London, Italy and Croatia are turning up the cruise heat as Windstar and others bring hidden experiences of Europe to sea. London, Italy and Croatia now offer cruise travellers more than famous sights and busy ports. Instead, Windstar and others are creating new ways to discover Europe through immersive experiences, local culture and memorable moments. Moreover, these hidden experiences of Europe give travellers fresh reasons to explore familiar destinations from a different perspective. Travel And Tour World urges global travellers to read the entire story, as this evolving cruise trend could reshape how London, Italy and Croatia are experienced. From historic London to cultural Italy and scenic Croatia, Europe is entering an exciting new cruise chapter.

Windstar Destination Discovery Events Signal a New Era of Immersive European Cruising

Windstar’s expansion of its Destination Discovery Events comes at a time when European cruising is increasingly moving beyond traditional port calls. The 2027 programme adds curated experiences in Livorno, Dubrovnik and London, while the new Star Explorer brings a 224-guest, all-suite small-ship option to European waters.

For travellers, the important development is the emphasis on time, access and cultural context. Instead of simply visiting a destination during daytime port hours, newer cruise programmes increasingly use late departures, overnight stays, local performances, food experiences and smaller ports to create deeper journeys.

The following extension examines the wider market and six cruise lines pursuing similar destination-led strategies. The visitor figures below are destination-level tourism statistics, not passenger counts generated by individual cruise lines. This distinction is important because national tourism authorities do not normally publish visitor totals by cruise operator.

European Tourism Rebound Creates a Strong Market for Destination-Led Cruises

European tourism has recovered strongly from the pandemic disruption.

Italy recorded 139.6 million tourist arrivals and 466.2 million overnight stays in accommodation establishments in 2024. International arrivals represented 53% of the country’s total accommodation arrivals, while foreign overnight stays accounted for 54.5% of nights.

Spain reached 93.8 million international tourist arrivals in 2024 and then established another record with 96.8 million in 2025.

Croatia recorded 20.7 million tourist arrivals and 94.8 million tourist nights in 2025. That represented increases of 2.2% and 1.2%, respectively, over 2024.

Greece also strengthened its cruise economy. The Bank of Greece reported an estimated 5.61 million cruise passengers in 2025, up 12% year over year. Cruise passenger visits reached 8.18 million.

These numbers help explain why cruise companies are competing to offer travellers more meaningful experiences ashore.

Five-Year Tourism Data Comparison for Major European Cruise Markets

Important methodology note: these series measure different concepts. Spain’s figures are international tourist arrivals, Greece’s are inbound traveller flows, the UK’s are inbound visits, while Croatia, Portugal and Italy figures primarily concern guests or arrivals recorded in accommodation establishments. They should therefore not be treated as directly interchangeable measures.

Croatia: Five-Year Recovery

Croatia’s accommodation market provides one of the clearest recovery stories. The country recorded 12.78 million arrivals in 2021, followed by 17.77 million in 2022. Arrivals rose again to 19.49 million in 2023 and approximately 20.2 million in 2024 before reaching 20.7 million in 2025.

The recovery was particularly international. Foreign tourists accounted for 86.5% of Croatian accommodation arrivals in 2023 and 91.2% of overnight stays.

Spain: International Demand Has Passed Pre-Pandemic Levels

Spain moved from 31.2 million international tourists in 2021 to 71.7 million in 2022 and 85.2 million in 2023. It then reached 93.8 million in 2024 and 96.8 million in 2025.

The 2025 figure represented a 3.2% increase over 2024. The United Kingdom, France and Germany remained the largest source markets.

This provides a substantial destination base for cruise companies offering Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga and other Spanish ports.

Greece: Cruise Spending Is Becoming More Significant

Greece recorded 15.25 million inbound travellers in 2021. The number almost doubled to 29.88 million in 2022 and increased to 36.08 million in 2023.

By 2025, inbound traveller flows had grown another 6.4% from 2024. Cruise passenger arrivals also reached an estimated 5.61 million, while cruise passenger visits reached 8.18 million.

That combination makes Greece particularly important for cruise brands seeking to extend stays and increase spending ashore.

