Travel column with Katie Butler: A disrupted start to the travel year – and a look ahead at what’s coming
It has been a cold and challenging start to the new year for holidaymakers, with snow, ice and high winds causing widespread disruption across Europe and the UK.
As often happens when winter weather bites, airports, airlines and rail operators struggle to keep services moving, reminding us just how volatile travel can be at this time of year, especially in blighty Yorkshire.
Amsterdam Schiphol was among the worst affected airports in northern Europe. Only limited air traffic had been possible for several days, with numerous cancellations and long delays on routes to and from the UK.
Flights to London and Edinburgh were among those affected, while many others experienced significant hold-ups. Dutch carrier KLM cancelled large numbers of services, citing a combination of snow, strong winds, crew scheduling issues and reduced airport capacity. Although de-icing teams and snow crews worked around the clock, disruption was expected to continue for several days.
The knock-on effects extended beyond aviation. Closer to home, snow and ice briefly forced UK regional airports such as Liverpool and Aberdeen to suspend operations while runways were cleared.
Not all disruption was weather-related. Thousands of cruise passengers heading to the Caribbean saw their plans thrown into confusion following unexpected US military air strikes on Venezuela, which led to temporary airspace restrictions across parts of the region. Several charter flights carrying cruise passengers were forced to turn back mid-Atlantic or were cancelled before departure, affecting sailings from Barbados and San Juan.
Cruise lines and airlines worked over the weekend to rebook passengers and minimise the impact. Most delayed guests eventually reached their ships, though some itineraries were amended and certain ports of call missed.
Despite the rocky start to the year, the longer-term outlook for cruising remains extremely strong. Cruising continues to appeal to all ages, from families and first-timers to seasoned cruisers, thanks to its value, convenience and ever-expanding choice of ships and experiences.
2026 marks the launch of several major new vessels joining fleets. Norwegian Cruise Line is preparing its second Prima Plus Class ship, Norwegian Luna. Like her sister ship Norwegian Aqua, she was set to combine familiar NCL favourites with brand-new venues. Highlights included the Aqua Slidecoaster, the interactive Glow Court and The Drop, a dramatic multi-storey free-fall slide. The Haven, NCL’s exclusive ship-within-a-ship concept, would be the largest in the fleet, offering spacious suites and private facilities.
Royal Caribbean also continues its rapid expansion with the announcement of Legend of the Seas, the third Icon-class ship in as many years. Expected to feature crowd-pleasing attractions such as the Category 6 waterpark, Surfside family neighbourhood and the adrenaline-fuelled Crown’s Edge, the ship would also introduce new venues designed specifically for this vessel.
MSC Cruises look ahead to the launch of MSC World Asia, due to sail in the Mediterranean. Although named for Asia, the ship would remain closer to home and introduce several firsts for the line, including the longest dry slide at sea, new dining concepts and an All-Stars Sports Bar.
New bookings are definitely ramping up and last week May 2026 was the top month to book for, accounting for a 10 per cent share of new bookings, followed closely with December 2026 at nine per cent. Top destinations were Tenerife, Majorca and Caribbean cruises.