United Kingdom
USAIf you want to be among the first onboard there are plenty of brand new cruise ships 2025 to choose from. Here’s the full list of upcoming ocean ships.
If you want to be among the first onboard there are plenty of brand new cruise ships 2025 to choose from. Here’s the full list of upcoming ocean ships.
Launch Date: April
Number of passengers: 6,762
In a first for MSC Cruises, the line’s second World class ship is going to be divided into different themed zones. Aimed at helping passenger navigate their way around the huge ship, which is one of the biggest in the fleet and the largest MSC vessel sailing out of the US, they include a family district and chilled Zen Area, an adult-only hideaway.
Thrill-seekers can get their kicks on Cliffhanger, the only over-water swing ride at sea. Rocking riders back and forth 50m above the ocean below, it’s the centrepiece of the Family Aventura district. Based in Miami, MSC World America will spend its first season in the Caribbean.
Launch Date: April
Number of passengers: 3,571
Daredevils can also get a unique adrenaline rush on Norwegian Cruise Line’s next-generation Prima Plus class vessel, which follows in the wake of Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva. Billed as a world first, the Aqua Slidecoaster is a hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide that will propel passengers along two courses winding around the ship’s funnel.
When it’s time to relax, Norwegian Aqua will boast the most spacious cabins in the fleet. If you’re feeling flush, you can try out the first-ever three-bedroom Duplex Haven Suite. Spanning two decks, and with a bathroom for each bedroom, the swanky suite comes with butler service.
Launch Date: July
Number of Passengers: 1,200
Foodies will want to form an orderly queue for Allura, sailing among the summer new cruise ships 2025. Oceania already has an enviable reputation for its cuisine and the line is developing more than 300 new recipes for Allura’s dining room under the direction of two newly appointed culinary directors. The new ship is also going to have a creperie – an Oceania Cruises first – with mouth-watering personalised waffles and crepes freshly made to order.
When the ship joins the fleet it will be the second of the line’s new Allura class ships, and the sibling to Vista which debuted in 2023 and was Oceania’s first new vessel in a decade.
Launch Date: June and November
Number of passengers: 125
American Patriot is the first of two Patriot class coastal ships being launched in 2025 to join American Cruise Line’s expanding fleet. Sailing on cruises that hug the East Coast of the US, American says the ships will offer the largest cabins in the industry. In a boon for solo travellers, cabins include single rooms with the luxury of a walk-out balcony.
If you really want to spread out, the largest Grand Suites sport a separate bedroom and living area and there are sliding glass doors in both rooms which lead out to an expansive private veranda.
Launch Date: July
Number of passengers: 998
While most cruise lines announce new ships with a roll call of all-singing all-dancing innovations trumping the last, Viking bucks the trend. The 11th vessel in Viking’s ocean fleet will be a near carbon copy of the ones that have gone before, with Scandi-cool design features that are the Viking trademark. These include a private sauna in the Owner’s Suite and an ice grotto in the spa.
Viking boss Torstein Hagen follows the philosophy that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This means repeat passengers have an instant sense of deja vu and don’t waste time on board getting lost and trying to find their cabin.
Launch Date: July
Number of passengers: 452
Live the luxe hotel life at sea on the third superyacht from the upmarket hospitality brand. In 2022 Ritz-Carlton became the first hotel company to enter the cruise sector and recreate its land-based ambience and service levels at sea. It proved a hit with seasoned Ritz-Carlton fans and cruisers looking for a classy experience with nearly one crew member for every guest.
Luminara, which will follow the sun in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, will have five restaurants, six bars, a wine cellar and marina platform. Parents can chill out in the Ritz-Carlton Spa while tiny sailors will find plenty to keep them amused in the Ritz Kids club.
Launch Date: August
Number of passengers: 5,610
Following hot on the heels of Icon of the Seas in 2024, cruise giant Royal Caribbean will unveil its second Icon class ship. As you’d expect, it will be packed with amenities to ensure there’s never a dull moment for all ages. Along with more than 40 restaurants and entertainment galore, including a high diving show, guests with a head for heights can step out on the fear-inducing Crown’s Edge. Part skywalk and ropes course, the floor beneath your feet can disappear at any time leaving you dangling high above the sea.