Six Cruise Lines Taking the Destination Experience Further

1. Azamara: Longer Port Stays and AzAmazing Evenings

Azamara is perhaps the closest comparison to Windstar’s destination-first philosophy. Its 2027 World Cruise aboard Azamara Quest is planned at 188 nights, travelling from San Francisco to Copenhagen. The itinerary crosses the Pacific, Asia, North America and the Atlantic before reaching Northern Europe. The programme includes 50 late-night stays, 15 overnights and 12 AzAmazing Evenings.

The travel strategy is clear. Guests receive more time to experience destinations after conventional excursion hours. The itinerary includes Hawaii, French Polynesia, Australia, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Japan, Alaska, Mexico, Central America, Colombia, New York, Canada, London, Berlin, Stockholm and Copenhagen. Several segments contain multiple overnight stays.

For travellers, this approach is useful when a destination deserves more than a six-hour visit. An overnight in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, London or Berlin can allow evening dining, cultural performances and independent exploration. Azamara’s small-ship model also supports calls at smaller destinations and unusual ports. The company specifically highlights destinations such as the Kiel Canal and central Shanghai.

The visitor-data comparison strengthens the case for this strategy. UK inbound visits increased from 6.38 million in 2021 to 31.24 million in 2022 and 38 million in 2023. Official 2024 data reached 42.6 million, while VisitBritain estimated 43.6 million for 2025.

For a traveller choosing Azamara, the most useful planning strategy is to prioritise itineraries containing overnight or late-night calls. These provide the greatest opportunity to experience destinations beyond conventional sightseeing.

2. Seabourn: Boutique Ports, Extended Stays and Signature Events

Seabourn is expanding its immersive Mediterranean programme in 2027 through Seabourn Ovation. The programme includes 22 unique itineraries covering 77 ports across 17 countries, with routes connecting Spain, France, Italy, the Adriatic, Greece and Portugal.

One 21-day Mediterranean itinerary runs from Civitavecchia to Istanbul between May 8 and May 29, 2027. It combines Italy, Croatia, Greece and Turkey. Seabourn promotes extended stays and overnights alongside destination-focused Signature Events.

Another 21-day sailing operates from Istanbul to Dubrovnik, combining Turkey, Greece and Croatia.

The travel plan is particularly attractive for heritage travellers. Guests can combine Rome with the Dalmatian Coast, Greek islands and ancient Ephesus without repeatedly changing hotels. Seabourn also promotes local entertainment, culinary shopping with its chefs and its Marina Day concept.

Croatia’s tourism recovery makes Dubrovnik an especially strong destination for this model. Accommodation arrivals climbed from 12.78 million in 2021 to 17.77 million in 2022, 19.49 million in 2023 and about 20.2 million in 2024. They reached 20.7 million in 2025.

For travellers, Seabourn’s greatest advantage is combining several cultural regions within one extended journey. A passenger can move from Roman history to Croatian coastal heritage and Greek archaeological sites without sacrificing the smaller-ship experience.

3. Silversea: Overnight Barcelona and Extended Iberian Exploration

Silversea is also using overnight stays to deepen destination experiences. Its 2027 Transatlantic Crossing Featuring Spain & France aboard Silver Dawn runs from Monte Carlo to San Juan from November 15 to December 11, covering 26 days. The itinerary includes 17 ports and an overnight in Barcelona.

The route combines Monaco, southern France, Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Atlantic islands and the Caribbean. The Barcelona overnight is particularly important because it allows passengers more time in one of Europe’s major cultural capitals.

Another 10-day Silversea itinerary runs from Barcelona to Lisbon aboard Silver Ray from November 3 to November 13, 2027. The voyage includes nine ports across Spain, Morocco and Portugal and 112 listed shore excursions. Málaga receives an overnight stay, while Cartagena, Cádiz, Tangier, Porto and Lisbon add cultural variety.

Portugal’s tourism statistics show why this strategy is relevant. The country recorded 30 million accommodation guests in 2023, including 18.3 million foreigners. In 2024, accommodation establishments reached 31.6 million guests and 80.3 million overnight stays. In 2025, the figures rose further to 32.5 million guests, including 19.7 million foreigners.

