2024 was a huge year for the cruise industry!
With ships like Icon of the Seas, Disney Treasure, Utopia of the Seas, and Sun Princess making their grand debut, the Cruise.Blog team made it our mission to sail on as many new ships as possible to determine whether they're worthy of your hard-earned money and vacation time.
Throughout the year, our cruise experts slept in dozens of cruise cabins, ate hundreds of main dining room meals, and traveled thousands of miles to report cruise ships. While we couldn't report on all the newest ships, we made sure to cover the vessels that stood out for their innovation and value.
While 2025 is gearing up to be an equally exciting year, we hope this list will help you reflect on the newest, most innovative ships and give you a solid starting point for planning your next big adventure.
Icon of the Seas
2024 started off strong with the launch of Icon of the Seas. The first-ever Icon Class ship set sail on her maiden voyage on January 27, marking a new era for Royal Caribbean and the cruise industry. With its bold design and array of innovative features, Icon captured the attention of cruisers long before its actual launch.
Icon pushed the boundaries with its impressive variety of dining options, entertainment, and family-friendly attractions. Marketed as the ultimate multi-generational family vacation, Icon of the Seas offers something for everything, from adrenaline-pumping thrills at the Category 6 Waterpark to relaxing sea days in The Overlook and world-class cuisine at new restaurants like Empire Supper Club.
It also boasts numerous new stateroom categories, giving larger families more options than before, including the three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse, Surfside Family Suite, Spacious Interior, and Infinite Verandah.
Icon currently sails from Miami, Florida, to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Prices start at $1,501 per person for an interior cabin based on double occupancy.
Read more: I sailed on Royal Caribbean's two largest cruise ships
Utopia of the Seas
Icon of the Seas wasn't the only new build launched by Royal Caribbean this year. In July, the cruise giant welcomed Utopia of the Seas to its fleet as the 6th Oasis Class ship. Though the overall design is similar to its predecessors, Utopia was designed to be the ultimate weekend getaway as Royal Caribbean's first new ship to enter service sailing on 3- and 4-night itineraries.
Utopia is home to Royal Caribbean firsts, including the cruise line's first-ever immersive train car specialty restaurant and Pesky Parrot Bar. Passengers will also find exclusive activities aimed at curating that weekend party cruise atmosphere, such as toga silent discos and a fraternity-style party.
Perhaps its greatest limitation is its itineraries. With so many new experiences, it's hard to justify spending upwards of $550 per person for a short cruise to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay. However, Royal Caribbean wanted the ship to feature the "best of the best" that the cruise line offers to appeal to first-time cruisers who might be hesitant to book a longer sailing.
Utopia sails from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, to The Bahamas.
Sun Princess
Sun Princess made her grand debut in February 2024, surpassing Discovery Princess to become the largest ship in Princess Cruises' fleet, measuring 177,822 gross registered tons. Unlike any other vessel in Princess' fleet, the new mega-ship brings a fresh and bold design to the line’s offerings, combining traditional Princess elegance with new features like The Dome and Umai Teppanyaki.
The ship's launch got off to a rocky start, with many amenities not fully operational, such as Love by Britto. Despite these hiccups, Sun Princess was praised for its design and aesthetic, and many of the kinks had been worked out ahead of the ship's North American debut in November. For example, after failed attempts to create a safe recreational space at Park 19, Princess abandoned the idea and turned the space into a relaxing outdoor deck.
Moreover, Princess initially placed two specialty restaurants in the buffet area, which wasn't well-received. They eventually decided to eliminate the Reserve Dining Room, move the Sanctuary Restaurant to the Main Dining Room's third floor, and relocate the Butcher's Block by Dario and The Catch by Rudi to more private rooms.
These changes proved to be a hit with guests and helped improve the overall experience on Sun Princess, which sails seasonally in Europe and the Caribbean.
Disney Treasure
Disney Cruise Line's fleet is rapidly expanding over the next few years. Disney Treasure was christened into the fleet in November and is an exciting addition for cruisers wanting to experience the newest, most magical ship at sea on longer voyages compared to the 3- and 4-night sailings offered by Disney Wish.
Everything about the ship hones in on the theme of adventure. The Grand Hall, for example, is themed after the Agrabah, home of Aladdin and Jasmine. The color scheme and design derive from the Magic Carpet, too. Other new features aboard the Disney Treasure include Plaza de Coco, the Haunted Mansion Parlor, the Scat Cat Lounge, Jumbeaux's Sweets, Jade Cricket Café, Periscope Pub, and the Skipper Society.
