25 New cruise ships launching in 2025

From NCL's Norwegian Aqua to Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas, here are the vessels we're most excited about this year

Just when you thought you had got to grips with all the latest ships, along comes another year of new launches. Next year, nearly 40 river and ocean ships are due to set sail for the first time, offering thousands more berths and exciting new facilities, activities and restaurants. 

To the list below, add five as yet unnamed Viking Longships – one of which will operate on the Seine in France, with four sailing on the Rhine, Main and Danube. And Disney Cruise Line’s 6,700-passenger Disney Adventure, which will be spearheading Disney’s first foray into Asia with three- and four-night cruises from Singapore, sailing since 15 December 2024. 

The prices below were correct at the time of publication and are per person, based on two sharing and exclude flights unless otherwise specified. For details of other inclusions, contact the relevant cruise lines.

April

Norwegian Aqua
Norwegian Cruise Line is making a splash – literally – with Norwegian Aqua as it unveils the first Slidecoaster at sea (think waterslide meets rollercoaster). Aqua will hold 3,571 passengers and feature a Thai restaurant and Swirl Wine Bar, as well as NCL’s largest Haven suite enclave with three-bedroom duplex rooms.
To partner with NCL, email Rebecca Ransom, Business Development Manager Middle East, rransom@ncl.com, call/WhatsApp: +44 7961 300 729; for more information, visit www.ncl.com 

NCL Norwegian Aqua

MSC World America
Slated to cruise the Caribbean from Miami, MSC World America will hold 6,762 passengers and feature an overwater swing ride for those feeling brave. Greek restaurant Paxos, Italian diner Eataly (the brand’s first at sea) and five fast-food outlets will be new. msccruises.com

RELATED:
NCL to offer new ‘More At Sea’ package
NCL's Walk for Wellness scheme raises more than US$18,000
New NCL ship to feature cruise line's first plant-based restaurant

AmaSintra
AmaWaterways’ third ship on the Douro will have capacity for 102 passengers. AmaSintra will feature lots of balcony cabins and a top-deck pool to enjoy those vineyard views in style. amawaterways.co.uk

Riviera Rose
The first Riviera Travel vessel to bear the company name, the 114-passenger Riviera Rose will sail the Douro River in Portugal on round trips from Porto. It will boast a top-deck pool, as well as cabins and suites with French or outdoor balconies and tea and coffee-making facilities. rivieratravel.co.uk

Riviera Rose

APT Solara, APT Ostara
These identical sister ships will carry 154 passengers in three suite categories. The vessels – which will sail the same 15-day voyages on the Rhine, Main and Danube – will feature six places to eat and allow passengers to borrow e-bikes. aptouring.co.uk

APT Ostara

June

AmaMelodia
AmaMagdalena’s sister ship will accommodate 64 passengers, with French balconies in each stateroom and a whirlpool bath on the sun deck. amawaterways.co.uk

Riviera Radiance
The second Riviera Travel ship to launch in 2025 will cruise the Danube. Riviera Radiance, which will have capacity for 178 passengers, will feature three restaurants and a split-level lounge, plus cabins and suites with French or step-out balconies. rivieratravel.co.uk

Pure Amazon
Adventure meets luxury on the Peruvian Amazon as Abercrombie & Kent, parent company of Crystal, debuts Pure Amazon. It will carry 22 guests in 10 suites and two single cabins, with kayaking and wildlife-spotting expeditions through the rainforest. abercrombiekent.com

A&K Amazon Pure

Aretis
Cruise Croatia’s new vessel will accommodate just 36 passengers, allowing it to offer the ultimate in intimate sailings between Dubrovnik and Split. The vessel will feature an indoor-outdoor lounge, a bar and restaurant. The line offers half-board prices, allowing guests to enjoy dinner ashore most evenings.
cruisecroatia.com

July

Oceania Allura
Oceania Cruises, the line that lays claim to the ‘finest cuisine at sea’, will offer a French-style crêperie on board Allura. The 1,200-passenger ship, which will spend its maiden season sailing in the Mediterranean, will also feature five complimentary speciality restaurants. oceaniacruises.com

Oceania Cruises Allura

Viking Vesta
Viking’s 12th ocean-going ship, which will accommodate 998 passengers, will continue the line’s successful formula of wrapping its restaurants, bars, lounges and cabins in minimalist Scandinavian decor. Viking Vesta will operate in the Mediterranean and Scandinavia. vikingcruises.co.uk

Viking Vesta

Ritz-Carlton Luminara
Making its debut in the Mediterranean, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Luminara will offer all-suite, all-balcony accommodation for 452 passengers, including new Residential suites. The vessel will be home to five restaurants and six bars. ritzcarltonyachtcollection.com

