From luxurious river cruises to jumbo vessels, there are many thrilling new cruise ships already on the water in 2026 and extra are set to make waves within the coming months.
This 12 months has already seen the launch of Norwegian Luna and Royal Caribbean’s newest Icon class ship Legend of the Seas, whereas MSC Cruises is about to launch one other megaship.
A brand new vessel can carry an thrilling mix of recent options or fashionable takes on traditional facilities. You could discover waterslides and rollercoasters at sea and even only a new bar or restaurant.
River cruise launches from Viking, Tui and Celeb Cruises are additionally within the pipeline.
Listed here are 11 of one of the best new cruise ships being launched in 2026 and past.
Learn extra: The best cruise deals for 2026
Best new cruise ships
1.Norwegian Luna
The keys for the latest Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) vessel have been handed over on the Financtieri shipyard in March and Luna has begun its debut Caribbean sailings from Miami.
Norwegian Luna is the cruise line’s fourth Prima class ship and sister ship to Aqua, which was launched in April 2025.
It has related options to Aqua together with the hybrid waterslide rollercoaster referred to as the Slidecoaster in addition to distinctive leisure akin to Rocket Man: A Celebration of Elton John.
New options embody a Moon Climber excessive ropes course and expanded outside areas.
At 1,056 ft lengthy and 156,300 gross tons, it’s the twenty first NCL ship and can have capability for 3,550 passengers.
2. Legend of the Seas
Legend of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s third Icon class ship and the primary to launch in Europe. It made its debut within the Mediterranean this summer season with seven-night cruises from Barcelona and Rome.
Legend is the world’s largest cruise ship with gross tonnage of 248,663 and is 4mm larger than its sisters Icon and Star of the Seas. It has the biggest waterpark and slides at sea, plus a sky-walk and zipline course around the aspect of the ship and 40 bars and eating places – catering for five,610 passengers.
The ship hosts unique performances of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Manufacturing unit musical and there’s an immersive Royal Railway eating expertise.
3. Disney Journey
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Disney Journey launched in March 2026 and is the eighth ship within the Disney fleet.
Its homeport is in Singapore, providing three, 4 and five-night cruises round Asia and has Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr as its godparent.
At 208,000 tonnes, with capability for greater than 6,000 visitors, it’s the largest Disney cruise ship.
Distinctive amenities embody a Disney fort and the Marvel-themed Ironcycle Check Run, the primary rollercoaster on a Disney cruise ship. At 820 ft, it will likely be the longest at sea.
4. Seven Seas Status
Regent Seven Seas is getting ready to launch its first new cruise ship class for 10 years.
Seven Seas Status is about to hit the water in December 2026.
The 77,000-tonne, 822-capacity ship would be the seventh ship within the fleet and the primary of 4 new Status-class vessels.
The crew-to-guest ratio is among the largest at sea and 40 per cent larger than the remainder of the fleet.
Options embody butler service, luxurious lounges and a brand new Mediterranean mezze-style restaurant referred to as Azure.
There are 12 suite classes to select from together with the 9,000 sq. foot Skyview Regent Suite.
For £20,000 per evening, it has house for as much as six folks with its personal devoted butler, floor-to-ceiling home windows all through and a wraparound balcony measuring greater than 3,500-square-feet.
The ship will make its maiden voyage from Barcelona to Miami on 13 December 2026, with itineraries scheduled till Could 2027 to go to the Caribbean and Europe, together with two transatlantic crossings.
5. Explora III
The most recent ship within the Explora Journeys fleet launched this summer season.
Explora Journeys is the posh model of MSC Cruises.
The most recent ship, Explora III, can have capability for round 900 visitors and much like its sisters, there shall be 5 heated swimming pools, six eating places and 12 bars and lounges with a visitor per employees ratio of 1.25:1.
6. MSC World Asia
The most recent within the World class sequence of MSC Cruises ships will launch in December 2026.
It accomplished its sea trials in September 2026.
MSC World Asia will characteristic an enormous dragon hanging within the World Promenade and a 12-deck excessive dry slide impressed by Singapore’s well-known Gardens by the Bay.
Company can even take pleasure in a brand new pan-Asian restaurant that gives speciality eating, a bar and grab-and-go choices.
Passengers will be capable to calm down throughout seven swimming pools or race within the ship’s F1 simulators.
The ship’s maiden voyage departs on a seven-night round-trip from Barcelona on 4 December 2026.
7. Viking Mira
Viking Cruises newest ocean cruise vessel launched in June 2026.
Much like the remainder of the ocean fleet, Viking Mira is classed as a small ship, with a gross tonnage of 54,300.
It options 499 staterooms that may host 998 visitors.
Passengers can benefit from the cruise line’s trademark Scandinavian designs in its bars and eating places whereas crusing by means of the Mediterranean and northern Europe throughout its maiden season.
8. Star Explorer
Luxurious cruise line Windstar will launch its newest cruise ship in December 2026.
Star Explorer will supply 112 suites for simply 224 visitors, together with two Horizon Proprietor’s Suites with wraparound balconies.
Services embody the Yacht Membership Cafe and its Marina watersports platform.
The brand new ship will sail year-round in Europe, beginning in December 2026 with a crusing from from Barcelona.
It’s also on account of be christened in Tower Bridge, London in Could 2027.
9. Tui Aria
Tui Aria hit the water in March 2026 and is the primary Tui river cruise ship in Europe to have an indoor pool with a retractable roof.
