New cruise ships set to join the world fleet in 2025 include LNG-powered vessels from major lines like TUI Cruises, MSC Cruises, and Royal Caribbean, emphasizing eco-friendliness.
Marquee launches include the MSC Cruises’ World America, which will be named in Miami, and Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, the second ship in their Icon Class.
Ships are tailored for unique markets include Asuka III for the Japanese market and the Four Seasons I for luxury cruise experiences with advanced environmental technologies.
Ships such as Disney’s Adventure and Viking’s Vesta, are designed to offer market dedicated innovative itineraries that span diverse destinations and experiences, enhancing the overall cruise experience.
Here are the new cruise ships which will join and rejoin the world fleet in 2025.
New launches
- Mein Schiff Relax from TUI Cruises 4,000 capacity, 161,000 tonnes, built at Fincantieri, first cruise March 16 This LNG-powered vessel will be the first in a new series by TUI, following the Mein Schiff 7. It is designed for a blend of relaxation and entertainment.
- World America from MSC Cruises 5,400 capacity, 205,700 tonnes, built at Chantiers, first cruise April 12 This liquefied natural gas-powered ship represents a significant development in MSC Cruises’ offerings and will be officially named in Miami.
- Aqua from Norwegian 3,571 capacity, 156,300 tonnes, built at Fincantieri, first cruise March 28 As the third ship in the Prima class, Aqua boasts expanded features and will start with a trans-Atlantic crossing to Boston before its North American season.
- Asuka III from Asuka/NYK 744 capacity, 51,950 tonnes, built at Meyer Werft, first cruise TBA
- Custom-designed for the Japanese market, this ship is set to embark ahead of the summer cruise season in 2025.
- Star/Seas from Royal Caribbean 5,610 capacity, 250,800 tonnes, built at Meyer Turku, first cruise August 31 The second ship in Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class, this ship will offer diverse itineraries from Port Canaveral.
- Allura from Oceania 1,200 capacity, 67,000 tonnes, built at Fincantieri, first cruise July 18 Departing from Trieste, Italy, Allura will cruise the Mediterranean before making its way to Canada and New England.
- Viking Vesta from Viking Ocean 998 capacity, 54,300 tonnes, built at Fincantieri, first cruise July 2 Viking Vesta will feature itineraries in Mediterranean and Northern Europe, including routes to the Greek Islands and Iceland.
- Luminara from Ritz-Carlton 456 capacity, 37,000 tonnes, built at Chantiers, first cruise July 31 Joining Ritz-Carlton’s first yacht, Luminara will host new itineraries between December 2025 and May 2026.
- Star Princess from Princess 4,300 capacity, 175,000 tonnes, built at Fincantieri, first cruise October 4 The second-largest ship built in Italy, Star Princess is an LNG-powered vessel and promises unique innovations for passengers.
- Douglas Mawson from SunStone (chartered to Aurora Expeditions) 186 capacity, 8,000 tonnes, built at CMIH, first cruise December 2 This expedition ship will explore the South Pacific and then head to Europe for itineraries in the Mediterranean and Britain and Ireland.
- Four Seasons I from Four Seasons 180 capacity, 20,000 tonnes, built at Fincantieri, first cruise January 25, 2026
- The Four Seasons I will be the inaugural vessel for Four Seasons Yachts, set to employ the latest environmental protection technologies. It will be delivered in late 2025 and make its debut early in 2026.
- Xcel from Celebrity 3,260 capacity, 140,600 tonnes, built at Chantiers, first cruise November 18 As the fifth edition in the Edge series, Xcel will feature the company’s first tri-fuel-capable engine. It will offer seven-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale upon its launch.
- Star Seeker from Windstar 224 capacity, 10,000 tonnes, built at West Sea, first cruise December 28 This will be the first Star Class ship for Windstar Cruises. It will embark on its maiden voyage from Málaga, Spain, to Miami, where it will be officially christened.
