Here Are All the New Cruise Ships Debuting in 2026

2026 is going to be a busy year for the cruise industry, with 16 new ships entering the global fleet – and that’s not including any ships intended for markets outside North America (like TUI Cruises in Germany or Adora Cruises in China).  The ships will range in size from just 108 passengers on the world’s largest sailing yacht (Orient Express Corinthian) to more than 7,500 people on Royal Caribbean’s third Icon-class Legend of the Seas.

Other standouts additions in 2026 will be the first-ever Four Seasons Yachts vessel, first new Regent Seven Seas Cruises ship in 10 years, and first-ever hydrogen-powered cruise ship.

Travel Market Report has compiled a list of all the new ocean ships coming out in 2026, along with highlights of each, their capacity, number of cabin categories, and maiden season itineraries, to help you keep it all straight.

Star Seeker (Windstar Cruises), December 2025/January 2026

While Star Seeker technically debuts at the very end of 2025, its inaugural sailing bridges this year and next. The first new build for Windstar in its history, the 224-guest Star Seeker will have 112 suites, all but 10 with full verandas or floor-to-ceiling infinity windows (a new style for Windstar). It will have five dining options (all included in the cruise fare), a full-service spa, fitness center, and aft marina. Debuting on Star Seeker will be the line’s newest specialty dining venue, Basil + Bamboo, which uniquely combines Mediterranean and Asian flavors.

Guest capacity (total): 224
Inaugural sailing: Dec. 28, 2025, 17-day transatlantic (Malaga to Miami)
Maiden season: Caribbean, Alaska, Japan, Southeast Asia
# of cabin categories: 12

Four Seasons I (Four Seasons Yachts), March 2026

Four Seasons I will be the first cruise-ship-style yacht in the much-anticipated Four Seasons Yachts fleet. It will feature an expansive marina, spanning two decks and offering up to 7,275 square feet of outdoor and indoor space, with options for watersports, wellness, relaxation, dining, and more. Accommodations comprise 95 residential-style suites that range from about 581 square feet to 9,601 square feet. There will be 11 dining and bar options and unlike many other high-end cruise options, dining and drinks are not included in the price of a cruise, apart from complimentary breakfast.

Guest capacity (total): 190
Inaugural sailing: March 20, 2026, nine-night Grand Mediterranean (Malaga to Trapani)
Maiden season: Caribbean, Mediterranean
# of suite categories: 11

Norwegian Luna (Norwegian Cruise Line), March 2026

Norwegian Cruise Line’s second Prima Plus Class vessel, Norwegian Luna will feature a mix of NCL favorites and yet-to-be-announced debut venues. Like onboard sister-ship Norwegian Aqua, activity highlights will include the Aqua Slidecoaster, interactive Glow Court, and 10-story The Drop free-fall slide. Additionally, the Haven on Norwegian Luna will share the title of largest in the fleet (along with The Haven on Norwegian Aqua) with 123 suites, including the three-bedroom duplex Haven Suite that debuted on Aqua.

Guest capacity (double occupancy): 3,571
Inaugural sailing: March 10, 2026, 13-day Transatlantic (Civitavecchia to Miami)
Maiden season: Caribbean from Miami
# of cabin categories: 35

Emerald Kaia (Emerald Cruises), April 2026

The third yacht in Emerald Cruises’ ocean-going fleet, Emerald Kaia will also be the largest, holding 128 guests (versus the 100-passenger Azzurra and Sakara). Because of its lager size, cabins onboard Kaia will be at least 10% larger than on its fleetmates, with the lead-in balcony suite starting at 344 square feet. Also bigger will be the ship’s Sky Deck, offering 5,500 square feet of space featuring a spa pool and all-new indoor Sky Lounge. A new Observation Sun Deck at the front of the ship will have a new-to-the-area spa pool as well.

Guest capacity (double occupancy): 128
Inaugural sailing: April 4, 2026, 11-day Mediterranean (Cyprus to Athens)
Maiden season: Mediterranean, Adriatic and Aegean Seas, Seychelles
# of cabin categories: 8

Viking Mira (Viking), June 2026

We’ve said it before and we’ll no doubt say it again next year, but no year is complete without the debut of at least one new Viking ship. In 2026, that’s Viking Mira, a sister ship to Vesta, which launched in July 2025 and Viking Vela, which launched in 2024. All three are bigger than the rest of the Viking ocean fleet with a capacity of 998 (vs. 930) but are otherwise identical with the same restaurants and lounges.

Guest capacity (double occupancy): 998
Inaugural sailing: June 5, 2026 (Western Med)
Maiden season: Mediterranean, Northern Europe
# of cabin categories: 18

Orient Express Corinthian (Orient Express), June 2026

One of the most highly anticipated hotel-to-cruise expansions is the arrival of the Orient Express Corinthian, the first vessel in the Orient Express Sailing Yachts fleet. The vessel will be the largest sailing yacht in the world when it debuts and feature the first-ever rigid sail propulsion system, created specifically for Orient Express. Onboard, passengers will find 54 suites, ranging in size from 485 square feet to 2,476 square feet. Five complimentary restaurants, all under the direction of multi-Michelin star chef Yannick Alleno, will be available to guests as well.

Guest capacity (double capacity): 108
Inaugural sailing: June 6, 2026, four- or six-night French Riviera (Marseille RT for the six-day version)
Maiden season: Mediterranean/French and Italian Rivieras
# of cabin categories: 14

American Maverick and American Ranger (American Cruise Lines), June/September 2026

The third and fourth vessels in American Cruise Lines’ Patriot Class of coastal ships, these 125-passenger ships feature 56 all-balcony cabins, including large solo cabins that measure 280 square feet. Suite options range from 420 to 620 square feet. Onboard amenities include a main restaurant and café,, two lounges, an outdoor sitting area, fitness center, and an elevator to all decks.