Ritz-Carlton Luminara

Spirit of the Moselle
Over-50s specialist Saga’s new river ship will be able to host 172 passengers, with 12 rooms for solo travellers. Spirit of the Moselle will feature a speciality restaurant, Beilstein, for those who fancy a change from the main eatery. Despite the ship’s name, you’ll find it sailing the Rhine and Main rivers. saga.co.uk

Amadeus Amara
Amadeus River Cruises is flexing its green credentials with Amara, which has a shallow draft to reduce water resistance and cut fuel consumption (while allowing it to sail when river levels are low), along with solar panels. Scheduled to sail the Danube, the 164-passenger ship will offer an indoor pool and suites with walk-out balconies. amadeus-rivercruises.co.uk

Amadeus Amara

August

Star of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s second Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas, will have capacity for 7,600 passengers, and feature more than 40 places to eat and drink, six waterslides, seven pools and an infinity pool for adults. The ship will offer Caribbean sailings from Port Canaveral. To partner with Royal Caribbean Arabia call UAE +971 4 331 4299, KSA 800 897 1419, or email book@rccl.ae. For more information, visit www.royalcaribbean.ae

Royal Caribbean Star of the Seas

September

Brilliant Lady
Virgin Voyages’ latest launch will be an adult-only ship offering free speciality dining covering Mexican, Italian, Korean and veggie cuisines. Passengers will enjoy included tips, Rock Star suites and occasionally off-the-wall entertainment. The ship, which will accommodate 2,762 passengers, will debut with sailings from New York to Bermuda and along the US East Coast. virginvoyages.com

Viking Amun
Purpose-built for the Nile in Egypt, the 82-passenger Viking Amun will have Scandi looks, a pool, indoor and alfresco dining options, and cabins with French and outside balconies. vikingcruises.co.uk

RELATED:
Royal Caribbean Arabia launches first-ever Middle East cruise agents awards
Meghan Trainor named godmother of Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas
Royal Caribbean takes delivery of Utopia of the Seas

October

Star Princess
Star Princess will make its debut in the Mediterranean before relocating to the Caribbean. It will accommodate 4,300 passengers and offer a range of places to eat, drink and be entertained, including a lively teppanyaki restaurant, magic shows and the Sanctuary Club for suite guests. princess.com

Viking Tonle
The 80-passenger Viking Tonle will cruise the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. The vessel will offer a top-deck pool, indoor dining and an alfresco bar, while its cabins will feature French or outside balconies. vikingcruises.co.uk

Viking Tonle

Kochi Pandaw
With room for just 20 passengers, the Kochi Pandaw will sail the Kerala backwaters in India. It will be home to 10 cabins, all of which will open on to a promenade deck, as well as an alfresco lounge, bar and bistro-style dining area. pandaw.com

Viking Thoth
The sister ship for Viking Amun, Thoth is named after the Egyptian god of writing and education. Its 48-strong crew will cater for the 82 passengers, while the ship will feature the same Scandi styling as Viking’s other vessels.
vikingcruises.co.uk

November

Celebrity Xcel
We know that Celebrity Xcel will accommodate 3,248 passengers, will sail the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale and will feature an exclusive Retreat for suite guests and lots more that’s new for Celebrity Cruises, but there are more surprises to come. Watch this space. To book Celebrity Cruises sailings, call UAE +971 4 331 4299, KSA 800 897 1419, email book@rccl.ae or visit www.celebritycruises.ae

RELATED:
Celebrity Cruises invites travellers to design latest luxury ship
Celebrity Cruises commits to sixth Edge-class ship
Celebrity Cruises to bring three Edge-class ships to Europe in 2026

Disney Destiny
Mickey and co’s splash-tastic new Disney Destiny will have room for 4,000 passengers, while offering a new Feast of the Lion King musical dining show. The ship will sail four-night mini-cruises to the Bahamas and Disney’s private islands from Fort Lauderdale. disneycruiseline.com

December

Douglas Mawson
The only expedition ship launching in 2025, AE Expeditions’ Douglas Mawson will host 154 passengers (130 in the polar regions) and will feature a science centre, heated pool and 10 supplement-free single cabins. It will spend its first winter in Antarctica. www.aexpeditions.co.uk

Star Seeker
Windstar Cruises’ vessel will operate a transatlantic cruise to Miami, before relocating to San Juan for a winter season in the Caribbean with Alaska and Japan to follow later in the year. The ship will accommodate 224 passengers, mostly in balcony cabins with five dining venues. windstarcruises.com

Windstar Star Seeker

GET YOUR FREE GUIDE TO THE MALDIVES NOW