For avid cruisers, there’s nothing quite like a brand-new cruise ship. Everything’s fresh and clean. There are usually new restaurants, activities and similar features on display. Maybe there are new stateroom or suite options.
And you get to experience them all before anyone else! (Well, you and a few thousand other cruisers.) Be among the lucky ones to experience the many new cruise ships arriving in 2025.
These are the 13 to look out for, with options from a handful of different cruise lines, and cruises departing from a large number of ports.
In This Article:
- Mein Schiff Relax (TUI Cruises)
- MSC World America (MSC Cruises)
- Norwegian Aqua (Norwegian Cruise Line)
- Disney Adventure (Disney Cruise Line)
- Viking Vesta (Viking Cruises)
- Allura (Oceania Cruises)
- Luminara (Ritz-Carlton Collection)
- Star of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
- Star Princess (Princess Cruises)
- Brilliant Lady (Virgin Voyages)
- Celebrity Xcel (Celebrity Cruises)
- Disney Destiny (Disney Cruise Line)
- Star Seeker (Windstar Cruises)
Mein Schiff Relax (TUI Cruises)
Constructed at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, Mein Schiff Relax from TUI Cruises is the largest ship ever from TUI Cruises, and the first of the line’s new INTUItion class. The ship will run off MGO, LNG, bio- or e-LNG fuels, depending on what’s needed and with a focus on sustainability.
It will offer a bevy of new options for cruisers. Key features include an expanded and upgraded pool deck, a VIP suite-guest area (with a private sun deck and two restaurants), five suite categories, more balcony staterooms than ever before on a TUI ship and solo traveler staterooms. There will, of course, be a variety of complimentary and specialty restaurants, as well as numerous bars and lounges.
The ship will launch with inaugural deployments in the Mediterranean, with sailings from Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona, with a season to follow sailing out of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. A sister ship in the same class is expected to launch in 2026.
- Debut: March 2025
- Gross Tonnage: 161,000 GT
- Guest Capacity: 3,984 passengers
- Crew Capacity: 1,100 members
MSC World America (MSC Cruises)
Another LNG-powered ship, the new MSC World America, part of the World class and built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, will offer a lot of features that seem familiar on other cruise lines, but that are brand-new to MSC Cruises.
The 22-deck, 150-foot ship with more than 2,600 staterooms is split into zones (much like Royal Caribbean’s neighborhoods). Some of those “zones” include Family Aventura (for an outdoor park, ropes course, slides, water park and more), a pool deck, a “zen” adults-only area with pools, The Galleria (similar to the interior Royal Promenade), The Terrace (for dining and nightlife) and The Promenade (for al fresco dining and activities).
One unique feature in the Family Aventura zone will be Cliffhanger, the first over-water swing ride at sea. The ride allows cruisers to literally swing about 50 meters (164-plus feet) above the ocean, with a mechanical arm lifting cruisers and their swings off the cruise deck and out into the open air, over the side of the ship.
The ship will also offer the largest MSC Yacht Club in the MSC Cruises fleet.
The ship — which is the largest America-based ship in the MSC Cruises fleet — will be based in Miami, offering Caribbean cruises, when it launches in April 2025. It will be based out of a brand-new cruise terminal in Miami, too, which can process up to 36,000 guests each day.
- Debut: April 12, 2025
- Gross Tonnage: 215,863 GT
- Guest Capacity: 6,762 passengers at full occupancy
- Crew Capacity: 2,126 members
Norwegian Aqua (Norwegian Cruise Line)
Built by Fincantieri, Norwegian Aqua expands on Norwegian Cruise Line’s prior Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva designs — but as the first Prima Plus-class ship, it adds 10% more space.
The ship will feature expanded pool spaces, the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide at sea, a neon-lit LED sports floor and the largest variety of accommodations ever offered on an NCL ship. Among those accommodation options are new, three-bedroom duplex suites and the largest Haven area on a ship to date.
Once launched, the ship, which is Norwegian Cruise Line’s 20th overall, will start inaugural sailings from New York City to Bermuda, and to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral and Miami. When the ship is sailing form the Caribbean, it will stop by Norwegian’s private island on some itineraries.
