The most exciting new cruises to book for 2025

It’s that time of year when we make our resolutions for the next 12 months. Many lists include saving money, exercising more, losing weight, or learning a new skill.

But, for those of us who love to roam, taking a once-in-a-lifetime trip is likely to be right up there – for travel lets us step outside our everyday lives, connect with others (and ourselves), and be reminded of the joy that comes from opening our eyes to the world around us.

And when it comes to making 2025 travel plans, it’s not just about where to go – it’s about how.

For me, cruising is arguably the best way to explore the world. Rather than being tied down to one city or country, a cruise allows you to tick off and get a taste for multiple destinations – if you fall in love with a particular place, you can always go back on a land-based holiday – while only having to unpack once.

Here are eight spectacular voyages on offer in 2025…

Around the world
Looking to start the New Year in style? Queen Anne, the first Cunard launch in 14 years, is setting sail out of Southampton on its maiden world voyage on January 9, 2025.

This unforgettable journey starts with a nine-night transatlantic crossing before sailing to 30 different ports in the Americas, Australasia, Asia, Africa, and then finally the Mediterranean.

And in between exploring there’s plenty of time to relax, enjoy the camaraderie of the crew and your fellow passengers, or try a new activity during the days at sea.

Even better? You’ll get to wave goodbye to the cold winter weather and be back in Britain as spring hits.
Departs January 9, 2025. Prices from £12,499 per person.

A themed cruise
These days there’s a cruise to suit all interests – be it music, gardening, golf, history, cookery, comedy, wine, or art – and ages. They represent a great way to indulge in your passions – with fellow passengers who share your interests – while also enabling you to tick off multiple destinations in a single trip.

Little wonder then that Riviera Travel has added 32 new themed departures to its 2025 European river cruise programme. A standout for green-fingered holidaymakers is arguably the line’s ‘Gardens & Natural Beauty of the Rhone’ itinerary.

You’ll sail to some of the most picturesque corners of France – expect to see the vine-clad slopes of Burgundy and the rainbow-coloured floral displays and fragrant lavender fields of Provence.

An incredible nine experiences are included in this cruise including tours of glorious Lyon and its Parc de la Tête d'Or; quaint Vienne with Jardin de Ville; the stunning Eden Garden in Tournon; and Avignon's idyllic Rocher de Doms.

Various departure from April-July 2025. From £1,949 per person including return flights or Eurostar, and a superior drinks package.

Caribbean calling
Dazzling turquoise sea, white-sand beaches, swaying palms… it's no wonder that the Caribbean is considered one of the world’s most popular cruise destinations.

In 2025 you can explore some of the region’s 7,000 islands onboard a new ship, Norwegian Aqua – which features a three-storey super-slide, a glass bridge 'Ocean Walk' for Instagram-worthy photos, an infinity edge pool, and a Glow Court – a sports complex that transforms into a dance floor.

Departing from Orlando, Aqua’s inaugural cruise calls at NCL’s own private island – Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas – St Thomas, Tortola and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. Passengers can enjoy all manner of activities from horse riding to snorkelling and zip-lining.
Departs April 26, 2025. From £1,211 per person excluding flights.

Experience the thrill of race day
Calling all petrol heads. Fred. Holidays has launched a brand new 21-night Singapore F1 Grand Prix and Pandaw Halong Bay & The Red River holiday.

You’ll get to combine the Singapore Grand Prix – Formula 1’s original night race which takes place over 62 laps of the 4,940m Marina Bay Circuit and passes several local landmarks including the Singapore Flyer and the iconic Fullerton Hotel – with a stay in Hanoi and a river adventure from Vietnam’s capital to Halong Bay passing mountain villages and a number of tribal areas.
Departs October 1, 2025. From £8,249 per person including flights, transfers, a four-night stay in a four-star hotel in Singapore, the three-day ticket to the Singapore Grand Prix, a five-night stay in a four-star hotel in Hanoi, and the 10-night full board river cruise on the RV Angkor Pandaw.

Explore Egypt’s treasures
Ancient temples, tombs and treasures, year-round sunshine, and sensational scenery help make the Nile a bucket-list experience but the price tag can be perturbing.

Enter cost-friendly TUI River Cruises which is set to launch its second Nile ship, TUI Bahareya, in late 2025.

The 136-passenger ship’s seven-night all-inclusive Ancient Gods and famous Pharaohs itinerary features excursions to the Temple of Kom Ombo and Temple of Horus in Edfu, as well as Aswan with its bustling spice markets and Old Cataract Hotel – whose high profile past guests include Agatha Christie.

Back on board, TUI Al Horeya has a top-deck pool, alfresco dining areas, and a dedicated Egyptologist.

Departs November 4, 2025. From £1,599 per person including flights from Gatwick, transfers, and tips based on two adults sharing a superior French balcony.

An incredible private island
Thought private islands were the preserve of Robinson Crusoe or Richard Branson? Think again. An increasing number of cruise lines are investing in their own pockets of paradise.

The newest kid on the block is Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key in Grand Bahama which is scheduled to welcome its first passengers in July.

With the ability to accommodate up to four Carnival ships at a time, Celebration Key will feature five areas – or portals – including the adult-only Pearl Cove Beach Club; family friendly Starfish Lagoon; and Lokono Cove which will showcase Bahamian culture and shopping, with a straw market selling local crafts.

Celebration Key features on both Carnival’s six-day eastern and seven-day western Caribbean itineraries. The former also calls at the the 2,400-acre Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay and Amber Cove on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, while the latter visits Mahogany Bay on Roatán, a 33-mile-long Honduran island, and Cozumel – Mexico's largest island.
A six-day Eastern Caribbean cruise departs August 3, 2025 from Orlando, from £590 per person including $50 onboard credit. A seven-day Western Caribbean cruise departs November 30, 2025, from £590 per person including $50 onboard credit.

No-fly Mediterranean
Want to avoid airport delays and cancellations? A flight-free cruise is the answer. Not only do you get to swerve the crowded departure lounges and the fear of lost luggage, but you’ll skip the security checks and packed flights while simultaneously reducing your carbon footprint.

New for 2025 is Princess Cruises’ 31-night Mediterranean Marvel itinerary. Departing round-trip from Southampton, onboard Sky Princess the sailing features late-nights in the glamorous Greek island of Mykonos, Santorini – with its pretty whitewashed towns and world-famous sunsets – and Jerusalem, Israel’s biggest and most historical city, and the ‘little town’ of Bethlehem.

10 sea days afford plenty of time to get to know your fellow passengers and make the most of Sky Princess. Launched in 2019, the ship features an infinity pool, an adults-only Sanctuary area and supersize Sky Suites that sleep up to five. Departs September 13, 2025. From £3,499 per person, based on two people sharing an inside stateroom.

Witness the greatest wildlife show on earth
The best way to explore Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands – a remote archipelago of 19 protected islands – is on a cruise. Sailing here is also different to standard ocean cruising: ships are much smaller (the maximum capacity allowed by local law is 100 passengers).

The newest ship in the Galapagos is Lindblad Expeditions’ National Geographic Delfina, a luxury catamaran that can accommodate 16 guests. Delfina’s 10-day Galapagos by catamaran: An intimate voyage itinerary encompasses a trip to oldest (Española) and youngest (Fernandina) islands as well as the lesser-visited Genovesa island in the north.

As well as blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises and iguanas, expect to spot the endemic flora and fauna that inspired Charles Darwin.
Departs February 14, 2025. From £8,845 per person excluding flights but including all meals, drinks, park and site entrance fees and port taxes.