Some vacations leave room for spontaneity. Others deserve a head start—especially when your wish list includes a particular cruise ship, a charming Paris hotel, or a balcony overlooking one of Europe’s beautiful rivers.
If you’re dreaming of traveling in 2027, now is the time to turn “someday” into something on the calendar. Planning before the end of 2026 can give you more choices, better access to the experiences you want, and, in some cases, more favorable pricing.
Here are the vacations we recommend moving to the top of your planning list.
Disney Cruise Line: Get Ahead of the Magic
Have your heart set on a particular Disney ship? Need to travel during spring break or summer vacation? Hoping for connecting staterooms so the whole family can come along?
Those are all excellent reasons to start early.
Popular Disney Cruise Line sailings and stateroom categories can fill quickly, especially around school breaks and holidays. Disney recommends booking about a year ahead when possible for the best combination of pricing and stateroom choices. Waiting doesn’t necessarily bring a better deal—and it may mean fewer options.
And then there’s dinner.
If your family prefers Main Seating—the earlier dinner seating—make that preference part of the conversation from the beginning. Availability is limited, and if only the later seating remains, an earlier dinner may require a waitlist request. Booking ahead gives us a better opportunity to find the combination of sailing, stateroom, and dining time that works for your family.
The early bird might just get the Mickey waffles and the preferred dinner time.
Viking River & Ocean Cruises: Don’t Wait to Say “Prost!”
Picture it: castles along the Rhine, charming towns beside the Danube, and a glass of local wine as Europe slips past your balcony.
Now picture finding out that your preferred sailing—or the stateroom you really wanted—is no longer available.
Popular European river departures can fill faster than you can say “Prost!” If a Viking river cruise is on your 2027 wish list, we recommend checking availability now, especially if your travel dates are firm or you’re traveling with friends who need multiple staterooms.
The same planning advice applies to Viking Ocean cruises. Starting early gives us more room to match the itinerary, departure date, and accommodations to your priorities.
Think Beyond the Cruise
Would you love a few extra days in Switzerland? Or a visit to Highclere Castle, the real-life setting of Downton Abbey?
Viking offers pre- and post-cruise extensions that make your vacation even richer. Swiss options include destinations such as Lucerne, while Highclere Castle experiences are available with select river and ocean voyages. These extensions depend on your itinerary and departure date, so they belong in the initial planning conversation.
If an extension is part of your dream, let’s plan the cruise around the complete experience. We don’t want that special finishing touch to become an afterthought with no space left.
Europe in Summer 2027: Yes, It’s Already Time
Here’s something that may surprise you: we’ve already encountered challenges finding availability for some Paris hotel dates next summer.
That doesn’t mean Europe is sold out. It does mean that the right hotel, in the right location, for your exact dates, deserves attention sooner than you might expect.
Breakfast in bed in Paris
Whether you’re dreaming of sidewalk cafés in Paris, Italy’s extraordinary food and history, or a journey through several countries, planning now gives us more opportunity to build the trip around what matters most to you.
And there’s more than one wonderful way to experience Europe.
Globus is an option for travelers who enjoy the convenience and companionship of a guided tour. Tauck is another favorite to consider for a thoughtfully arranged journey with memorable experiences along the way.
Then there’s Roam by Tauck, the newer name worth getting to know. Its approach combines small groups, guided experiences, and independent time, with support from a dedicated Roam Director—an appealing balance for travelers who want both structure and freedom.
Prefer an independent journey? We can help curate hotels, transportation, tours, and experiences around your interests and pace.
However you want to explore, 2027 planning should be happening in 2026. Starting now gives us time to make thoughtful choices before availability starts making those choices for you.
Jamaica: New Experiences, Same Unmistakable Island Soul
We can’t forget the sunshine.
Jamaica is heading into an exciting chapter, with three Sandals resorts scheduled to reopen before the end of 2026 following extensive transformations:
Newly renovated Sandals South Coast
Sandals South Coast: November 18, 2026
Sandals Montego Bay: December 18, 2026
Sandals Caribbean Cay, formerly Sandals Royal Caribbean: December 18, 2026
Across the three properties, Sandals has announced new or refreshed accommodations, dining concepts, pools, and gathering spaces—while keeping Jamaica’s culture and character at the heart of the experience.
Think new room options. New restaurants. Fresh places to unwind. And that one-and-only Jamaican vibe.
We expect these reimagined resorts to attract plenty of attention for 2027. If you’re imagining an anniversary escape, a honeymoon, or a much-needed week together, this is a great time to explore your options.
Have your eye on a particular suite or a special travel week? Let’s check it early. New accommodations and enhancements have their own opening timelines, so we’ll help match your dates to the experience you want.
Give Your 2027 Vacation a Head Start
Early planning gives you something valuable: more opportunity to choose the vacation you really want.
The ship you’ve been watching. The hotel in the neighborhood you love. The land extension that makes the journey feel complete. The room where you can already picture your morning coffee.
You don’t need every detail figured out before you reach out. A destination, an approximate timeframe, and a little inspiration are enough to get the conversation started.
Contact Wish and Wander Journeys, and let’s start planning your 2027 vacation before 2026 slips away.
