New Cruise Ships to Watch Out for in 2025

MSC World America, debuting in 2025 – Photo Credit: MSC Cruises

Every new year brings an array of brand-new cruise ships to the market, and they always seem to be bigger and better than the last. The upcoming year is no exception, which means travelers need to do even more research before booking their cruise vacations for 2025 and beyond.

Brand new ships to watch out for next year come from lines like MSC Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Princess, Viking, Disney Cruise Line and more. These new vessels feature upgraded amenities and cabins, more intuitive deck plans and more environmentally friendly features overall.

Where can these new cruise ships take you? While some new vessels for 2025 boast itineraries throughout the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, others will sail the sunny Caribbean next year. Read on for an overview of some of the most exciting cruise ships debuting in 2025, their main features and what their ports of call will be when they finally set sail.

MSC World America

MSC World America – Photo Credit: MSC Cruises

The MSC World America will debut in Miami, Florida in April 2025, and a buzz of excitement is already in the air. As the sister ship to the World Europa, which launched in 2022 and currently sails the Mediterranean, World America will offer a range of new and updated cabins, amenities and spaces MSC Cruises fans are bound to love.

The ship will feature seven unique districts, some of the largest swimming pools at sea and an incredible World Promenade with an 11-deck dry slide and light shows each evening. World America also boasts the biggest and most luxurious Yacht Club of all MSC ships (alongside World Europa), plus several new room types including an Infinite Ocean View cabin with floor-to-ceiling windows for spectacular views.

MSC World America itineraries depart from Miami, Florida next year with current ports of call in destinations like San Juan (Puerto Rico), Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico), Roatan (Honduras) Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic) and MSC Cruises private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve.

Princess Cruises Star Princess 

Star Princess – Photo Credit: Princess Cruises

On the heels of the Princess Cruises Sun Princess debut in 2024, the line plans to launch the new Star Princess in 2025. This ship is the sister ship to Sun Princess, so its general layout will be the same in the best way possible. Both ships feature an impressive central atrium, incredible outdoor spaces for swimming and exercise and an array of restaurants and bars for travelers to choose from.

The main dining area on Star Princess features three levels of dining options for meals, including areas for more sophisticated and more casual dining. The ship will also repeat some favorite features from the Sun Princess, including the Spellbound by Magic Castle dining experience and the new cabana mini-suites with a separate indoor-outdoor area in each room for guests.

Star Princess is expected to begin sailing the Caribbean in October of 2025 with departures from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The ship will also offer Alaska sailings in 2026.

Oceania Cruises Allura

Oceania’s newest ship, Allura, being floated out from the Fincantieri Shipyard in Genoa, Italy – Photo credit: Oceania Cruises

Luxury cruise line Oceania Cruises is launching a new ship called Allura in 2025. Similar to other Oceania vessels, the ship will focus on creating memorable culinary experiences for its guests while offering cabins and suites with the best of everything. For example, travelers can choose from typical veranda staterooms on the ship, or they can upgrade to the vessel’s stunning Penthouse Suite with 24-hour butler service.

The 2025 inaugural season for Allura includes a range of itineraries throughout Europe in destinations like Greece, Italy and Portugal. 

Viking Vesta 

Viking is planning the launch of its newest ocean vessel in the summer of 2025, which is named Viking Vesta. This smaller-sized ocean vessel features 499 staterooms with a capacity for 998 guests, and it will spend its first season sailing the Mediterranean and throughout Northern Europe.ad

Viking Vesta is geared toward adults who crave adventure and luxury, and this shows in its features and dining options. Guests can dine at eateries like the Kitchen Table and Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant, get fit on the sports deck or sip on cocktails in the elegant Explorer’s lounge. Cabin options also abound on the ship, including typical veranda staterooms as well as upgraded cabins like the Owner’s Suite and Explorer Suite.

Luminara (Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection)

A rendering of Luminara – Photo Credit: Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is launching a brand new vessel in 2025, called Luminara. This new super-yacht will feature 226 suites, all of which have their own private terrace. On-board amenities include everything you would expect, including a luxurious spa and spacious deck plans with expertly appointed common areas.

Lumina’s first season at sea will take place in the Mediterranean and Adriatic with ports of call in Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Turkey.

Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas

Royal Caribbean plans to roll out another megaship in 2025, right on cue. The new Star of the Seas will feature 2,805 staterooms with room for 5,610 guests at double capacity (and a maximum of 7,600 passengers). That’s on top of the 2,350 crew members on board.

Features to watch out for with the Star of the Seas include its eight unique neighborhoods, an AquaTheater, its own carousel, a rock climbing wall, several huge pools, a FlowRider wave simulator, laser tag and mini golf.

Star of the Seas will sail out of Port Canaveral, Florida and offer both Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. Some sailings stop at Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Norwegian Aqua 

Norwegian Aqua hits the water for the first time at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy – Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Aqua is also expected to begin sailing in 2025, but with new amenities and spaces travelers will love. Press materials for the ship report it offers more wide-open spaces for guests and first-of-its-kind experiences like the new Aqua Slidecoaster. Rooms available on Aqua include the interior, ocean view and balcony cabins you would expect, plus suites with separate living space. The ship will also have The Haven, NCL’s luxurious “ship within a ship.”

Aqua begins sailing out of Miami, Florida next year, and itineraries stop in destinations like Harvest Caye (Belize), Cozumel (Mexico), Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic) and Tortola (British Virgin Islands). The ship will also offer unique sailings to Bermuda in 2025 and 2026.

Disney Destiny 

An artist’s rendering of Disney Destiny – Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line

Disney Destiny will embark on her maiden voyage in November of 2025, which will kick off its inaugural season of cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The ship will offer 4- and 5-night sailings to the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean with ports of call in destinations like Cozumel (Mexico).

This Disney vessel will offer the features Disney cruisers already love, including live shows with Disney characters, meet-n-greets, themed meals and endless fun within the ship’s ten pools and water play areas. Several adult-only areas of the ship will give parents a place to escape, including a 101 Dalmatians-themed lounge called De Vil’s, a Haunted Mansion Parlor and a Beauty and the Beast-themed cocktail lounge.

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.