For travellers, Silversea’s Iberian routes work particularly well in autumn. The company specifically positions the season as a period when temperatures remain attractive while crowds become lighter. Travellers can combine Barcelona’s architecture, Málaga’s historic centre, Cádiz’s heritage and Lisbon’s waterfront districts in one continuous journey.

4. Viking Cruises: Guided Cultural Travel With Overnight Cities

Viking is taking the immersive model into a more structured cultural format. Its 2027 Mediterranean Antiquities itinerary runs for 15 days between Athens and Barcelona, covering six countries and 11 guided tours.

The itinerary begins in Athens and continues to Ephesus, Crete, Sicily, Naples, Rome, Livorno, Monte Carlo, Marseille, Sète and Barcelona. Athens, Livorno and Barcelona receive additional time through overnight arrangements.

Viking also offers a 22-day Mediterranean & Adriatic Sojourn. It covers seven countries and includes Athens, Olympia, Corfu, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Split, Venice, Šibenik, Bari, Crotone, Sicily, Naples, Rome, Livorno, Monte Carlo, Marseille, Sète and Barcelona. Venice, Florence/Pisa and Barcelona receive overnight treatment.

The line includes a complimentary shore excursion in every port, destination performances and access to UNESCO-related experiences.

For tourists, this creates a straightforward planning advantage. Travellers who prefer organised cultural sightseeing can see several major heritage locations without constructing separate land itineraries.

Spain’s tourism rebound supports the strategy. International arrivals increased from 31.2 million in 2021 to 71.7 million in 2022, 85.2 million in 2023, 93.8 million in 2024 and 96.8 million in 2025.

The strongest Viking strategy is therefore to combine included excursions with independent exploration during overnight calls.

5. Cunard: Longer Mediterranean Voyages Across Multiple Cultures

Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth also offers extended Mediterranean journeys that connect several major European cultural regions. A 21-night Italy, Spain, Greece and Adriatic voyage departs Barcelona on June 11, 2027, and finishes at Civitavecchia for Rome on July 2.

The itinerary creates a broad Mediterranean travel plan rather than concentrating on one country. A shorter 14-night itinerary also connects Barcelona with Rome while visiting Italy, Greece and Turkey.

Cunard’s approach differs slightly from Windstar. Its attraction is the combination of traditional ocean-liner character with long European itineraries. Travellers can use Barcelona as a pre-cruise base, then explore Mediterranean destinations before finishing near Rome.

The route is particularly useful for first-time Mediterranean visitors who want to combine multiple countries without arranging separate flights between them.

Spain’s record visitor numbers provide important context. International arrivals reached 93.8 million in 2024 and 96.8 million in 2025.

For travellers, Barcelona is therefore both a major destination and an important cruise gateway.

A practical plan would be to arrive two days before departure. This allows time for Barcelona’s architectural attractions and reduces the risk of missing embarkation after an international flight. After the cruise, passengers finishing near Rome can add several days for the city’s archaeological and cultural attractions.

Cunard’s longer Mediterranean options therefore suit travellers who want a conventional cruise atmosphere while still prioritising destination variety.

6. Holland America Line: More Time Ashore Across Mediterranean Europe

Holland America Line is also explicitly increasing the amount of time travellers can spend exploring Europe. Its 2027 programme highlights extended stays, major ports and less-visited destinations.

The 2027 Mediterranean schedule includes a 10-day Around the Iberian Peninsula voyage from Rotterdam to Barcelona, with calls at Portsmouth, Bordeaux, Bilbao, Cartagena, Valencia and Lisbon.

Another 11-day Mediterranean Splendor voyage travels from Barcelona to Athens. It combines Palma de Mallorca, Marseille, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Naples, Corfu and Kotor. A further 10-day Greek Isles itinerary includes an overnight in Istanbul.

The cruise line also plans a 10-day Mediterranean Splendor sailing from Athens to Barcelona with a Rome evening stay. This itinerary includes Kotor, Valletta, Messina, Naples, Civitavecchia and Livorno.

