Cruising is hot in 2025—and Air Canada Vacations is raising the bar even higher with new cruise itineraries, favourable cruise deals and offers, and packages from previous seasons that continue to delight.
With both cruises and Europe travel portfolios continuing to show exponential growth in sales, there’s never been a better time to experience European cruising. Marigold Frontuna, General Manager of Sales – Western Canada of Air Canada Vacations shares the demand for European cruising is there, and the company has plenty of turn-key products that are “packed with inclusions and value for the dollar.”
Cruise Promise Ensures Smooth Sailing
A major draw of Air Canada Vacations’ cruise options is its Cruise Promise, an initiative that delivers an array of perks and benefits for cruise travellers. Here are key points to keep in mind about the Cruise Promise:
- Cruise deposit: Travellers can secure select cruises with a deposit of just $50 per person.
- Don’t miss your cruise: If a delayed flight causes your client to miss their cruise, they’ll be rebooked to catch up with it. And if the ship is late, the tour operator will book your client on their next available flight home.
- Flexible flight booking options: No deposits are required to secure a flight. Also, all flights are 100% refundable, or allow a name change up to 24 hours prior to travel.
- Lowest airfare or your client flies free: If you find a flight with Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge at a lower price at time of booking, Air Canada Vacations will pay for the flight.
- The Cruise Promise has all the benefits of Air Canada Vacations’ Vacation Promise (which includes perks like price matching, secured group rates up to two years in advance, and flexible payment options).
View the complete details and terms and conditions of Air Canada Vacations’ Cruise Promise.
Air Canada Vacations has more than 100 cruise itineraries in Europe alone from the world’s best cruise line and from convenient ports of call that are easy to get to with its extensive flight options.
Cruise packages with the tour operator include round-trip flights (including connector flights from over 60 Canadian airports), the first checked bag free of charge, stateroom accommodations, and Aeroplan® points.
Your clients can unpack once and wake up somewhere new each day, with some excursions and experiences included in the package to fully immerse in a destination. Whether your clients choose to set sail from iconic ports like Barcelona, Marseille, or Venice (Trieste, Ravenna, Chioggia), or opt for the fresh allure of a newer cruise port like Reykjavik or Dublin, they will discover an experience tailored to their preferences.
New Cruise Options from Porto, Naples, and Prague
2025 brings some incredible new Europe cruise itineraries that are aligned with the interests and preferences of Canadian travellers.
To start, there are new ocean cruises sailing from Naples on Costa Cruise Lines and MSC Cruises.
The 7-Night Mediterranean – Eastern with MSC Cruises aboard the MSC Divina sails with ports of call in Naples, Italy (the port of origin and return); Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Mykonos, Greece; Kusadasi (Ephesus), Türkiye; and Santorini (Thira), Greece. Some of these destinations are emerging favourites in the cruising world, but they all deliver an experience filled with rich culture, friendly locals, mouthwatering cuisine, iconic landmarks, and fascinating history.
To help your client create the ultimate itinerary, extend their stay with an extra night or two at one of Air Canada Vacations’ hotel partners before or after the voyage.
There’s no shortage of experiences or activities for your clients to enjoy. Whether it’s traversing down weathered cobble-stoned streets, winding through canals or wandering through famous boulevards when ashore or your clients can choose to take advantage of all there is to do onboard.
If your client is looking for something more intimate, then a scenic, all-inclusive river cruise out of Porto or Prague with Uniworld River Cruises might be the solution. For example, a 7-night cruise departing Porto aboard the S.S. Sao Gabriel allows guests to savour a wine tasting in Régua, visit a hilltop castle in Pocinho, stroll among the sand-coloured buildings in Salamanca, nicknamed the “Golden City”, and have dinner at a local quinta in Barca d’Alva, just to name a few memorable experiences.
Extended Stays to Extend the Excitement
Not in a hurry? Consider a longer cruise, which gives your clients more time to take in the magic of Europe, either because they stay later at the dock or overnight in the city longer.
Clients can also spend a few extra nights in a city before or after their originally scheduled trip. Learn more about hotel options by reaching out to Air Canada Vacations’ call centre or at aircanadavacations.com to extend flights, add a pre- or post-cruise hotel for extended nights of stay, or to add more activities and excursions, car rentals and transfers to the booking.
