natural phenomenon.

The activities will be hosted by Professor Adam Burgasser, an award-winning professor of physics at the University of California.

Highlights of the enrichment program include talks on the latest astrophysics research, as well as the connections between astronomy and Mediterranean history.

Holland America said that guests will also have a rare opportunity to witness a sunset eclipse with the ship positioned off the Spanish coast on August 12, 2026.

The company will also offer themed lectures, Q&A sessions and tips on how to make the most of their eclipse viewing.

In addition to the Oosterdam, the Zuiderdam and the Nieuw Statendam are also offering special eclipse sailings.

The latter was the first to start its themed cruise, departing from the English port of Dover on June 24, 2026.

As part of a 28-day itinerary to Northern Europe and the Arctic, the vessel will be positioned off the coast of Iceland in the eclipse’s path of totality.

The Zuiderdam is also offering an eclipse cruise in Northern Europe after departing from Boston for a 35-night cruise on July 18, 2026.

Like its fleetmate, the 1,900-passenger ship will be positioned off the coast of Iceland for the phenomenon.

Zuiderdam Sets Sail on Holland America’s Voyage of the Vikings

Zuiderdam Sets Sail on Holland America’s Voyage of the Vikings

The Zuiderdam sailed from Boston recently to kick off Holland America Line’s 35-night “Voyage of the Vikings.”

The 2002-built ship is now scheduled to visit destinations in Canada, New England, Greenland, Iceland, the United Kingdom and Scandinavia before returning to its homeport in North America.

As part of Holland America’s Legendary Voyages program, the cruise is highlighted by an overnight call to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, as well as stops in off-the-beaten-path destinations.

Among the lesser-visited ports welcoming the Zuiderdam are Red Bay in Canada, Paamiut in Greenland, Husavik in Iceland and Douglas in the Isle of Man.

After visits to a total of 20 destinations, the 82,305-ton ship is scheduled to return to Boston, ending the Legendary Voyage on August 20, 2026.

Following the cruise, the Zuiderdam is scheduled to spend the remainder of the summer season offering itineraries in Canada and New England.

With cruises sailing between Boston and Quebec City, the deployment runs through late October, when the ship is scheduled to reposition to Florida.

Before the end of the year, the vessel offers a series of seven- to 10-night cruises to the Caribbean departing from PortMiami.

In early 2027, the ship repositions to the West Coast for cruises to the Mexican Riviera and Baja Peninsula regions.

Holland America recently confirmed that the Zuiderdam will be the second ship to undergo a refurbishment as part of the company’s Evolution refit program.

Following the Oosterdam, the Vista-class ship will introduce new and updated features, including a series of solo staterooms with balconies.

The 1,900-passenger ship will also welcome a Grand Dutch Café, a coffee shop inspired by the European café culture that first debuted on Pinnacle-class ships.

Described as the largest fleet investment in the company’s 153-year history, the Evolution program will also include refits for four additional vessels: the Westerdam, the Noordam, the Eurodam and the Nieuw Amsterdam.