Here Are All the New Cruise Ships Debuting in 2025

After a slight lull – only 11 new ocean-going ships will have launched by the end of this year – 2025 sees a return to the new ship boom that characterized the year or two immediately post pandemic. In 2025, the travel industry will see 13 new ocean cruise ships hit the water. The ships span the size spectrum from just 125 passengers on American Cruise Line’s next two coastal Patriot Class vessels to nearly 7,000 people on MSC World America, which will be one of the largest ships in the world when it debuts in April.

Travel Market Report has compiled a list of all the new ocean ships coming out in 2025, along with their capacity, number of cabin categories, and maiden season itineraries, to help you keep it all straight.

Bookmark this page, as we’ll be updating the information as it becomes available.

MSC World America (MSC Cruises), April 2025

MSC World America will be MSC Cruises’ second World Class ship, following the debut of MSC World Europa in 2022. The ships are not identical with MSC having made changes to 30% of World Europa’s spaces to cater to the North American cruise market. Like its sister ship though, MSC World America will feature seven unique districts. Highlights will include an over-the-water swing ride called the Cliffhanger; The Harbour district with waterslides, a ropes course, and more; and 18 bars and lounges.

Guest capacity (total): 6,774
Inaugural sailing: April 12, seven-nights RT Miami (Puerto Plata, San Juan, Ocean Cay)
Maiden season: Caribbean
# of cabin categories: 19

Norwegian Aqua (Norwegian Cruise Line), April 2025

The first in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima Plus Class, Norwegian Aqua is slightly larger than its Prima Class siblings (156,300 gross tons vs. 142,500). Among the highlights will be the all-new Aqua Slidecoaster, a first-of-its-kind hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide, as well as the line’s first-ever Game Zone, an evolution of NCL’s Galaxy Pavilion, with activities such as interactive darts, VR gaming, and for-fee mini-golf. Aqua will also have the first Thai specialty restaurant in the NCL fleet, and The Haven will boast an all-new 979-square-foot three-bedroom duplex suite with large balcony.

Guest capacity (double occupancy): 3,571
Inaugural sailing: April 16, Five-day Bahamas, RT Miami (Great Stirrup Cay, Bimini)
Maiden season: Caribbean, Bermuda from Orlando/Port Canaveral
# of cabin categories: 35

American Patriot/American Pioneer (American Cruise Lines), June 2025/November 2025

American Patriot and American Pioneer are the first two vessels in American Cruise Line’s new Patriot Class of ships. Offering the same style coastal cruising that ACL is known for, the ships offer modern comforts as well as 100% private balcony accommodations, including suites that range from 420 to 620 square feet.

Guest capacity (at double occupancy): 125
Inaugural sailing: Patriot: June 21; Grand New England Cruise (roundtrip from Boston) | Pioneer: Nov. 1; Grand Florida Keys Cruise
Maiden season: U.S. East Coast 
# of cabin categories: 5

Allura (Oceania Cruises), July 2025

Sister ship to Vista, which debuted in 2023, Oceania’s Allura will feature a handful of new touches including an onboard creperie, a light-filled library with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, and two new signature restaurants: Ember and Aquamar Kitchen.

Guest capacity (at double occupancy): 1,200
Inaugural sailing: July 18; seven-day Trieste to Athens
Maiden season: Mediterranean, North American East Coast, Caribbean
# of cabin categories: 16

Viking Vesta (Viking), July 2025

We’ve said it before (and we doubt this is the last time we’ll say it), but no year is complete without the debut of at least one new Viking ship. In 2025, that’s Viking Vesta, a sister ship to Vela, which is launching in late 2024. Both ships 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: July 2; 12-night Venice to Barcelona
Maiden season: Mediterranean, Northern Europe
# of cabin categories: 18

Luminara (The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection), July 2025

Luminara will be the third cruise yacht for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and a sister ship to Ilma, though Luminara will have 226 suites (vs. 224 on Ilma), a higher percentage of upper-suite categories, and an expanded marina. All suites feature a private ocean-view terrace. Luminara will also mark the brand’s expansion into Asia with 10 journeys visiting 28 ports in 10 countries including Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, Thailand, and more.