Within the night, the pool ground will rise, remodeling the house right into a secondary eating venue with Italian-inspired dishes.
The ship accommodates 190 passengers throughout 96 cabins.
Itineraries embody the “Moselle and North Rhine” itinerary, crusing from Frankfurt. The “North Rhine and Moselle Explorer” and “Dutch Delta Discovery” itineraries will depart from Amsterdam.
Tui River Cruises can also be bringing a fifth ship to European waterways in summer season 2027 with the launch of Tui Elara.
The adult-only 138-passenger ship will characteristic Verdastro as its fundamental a la carte restaurant and The Observatory as the first lounge, bar and leisure house.
It is going to function 5, seven and 14-night sailings from Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Basel with 5 new itineraries alongside the Rhine, Moselle, Dutch and Belgian waterways, making 15 itineraries in complete.
It is going to even be the primary ship within the fleet to sail to Brussels in Belgium.
10. Scenic Group
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Luxurious model Scenic Group is planning to launch three new luxurious river ships in 2027 and early 2028.
The brand new vessels will function throughout Europe and Asia.
The brand new fleet contains the 112-guest Emerald Nova, which is able to launch in June 2027 on the Douro River.
Scenic Aria will even be unveiled within the area in September 2027, catering for 96 passengers.
Scenic Spirit II can also be launching in early 2028 on the Mekong River.
The 68-passenger ship will cruise the Mekong River throughout Vietnam and Cambodia. It is going to name on the stops akin to Phnom Penh, Ankor Ban and Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, with tour choices together with the notorious Killing Fields and a go to to a moist market.
Emerald Astra additionally launched in Could 2026 on the Rhine, Fundamental and Danube and Emerald Lumi is scheduled to sail on the Seine from 2027.
11. Celeb River Cruises
Celebrity Cruises is making its debut on the river in 2027.
The Royal Caribbean Group model is trying to replicate its luxurious ocean cruise expertise for passengers on the world’s prime rivers.
It’s constructing 10 ships, with the primary two Celeb Compass and Celeb Seeker set to sail the Rhine and Danube subsequent 12 months.
Celebrity Compass had its float out ceremony, marking its first take a look at on the water, in September 2026.
Cabins have already offered out for 2027 and bookings are open for 2028.
12. 4 Seasons
Lodge chain the Four Seasons has made its debut on the water with a luxurious yacht.
Its inaugural vessel, Four Seasons I, accomplished its maiden voyage throughout March within the Mediterranean.
Customised routes embody the Greek islands, Croatia and the French Riviera this summer season and the Caribbean and Bahamas within the winter.
Options embody massive suites, non-public plunge swimming pools, high-end meals and entry to unique ports and yacht-only harbours.
A sister ship is because of observe in 2027.
13. Oceania Sonata
Oceania Sonata will be a part of the culinary-focused luxurious cruise line’s fleet in August 2027.
At 86,000 tons and with capability for simply 1,390 visitors, Oceania Sonata is the primary of a brand new class of cruise ships for the Oceania Cruises model.
She can have a larger alternative of suites and one chef for each eight visitors. Half of the ship’s crew is devoted to culinary operations.
There shall be two new fine-dining eating places on board.
These embody La Desk par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, the one restaurant at sea authorised by the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France (Grasp Cooks of France).
There’s additionally a brand new Peruvian and Japanese fusion venue referred to as Nikkei Kitchen.
Her inaugural season options 22 sailings from August 2027 till April 2028, beginning within the Mediterranean throughout the summer season earlier than heading to the Caribbean for the winter.
14. Riviera Resplendence
Riviera Journey’s latest premium river cruise ship MS Riviera Resplendence took its maiden voyage on the Rhine in early July 2026.
The 135-metre vessel options modern interiors and among the firm’s largest-ever suites with floor-to-ceiling French balconies. Company can select from three onboard eating venues and calm down within the spa, splash pool or split-level lounge and bar space.
15. TM Rigel
Travelmarvel, the premium arm of APT Journey Group, launched its latest European river ship, TM Rigel, in June.
The adult-only cruise ship will sail on the Rhine, Fundamental and Danube rivers.
Accommodating as much as 178 visitors throughout 89 cabins and served by a crew of 44, TM Rigel options an expansive solar deck with jacuzzi and a alternative of three locations to eat together with Constellations for effective eating, the informal True North Lounge and the cosy McGeary’s Bar which serves pub-style delicacies.
Company can keep in spacious deluxe cabins and suites with French-style balconies and digital slide-down home windows.
Travelmarvel has additionally introduced a partnership with Quark Expeditions for a brand new purpose-built shared small ship scheduled to enter service in 2029.
Below a 10-year constitution settlement, Travelmarvel will deploy the vessel within the Mediterranean, whereas Quark Expeditions will function the ship throughout the Antarctic season starting in 2029/30.
At present beneath growth and never but named, the vessel will characteristic 99 suites and goals to go to the world’s most distant locations. Its PC6 ice-class hull will allow Antarctic operations.
16. My Method
Sail Croatia is launching a brand new small ship in 2027 that can cater for 36 passengers.
The brand new vessel, My Method, will begin crusing in June 2027 on seven-night cruises between Split and Dubrovnik.
There shall be 18 en-suite cabins on board, every with double or twin beds.
The spacious prime deck will supply a cushty lounge space and jacuzzi in addition to solar loungers to benefit from the surroundings.
There will even be probabilities to leap from the ship into the clear waters of the Adriatic throughout common swim stops.
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