11 of the hottest ocean ships arriving in 2025
If 2024 was a significant year for ship launches, 2025 promises to be even bigger with a slew of groundbreaking vessels preparing to dazzle ocean cruise-goers
With a raft of mega ocean ships hitting the high seas in 2025, there is plenty to anticipate over the next 12 months across the cruise sector.
Ocean lines are upping their game for 2025 with a host of never-before-seen features, including the only over-water swing ride at sea on MSC Cruises’ MSC World America.
Come August, Star of the Seas will showcase Royal Caribbean International’s largest ever ice rink, while Disney Cruise Line will help guests release their inner child with Broadway-style stage shows such as Frozen and Hercules on Disney Destiny in November.
Take a peek at the hottest ocean vessels due to launch in 2025 – and make sure you’re among the first to experience them.
Norwegian Aqua
Launching: March
How does whizzing down the world’s first rollercoaster-come-waterslide at sea sound? Soon, guests will be able to zip down the Aqua Slidecoaster on Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) newest vessel, Norwegian Aqua.
Thrill-seekers can also let gravity take the reins by plunging down a 10-storey spiral slide called The Drop – which is not recommended for the faint-hearted.
The vessel will carry up to 3,571 passengers and offer a range of dining spots including NCL’s first Thai restaurant, Sukhothai. The ship will depart on its maiden voyage on March 28 from Southampton to Boston.
MSC World AmericaLaunching: April
MSC Cruises’ sister ship to MSC World Europa, MSC World America, will launch in spring from Miami for a series of Caribbean cruises. The vessel will feature seven ‘districts’ with 13 dining venues and 21 bars, seven pools, 13 hot tubs and an MSC SportsPlex with bumper cars and roller skating.
Cruise-goers will be able to take in panoramic ocean views and light shows in the 6,762-guest vessel’s World Promenade outdoor entertainment area. Hedonists won’t want to miss the Cliffhanger – the only over-water swing ride at sea. The first available sailing is a April 12 departure, return from Miami.
Celebrity Xcel
Launching: November
When Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Xcel debuts in the Caribbean in the autumn, it will become the line’s 17th vessel. The ship will accommodate 3,260 passengers across 1,646 cabins, which includes single staterooms with infinite verandas – at the touch of a button, they transform the living space into a veranda, so guests can walk right out to the water’s edge.
Meanwhile, The Retreat, a luxurious section of the ship reserved for suite guests, includes a private restaurant and lounge and a team of attendants. Chef Daniel Bouland’s first restaurant at sea, Le Voyage, on Celebrity Ascent and Celebrity Beyond will return onboard Xcel.
Other dining options include Eden Restaurant, Le Grand Bistro and Tuscan Grille. Following its launch, Xcel will sail a series of seven-night Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
Viking Vesta
Launching: July
When Viking’s latest small ship launches in the summer it will use its size to its advantage, accessing ports that larger ships can’t enter. Viking Vesta will host up to 998 guests in a range of all-veranda cabins. These include the Owner’s Suite – which comes complete with a six-person dining area – and Deluxe Veranda Staterooms with floor-to-ceiling windows.
You’ll also find a snow grotto in the Nordic Spa and several dining options including the ever-popular Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant. Vesta’s debut itinerary will depart from Venice for Barcelona on 2 July, and the new ship will spend its inaugural season in the Mediterranean and Scandinavia.
Luminara
Launching: July
The Ritz-Carlton hotel brand’s next venture on water is Luminara by The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, which sets sail on its maiden Mediterranean voyage in the summer.
The super-yacht will feature 226 suites with private terraces, and two new upper suite categories stretching over 93sqm. There will also be five restaurants, six bars and a wine vault. The vessel will depart on a seven-night sailing return from Rome (Civitavecchia) on July 31.
Star of the Seas
Launching: August
Having made a splash with the launch of Icon of the Seas which kickstarted 2024, Royal Caribbean International is set to hit the right notes again when it deploys Star of the Seas from Port Canaveral in Florida in August.
While it won’t literally make the same size splash as its 7,600-guest sister ship Icon, Star of the Seas will still carry a whopping 5,610 passengers across 20 decks. The vessel will offer a waterpark with six waterslides, seven pools and Royal’s largest ice rink.
It will sail week-long cruises to the Caribbean, including stops at the line’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Its debut itinerary is due to depart on August 31, return from Port Canaveral in Florida.
Brilliant Lady
Launching: September
Industry disruptor Virgin Voyages will launch its fourth ship from New York in autumn. The 2,762-guest Brilliant Lady will sail a debut season of North American itineraries to Canada, Los Angeles and Miami, as well as to Mexico, Bermuda and the ‘ABC Islands’ – Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao – off the coast of Venezuela.
As the line’s final addition to its fleet of Lady ships, Brilliant Lady will feature design aspects from its sister vessels such as red hammocks on balconies, more than 20 restaurants and cafés and a collection of wellness spaces ranging from a yoga perch to a mermaid‑inspired spa. Its inaugural voyage will depart New York for Bermuda on September 5.
Star Princess
Launching: October
The 17th addition to the Princess Cruises' fleet is certain to shine brightly, as the 4,300-guest Star Princess is 20 per cent larger than other vessels in its class.
Features include 2,157 staterooms, a Lotus Spa, 29 restaurants and bars and The Dome – an entertainment venue inspired by terraces on the Greek island of Santorini. Star Princess’ inaugural sailing, a return 10-night Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona, will depart in the autumn.
Disney Destiny & Disney Adventure
Launching: November (TBC)
Next year is shaping up to be a big one for Disney Cruise Line, as it prepares to launch two new vessels in autumn. The 6,000-passenger Disney Adventure is expected to set sail with three- and four-night voyages from Singapore, while the 4,000-guest Disney Destiny will launch with four- and five-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, sailing to the Bahamas and Caribbean.
Disney Adventure will feature themed restaurants such as Mike & Sulley’s – Flavours of Asia, offering four unique dining experiences: a Japanese steakhouse, a teppanyaki room, a chic bar with sushi and sashimi served outside and omakase-style dining, where chefs recommend what you eat.
Destiny meanwhile will consist of 10 pools, three restaurants and a range of Broadway-style shows themed on some of the brand’s best-loved films, such as Frozen and Hercules. Destiny will depart on its maiden voyage on November 20 from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas while Adventure will depart on a return sailing from Singapore on December 15.
Star Seeker
Launching: December
The maiden voyage for Windstar Cruises’ newest ship, Star Seeker, will round off the year as it departs from Malaga in Spain on December 28, crossing the Atlantic with a stop in Tenerife for a New Year’s Eve celebration.
The 224-guest vessel will have 112 suites, all but 10 with private verandas, plus five dining options included in the cruise fare, a spa and gym and a watersports platform.
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