From luxury river cruises to jumbo vessels, there are plenty of exciting new ship launches expected this year and beyond.
Several new cruise ships hit the water in 2025, including Star of the Seas, MSC World America, Celebrity Excel, Star Princess and Disney Destiny.
And passengers have plenty more to look forward to in the coming years.
There will be a new Icon class ship from Royal Caribbean, as well as more megaships from Norwegian and MSC Cruises.
River cruise launches from Viking, Tui and Celebrity Cruises are also in the pipeline.
Here are 11 of the best new cruise ships being launched in 2026 and beyond.
Read more: The best cruise deals for 2025
1.Norwegian Luna
The keys for the newest Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) vessel have been handed over at the Financtieri shipyard and Luna is due to launch in April 2026.
Norwegian Luna is the cruise line’s fourth Prima class ship and sister ship to Aqua, which was launched in April 2025.
She will have similar features to Aqua including the hybrid waterslide rollercoaster called the Slidecoaster as well as unique entertainment such as “Rocket Man: A Celebration of Elton John”.
At 1,056 feet long and 156,300 gross tons, she is the 21st NCL ship and will have capacity for 3,550 passengers.
Norwegian Luna will sail its maiden voyages in the Caribbean.
Book now
2. Legend of the Seas
Legend of the Seas will be Royal Caribbean’s third Icon class ship and the first to launch in Europe.
Alongside its sisters Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, it will be the world’s largest cruise ship. It will have the largest waterpark and slides at sea, plus a high ropes course and 40 bars and restaurants – catering for 5,610 passengers.
The ship will host exclusive performances of “Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” musical and there will also be an immersive “Royal Railway” dining experience.
Legend will be debuting in July with seven-night western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona, Spain, and Rome, Italy.
Book now
3. Disney Adventure
.jpg)
Disney Adventure launched in March 2026 and is the eighth ship in the Disney fleet.
It will homeport in Singapore with three, four and five-night cruises around Asia and has Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr as its godparent.
At 208,000 tonnes, with capacity for more than 6,000 guests, it is the largest Disney cruise ship.
Unique facilities include a Disney castle and the Marvel-themed Ironcycle Test Run, the first rollercoaster on a Disney cruise ship. At 820 feet, it will be the longest at sea.
Book now
4. Seven Seas Prestige
Regent Seven Seas is preparing to launch its first new cruise ship class for 10 years.
Seven Seas Prestige is set to hit the water in December 2026.
The 77,000-tonne, 822-capacity ship will be the seventh ship in the fleet and the first of three new Prestige-class vessels.
The crew-to-guest ratio is one of the largest at sea and 40 per cent bigger than the rest of the fleet.
Features include butler service, luxury lounges and a new Mediterranean mezze-style restaurant called Azure.
There are 12 suite categories to choose from including the 9,000 square foot Skyview Regent Suite.
For £20,000 per night, it has space for up to six people with its own dedicated butler, floor-to-ceiling windows throughout and a wraparound balcony measuring more than 3,500-square-feet.
The ship will make its maiden voyage from Barcelona to Miami on 13 December 2026, with itineraries scheduled until May 2027 to visit the Caribbean and Europe, including two transatlantic crossings. Fares start at £6,239 per person for a deluxe veranda suite.
Book now
5. Explora III
The latest ship in the Explora Journeys fleet is set to launch this summer.
Explora Journeys is the luxury brand of MSC Cruises.
The latest ship, Explora III, will have capacity for around 900 guests and similar to its sisters, there will be five heated pools, six restaurants and 12 bars and lounges with a guest per staff ratio of 1.25:1.
Explora III’s maiden seven-night voyage is scheduled for 3 August 2026 from Barcelona to Lisbon, with prices starting at £4,770 per person.
Book now
6. MSC World Asia
The latest in the World class series of MSC Cruises ships will launch in December 2026.
MSC World Asia will feature design elements that reflect Asian culture, art and landscapes.
Unique features across the 6,782-capacity ship include a giant dragon hanging in the World Promenade and a 12-deck high dry slide inspired by Singapore’s famous Gardens by the Bay.
Its maiden voyage departs on a seven-night round-trip from Barcelona on 4 December 2026, with prices starting from £1,186 per person.
Book now
7. Viking Mira
Viking Cruises latest ocean cruise vessel is due to launch in June 2026.
Similar to the rest of the ocean fleet, Viking Mira is classed as a small ship, with a gross tonnage of 54,300.
She features 499 staterooms that can host 998 guests.
Passengers can enjoy the cruise line’s trademark Scandinavian designs in its bars and restaurants while sailing through the Mediterranean and northern Europe during its maiden season.
Book now
8. Star Explorer
Luxury cruise line Windstar will launch its latest cruise ship in December 2026.
Star Explorer will offer 112 suites for just 224 guests, including two Horizon Owner’s Suites with wraparound balconies.
Facilities include the Yacht Club Cafe and its Marina watersports platform
The new ship will sail year-round in Europe, starting in December 2026 with a sailing from from Barcelona.
She is also due to be christened in Tower Bridge, London in May 2027.
Book now
9. TUI Elara
TUI River Cruises is bringing a fifth ship to European waterways in summer 2027 with the launch of TUI Elara.
The adult-only 138-passenger ship will feature the brand’s Verdastro as its main à la carte restaurant and The Observatory as the primary lounge, bar and entertainment space.
She will operate five, seven and 14-night sailings from Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Basel with five new itineraries along the Rhine, Moselle, Dutch and Belgian waterways, making 15 itineraries in total.
It will also be the first ship in the fleet to sail to Brussels in Belgium.
Prices start from £1,349 per person.
Book now
10. Scenic Group
-(1)-(1).jpg)
Luxury brand Scenic Group is planning to launch three new luxury river ships in 2027 and early 2028.
The new vessels will operate across Europe and Asia.
The new fleet includes the 112-guest Emerald Nova, which will launch in June 2027 on the Douro River.
Scenic Aria will also be unveiled in the region in September 2027, catering for 96 passengers.
Scenic Spirit II is also launching in early 2028 on the Mekong River.
The 68-passenger ship will cruise the Mekong River across Vietnam and Cambodia. She will call at the stops such as Phnom Penh, Ankor Ban and Ho Chi Minh City, with excursion options including the infamous Killing Fields and a visit to a wet market.
Emerald Astra is also launching in May 2026 on the Rhine, Main and Danube and Emerald Lumi on the Seine in 2027.
Book now
11. Celebrity River Cruises
Celebrity Cruises is making its debut on the river in 2027.
The Royal Caribbean Group brand is looking to replicate its luxury ocean cruise experience for passengers on the world’s top rivers.
It is building 10 ships, with the first two Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker set to sail the Rhine and Danube next year.
Cabins have already sold out for 2027 and bookings are open for 2028.
Book now
