Experiences
Exciting new ocean cruise adventures for 2026
For ocean cruises in 2026 an included excursion in every port no longer means just a sightseeing tour but fascinating outings for guests to excite their interest in arts, gardens, history and nature. There are new ports of call, more overnight stays to make the most of your time in port and cruises that coincide with special events we think you will love.
Here are a few examples to whet your appetite:
Included and inspiring excursions
Exotic plants and flowers in Madeira
All 2026 Canary Island cruises that call into 'the floral isle' feature an included excursion to the 20-acre Madeira Botanical Garden in the capital, Funchal. This landscaped garden with stunning sea views was created in 1960 with a mission to preserve endangered plant species through research and conservation. Guests can admire trees and ornamental shrubs among more than 2,000 exotic plants.
How can I experience this?
Take a Canary Islands cruise in 2026
Waterfall watch in Iceland
There's another included excursion in our cruise to the Land of Ice and Fire where you can get close to nature at the spectacular Godafoss Waterfall. This 'waterfall of the gods' is steeped in legend and became a protected natural and cultural monument in 2020. Guests can learn more about how the pagan priest Thorgeir Ljosvetningagodi in around 1,000AD decided the national religion should be Christianity, to avoid civil conflict, and threw statues of the old Norse gods into the waterfall.
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Honey beer in Estonia
There's more history to absorb on an included guided walk through the UNESCO-listed Tallinn Old Town. In your free time, try a beer brewed with honey in one of the homely traditional hostelries.
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Historical charm in Croatia
In Dubrovnik, overlooking the Adriatic Sea, take a guided walk along the Stradun, the Old Town's main street between Pile Gate and Ploče Gate where your guide will point out places of interest and share the town's rich and complex history.
How can I experience this?
Captain Franko's Homecoming Cruise and Charms of Croatia and the Mediterranean
The northern tip of Europe in Norway
On Northern Lights and Midnight Sun cruises guests can visit the northern-most point of mainland Europe at the North Cape visitor centre. Here an iconic globe monument sits above the Barents Sea on a 1,000ft cliff-top.
How can I experience this?
The Northern Lights and Arctic Circle and Norway and the Midnight Sun
Art and architecture in Lanzarote
Architect César Manrique (1919-1992) made Lanzarote what it is today, a Canary Island without high-rise buildings and a shrine to art inspired by a twinkling turquoise sea and huge white waves that crash on to black volcanic sand.
Guests can now take a new included excursion from the capital Arrecife to Manrique's Jardin de Cactus, where he created his 'guerilla' cactus garden in a disused quarry alongside fields of prickly pears. The tour includes the César Manrique Foundation, the architect's former home built in a sea of lava formed during volcanic eruptions 300 years ago.
The tour features on 2026 Canary Islands cruises from February onwards and Manrique's foresight in bringing about legislation to halt any building over two storeys is definitely something to celebrate.
How can I experience this?
Take a Canary Islands cruise in 2026
More amazing cruising experiences
Witness the solar eclipse
Spirit of Adventure will be in a prime position for guests to witness the solar eclipse on August 8, 2026. Moored off the coast of Bilbao in northern Spain, you can watch this spectacular phenomenon from the luxury of your ship.
The cruise also includes the Isles of Scilly for Tresco Abbey Gardens; Brest in Brittany and an overnight mooring in Pauillac in south-west France, with the chance to explore Bordeaux.
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Watch the sun set over Istanbul
During an overnight mooring absorb the magic of Istanbul. Here, where East meets West beside the Bosphorus Strait in Turkey, guests can spend two days exploring. Must-sees are the Grand Bazaar and the Blue Mosque.
How can I experience this?
Istanbul and the Eastern Mediterranean
Return of the mystery cruise
Guests who love surprises and adventure will be thrilled by Captain Tanner's new Mystery Cruise, on which the direction of travel is a closely guarded secret and destinations are not revealed until the day of arrival. It's fun to try to fathom out which way the ship is heading – and there's no cheating allowed on your mobile phone! Every port of call includes a half-day surprise excursion and a host of on-board activities to add to the intrigue.
How can I experience this?
Captain Tanner's Mystery Cruise
Sister ships reunited
On February 10, 2026 Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure will sail into the historic Spanish port of Cadiz. It's rare to find both ships together in one place so join the 'family' celebrations! Perhaps meet your Saga friends ashore or simply enjoy watching the crew catching up with their friends and colleagues as the ships moor in the same port.
How can I experience this?
Moroccan Sights and Spanish Cities and Canaries and Carnivals
Carnival time!
© Ten Travel DMC
It's time to party at February fiestas during Spirit of Discovery's calls into Tenerife and Madeira. You'll be in heart of the action to watch the processions and participants in vibrant costumes, so get ready to join the celebrations.
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Exciting new ports of call
Ancient Greek city in Lemnos
When visiting this popular Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea, take an optional tour to the ancient city of Hephaestia. Both Saga ocean cruise ships will be sailing into Greece in 2026 and calls include Syros, Igoumenitsa, Thessaloniki, Volos, and Gytheio, the gateway to the ancient city of Sparta.
How can I experience this?
Istanbul and the Eastern Mediterranean
A tribute to Detective Wallander in Sweden
Fans of the TV series Wallander will recognise the half-timbered buildings and colourful houses in the charming medieval town of Ystad. From here, you can visit the Ale's Stones, a fascinating Iron Age formation of standing stones arranged in the shape of a ship. What could be more appropriate?
How can I experience this?
The Granite City in Scotland
Aberdeen, known as 'the granite city' has so many attractions to visit including the Aberdeen Art Gallery, the Maritime Museum, the Gordon Highlanders military museum and Duthie Park. If you'd like to get out into the Cairngorms, the UK's largest National Park, join an optional tour for views of this mighty mountain range.
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The opinions expressed are those of the author and are not held by Saga unless specifically stated.
The material is for general information only and does not constitute investment, tax, legal, medical or other form of advice. You should not rely on this information to make (or refrain from making) any decisions. Always obtain independent, professional advice for your own particular situation.
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