- Debut: April 26, 2025
- Gross Tonnage: 156,300 GT
- Guest Capacity: 3,571 passengers
- Crew Capacity: 1,388 members
Disney Adventure (Disney Cruise Line)
Disney Cruise Line is coming out with not one, but two new cruise ships in 2025. The first is Disney Adventure, which is the seventh cruise ship for Disney Cruise Line overall, but the first Global-class ship for Disney (and the only Global-class ship for Disney — her sister ships were scrapped).
The ship, finished by Meyer Werft, has been a long time in the making, passing hands multiple times, before finally landing with Disney. It’ll be the first Disney cruise ship that doesn’t stay in the American market, and will instead serve cruises out of Singapore.
Like many modern cruise ships, Disney Adventure will be split into numerous neighborhoods or themed areas, including Imagination Garden, Discovery Reef, San Fransokyo Street, Marvel Landing, Toy Story Place, Town Square and Wayfinder Bay.
- Debut: May 2025
- Gross Tonnage: 208,000 GT
- Guest Capacity: Approx. 6,000 passengers
- Crew Capacity: Approx. 2,300 members
Viking Vesta (Viking Cruises)
Built by Fincantieri in Italy, Viking Vesta follows Viking Vela and offers many of the key features that you may’ve noticed on other Viking ships in the past. Expect all cabins to come with balconies and many of the same dining and lounge options that exist on Viking’s ocean and river ships.
When the ship debuts, it will offer Mediterranean sailings from Venice, and then Northern European cruises.
- Debut: July 2, 2025
- Gross Tonnage: 54,300 GT
- Guest Capacity: 998 passengers
- Crew Capacity: 470 members
Allura (Oceania Cruises)
The second Allura-class ship for Oceania Cruises, Allura is being built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy.
The ship will include many of the new features originally introduced on its class predecessor, Oceania Vista. However, the ship will also have a new cabin category that is ideal for single travelers. Beyond spacious cabins and suites, the ship will also feature luxurious public spaces, a spa, fitness center, sports areas and 12 dining options.
When the ship debuts, it will take several world-spanning inaugural journeys to destinations including the Mediterranean, New England and the Caribbean.
- Debut: July 18, 2025
- Gross Tonnage: 67,000 GT
- Guest Capacity: 1,200 passengers
- Crew Capacity: 800 members
Luminara (Ritz-Carlton Collection)
More of a super yacht than a cruise ship, this LNG-powered vessel will debut with just over 200 suites (all with private terraces) alongside five restaurants, six bars and a wine vault. This is the third Ritz-Carlton super yacht, following Evrima and Ilma, but Luminara is slightly longer than those that came before it.
Built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Luminara also features a spa, kids program and a high-end, luxurious design that reflects the hospitality brand’s reputation. The super yacht will set sail in the Mediterranean when it debuts in the summer.
- Debut: July 31, 2025
- Gross Tonnage: 46,750 GT
- Guest Capacity: 425 passengers
Star of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
Built by Meyer Turku in Finland, the second Icon-class ship, the LNG-powered Star of the Seas, is expected to be like the groundbreaking Icon of the Seas in many ways, with lots of dining options, eight neighborhoods, and the largest waterpark at sea.
The ship will offer just over 2,800 staterooms across 14 stateroom categories. Once launched, the ship will offer western Caribbean sailings from Port Canaveral. Star of the Seas is expected to become the largest cruise ship in the world.
- Debut: Aug. 31, 2025
- Gross Tonnage: 250,800 GT
- Guest Capacity: 5,610 passengers
- Crew Capacity: 2,350 members
Star Princess (Princess Cruises)
Built at Fincantieri shipyard, Star Princess is one of the largest ships ever built by Princess Cruises, at 20% larger than any of the line’s existing ships. New features on this ship include the new Piazza, with a glass sphere; the Dome entertainment venue; an arena-like, tech-heavy main theater; and a three-story dining room.