Sailing out of Orlando, all cruises will stop at Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Launch Date: September
Number of passengers: 4,300
The second of three floating stars launching in 2025, the latest Princess Cruises ship will also be the third ship to sail under the Star Princess name (for fact lovers, the first was in 1988 and the second in 2002). Along with sister ship Sun Princess, Star Princess will be the biggest in the fleet and 20 percent larger than any of the line’s other vessels.
Once again, the standout feature will be the glass-enclosed multi-deck dome, inspired by the Greek island of Santorini, which is an indoor and outdoor pool area by day and an entertainment venue with aerial performances at night.
Launch Date: September
Number of passengers: 2,770
In 2021 Richard Branson set out to shake up the cruise world and redefine life at sea when he launched the sassy Scarlet Lady. Virgin’s fourth and final adult-only ship has the same vibe, with drag acts, a tattoo studio, a huge night club, themed parties, hammocks on cabin balconies and electric guitars and outdoor tables to dance on in the ground-breaking RockStar suites.
Virgin Voyages passengers, referred to as sailors, can chill out in the Champagne bar or work out in the 1920-style Athletics Club. Design tweaks have seen lifeboats being moved inwards, allowing Brilliant Lady to be slim enough to sail through the Panama Canal and offer a raft of new itineraries.
Launch date: December
Number of passengers: 4,000
You wait a couple of years for a new Disney ship and then three come along almost at once. After the launch of Disney Treasure in 2024, Disney Destiny is the line’s third Wish class ship. While Disney is keeping details about the ship under wraps, we do know it will be designed around the theme of heroes and villains and draw on the legacy of Disney stories, characters and theme park attractions.
Guests can expect to meet some of their favourite characters from stories including The Lion King, Hercules and One Hundred and One Dalmatians.
Launch date: 2025
Number of passengers: 6,700
With an exact launch date yet to be announced, Disney’s second new ship in 2025 breaks the usual Disney mould. Disney Adventure will be more than twice the size of some of the other vessels in the soon-to-be eight-strong fleet and around 30 percent larger than its current biggest ships carrying 4,000 passengers.
That’s because Disney Adventure started out as Global Dream, a vessel built for Asia-based Dream Cruises which collapsed in 2022. However, Disney fans in that neck of the woods won’t miss out as the ship is going to sail out of Singapore for at least five years.
Launch date: November
Number of passengers: 3,260
Solo travellers are in for a treat as Celebrity Cruises has doubled the number of single cabins with balconies on its latest Edge class ship. Meanwhile, guests who want to live the high life in The Retreat suite complex, which includes a private lounge and sun deck, will find expanded and improved spaces.
Celebrity Xcel will include the head-turning amenities found on its four Edge predecessors. Most noticeable is the Magic Carpet, a glass-enclosed platform that moves up and down the side of a ship and is used as a bar, lounge and dining area.
Launch date: December
Number of passengers: 224
With the most popular ship name for 2025, small ship cruise line Windstar completes the hat-trick of ships bearing the same moniker with Star Seeker. Originally destined to be World Seeker for expedition line Atlas World Voyages, Windstar bought the ship while it was being built.
Along with the name change, it is being kitted out to Windstar’s specifications to fit in with the rest of the fleet. However, Star Seeker will be the first Windstar ship to have an ice-strengthened hull which will enable the line to expand its cruise portfolio and sail to polar regions.
Launch Date: December
Number of passengers: 154
Adventurers can get ready to set sail in the wake of legendary explorers on this snazzy
expedition ship. Named after the 19th-century Australian geologist whose travels in the
Antarctic earned him worldwide fame, modern-day travellers will sail in a lot more comfort than he did as the ship has a blunt-nosed bow for smoother sailing through rough waters in the world’s wildest places.
Onboard creature comforts include an outdoor heated pool and hot tubs, sauna and a choice of two restaurants and bars. Built for global discovery, Douglas Mawson also has a citizen science centre where passengers can join the expedition team and gain a deeper
understanding of places visited.
