New Cruise Ships Set to Debut in 2025

by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 12:00 PM ET, Thu December 26, 2024

These days, the ship is often just as important as the destinations it visits. In 2025, cruise lines will debut a wide variety of new vessels, from purpose-built polar expedition ships and intimate river cruise boats to family-centric ocean liners and luxurious superyachts.

Curious to know what’s on the horizon? These are the new cruise ships slated to make their debut in the new year.

Oceania Cruises

Allura

This 1,200-guest vessel—the eighth in the Oceania Cruises fleet—is scheduled to debut from Trieste, Italy, on July 18, 2025.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Destiny

Decked out with a “heroes and villains” theme, the 4,000-guest Disney Destiny is scheduled to set sail on her maiden voyage on November 20, 2025, from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Disney Adventure

Designed specifically for guests in Asia, the 6,700-guest Disney Adventure will depart from Singapore on December 15, 2025.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Aqua

Norwegian Cruise Line's new ship, Norwegian Aqua, will debut in April 2025. The first ship of the line's expanded Prima Plus Class, Norwegian Aqua will offer a brand new Prince tribute show onboard, among many other amenities and features.

Royal Caribbean International

Star of the Seas

When it debuts from Port Canaveral in August 2025, Star of the Seas will have a resident dog named Sailor and a “Back to the Future” musical production.

American Cruise Lines

American Patriot and American Pioneer

Sister ships American Patriot and American Pioneer will each be able to accommodate up to 125 guests as they sail along the U.S. East Coast. American Patriot is scheduled to launch in June 2025, followed by American Pioneer in November 2025.

Viking

Viking Vesta

Slated to debut in July 2025, Viking’s newest ocean vessel, Viking Vesta, will be able to accommodate up to 998 guests.

Viking Amun and the Viking Thoth

Sister ships Viking Amun and the Viking Thoth will join Viking’s fleet on the Nile River in Egypt in 2025. Viking Amun's maiden voyage is scheduled for September 2025, followed by Viking Thoth in October 2025.

Viking Tonle

Debuting in October 2025, Viking Tonle will become the line’s second ship on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Viking Longships in Europe

Viking also plans to add five new longships to its European river cruise fleet in 2025, though the names and debut dates of those vessels have not yet been announced.

MSC Cruises

MSC World America

When MSC World America debuts in April 2025 the new vessel will have the only Eataly restaurant at sea, 19 cabin options and the largest Doremiland kids’ area in the entire MSC Cruises fleet.

Princess Cruises

Star Princess

Launching in October 2025, the 4,300-guest Star Princess will be the line’s second Sphere Class vessel, following behind sister ship Sun Princess.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Xcel

Celebrity Cruises’ fifth Edge Series ship, Celebrity Xcel, will set sail on her maiden voyage in November 2025. The sister ship to Celebrity Ascent, the new vessel will be able to accommodate up to 3,260 guests.

Virgin Voyages

Brilliant Lady

Originally scheduled to enter service in late 2024, Brilliant Lady will welcome her first guests in September 2025.

AmaWaterways

AmaMagdalena and AmaMelodia

AmaWaterways’ sister ships AmaMagdalena and AmaMelodia are scheduled to launch on Colombia’s Magdalena River in 2025. AmaMagdalena will debut in March 2025, followed by AmaMelodia in June 2025.

AmaSintra

AmaWaterways will expand its presence on Portugal's Douro River with the launch of AmaSintra in April 2025. The vessel is the sister ship to the AmaDouro.

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Luminara

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will launch its third superyacht, the 452-guest Luminara, in July 2025.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

S.S. Elisabeth

In March 2025, the 110-guest S.S. Elisabeth will join the Uniworld Boutique River Cruises’ fleet in Europe.

Aurora Expeditions

Douglas Mawson

Scheduled to launch in December 2025, the Douglas Mawson will be Aurora Expeditions; third purpose-built ship.

Amadeus River Cruises

Amadeus Amara

Amadeus River Cruises will introduce the Amadeus Amara in July 2025, with space for up to 164 guests.

Riviera River Cruises

Riviera Rose

The 114-guest Riviera Rose is scheduled to set sail on Portugal’s Douro River in March 2025.

Riviera Radiance

The 443-foot-long Riviera Radiance will be able to accommodate up to 178 passengers when it debuts on the Danube River in May 2025.

Windstar Cruises

Star Seeker

The 224-guest Star Seeker will set sail on her maiden voyage on December 28, 2025. Windstar will debut another new ship, Star Explorer, in December 2026.