If you’d like to take a cruise on a brand-new ship, there’s never been a better time. Many of the major cruise lines are expecting new ships to debut in 2025 and 2026, all of them fitted with all the bells and whistles of modern cruising, including dozens of restaurants, suites with unbeatable views of the ocean, never-seen-before deck activities, gigantic slides, and more. There will be something for every type of travelers out there, whether you’re looking for a luxurious and timeless experience, or some relaxed and fun times with the family.
Photos/renderings: NCL, Virgin Voyages, Aurora Expeditions, Princess Cruises, Uniworld, Oceania Cruises
12 New Cruise Ships Launching in 2025 You’ll Want to Know About
- World America by MSC
- Star of the Seas by Royal Caribbean
- Norwegian Aqua by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
- Star Princess by Princess Cruises
- Viking Vesta by Viking Cruises
- Douglas Mawson by Aurora Expeditions
- Brilliant Lady by Virgin Voyages
- Celebrity Xcel by Celebrity Cruises
- Disney Adventure and Disney Destiny by Disney Cruise Line
- Allura by Oceania
- S.S. Elisabeth by Uniworld
MSC Cruises: World America
Rendering: MSC
World America, currently being built in the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, will be the same size as its sister ship World Europa, currently the largest of the fleet and the largest ship sailing in the Mediterranean. World America will be the largest MSC Cruises ship serving the US market.
What makes it special: This megaship will have 22 decks (all named after ports in the Caribbean Sea) on which you’ll find 19 dining venues, 20 bars and lounges, multiple pools and hot tubs, an 11-deck-high slide in the shape of a shark, a waterpark, and Cliffhanger, the only over-water swing ride at sea. World America will run on LNG, a lower-emission fuel, and is fitted with propellers designed to reduce underwater noise pollution.
Capacity: 6,764 passengers
Maiden voyage: Starting April 12, 2025, World America will sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.
Naming ceremony: April 9, 2025, at MSC Cruises’ cruise terminal in Miami (the largest cruise terminal in the world). The naming ceremony will be followed by a celebratory sailing with an overnight stop at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
Royal Caribbean: Star of the Seas
In 2024, Royal Caribbean launched its two biggest ships: Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, and Utopia of the Seas, the world’s second-largest cruise ship. In August 2025, Royal Caribbean will launch Stars of the Seas, another record-breaking vessel.
What makes it special: Star of the Seas will provide some of the most thrilling and adrenaline-pumping activities you’ll ever encounter on a cruise ship. It will be home to the largest waterpark at sea, Category 6 Waterpark, where guests will be able to ride six of the tallest, longest, and fastest slides. But that’s not all. There will also be an incredibly high rope course called The Water’s Edge, and a surf simulator called Flowrider. The ship will have the largest ice-skating arena in the entire Royal Caribbean fleet.
Capacity: 5,610 passengers
Maiden voyage: A seven-day round-trip sailing around the Western Caribbean departing from Port Canaveral, Florida, on August 31, 2025.
Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Aqua
Rendering: Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
Norwegian Cruise Line is launching its latest Prima Class ship, the Norwegian Aqua, in March 2025. There are currently two Prima Class ships in NCL’s fleet, the Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, launched in 2022 and 2023 respectively, and a fourth, the Norwegian Luna, is expected in 2026. The Norwegian Aqua will be the ninetieth ship of the cruise line’s fleet, and will sail to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Northern Europe, the Bahamas, and make transatlantic crossings.
What makes it special: Norwegian Aqua will have the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide, the Aqua Slidecoaster, as well as Glow Court, a new sports complex with an interactive LED floor. Norwegian Aqua will also be the first NCL ship whose hull was designed by a major female hull artist, Allison Hueman.
Capacity: 3,571 guests
Maiden voyage: A seven-day transatlantic crossing from Southampton, England, to Boston, Massachusetts, in March 2025.
Princess Cruises: Star Princess
Princess Cruises will launch Star Princess, the sister ship to Sun Princess which launched in February 2024, in October 2025. Sun Princess and Star Princess are very similar ships and are the biggest ships in the cruise line’s fleet. The Star Princess will sail around Europe, the Caribbean, and Alaska, and make transatlantic crossings.
What makes it special: Star princess will be 20 percent bigger than any other Princess Cruises ships (but the same size as Sun Princess.) It will feature 21 decks, 2150 guest cabins, a three-story dining room, a glass-enclosed dome hosting an indoor/outdoor pool during the day and a stage at night, and the cruise line’s largest casino.
Capacity: 4,300 guests
Maiden voyage: An 11-day round-trip sailing in the Western Mediterranean departing from Barcelona on October 4, 2025.
Viking Cruises: Viking Vesta
All of Viking’s Ocean ships are similar. Photo: Viking
Viking Vesta will be Viking Cruises’ twelfth Ocean ship and will debut in July 2025. Viking Vesta will sail in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. Viking Cruises is also scheduled to launch Viking Mira, another Ocean ship, in 2026.
What makes it special: While all of Viking Cruises’ Ocean ships are extremely similar, it’s worth noting that all the rooms on board Viking Vesta will have balconies. The ship will also feature a unique snow grotto where guests can sit in snow for an invigorating wellness experience.