Disney Treasure is also home to the first-ever stage production show of Moana. "Disney The Tale of Moana" is the newest Broadway-style musical in the fleet and features popular songs and characters from the animated movie.
The newest Disney ship sails from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, to the Caribbean.
Queen Anne
Cunard launched its first new ship this year since 2010 expanding its fleet to four. Queen Anne is Cunard's largest vessel with a capacity of 2,996 passengers and brought the traditional line into a more modern era. Still, Cunard ships represent the epitome of classic elegance and sophistication with events like afternoon tea, formal gala evenings, and ballroom dancing.
Queen Anne doesn't boast thrilling activities like family-friendly cruise lines. Instead, passengers can expect a daily schedule filled with lectures, pickleball, archery lessons, shuffleboard, and more. That said, the ship itself is beautiful with thoughtfully designed cabins and well-rounded entertainment.
Queen Anne also shines with her dining approach as a result of the "holistic wellness program." Healthy options are available in all restaurants, and the menus are easier to understand for those with allergies and sensitivities. Additionally, she's the first Cunard ship to offer a Wellness Cafe with made-to-order dishes centered around clean, vegetarian ingredients.
The Pinnacle Class ship has an impressive array of itineraries sailing to destinations like Africa, Asia, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and Western Europe.
Silver Ray
Part of Royal Caribbean Group's luxury Silversea line, Silver Ray is the second Nova Class ship that offers guests effortless access to unforgettable destinations. The ultra-luxury vessel features a unique asymmetrical design and uninterrupted views from anywhere onboard, from the public spaces to the upscale suites.
She's also one of the most spacious ships ever built with a high space-to-guest ratio and a capacity of just 728 guests. Silver Ray also offers 8 dining venues ranging from the sophisticated S.A.L.T Kitchen that showcases regional flavors inspired by the destinations the ship visits to the brand-new restaurant The Marquee.
Cruises aboard Silver Ray start at $4,600 per person, with the most expensive itinerary starting at $16,900. Voyages will take guests to the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and South America.
Viking Vela
Viking took delivery of its newest ocean ship earlier this month. Viking Vela is a small luxury ship that hosts just 998 guests, consistent with Viking Cruises' commitment to providing an intimate, high-end cruising experience.
The all-veranda ship includes amenities like an expansive two-story Explorer’s Lounge with panoramic views, a luxurious spa, cozy lounges that feature the musical likings of the Viking Resident Musicians, and multiple restaurants designed to curate an intimate and world-class dining experience.
Viking Vela sails to places like the Western Mediterranean, Morocco, the British Isles, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, and Greece. Itineraries start as low as $2,599 per person and include one complimentary excursion in each port, Wi-Fi, alcoholic beverages with meals, and more.
Explora II
Explora Journeys is a relatively new luxury line that was founded in 2021. The line's first ship, Explora I, launched in 2023, followed by Explora II in 2024. The ships are nearly identical except for Explora II's redesigned Ocean Wellness Spa, refreshed Helios Pool & Bar, and the first-ever Buccellati jewelry boutique at sea.
The ship boasts spacious suites, with the entry-level Ocean Terrance Suites measuring around 530 square feet. These cabins feature generous outdoor space and comfortable furnishings perfect for soaking up the passing views. Explora Journeys is also known for its all-inclusive value, with 9 culinary experiences, fine beverages, thermal spa access, and Wi-Fi included in the fare.
In 2025, Explora II will embark on journeys to the Caribbean and Mediterranean. The cheapest fare starts at $3,960 per person.
Ritz-Carlton's Ilma
Ritz Carlton's new super yacht sets a new standard for refined elegance at sea. Ilma means "water" in Maltese, and Ilma was designed to pay homage to the sea with her spacious suites, open-air lounges, and an aft marina on the water.
The 448-passenger ship has the same glamour as the well-known resorts, including an upscale spa with 11 treatment rooms, his and hers sauna and steam rooms, a barber shop, and a beauty salon. The onboard dining is equally impressive, with restaurants designed in collaboration with well-respected chefs including James Beard Award winner Chef Michael Mina and Chef Fabio Trabocchi of the Michelin-starred restaurant Fiola.
Ilma has planned voyages to the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Northern Europe. The cheapest voyage, which starts at $3,100 per person, is a 3-night cruise sailing round-trip from Fort Lauderdale and calling at Key West, Florida, and Bimini. However, certain sailings start as high as $17,900 each.
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.