- Adventure from Disney 6,000 capacity, 208,000 tonnes, built at MV Werften, first cruise December 15 Disney Adventure will be the first Disney ship to homeport in Asia, launching in Singapore. Its design aims to combine both travel and destination experiences.
- Destiny from Disney 2,500 capacity, 140,000 tonnes, built at Meyer Werft, first cruise November 20 This LNG-powered ship will set sail from Port Everglades for its inaugural voyage to the Bahamas. It is the third ship in the Disney fleet, following the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure.
- Patriot from American 125 capacity, 5,000 tonnes, built at Chesapeake, first cruise June 21 American Patriot will join the Project Blue series, focusing on smaller ships for the U.S. market, and will offer cruises primarily in the New England region.
- Pioneer from American 125 capacity, 5,000 tonnes, built at Chesapeake, first cruise November 1 Scheduled to be the sixth ship in the Project Blue series, American Pioneer will provide itineraries along the Florida Coast, starting its journey from Jacksonville to St. Petersburg.
Rebrands
- Carnival Adventure 2,600 guests capacity, 109,000, built in 2001 formerly known as Pacific Adventure, Golden Princess and operated by P&O Australia, now operated by Carnival Cruise Line, to relaunch March 2025. Following the shutdown of P&O Cruises Australia, the Pacific Adventure will join Carnival Cruise Line as Carnival Adventure. It will continue to operate in the Australian market with departures from Sydney.
- Carnival Endeavor 2,600 guests capacity, 109,000, built in 2002 formerly known as Pacific Encounter, Star Princess and operated by P&O Australia, now operated by Carnival Cruise Line, to relaunch March 2025. Alongside Carnival Adventure, the Pacific Encounter will also transition to Carnival Cruise Line, now named Carnival Endeavor. It will operate year-round out of Brisbane, maintaining its presence in Australia.
- Star Scorpio 1,998 guests capacity, 77,000, built in 1997 formerly known as Pacific Explorer, Dawn Princess and operated by P&O Australia, now operated by Resorts World Cruises, to relaunch March 2025. The Pacific Explorer will leave Carnival Corporation’s fleet and be renamed Star Scorpio after being acquired by Resorts World Cruises. It will undergo a $50 million refurbishment before starting Southeast Asian itineraries.
- Ocean Victory 186 guests capacity, 8,000, built in 2021, now operated by American Queen Voyages, now operated by Alma Cruceros, to relaunch April 2025. Formerly serving American Queen Voyages, Ocean Victory will now be operated by Alma Cruceros in a seasonal capacity, offering luxury cruises in the Mediterranean.
- National Geographic Delfina 16 guests capacity, 317, built in 2007 formerly known as Celebrity Xploration, Athala II and operated by Celebrity Cruises, now operated by Lindblad Expeditions, to relaunch February 2025. Sold by Celebrity Cruises, this 16-guest catamaran will be revitalized and set to explore the Galapagos Islands under the new name National Geographic Delfina.
- National Geographic Gemini 100 guests capacity, 2,842, built in 2001 formerly known as Celebrity Xpedition, Sun Bay and operated by Celebrity Cruises, now operated by Lindblad Expeditions, to relaunch March 2025. After refurbishment, the former Celebrity Xpedition will commence expeditions across the Galapagos Islands, introduced by Lindblad Expeditions as National Geographic Gemini.
- Victory I 202 guests capacity, 4,954, built in 2001 formerly known as Ocean Voyager, Saint Laurent and operated by American Queen Voyages, now operated by Victory Cruise Lines, to relaunch April 2025. The first ship to enter service for the relaunched Victory Cruise Lines, Victory I will embark on voyages in the Great Lakes, following its acquisition at auction in 2024.
- Victory II 202 guests capacity, 4,954, built in 2001 formerly known as Ocean Navigator, Sea Discoverer and operated by American Queen Voyages, now operated by Victory Cruise Lines, to relaunch May 2025. Following its sister ship Victory I, the former Ocean Navigator will also be reintroduced under Victory Cruise Lines as Victory II, focusing on Great Lakes itineraries.