Capacity: 998 passengers
Maiden voyage: A 12-night sailing from Venice to Barcelona, departing July 2, 2025.
Aurora Expeditions: Douglas Mawson
The Douglas Mawson, currently under construction. Photo: Aurora Expeditions
In 2025, adventure cruise line Aurora Expeditions will add a third ship to its fleet of small expedition vessels: the Douglas Mawson. The new ship, named after the Australian geologist and explorer, will be able to travel to the most remote corners of the world, including East Antarctica.
What makes it special: The Douglas Mawson will feature a revolutionary inverted bow that will improve the ship’s hydrodynamics and enhance the its fuel consumption. The ULSTEIN X-BOW, as it is know, will also create less noise and vibrations for a quieter sailing, and allow for a much smoother ride. Beyond its technical prowesses, the ship will also feature luxury amenities such as a heated outdoor swimming pool, two hot tubs, a gym, a sauna, two restaurants, and a Citizen Science Centre for the guests who want to combine vacation and education.
Capacity: 154 passengers
Maiden voyage: A 24-day sailing departing from Hobart, Australia, on December 11, 2025, to reach and explore East Antarctica, before ending in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Virgin Voyages: Brilliant Lady
Rendering: Virgin Voyages
Brilliant Lady, which will sail around North America and the Caribbean, will be the fourth ship in the fleet of the adult-only cruise line Virgin Voyages. While it was scheduled to be delivered in 2023, Brilliant lady won’t make its debut before September 2025.
What makes it special: Brilliant Lady will sail brand-new and longer itineraries (up to 14 nights), provide new entertainment and dining experiences, and offer new cabin categories.
Capacity: 2,770 passengers
Maiden voyage: While there are four maiden voyages scheduled for Brilliant lady, the first one of them is a five-day round-tip sailing departing from New York City on September 5, 2025, to Bermuda’s King’s Warf.
Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Xcel
Celebrity Xcel, the fifteenth ship in Celebrity Cruises’ fleet, will debut in November 2025 and sail the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
What makes it special: While, so far, very few details have been released about the exciting new experiences to be had on board Celebrity Xcel, we know that the ship will be home to the Magic Carpet, a cantilevered, floating platform that serves as a scenic and thrilling drinking and dining venue.
Capacity: 3,260 passengers
Maiden voyage: A five-night round-trip sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to the Bahamas and Mexico, departing November 18, 2025.
Disney Cruise Line: Disney Adventure and Disney Destiny
Disney Cruise Line is not launching one but two ships in 2025: Disney Adventure and Disney Destiny. The cruise line’s fleet currently consists of six ships: Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, and Disney Treasure.
What makes it special: Disney Adventure will be based in Singapore to cater to the Asian market, and will have a Moana-themed poolside area. Disney Destiny will be based in Fort Lauderdale and sail the Caribbean Sea. Disney Destiny will have a heroes and villains theme throughout, and feature two themed restaurants, one centered around The Lion King, and one centered around the Marvel universe. There will also be an Incredible-themed candy shop.
Capacity: Disney Adventure will accommodate up to 6,700 passengers; Disney Destiny will accommodate up to 4,000 passengers.
Maiden voyage: Disney Adventure’s maiden voyage will be five-night round-trip sailing departing from Singapore on December 15, 2025. Disney Destiny’s maiden voyage will depart on November 20, 2025, from Fort Lauderdale to sail to Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Disney Castaway Cay in the Bahamas.
Oceania Cruises: Allura
Rendering: Oceania Cruises
Currently under construction in Italy, Allura will be ultra-luxury Oceania Cruises’ eighth ship in the current fleet, and the sister ship to Vista, which launched in 2023.
What makes it special: An onboard crêperie, serving freshly made crêpes and waffles in the morning, and gelatos in the afternoon. One chef for every 10 guests and two crew members for every three guests, making for an extraordinary level of service. Five specialty dining venues, including two new complimentary restaurants: Ember and Aquamar Kitchen.
Capacity: 1,200 guests
Maiden voyage: From Trieste to Athens from July 18 to 24, 2025
Uniworld: S.S. Elisabeth
Photos: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Photos: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Photos: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is launching two new ships in two years: the S.S. Elisabeth in 2025, and the S.S. Emilie in 2026. With the recent addition of the S.S. Victoria in March 2024, there are 17 ships currently in the Uniworld fleet. Note that the S.S. Elisabeth, like the S.S. Victoria, is not Uniworld-company-owned ship, it is a chartered ship from Seaside Collection. The S.S. Emilie, however, will be owned by Uniworld.
What makes it special: The S.S. Elisabeth, sister ship to the S.S. Victoria, consists of 55 luxurious suites and staterooms, each fitted with full-length windows that open halfway to create an enclosed balcony, and king-sized beds. There are two Royal Suites on board, each offering 506 square feet of space. There is also a massage room, pool, gym, fine-dining restaurant, a bistro, and a rooftop bar.
Capacity: 110 guests
Maiden voyage: The S.S. Elisabeth will sail the rivers of Europe, starting with an eight-day Rhine Holiday Markets cruise (Basel to Cologne) departing on November 25, 2025. 