Please enjoy the Wave Issue, our cruising special for the first half of 2026. Cruising is booming, and travelers cannot get enough of it. I just returned from a fantastic trip on Regent Seven Seas Mariner with a group of Globility Board members and other Global Traveler subscribers. We departed from İstanbul and made our way through the Dardanelles Strait, connecting the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean. From there we entered the Mediterranean. The ship made interesting stops in Greece, Montenegro and Croatia before docking in Trieste. Please read my GT Tested review of Seven Seas Mariner in this issue.

With so many options for cruising — ocean, river, expedition and more — it is hard to decide which is best for you. On the one hand, small-ship cruises offer strong advantages such as smaller crowds, easier processes getting on and off, and more personalized services. But large ships offer more options for entertainment, restaurants and the big-ship feel. And within the large ships, you may often find a small-ship experience such as The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line — a luxury complex with larger
suites, specialized private areas and personal service.

Have you noticed there never seems to be a lack of cruising news or new ships? Explora Journeys launched EXPLORA II at the end of 2024 and will debut EXPLORA III later this year. Regent Seven Seas Prestige, the first of the Prestige-class ships, will further elevate luxury with expanded space, suites and new dining when it sails in late 2026.

Oceania Cruises recently announced its transformation to adults-only sailings based on surveys of its guests. All new bookings will be for passengers 18 and older; it will still honor current family bookings.

The Wave Issue is not just about cruising but also water destinations, so be sure to check out articles on the places cruise lines sail and where you can still catch a wave.

Our team looks forward to the events we have lined up this year, and we hope you will join us. The Leisure Lifestyle Awards will take place April 20 at InterContinental Miami, marking our second consecutive year to host this event there. Based on the property’s efforts last year, we anticipate another wonderful time. Next up, we will present The Trazees and Wherever Awards (trazeetravel.com and whereverfamily.com) at The Peninsula Chicago on Aug. 3. And once again, watch for the 23rd GT Tested Reader Survey awards at The Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on Dec. 7. In addition, we are gathering the wines to be judged at the Wines on the Wing competition at The Ned NoMad New York in May.

Overall, we expect a very exciting year — sail through it with us!

-Francis X. Gallagher, CEO and publisher