Guest capacity (double occupancy): 452
Inaugural sailing: July 31; seven-night RT Rome (Livorno, Portofino, Monte Carlo, Ajaccio, Port Cervo)
Maiden season: Mediterranean, Caribbean 
# of cabin categories: 7

Star of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International), August 2025

The much anticipated second Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas will feature eight neighborhoods and a mix of Royal Caribbean staple restaurants and attractions. Exclusive to Star of the Seas will be the ship’s mainstage show, the musical “Back to the Future.” Other new-to-Star eateries and attractions are expected but have not yet been revealed.

Guest capacity (double occupancy): Approximately 5,610
Inaugural sailing: Aug. 31; seven-day RT Port Canaveral (CocoCay, Costa Maya, and Cozumel)
Maiden season: Caribbean
# of cabin categories: 28

Brilliant Lady (Virgin Voyages), September 2025

The long-anticipated and much-delayed fourth ship in the Virgin Voyages fleet, Brilliant Lady finally arrives in 2025. The ship will be mostly identical to the first three ships in the fleet but will have an adapted frame so that it can sail through the Panama Canal. Brilliant Lady will also be the first ship for Virgin to sail from NYC and Los Angeles, and to offer a season of Alaska cruises (from Seattle, in 2026).

Guest capacity (double occupancy): 2,770
Inaugural sailing: Sept. 5; five-night Bermuda RT from New York City
Maiden season: Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska
# of cabin categories: 21

Star Princess (Princess Cruises), September 2025

Another second-in-class ship debuting in 2025 is Star Princess, Princess Cruises’ second Sphere Class vessel. While the ship will be an almost carbon copy of Sun Princess, it will have a few differences including an expanded O’Malley’s Irish Pub and Love by Britto, and new SkyDeck Sports Court & Track with a court that can be used for pickleball and basketball, and a splash are for young children.

Guest capacity (double occupancy): Approx. 4,300
Inaugural sailing: Oct. 4; 11-day Mediterranean RT from Barcelona
Maiden season: Mediterranean, Caribbean
# of cabin categories: 32

Disney Destiny (Disney Cruise Line), November 2025

No two Disney ships are the same, and Disney Destiny will be no exception. Though not a lot has been revealed yet, we do know it will feature a “The Lion King”-inspired dining experience called “Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King.” It will also be the most superhero-focused ship in the fleet with spaces like the World of Marvel dining venue and Marvel Super Hero Academy (also on Disney Wish and Disney Treasure), along with a “Doctor Strange”-inspired lounge, hull art from “Spider-Man,” and a 2,000-square-foot Tower Suite inspired by Iron Man’s penthouse, among other superhero-inspired touches.

Guest capacity (full occupancy): 4,000
Inaugural sailing: Nov. 20, 2025; four-night Bahamas RT from Port Everglades
Maiden season: Bahamas, Western Caribbean
# of cabin categories: 26

Celebrity Xcel (Celebrity Cruises), November 2025

The fifth (and possibly last) in the Edge Class of ships, Celebrity Xcel will feature expanded versions of the Rooftop Garden (including an expansion over the side of the ship) and Danel Boulud’s specialty restaurant. The line has also revealed that Xcel will debut seven new experiences for the line but has yet to elaborate on any of them. Xcel will be the first ship in the Celebrity fleet capable of using methanol for fuel.

Guest capacity (double occupancy): 3,260
Inaugural sailing: Nov. 18, five-nights Bahamas & Mexico RT Fort Lauderdale (Bimini, Cozumel)
Maiden season: Caribbean, Mediterranean
# of cabin categories: 28

Star Seeker (Windstar Cruises), December 2025

The first all-new Star Class ship for Windstar (and yet another “Star” ship in 2025), Star Seeker will offer 112 suites (all but 10 with either private veranda or a floor-to-ceiling infinity window), along with five included dining options, an outdoor forward whirlpool, and a “fresh take” on the line’s popular watersports platform. Among the accommodations onboard will be two new-to-Windstar aft-facing Horizon Owner’s Suites.

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