So far this year, the cruise industry has welcomed 6 ships, and there are no signs of construction slowing down anytime soon. There's just as much to look forward to next year, from state-of-the-art superyachts to some of the largest ships ever built.
Fans of luxury cruise lines will appreciate the Ritz-Carlton's upscale ship featuring 226 suites with private terraces and unprecedented space ratios for guests at sea. There's also MSC World America and Norwegian Aqua on the more affordable end, and families will love the action-packed Star of the Seas.
Whether you're dreaming of an exhilarating adventure or a relaxing getaway, these new cruise ships debuting in 2025 are designed to make your cruise experience more memorable than ever.
Norwegian Aqua
The third Prima Class ship will enter service in March 2025. After a 7-night Transatlantic cruise from Southampton (London), England, to Boston, the 156,300 gross registered ton ship will reposition to Florida, offering regular sailings to The Bahamas and Caribbean through August. Then, Norwegian Aqua will move to New York for a short Bermuda season before returning to Florida.
Though part of the Prima Class, Norwegian Aqua is the first ship within the Prima Plus subclass. New features include the first-ever hybrid roller coaster and water slide, Glow Court, Three-Bedroom Duplex Haven Suites, and NCL's first-ever specialty Thai restaurant.
Unfortunately, the presence of the Aqua Slidecoaster means there won't be a multi-level go-kart track onboard, which was a staple onboard Norwegian Viva and Prima.
Still, fans of the Norweigan brand can look forward to returning amenities, like The Drop, The Vibe Beach Club, an expanded Ocean Boulevard, Cagney's Steakhouse, and Splash Academy for children.
MSC World America
MSC's World Class was built to compete with Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class, which, until Icon of the Seas set sail in 2024, featured the largest ships in the world.
Following the successful launch of MSC World Europa, MSC Cruises is bringing its new class to America, offering year-round sailings from Miami, Florida. MSC World America is set to debut in April 2025, and measuring over 215,000 gross registered tons, it will be filled to the brim with fun activities, dining options, and more.
On Deck 20, for example, passengers can splash around at The Harbor, a brand-new water park with different interactive water features, a High Trial course and zip line, a sensory play area for younger children, and a thematic playground dubbed "Harbor Lighthouse."
At night, The Comedy Club will host interactive dueling piano battles before welcoming various comedians to the stage. And sports fans can relax—there will be a Sports Bar onboard offering an inviting spot to catch the latest game and snack on bar bites and classic brews.
Disney Adventure
Disney Cruise Line's largest ship will enter service in 2025, though the date of the inaugural voyage is still unknown. Sailing exclusively from Singapore, Disney Adventure wasn't originally built for DCL. Instead, they purchased the 208,000 gross registered ton ship from Genting Hong Kong.
The ship will be comprised of different themed zones, including Marvel Landing; Toy Story Place; San Fransokyo Street; and Disney Imagination Garden, which draws inspiration from 100 years of heroic and heartwarming Disney tales.
In the Garden, guests will find Mowgli’s Eatery and Gramma Tala's Kitchen. The latter is a Moana-inspired restaurant that will feature a menu with flavors found throughout the Pacific and Asia, while Mowgli’s Eatery is based on the protagonist of The Jungle Book.
It's estimated that there'll be space for about 6,000 passengers, 1,000 more than the Triton Class ships: Disney Wish and Treasure.
Disney Destiny
While Disney Adventure won't make its way to America for at least five years, Disney Destiny is set to offer magical voyages from South Florida. The ship is themed after the heroes and villains of beloved Disney stories, characters, and theme park attractions.
Marvel fans will be especially excited about what's in store on Disney Destiny, starting with the Grand Hall. Inspired by Black Panther, the multi-story atrium will feature a statue of T'Challa, the King of Wakanda. Plus, Spider-Man and his Spider-bots will be present on the ship's stern.
Fan-favorite dining options will return, including Worlds of Marvel. However, one of the new highlights is a brand-new dinner show, Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King.
Bars and lounges have been inspired by the Haunted Mansion theme park ride, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Cruella de Vil, and Dr. Strange from the Marvel Universe.
Mein Schiff Relax
Mein Schiff Relax is the largest ship built for TUI Cruises and is scheduled to enter service for the Germany-based brand in the Spring of 2025.
The 160,000 gross registered ton vessel is currently under construction at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, and is the first of two InTUItion class cruise ships powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and Marine Gas Oil (MGO).
TUI's newest cruise ship was successfully floated out in November 2023. Before the vessel can set sail, it'll have to complete sea trials ahead of its March 16, 2025, maiden voyage.
