The Most Exciting New Cruise Ship Launches Of 2025
You don't have to be a cruiser to marvel at the impressive scope of today's cruise ships. Gone are the days of tiny cabins, limited dining options and uninspired entertainment—ships these days offer everything from full-scale Broadway shows, outposts of celebrated restaurants and slidecoasters (yes, it's exactly what it sounds like).
From Disney's latest, Disney Destiny, to MSC Cruises' sleek new MSC World America, 2025 is shaping up to be a big year for new cruise ships. There's something for everyone, from a massive waterpark on Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas to immersive pop-up festivals on Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Xcel. Below, the most exciting new cruise ships of 2025.
Artist's rendering of Disney Destiny.
The House of Mouse is launching the new Disney Destiny this fall, when it's set to cruise the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale. Holding 4,000 passengers, the new ship will debut a new main dining experience—'Feast of The Lion King'—as well as new bars, including De Vil's piano lounge (inspired by Cruella de Vil) and The Sanctum (paying homage to Doctor Strange). Themed around Disney heroes and villains, families of all ages will have something to enjoy, including photo opps in front of a giant statue of T'Challa from "Black Panther' in the Grand Hall and the ship's new AquaMouse water-coaster, featuring foes like Scar from 'The Lion King' and the Evil Queen from 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.'
Explorer Suite on Viking Vesta.
The 12th ship in Viking's small, ocean-going fleet, Viking Vesta will debut this summer with an intimate head count of just 998 passengers. Due to its small size and adults-only atmosphere (guests must be 18 to sail), it's a great choice for couples who want to relax and unwind in the Mediterranean. Like many of Viking's other ships, Vesta will feature chic and minimalist Scandinavian design, as well as low-key activities (think: educational workshops and trivia nights) that cater to the brand's older and more distinguished crowd. This ship will be 30-feet longer than its previous counterparts, meaning there's sure to be plenty of space to spread out across its two pools, spa and thermal suite.
Exterior of Virgin Voyages Brilliant Lady.
Virgin Voyages, best known for its hip and irreverent design and entertainment, is an ideal choice for friend groups or young couples that want a more fresh and cheeky atmosphere than the traditional cruise scene. This year, the brand is debuting the latest ship in its fleet, Brilliant Lady, which will hold up to 2,770 passengers and feature many of the same popular amenities found on its sister ships Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady (think: included Wi-Fi, high-quality dining and well-made cocktails). It will be the first Virgin ship to sail from the line's new home ports of New York City and Los Angeles, as well as the first to debut Canadian itineraries.
Aerial view of Royal Caribbean Star of the Seas at night.
Sometimes bigger really is better: As if the 2024 debut of Icon of the Seas—also known as the world's largest cruise ship—wasn't enough, Royal Caribbean is continuing to expand with a new offering, Star of the Seas. Set to debut this summer, the new ship will hold 7,600 passengers and offer over 40 restaurants and bars as well as a massive water park that will include six slides and seven pools. Much like Icon of the Seas, the new ship will also feature the AquaDome, home to the largest waterfall at sea and live diving performances and acrobatic water shows at the AquaTheater, as well as the AquaDome Market, a global food hall featuring seemingly endless selections of international fare.
Terrace Suite on the Luminara.
Luxury hotel group The Ritz-Carlton is bringing another superyacht to the seas this summer through their cruise line, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. The brand's latest ship, Luminara, will hold just 452 passengers and feature spacious all-suite, all-balcony accommodations, in addition to five restaurants and six bars. Similar to the brand's first two yachts, Evrima and Ilma, luxurious furnishings and refined interiors will be on display, thanks to architecture and design company AD Associates and interior design firm Chapi Chapo Design. Luminara will also debut a new category of Residential Suites beginning at a very spacious 1,000 square feet.
Exterior of Norwegian Aqua.
Norwegian Cruise Line was already well-known for its full-scale Broadway performances and theme park-like activities, but the cruise line's latest ship, Norwegian Aqua, will offer an even more ambitious entertainment slate when it debuts this spring. A larger version of its sister ships, Prima and Viva, Norwegian Aqua will mark the debut of Norwegian's latest creation, the Aqua Slidecoaster. A hybrid water slide and rollercoaster, guests will be able to propel up and down three stories of the ship—not for the faint of heart. In addition, an indoor glowing sports court is sure to entertain active teens and adults, and much to the delight of adrenaline junkies, The Drop, a dry slide off the side of the ship that made its debut on Prima, will be back for round two.
MSC World America will debut the first Eataly at sea.
After the launch of MSC World Europa last year, MSC is bringing the next ship in its World Class fleet stateside. MSC World America will be the first of its fleet to sail from the U.S. to the Caribbean, and will be a particular draw for foodies, thanks to its wide range of diverse dining outlets. In addition to Paxos, a Greek restaurant that will encourage guests to select their meal from a fresh fish counter, the crown jewel of the ship will be the first-ever Eataly at sea. The reservation-only outpost of the popular Italian food market will offer 94 indoor seats as well as a 22-seat patio area and sling up classic favorites as well as several new dishes exclusive to the MSC ship.
Celebrity Xcel At Sea.
Large families or groups with a wide variety of interests are sure to find something to love on Celebrity's latest ship, Celebrity Xcel. Much like the cruise line's previous Edge-class ships—Edge, Apex, Beyond and Ascent—Celebrity Xcel will feature many of the same innovative offerings, like the Magic Carpet (which transforms into different restaurants, bars and lounges as it moves up and down the side of the ship) and Infinite Balconies (which allows a stateroom to merge into a veranda with the touch of a button). What sets this ship apart is the debut of The Bazaar, a space dedicated to immersive festivals, music, shopping experiences and entertainment that will change in accordance with the ship's destination that day. Activities will include dance classes, crafting workshops and performances by local musicians.
My name is Astrid Taran and I'm the senior travel editor at Forbes Vetted, where I oversee hotel and cruise coverage. I have covered travel for almost a full decade as both a writer and editor, during which I have written numerous destination, hotel and cruise guides as well as long-form features on luxury travel, adventure travel, wellness travel and more. I have taken almost a dozen cruises over the course of my career to destinations including Alaska, the Galapagos, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.
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