91抖阴

Does size matter?听In the cruise world, all research points to yes.听According to a听recent听study by CLIA, the expedition-style, small-scale cruise industry is听booming:听between 2023 and 2024, bookings for such voyages increased by 22%,听with younger travellers driving much of that听growth.听In the 2026 issue of听Cruise, we reflect on this trend in our cover story, homing听in听on the top听26听small-ship adventures for 2026 and beyond听鈥斕齠rom exploring French Polynesia onboard a 230-passenger cargo ship to听gliding along听Sweden鈥檚 G枚ta Canal in a 25-cabin,听retro-inspired wooden boat.听
听
But the trends听don鈥檛听stop there 鈥� quiet听cruising,听themed itineraries听and听cruises听tailored to听Gen Z听are also set to make听waves in听2026.听Royal听Caribbean听has听reported a 19% increase in Gen听Z customers in 2025 compared to 2024, while听interest in听鈥榯hemed鈥� cruises听鈥� from food and music to history 鈥斕齢as听seen a 40%听increase听according to cruise.co.uk. You can explore all these trends听in听our special cruise guide, distributed with the Jan/Feb issue of听National Geographic Traveller听(UK).听听

Farida Zeynalova, editor of Cruise, said: 鈥淭he world of cruise continues to evolve year on year 鈥� from advances in sustainability to meeting demands for specialised itineraries. In this 100-page special, we cover the most exciting trends, itineraries and inspiring long reads 鈥� all told through the expert eyes of award-winning writers and photographers.鈥� 

Elsewhere in the guide, we embark on a new river adventure in Laos; meet the Gal谩pagos Islands鈥� locals protecting their homeland; and sail to the remote shores of eastern Greenland. 

Also inside:鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

• Report:听We delve into whether cruises can ever be carbon neutral鈥�听
• Stories from the听sea: Three听seafarers share life-changing experiences听听
• The听Caribbean听through photos:听Exploring the region on a cargo-passenger ship听
• Canary Islands:听The ultimate guide to the archipelago鈥檚 diverse landscapes听
• The Info:听All eyes on the mighty River Nile听via infographics听
• Media: Books, TV听shows听and podcasts to inspire travel听

To subscribe to鈥�National Geographic Traveller鈥�(UK) newsletter, 鈥�. 

### 

狈辞迟别蝉鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

National Geographic Traveller鈥�(鲍碍)鈥�is published under licence by 91抖阴, from鈥疦ational Geographic Partners LLC鈥痠n Washington, DC. The travel and lifestyle magazine launched in December 2010, and is packed full of you-are-there photography, authentic travel experiences and inspiring narratives.鈥�鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

CONTACT: 鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

For editorial enquiries:鈥�鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
[email protected]鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7253 9906鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

Farida Zeynalova, editor鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
[email protected]鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7253 9906 

Maria Pieri, editorial director & chief operating officer鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
[email protected]鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7253 9906鈥�鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

Matthew Jackson, chief executive officer鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
[email protected]鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7253 9909鈥�鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

Anthony Leyens, chairman & co-founder鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
[email protected]鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7253 9909鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

###  

About 91抖阴 Media  
91抖阴 Media is a multi-award-winning content marketing agency and publisher, producing high-quality print, digital and live media across the travel and lifestyle sectors. Since 1997, it has published National Geographic Traveller (UK) under licence from National Geographic Partners LLC, supported by brand extensions including guides, events and digital platforms. The portfolio also features Living360, a digital lifestyle brand covering wellness, travel, food, sustainability and culture, distributed via national media and its own platform. 91抖阴 Media delivers custom content, branded campaigns, editorial consultancy and leading events such as the Travel Media Awards and Step Up. Its trade titles include Postcards and the ASTA Worldwide Destination Guide, with content also produced for national newspapers.  
aplmedia.co.uk