Star Princess
Princess Cruises' newest class of ship, the Sphere Class, entered service earlier this year with the launch of Sun Princess, the third ship to sail for the cruise line under this name.
Next year, she'll be joined by Star Princess in the Fall of 2025. Construction delays have pushed the ship's delivery date by two months, postposing the inaugural cruise until October. Following a season in Europe and the Caribbean, she'll move to Alaska in May 2026.
Measuring around 175,500 gross registered tons, she'll be one of Princess' largest ships and offer luxurious suites, world-class dining options, a redesigned Piazza, and more. According to Princess' website, Star Princess will have the fleet's largest-ever casino with the first “Buffalo Zone” at sea.
Read more: 11 things I loved and hated about my first Princess cruise
Star of the Seas
Earlier this year, Royal Caribbean's long-awaited Icon of the Seas finally set sail, offering cruisers weeklong vacations to the Caribbean like never before. In less than one year, Icon will be joined by Star of the Seas, the second Icon Class ship, which is set to embark on its maiden voyage on August 31, 2025.
Though many aspects of the ship will be identical to the class' namesake, Star of the Seas will feature several exciting enhancements, from the redesigned Empire Supper Club—to be named Lincoln Supper Club—, a refreshed kids' club, new cuisine at the AquaDome Market, and more.
Not only that, but the mega-ship will sail from Port Canaveral instead of Miami. However, all itineraries visit the Eastern or Western Caribbean, with a scheduled stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Star of the Seas will be joined by at least two more Icon Class ships in 2026 and 2027, with options to build fifth and sixth vessels in the future.
Celebrity Xcel
Royal Caribbean Group's upscale line, Celebrity Cruises, is also set to launch a new ship in 2025. Part of the award-winning Edge Class, Celebrity Xcel's keel was laid on June 13, signaling a major milestone in the ship's construction.
Once completed, Celebrity Xcel will be the cruise line's first methanol-capable ship, having a tri-fuel engine that can use three types of fuel. This represents a crucial steppingstone on Royal Caribbean Group's journey to Destination Net Zero, their plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Celebrity Xcel will set sail in November 2025, offering Caribbean itineraries from Florida. Though many features will be similar to other Edge Class ships, guests will enjoy an expanded Rooftop Garden, redesigned Grand Plaza, and more.
Read more: Celebrity Cruises ships by age from newest to oldest
Viking Vesta
Mainstream cruise lines aren't the only lines focusing on new builds. Viking Cruises, a luxury line offering river and ocean cruises, is also making waves with its new ocean-going ships.
With a passenger capacity of just 998 guests and measuring 784 feet long, Viking Vesta is a far cry from the giant Star of the Seas. Rather than focusing on state-of-the-art attractions at sea, Viking Vesta is ideal for destination-focused cruisers, as the small ship is able to dock where larger vessels cannot.
Itineraries include the Iconic Western Mediterranean; Ancient Mediterranean Treasures; Malta, Morocco, & the Mediterranean; Italian Sojourn; Venice, the Adriatic, & Greece; Iceland, British Isles, & Iberia; and more.
Read more: How much does it really cost to take a luxury cruise?
Oceania's Allura
Oceania's eighth ship, Allura, will be the sister ship to Vista, which set sail in May 2023. Measuring just 67,000 gross registered tons with the ability to accommodate 1,200 guests and 800 crew members, it will offer industry-leading space and staff-to-guest ratios. Allura is expended to set sail in the Spring of 2025.
Highlights of the luxury ship include the restaurant Ember and AquaMar Kitchen, both of which launched on Oceania's Vista in 2023. The ship will also have a new onboard crêperie, a library with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the most spacious standard staterooms at sea, and more.
"Allura’s inaugural journeys are designed to appeal to all global travelers, whether they revel in the joy that comes with reconnecting with favorite destinations or are excited to discover new places and sights for the very first time," said Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises.
Ritz-Carlton Luminara
Perhaps the most luxurious cruise ship to launch in 2025 is The Ritz-Carlton's Luminara, a massive 794-foot superyacht that'll feature 226 suites, all outfitted with private ocean-view balconies.
The Ritz-Carlton brand is synonymous with elegance, luxury, and exceptional service. While it's most known for its hotels, they're venturing into the world of cruising with opulent superyachts, extending their renowned qualities to the high seas.
Whether you're seeking a relaxing afternoon in the onboard spa, rewarding days ashore, or a meal in one of the five restaurants, The Ritz-Carlton's Luminara promises to redefine luxury cruising—for a high price. The 7-night cruise on July 31, 2025, starts at $11,100 per person, while the spacious Owner's Suite costs as much as $64,900 per passenger!
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
