9 New Cruise Ships Launching in the Next Few Years You’ll Want to Know About

Editor’s note: While Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Destiny and Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady are scheduled to launch in the next couple of years, only few details are currently available. Those ships have therefore not made the list.

Cunard’s new cruise ship: Queen Anne

While the Queen Anne will be Cunard’s 249th ship since the company’s creation in 1839, it will only be the fourth ship in the current fleet, which consists of the Queen Mary 2 (the world’s last ocean liner still in service), the Queen Elizabeth, and the Queen Victoria. The Queen Anne will the first new Cunard ship in 13 years.

What makes it special: The only ship on the fleet to feature a contemporary interior, the Queen Anne will certainly be unique at Cunard. For example, guests traveling on the Queen Anne will be able to learn and practise archery on board, a brand new deck activity that you won’t find on any other cruise ship. The ship will be be home to 15 restaurants, including two new dining concepts: Aji Wa, for Japanese cuisine, and Aranaya, for Indian flavors. Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge, the first female captain appointed by Cunard, will take the elm of Queen Anne.

Capacity: 3,000 guests

Maiden voyage: A seven-night sailing from Southampton, England, to Spain and Portugal, departing on May 3, 2024. This voyage is sold out.

Naming ceremony: June 3, 2024, in Liverpool during the 14-night British Isle Festival Voyage. The ship’s godmother has not been announced yet.

Royal Caribbean’s new cruise ship: Utopia of the Seas

While Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, currently the largest cruise ship in the world, made waves when it was launched in January 2024, it’ll soon be eclipsed by an even-bigger ship: Utopia of the Seas.

What makes it special: This megaship will have 18 decks where you’ll find 24 restaurants (10 of which will be complimentary), 13 bars and lounges, and a slew of amenities, including the Ultimate Abyss, a 10-deck-high, 259-foot-long slide (the longest at sea). A new concept, Royal Railway – Utopia Station, will offer a virtual reality dining experience onboard a train replica. New on this ships will be the Solarium Suites, which will feature full glass walls offering travelers panoramic views on the ocean.

Capacity: 5,668 guests

Maiden voyage: July 2024

MSC Cruises’ new cruise ship: World America

World America will be MSC’s second-largest cruise ship, with MSC World Europa being the largest. However, it will be the largest MSC Cruises ship serving the US market.

What makes it special: This megaship will have 22 decks on which you’ll find 13 restaurants, 20 bars and lounges, six pools, 14 hot tubs, an 11-deck-high slide, and a waterpark. World America will run on LNG, a lower-emission fuel, and is fitted with propellers designed to reduce underwater noise pollution.

Capacity: 6,762 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.

Oceania Cruises’ new cruise ship: Allura

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 to order 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: A seven-day journey from Athens to Istanbul, departing on June 8, 2025

Uniworld’s three new ships: S.S. Victoria, S.S. Elisabeth, and S.S. Emilie

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is launching three new ships in three years: The S.S. Victoria in March 2024, the S.S. Elisabeth in 2025, and the S.S. Emilie in 2026. With the recent addition of the S.S. Victoria, there are 17 ships currently in the Uniworld fleet.

What makes it special: The S.S. Victoria consists of 55 luxurious suites and staterooms, each fitted with full-length windows 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: An eight-day Holland & Belgium at Tulip Time cruise departing from Amsterdam on March 24, 2024.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s new cruise ship: Norwegian Aqua

Probably the most colorful cruise ship in the world, the Norwegian Aqua will be twentieth ship in NCL’s fleet.

What makes it special: Norwegian Aqua features 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 caribbean sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida, in April 2025. Bookings for Norwegian Aqua’s first sailings are already open.

Princess Cruises’ new ship: Star Princess

Princess Cruises launched a brand new ship, the Sun Princess, in February 2024, and its sister ship, Star Princess will make its debut in August 2025.

What makes it special: The Star princess will be 20 percent bigger than any other Princess Cruises ships and feature 21 decks, 2150 guest cabins, a three-story dining room, and a glass-enclosed dome hosting an indoor/outdoor pool during the day and a stage at night.

Capacity: 4,300 guests

Maiden voyage: A Caribbean sailing in August 2025. Bookings are available now.