Your 2026 planner for river and ocean cruises

Our season-by-season guide featuring expert tips on where to go and how to get the best offers on cruises for 2026...

by Sue Bryant

Planning your cruise for... Spring

Spring is the best time to visit...

The Mediterranean

A glorious time to explore the Mediterranean. There are fewer crowds in Spring, temperatures are pleasant and wildflowers are in full bloom. On Spirit of Adventure’s Ancient Greece and Sicily cruise, you’ll be able to enjoy the Parthenon without the selfie sticks and Granada’s Alhambra Palace against a backdrop of a still-snowy Sierra Nevada.

If you’re a follower of Captain Franko, why not join him on Spirit of Discovery for his very personal homecoming cruise to Croatia?

Scandinavia

Head north in April on Spirit of Adventure’s Scandinavia in Springtime cruise, where towns and cities are emerging from the winter chill, the days are getting longer and the cherry trees are in blossom.

You’ll be sharing Oslo’s splendid Munch museum and Copenhagen’s Christiansborg Palace with far fewer people, too.

The Dutch bulbfields

One place you can only visit in spring is the dazzling Keukenhof Gardens, an easy day trip from Zaandam. Seven million bulbs are planted here every year, blooming in swathes of brilliant colour.

Spring is a wonderful time for culture-lovers, too, with popular capitals like Vienna and Budapest much quieter than at their summer peak.

Best time to book

As ever, booking earlier is always preferable to booking later – Keukenhof cruises in particular are very popular. You’ve got a higher chance of getting the best offer and you’ll be able to choose the exact cabin you’ve had your eye on.

And remember, if you’re taking the plunge with your first cruise, ocean or river, there’s always Saga’s Love It First Time guarantee of a full refund, should cruising really not be for you.

Tip

Summer may be coming but spring is still prone to showers, so pack a decent waterproof and a pair of good walking shoes. Don’t worry about an umbrella, though – these are provided.

How can I experience this?

Spring ocean cruises

Spring river cruises

Planning your cruise for... Summer

Summer is the best time to visit...

The British Isles and Norway

Summer cruising in Europe brings long days, blissfully warm temperatures, and an air of festivity, whether you’re circumnavigating the British Isles or cruising Norway’s serene fjords. Join Spirit of Adventure’s Norway and the Midnight Sun cruise in June and head to the very top of Europe to witness the phenomenon of 24-hour daylight.

Summer brings shorter cruises that are close to home, too, perfect if you’d just like to give cruising a try. Spirit of Discovery’s five-night Guernsey and the Cornish Coast cruise in June visits the Isles of Scilly, where the sea is the same aquamarine as you’ll find in the Bahamas; history-packed Guernsey; and Falmouth, where sunny waterfront pubs beckon.

Germany, France and Portugal

Summer is a lovely time to explore Central Europe on a river cruise. The vineyards along the Moselle will be lush and green. The medieval Petite-France area of Strasbourg will be ablaze with colour, as geraniums cascade from every window box. Sit in the sunshine, tuck into a crisp, cheese-sprinkled tarte flambée and relax with a glass of crisp Alsatian Riesling.

Early summer, too, is a great time to head for Portugal to explore the Douro, for verdant scenery, whitewashed hill villages and, of course, plentiful port tasting.

Best time to book:

British Isles and Norwegian fjords cruises are among the most popular, so book as early as possible. You’ll have to be quick, too, to snap up one of the last spaces on Saga’s very special Galicia and the Solar Eclipse cruise. In the evening, if the sky is clear, the solar eclipse will be visible as Spirit of Adventure sails away from Bilbao.

Tip

Summer is peak season in Europe and you’ll need to book in advance for the most popular museums, which are often only accessible with timed entry. Better still, join one of Saga’s shore excursions and all the details will be taken care of.

How can I experience this?

Summer ocean cruises

Summer river cruises

Planning your cruise for... Autumn

Autumn is the best time to visit...

Europe’s wine regions

It is a delightful time for a river cruise along the Danube, the Moselle and the Rhine. Sail deep into the Wachau Valley on Saga’s From Budapest to Vienna cruise and marvel at the dazzling shades of autumn as the maples, beeches and oaks take on fiery colours.

Cruise the Moselle and the Rhine Gorge on Spirit of the Moselle and riverside villages will be celebrating the wine harvest.

The Eastern Mediterranean

The summer crowds are thinning out in the Mediterranean but the days are still long and sunny. Set sail on Saga’s 27-night Istanbul and the Eastern Mediterranean voyage to Istanbul, the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and explore Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque and the opulent Topkapi Palace. You’ll visit Athens, Thessaloniki, Cagliari, Valletta and Motril, among other places.

Or get to know Croatia in depth on Spirit of Discovery’s Charms of Croatia and the Mediterranean voyage, which visits the walled city of Dubrovnik; elegant Split, famed for Diocletian’s 1,700-year-old palace; and Zadar.

Best time to book

Europe’s holiday season is getting longer and longer and early autumn, September and the first half of October are almost as popular as the summer peak. So book as early as you can to avoid disappointment.

And if you’re weighing up pricing, do look carefully at what’s included when you sail with Saga – from a shared chauffeur service to tips, Wifi, dining and drinks. Find out what's included for ocean cruises and what's included for river cruises.

Tip

On an autumn Mediterranean cruise, try to make time for swimming in the sea. The water has had all summer to warm up and is at its absolute best by now.

How can I experience this?

Autumn ocean cruises

Autumn river cruises

Planning your cruise for... Winter

Winter is the best time to visit...

Christmas markets and Dutch and Belgian waterways

The cities and towns of Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria and Germany are enchanting during December. Pretty wooden chalets sell handmade trinkets, sausages sizzle and the spicy aroma of mulled wine wafts on the cold air. Visit three capitals in one journey on Saga’s Christmas Markets of the Danube cruise, calling at Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna.

You could explore the Dutch and Belgian waterways, too, with a spectacular Christmas performance in Maastricht from André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra. Go one step further and enjoy all the festivity of Christmas itself on board Spirit of the Moselle, sailing from Nuremberg to Düsseldorf.

Scandinavia

Why not celebrate Christmas Scandinavian-style? Spirit of Adventure will be in Scandinavia in December 2026 for all the cosiness and hygge of the festive season, overnighting in Copenhagen for the New Year’s Eve festivities.

The Canary Islands

The Canary Islands bask in year-round sunshine and make a great escape from the cold in winter. And on the Spirit of Discovery you can spend 31 December in Funchal, Madeira - city pulls out all the stops at midnight with a massive firework display lighting up the sky.

Best time to book

Book as early as possible to get the itinerary and the cabin you prefer. January is a popular time for booking time for Christmas cruises, almost 12 months away, so don’t hesitate.

Don’t feel you’ll be short changed if prices drop – Saga’s Price Promise means that in the unlikely event that there are any price drops, the difference will be passed back to guests who have already booked.

Tip

Christmas on a ship is a time of festive dining, lavish decorations, cosiness and celebration, whether you’re travelling solo, with friends, or as a couple. All the fun, no stress and no washing up!

How can I experience this?

Winter ocean cruises

Winter river cruises

Find out more about ocean and river cruises with Saga.