Guest capacity (full occupancy): 125
Inaugural sailing: Maverick – June 11, 2026, seven-night New England Islands | Ranger – September 19, 2026, seven-night Hudson River
Maiden season: Maverick – East Coast Coastal Cruising | Ranger – Hudson River, Mid-Atlantic, Alaska, Puget Sound & San Juan Islands
# of cabin categories: 5

Legend of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International), August 2026

Royal Caribbean’s third Icon-class vessel in three years Legend of the Seas will most likely feature all of the line’s popular Icon-class signatures such as the hybrid skywalk/ropes course/thrill ride Crown’s Edge, the Category 6 waterpark, and the family-only Surfside neighborhood. As with all new Royal Caribbean ships, cruisers can also look forward to new venues designed specifically for Legend of the Seas as well.

Guest capacity (double occupancy): 5,610
Inaugural sailing: August 2, 2026, seven-night Western Mediterranean (RT Barcelona)
Maiden season: Summer: Mediterranean; followed by year-round Western and Southern Caribbean from Port Everglades
# of cabin categories: 28

EXPLORA III (Explora Journeys), August 2026

When EXPLORA III debuts in August 2026 it will mark the halfway point for Explora Journeys’ six-ship fleet. While it will be mostly the same as the first two ships in the fleet – all the restaurants are the same, for instance – there will be a few small differences. First, it will have capacity for 926 passengers (versus 922 on EXPLORA I and II), and there will be a higher percentage of Ocean Penthouses and Ocean Residences. Additionally, there will be more outdoor public spaces, enhanced wellness areas, and an expanded Nautilus Club for children and teens. EXPLORA III will also be the first LNG-powered cruise ship for the line.

Guest capacity: 926
Inaugural sailing: Aug. 3; seven-night Barcelona to Lisbon
Maiden season: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Greenland & Iceland, East Coast U.S.A., Caribbean
# of cabin categories: 15

Viking Libra (Viking), December 2026

Another new ocean ship for Viking debuting in 2026 is the Viking Libra but while it will look pretty much the same as the rest of the Viking fleet, one thing will be very different – it will be the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship, capable of operating with zero emissions. Like other new Viking ships, Libra will be able to accommodate up to 998 guests in 499 staterooms. It will feature all of Viking’s signature spots including The Living Room, Manfredi’s, Torshavn, Explorers’ Lounge, Wintergarden, and Aquavit Terrace.

Guest capacity (double occupancy): 998
Inaugural sailing: Dec. 3, 2026, Greek Odyssey (RT Piraeus)
Maiden season: Mediterranean & Greece, Northern Europe, Northern Lights
# of cabin categories: 18

MSC World Asia (MSC Cruises), December 2026

Despite its name, the third ship in MSC World Class will not be sailing in Asia when it debuts in 2026. Instead, the nearly-7,000-passenger ship will be sailing in the line’s perennial backyard of the Mediterranean. While the ship will have seven onboard districts like its sister ships, it will feature several firsts for MSC Cruises including the longest dry slide at sea and several new-to-brand eateries such as a Pan-Asian specialty restaurant and a grab-and-go for street-style foods. Also new will be the All-Stars Sports Bar.

Guest capacity (total): 6,762
Inaugural sailing: Dec. 11, 2026, seven-night Mediterranean (RT Barcelona)
Maiden season: Mediterranean
# of cabin categories: 19

Seven Seas Prestige (Regent Seven Seas Cruises), December 2026

The first vessel in Regent Seven Seas’ new Prestige Class – and the first new ship in 10 years – Seven Seas Prestige will debut several new public spaces, new accommodation categories, and restaurants. Among the new options will be Azure, one of seven specialty restaurants on board, featuring a mezze-style dining concept and a menu inspired by the Mediterranean’s varied cultures. New accommodation options comprise two-story Skyview Suites, two-level Grand Loft suites, and the Horizon Penthouse.

Guest capacity (double occupancy): 850
Inaugural sailing: Dec. 13, 2026, 14-night transatlantic (Barcelona to Miami)
Maiden season: Caribbean, Panama Canal
# of cabin categories: Not yet revealed

Magellan Discoverer (Antarctica21), December 2026

The Magellan Discoverer is the sister ship to the Magellan Explorer and was built specifically with Antarctica fly/cruise itineraries in mind. Most accommodations feature private balconies and all have heated floors. Onboard amenities include a glass-enclosed observation lounge, lecture room, library, and a gym and sauna.

Guest capacity: 96 (76 for fly/cruise Antarctic voyages)
Inaugural sailing: Dec. 15, 2026, nine-night air/sea Antarctica
Maiden season: Antarctica,
# of cabin categories: 7

Star Explorer (Windstar Cruises), December 2026

The second “new” ship for Windstar Cruises, Star Explorer, is technically an already existing ship (operating as World Explorer for Quark Expeditions), but will undergo a massive refurbishment before it joins the Windstar fleet in late 2026. The ship will be virtually identical to Star Seeker, featuring 112 suites, an aft-marina, and multiple dining venues.

Guest capacity (total): 224
Inaugural sailing: Dec. 28, 2026, eight-nights (RT Barcelona)
Maiden season: Mediterranean
# of cabin categories: 12