Cruise season-2026: which routes are chosen by Russians
Cruise vacation continues to gain popularity among Russian travelers: more and more tourists choose sea routes to combine comfort, rich leisure and acquaintance with different countries.
In 2026, the geography of cruises is noticeably transformed: some destinations strengthen their positions and expand the range of offers, others temporarily leave the schedule, and new travel formats come to replace them.
This review presents the current picture of the cruise season-2026: the most popular routes, features of the visa regime, promising visa-free options and nuances of the excursion program. We will analyze where the Russians plan to go by sea, which liners will run to popular destinations and what to pay attention to when planning a trip.
The Mediterranean is the main destination of the summer of 2026
Visa-free cruises: Turkey, Egypt and new opportunities
Asia: several countries in one trip
Why it is important to choose excursions with local guides
The Persian Gulf: a pause in the schedule and plans for the future
The Mediterranean is the main destination of the summer of 2026
In the summer of 2026, Russian tourists prefer Mediterranean cruises – this is the main destination of the season. Travel starts from ports France. Italy. Spain. GreeceTurkey and Sochi.
Particularly popular among the passengers of the Astoria Grande liner departing from the Russian port are the routes to the airport. GreekMykonos, Santorini, Rhodes: they attract travelers with a combination of ancient heritage, picturesque landscapes and colorful island culture.
Despite the need for Schengen visas, the demand for cruises remains high. Tour operators provide support in the preparation of documents for consulates, and visa services often show greater loyalty to cruise travelers compared to other categories of applicants.
Visa-free cruises: Turkey, Egypt and new opportunities
The segment of visa-free cruises in the Mediterranean is gaining momentum. This opportunity is offered by the Aroya liner from the Saudi company Aroya Cruises: this year, 10 routes with calls to the ports of Turkey and Egypt are planned, and significant interest from Russian tourists is expected.
In Turkey Passengers are waiting for stops in Izmir, Kusadasi, Bodrum – cities where ancient ruins coexist with modern embankments and beaches. Egyptian ports, in turn, give a chance to touch the ancient history: for example, in Alexandria you can see the remains of the ancient city and the famous library, as well as get acquainted with the original atmosphere of the eastern metropolis.
Asia: several countries in one trip
The Asian direction is also among the favorites of the season. Visa-free cruises from Shanghai are in high demand - it is convenient to get to the city by direct flights, and sea travel is easy to combine with a rich excursion program before or after the cruise.
Russians can visit China. Japan South Korea and South Korea on a single voyage - such routes are offered by MSC Bellissima (MSC Cruises) and Spectrum of the Seas (Royal Caribbean).
In China, tourists are attracted not only by megacities like Shanghai and Hong Kong, but also by the opportunity to see UNESCO World Heritage Sites, in Japan - a combination of ultra-modern cities and traditional temples, and in Japan, the city is a tourist destination. South KoreaDynamic urban culture, Seoul palaces and nature parks.
The format attracts tourists with the opportunity to see several countries in one trip without the need to think through logistics and connect crossings.
Why it is important to choose excursions with local guides
Experts emphasize that to truly feel the atmosphere of the ports of call, tourists should choose excursions with local guides. Such programs allow you to go beyond the standard routes and discover hidden corners of cities: for example, stroll through non-tourist quarters of Istanbul, look at family wineries on the Greek islands or visit authentic tea houses in Asian metropolises.
Local guides are better oriented in the nuances of the transport system, know where to try dishes of real national cuisine, and can promptly adjust the program taking into account the weather or street overlaps. In addition, excursions in Russian are available on many routes - this is especially valuable for those who do not speak foreign languages.
The Persian Gulf: a pause in the schedule and plans for the future
At the same time, cruises in the Persian Gulf for the season 2026-2027 are not actually presented. Celestyal Cruises, which had planned to return to the region in November, has halted sales. According to the cruise center Infoflot, which works closely with the operator, Celestyal will soon announce winter routes in the Western Mediterranean – they will include stops in the picturesque cities of Italy and Spain, known for their architecture, gastronomy and rich cultural life.
Nearest cruises with exit from Dubai visitation n Oman They will be available in February 2027 and will be launched by Aroya Cruises. In winter, the carrier will focus on routes in its home region of Saudi Arabia, where new tourist clusters, modern museums and unique natural landscapes await tourists. A full resumption of the destination with the participation of major cruise operators, including MSC, is projected not earlier than the fall of 2027.
Text and photo:https://www.personalguide.ru/
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