World’s Greatest Cruises Wraps Season 3, Set to Air on PBS in 2026
World’s Greatest Cruises has wrapped filming for Season 3, and new episodes set to debut early in 2026 on PBS. The series, hosted by veteran travel journalist Lynn Elmhirst, continues to showcase how travel by water connects passengers to destinations, traditions, and cultures around the world.
For Lynn, who has spent more than two decades covering cruise travel, the show is more than a job. She calls World’s Greatest Cruises her “love letter to cruising,” a passion project that blends behind-the-scenes ship life with cultural encounters in ports of call.
PBS, Travel Documentaries, and a Mission in Danger
Since its launch, Lynn has built a loyal following. Season 1 introduced viewers to cruises across Europe, Alaska, Canada, and the Caribbean, highlighting both iconic itineraries and lesser-known waterways. Season 2, which debuted in fall 2024, expanded the scope with expedition voyages in Iceland and Greenland, a luxury yacht sailing in the Caribbean, and a culinary river cruise in France. Both seasons emphasized authenticity and detail, helping viewers see why travel by water remains one of the most meaningful ways to explore.
That approach reflects PBS’s broader mission. Public broadcasting remains one of the most trusted sources in American media, offering cultural and educational programming free from commercial pressures. For decades, PBS has been one of the nation’s most important champions of travel documentaries, delivering storytelling that has enlightened and enriched generations.
But that mission is in jeopardy due to recent congressional budget cuts. For programs like World’s Greatest Cruises, ongoing viewer support is critical to keeping thoughtful, non-commercial storytelling on the air.
A Holiday Voyage Through Europe’s Christmas Markets
Fresh off a successful sold-out Bordeaux wine river cruise in July — filmed for Season 3 and warmly received by passengers — Lynn is already planning her next journey. This December, she will host a Christmas Market river cruise on the Danube, sailing aboard Scenic Opal from Munich to Budapest. The voyage will be filmed for Season 4 of World’s Greatest Cruises and includes exclusive PBS-group experiences, such as a private Viennese concert at Palais Liechtenstein and regional wine tastings.
The highlight of the journey will be exploring Europe’s famed Christmas Markets. From Munich’s grand Marienplatz to Vienna’s Rathausplatz and Budapest’s Vörösmarty Square, guests will marvel at festive squares filled with twinkling lights, handcrafted ornaments, mulled wine, and choral music. With Lynn as host, these visits become more than shopping stops, they are cultural moments that reveal the traditions and festive spirit of each city along the Danube.
In true PBS style, the cruise offers more than sightseeing. It combines education, cultural immersion, and community — inviting travelers to celebrate the holidays while helping support the future of public broadcasting.
You can catch World’s Greatest Cruises by checking your local PBS listings or visiting pbs.org/show/worlds-greatest-cruises.
