Mystery cruise itineraries can be a tricky sell, but pitch it to the right client and agents could reap rewards
The facts: Passengers won’t know the calling points of a mystery cruise when they step aboard: they put their faith in the crew and sit back to enjoy a surprise sailing. Sometimes they’ll be told the next port 24 hours before docking, while other times passengers don’t discover where they are until arrival, but that’s all part of the fun. Whether it’s an ex-UK trip or a fly-cruise, a mystery itinerary gives passengers a sense of old-fashioned adventure.
The lines: Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is the largest operator to offer mystery sailings, with an 11-night sailing on board Borealis this November, and five and seven-night itineraries on sale for 2025 – all ex-UK.
Small-ship lines Windstar Cruises and Variety Cruises have both recently announced their first mystery cruises. Windstar’s President’s Mystery Cruise sails next April and begins and ends in Athens, with Star Legend cruising into a multitude of new-to-Windstar ports (announcing them only 24 hours prior to arrival). Variety Cruises’ Uncharted Cruise, meanwhile, took place last month and sailed around a selection of smaller and lesser-known Greek islands chosen by the company’s chief executive.
Uniworld also runs mystery sailings – in 2021, these were so popular that one sold out within 48 hours. In 2026, the line is reinstating the format as part of its 50-night Rivers of the World cruise, with the second leg of the itinerary including a seven-night mystery cruise finishing in Paris.
Sell the surprise: The atmosphere on board mystery cruises is even more convivial than most, with passengers hazarding guesses about the next port and sharing stories of their surprise shore excursions. Even the bridge takes part in the fun, sometimes switching direction to throw map-savvy passengers off the scent. Capitalise on this spirit when selling the cruise – it’s a great fit for adventurous types or those who want to purchase a special surprise.
Decision-free sailing: Mystery cruises are a great pick for indecisive clients who want to experience the ease of a cruise but feel overwhelmed by the plethora of itineraries available. A surprise sailing takes the stress out of this decision and gives them the freedom to travel wherever the wind takes them (quite literally, in some cases – weather can often play a decisive role in where ships dock). Clients may fret about what to pack, but put them at ease by recommending layers and versatile gear.
New destinations: A mystery cruise may call at places passengers may not otherwise have considered, whether it’s unheard-of fishing islands in the Cyclades or historic ports in the Baltics that could pleasantly surprise them. For both the cruise line and the passenger, a mystery sailing is an opportunity to test out something different.