Holland America’s approach closely follows the growing demand for slower port exploration. Travellers can spend more time walking historic districts, dining locally and visiting museums instead of rushing back to the ship.

The wider tourism numbers are supportive. Italy recorded 139.6 million accommodation arrivals and 466.2 million overnight stays in 2024, while foreign demand accounted for more than half of accommodation activity.

Greece also recorded 5.61 million cruise passengers in 2025, alongside 8.18 million cruise passenger visits.

For travellers, Holland America’s Mediterranean programme is therefore attractive when the objective is to balance familiar European capitals with longer stays and secondary destinations.

Six Cruise Lines Compared With Windstar

The Scale of the Destination Experience

Five-Year Destination Tourism Comparison

Sources: Croatian Bureau of Statistics; Spain’s INE; Bank of Greece; UK ONS/VisitBritain; Turismo de Portugal.

Why Longer Port Stays Matter to Global Travellers

The numbers show that Europe’s major cruise destinations are already attracting exceptionally large visitor volumes. The competitive question is therefore changing.

Cruise companies are no longer competing only on the number of ports.

They are increasingly competing on what passengers can actually do once they arrive.

Windstar’s Destination Discovery Events represent one version of that strategy. Azamara focuses heavily on late-night and overnight access. Seabourn combines boutique ports with Signature Events. Silversea adds overnight stays to luxury itineraries. Viking uses guided cultural programmes and extended city stays. Cunard links multiple cultural regions through longer voyages. Holland America is deliberately increasing opportunities for deeper exploration ashore.

For travellers, the practical lesson is simple: do not compare European cruises only by the number of countries visited.

A seven-country itinerary can provide less cultural depth than a four-country itinerary with overnight calls.

Travellers should examine port arrival and departure times, overnight opportunities, included excursions and evening activities before booking.

Best 2027 Strategy for Travellers

For history lovers, London, Rome, Dubrovnik, Athens and Ephesus provide especially strong combinations.

For food travellers, Tuscany, Provence, Spain, Greece and Portugal offer opportunities to build culinary experiences around cruise calls.

For culture-focused visitors, Seabourn’s local entertainment, Windstar’s destination events and Azamara’s evening programming are particularly relevant.

For first-time Mediterranean travellers, Viking’s guided itineraries can simplify sightseeing because excursions are built into the overall travel structure.

For independent explorers, overnight calls from Azamara, Silversea, Viking and Holland America create more freedom to experience nightlife and local dining.

For luxury travellers, Windstar, Seabourn and Silversea provide the strongest small-ship and yacht-style positioning.

The Bigger Travel Trend

The expansion of Windstar Destination Discovery Events is therefore part of a much wider transformation in European cruising.

Tourism authorities are reporting record or near-record demand across major Mediterranean destinations. Spain reached 96.8 million international visitors in 2025. Croatia recorded 20.7 million accommodation arrivals. Portugal reached 32.5 million accommodation guests. Italy recorded 466.2 million accommodation nights in 2024. Greece generated more than 8.17 million cruise passenger visits in 2025.

The opportunity for cruise companies is to convert that enormous destination demand into richer onboard-to-shore experiences.

For global tourists, that means the future European cruise may be less about ticking ports off a map.

Instead, it can mean watching historic landmarks after sunset, staying overnight in famous cities, tasting regional cuisine, meeting local performers and exploring heritage sites without the pressure of a short port call.

That is precisely why Windstar’s 2027 expansion matters.

The ship may carry the traveller between destinations, but the destination experience increasingly defines the voyage.

Conclusion

London, Italy and Croatia are entering an exciting new phase of cruise travel as Windstar and others bring hidden experiences of Europe to sea. These destinations are no longer simply places to visit during a short port call. Instead, immersive events, cultural encounters, extended stays and distinctive local experiences are giving travellers more meaningful ways to discover Europe. From London’s historic landmarks to Italy’s heritage and Croatia’s coastal culture, each destination offers something different. Travel And Tour World encourages global travellers to look beyond traditional cruise itineraries and explore these emerging experiences when planning their next European voyage. The biggest cruise adventure may now begin beyond the ship.