Why settle for one bucket-list experience when you can have five? London, 5 June 2026 New Cruise & Tour collection taps into growing demand for bigger, longer and more immersive holidays, with savings of up to £900pp

Travellers are dreaming bigger than ever before.

Rather than ticking off a single destination or experience, many are now looking to combine multiple bucket-list moments into one extraordinary journey – a trend that is helping fuel the rapid growth of Cruise & Tour holidays.

According to Wendy Wu Tours, demand for Cruise & Tour travel has increased by 32% this year, with Japan alone seeing bookings rise by 60%, as travellers increasingly seek holidays that allow them to see more of the world, travel further and enjoy a richer mix of experiences within a single trip.

The trend has prompted the award-winning touring specialist to launch its largest-ever Cruise & Tour Collection, featuring nine new itineraries across Asia, Africa and the Americas, alongside a launch offer of Free Return Flights or Partner Flies Free, delivering savings of up to £900 per person.

The rise of the 'mega holiday'

For years, travellers were content to focus on one destination, one experience or one region at a time.

Today, that is changing.

Increasingly, holidaymakers are embracing what could be described as the "mega holiday" – longer, more ambitious journeys that combine iconic destinations, unique experiences and multiple bucket-list moments within a single itinerary.

It is a trend Wendy Wu Tours is seeing first-hand.

Not only have Cruise & Tour bookings increased significantly, but customers are also spending more. Average spend per passenger has risen by 15%, while Cruise & Tour travellers typically spend around 20% more than traditional touring customers, often extending their holidays, upgrading flights and choosing more immersive travel experiences.

The appeal is easy to understand.

Why choose between Japan and Alaska when you can experience both? Why visit one South American icon when you can combine Antarctica, Patagonia, Iguazu Falls and Machu Picchu in a single journey? Why limit yourself to one extraordinary experience when you could enjoy five?

For a growing number of travellers, the answer is simple – they no longer want one bucket-list moment. They want several.

More bucket-list moments, one seamless journey

The new Cruise & Tour Collection has been designed around exactly that mindset.

Among the standout additions is Costa Rica Tall Ship Adventure (16 days from £7,190pp), which combines Costa Rica's cloud forests, volcanoes and wildlife-rich national parks with a seven-night sailing aboard the elegant Star Clipper. Offering a more intimate and adventurous style of cruising, the journey allows travellers to experience Costa Rica from both land and sea while sailing aboard one of the world's last true tall ships.

For travellers seeking the ultimate African adventure, Ultimate Africa: Ocean, Rail & Safari (26 days from £13,840pp) strings together Mauritius, Reunion, Madagascar, Cape Town, Rovos Rail, Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park in one extraordinary journey. Described internally as a true "highlight after highlight" experience, it combines luxury cruising, one of the world's most celebrated rail journeys and some of Africa's most iconic wildlife encounters.

Meanwhile, South American Odyssey (32 days from £14,540pp) showcases just how ambitious modern travel has become. The itinerary combines Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls, Buenos Aires, Antarctica, Patagonia and Machu Picchu in one seamless adventure, delivering a succession of world-famous experiences that would traditionally require several separate holidays to achieve.

Imagine spending Christmas surrounded by Antarctic icebergs before welcoming in the New Year among the lakes and mountains of southern Chile. For many travellers, these are the kinds of once-in-a-lifetime experiences now shaping their travel wish lists.

From Japan to Alaska – and beyond

The collection also marks Wendy Wu Tours' expansion into Alaska through two major new itineraries.

Tokyo, Alaska & Seattle (20 days from £8,290pp) combines the vibrant energy of Japan with a 14-night voyage through Alaska's spectacular wilderness, while Rockies, Rail & Alaska (14 days from £10,340pp) pairs an Alaska cruise with the iconic Rocky Mountaineer rail journey through the Canadian Rockies.

For Asia enthusiasts, the collection builds on the success of Wendy Wu Tours' flagship Cruise & Tour holiday, China by Land, Japan by Sea (21 days from £4,640pp), while introducing Icons of China & Japan (from £6,590pp), an enhanced itinerary featuring a Yangtze River Cruise and additional touring in Japan.

The result is a collection that stretches from the glaciers of Alaska and Antarctica to the temples of Asia, the wildlife of Costa Rica and the natural wonders of Africa.

The comfort of a cruise, the depth of a tour

Part of the appeal of Cruise & Tour lies in its ability to combine two travel styles that traditionally appealed to different audiences.

Touring offers depth, culture and immersion.

Cruising offers comfort, convenience and the ability to travel effortlessly between destinations.

Together, they create a holiday that allows travellers to experience more while removing much of the complexity that often comes with planning multi-country or multi-centre trips independently.

Luxury rail journeys, expedition cruises, wildlife adventures and cultural touring all sit within the new collection, reflecting growing demand for travel that feels richer, deeper and more meaningful.

For many travellers, Cruise & Tour represents the best of both worlds – the chance to explore destinations in depth while enjoying the comfort and ease of having every detail taken care of.

People are dreaming bigger than ever

Wendy Wu, founder of Wendy Wu Tours, said:

"We're seeing travellers dream bigger than ever before. People increasingly want holidays that combine multiple destinations, extraordinary experiences and genuine cultural immersion, all within one seamless journey. Cruise & Tour allows us to bring those elements together in a way that creates truly unforgettable travel experiences."

"Whether it's sailing through Alaska, exploring Antarctica, discovering the Yangtze, travelling aboard Rovos Rail or experiencing Costa Rica from a tall ship, these are the kinds of journeys that stay with people for a lifetime."

Save up to £900pp

To celebrate the launch of the new Cruise & Tour Collection, Wendy Wu Tours is offering Free Return Flights or Partner Flies Free across selected departures, delivering savings of up to £900 per person.

From Antarctica to Alaska, Costa Rica to Cape Town and China to Japan, the new collection has been designed for travellers who believe one extraordinary experience is no longer enough.

For more information, visit www.wendywutours.co.uk.

Ends

Media Contact:
Andy Eastham, Head of PR & Communications
📧 andy.eastham@wendywutours.co.uk 📞 07917 247546

Images and interviews available on request.

About Wendy Wu Tours
With over two decades of travel experience, Wendy Wu Tours is recognised as market leaders in specialist travel to Asia and South America. The company offers a portfolio of group, private, solo, and tailor-made tours in over 44 countries, covering China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Australasia, Europe, and South America. All tours come with a fully inclusive price, with no hidden extras and the best award-winning guides in the business. In addition to all major airport gateways, travellers can fly from many regional airports.

There's no visa hassle with Wendy Wu Tours—our dedicated visa reception team handles everything, and the service is included in the holiday price. With a highly trained team of travel experts who have extensive firsthand knowledge of Wendy Wu Tours' destinations, customers can book with complete confidence and ease.

With ABTA, ATOL, and IATA accreditation, every booking is financially protected, offering peace of mind for all travellers.