The Sphere-class ship is the sister ship of Sun Princess and contains many of the same features, and is the 17th overall ship for Princess Cruises. When the ship launches, it will offer Mediterranean cruises, before leaving for Fort Lauderdale in late October, for a Caribbean season.
- Debut: September 2025
- Gross Tonnage: 175,500 GT
- Guest Capacity: 4,300 passengers
- Crew Capacity: 1,100 members
Brilliant Lady (Virgin Voyages)
This ship has been delayed quite a lot, but hopes are that it actually does launch in 2025. Virgin Voyages is one of the newer cruise lines, and has impressed with its revamped approach to the adults-only cruise, appealing to a younger traveling audience.
The fourth ship in the Virgin Voyages fleet, Brilliant Lady should look very similar to its sister ships, with more than a dozen dining options; more than 1,400 cabins; and plenty of ways to have fun — as an adult.
After the ship debuts in fall of 2025, it will sail from New York City before going to Miami in October 2025, after which it will sail Caribbean itineraries through the spring, until it undertakes a Panama Canal crossing in March 2026, taking the ship to Los Angeles and then later Seattle, for serving the West Coast, from Mexico all the way to Alaska.
The ship is being constructed at the Italian Fincantieri shipyard.
- Debut: September 2025
- Gross Tonnage: 110,000 GT
- Guest Capacity: 2,700 passengers
- Crew Capacity: 1,150 members
Celebrity Xcel (Celebrity Cruises)
Built at Chantiers d’Atlantique, in St Nazaire, France, Celebrity Xcel is an Edge-class ship offering two-story villas, fine dining, a larger Rooftop Garden, the Celebrity Magic Carpet and the VIP area known as The Retreat.
Unfortunately, not much is known about the ship currently, other than it’s expected to “xcel” beyond what sister ships Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Ascent and Celebrity Edge offered.
When the ship sets sail for the first time, she’ll head to the Caribbean, sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
- Debut: November 2025
- Gross Tonnage: 140,600 GT
- Guest Capacity: 3,260 passengers
- Crew Capacity: 1,400 members
Disney Destiny (Disney Cruise Line)
Every Disney cruise ship has its own vibe, and the upcoming Disney Destiny is no different.
Constructed at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, the Disney Destiny cruise ship will offer itineraries in the western Caribbean, from Fort Lauderdale, when it launches next year.
The ship offers a heroes-and-villains theme that shows off in unique (brand-new) dining options themed after The Lion King, Marvel characters and more.
Even the adults-only areas have a wickedly delightful theme, like the Cruella De Vil-style lounge and The Haunted Mansion-style bar. A new confectionary offers an Incredible franchise theme. Other dining and drinking options offer themes taken from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Hercules and Brave.
The ship sets sail for the first time from Fort Lauderdale, offering four and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean, with stops at Disney’s private island.
- Debut: November 20, 2025
- Gross Tonnage: 144,000 GT
- Guest Capacity: 4,000 passengers
- Crew Capacity: 1,555 members
Star Seeker (Windstar Cruises)
Originally ordered by another cruise line, and then turned over to Windstar, this new Star-class ship offer suites only and will be the first Star-class new build, to be followed by a sister ship in December 2025.
The ship features more than 100 suites with private verandas and ocean views, as well as new owner suites with wrap-around balconies. There are also infinity suites with infinity windows. There are 12 cabin categories on this small ship in total.
Other features scattered across this ship include a watersports platform (with direct ocean access — something brand-new for the cruise line), a Yacht Club cafe and lounge, spa and more. There are five dining options in total, including options that came to life thanks to partnerships with the James Beard Foundation. Al fresco dining is a new option on this ship.
Constructed at the West Sea shipyard in Portugal, once the ship launches, it’ll travel to Alaska first, followed by Japan. Overall, the ship will offer luxurious, intimate, small-ship experiences that are sure to delight travelers looking for a more unique experience with more amenities at the ready.
- Debut: December 2025
- Gross Tonnage: 9,315 GT
- Guest Capacity: 224 passengers – Crew Capacity: 135 members
