It’s time for the annual Talking Cruise guide to The Top New Cruise Ships in 2025. This year we’re highlighting our Top 8 picks of the latest and greatest.
The 2025 lineup of new ship builds will offer tons of variety in design, purpose and features and we’re certain you’ll find at least one that you can’t wait to board.
Norwegian Aqua
Norwegian Cruise Line
Launching: March 2025
Ship Class: 3rd Prima Class Ship
Home-Port: Southampton, United Kingdom: Miami, Florida: Port Canaveral, Florida: New York, New York
Size: 156,300 Gross Tons
Guests/Crew: 3,571 Guests (double), 1,390 Crew
Following the launch of the first two Prima Class ships, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Cruise Line’s next iteration under the Prima Plus class will be 10% larger and have increased guest capacity. Guests can expect more outdoor space along Ocean Boulevard, an expanded Vibe Beach Club and the main pool deck. Norwegian Aqua will also feature brand new experiences like the first at sea hybrid roller-coaster and waterslide, the Aqua Slidecoaster and Glow Court digital sports complex. For those seeking a luxurious hideaway, NCL’s first ever three-bedroom Duplex Haven Suites will be a great addition to The Haven by Norwegian complex, the largest in the fleet, offering exclusive access to a dedicated sun deck, infinity pool, outdoor spa and more.
After an introductory series of sailings from Port Canaveral Norwegian Aqua will offer Bermuda itineraries from New York City, August to October 2025, followed by Caribbean departures from Miami through April 2026.
Learn more about Norwegian Aqua
MSC World America
MSC Cruises
Launching: April 2025
Ship Class: 2nd World Class Ship
Home-Port: Miami, Florida
Size: 215,863 Gross Tons
Guests/Crew: 5,079 Guests (double), 2,138 Crew
While still not taking away the title of world’s largest, MSC World America, the second World-Class ship, will be 215,000 gross tons, almost 1,100 feet long, with a maximum capacity of 6,700 guests, putting her well ahead of most of the largest cruise ships sailing today.
MSC has done some amazing things to utilize this massive size to the utmost, offering a wide variety of experiences, expanded and brand-new venues to appeal to everyone. Highlights include one of the longest dry slide at sea at a dizzying 11 decks high, Cliffhanger, over-the-water swing ride, 13 dining venues with retuning MSC favorites and new concepts, 19 different categories of accommodations, featuring the line’s first promenade view and infinite ocean view rooms plus expanded premium level Aurea and Yacht Club amenities.
Powered by liquified natural gas, MSC World America will begin sailing from her brand new terminal at PortMiami starting April 2025 with alternating 7 nights Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries each featuring a stop at MSC’s own Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
Learn more about MSC World America
Star of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
Launching: August 2025
Ship Class: 2nd Icon Class Ship
Home-Port: Port Canaveral, Florida
Size: 248,663 Gross Tons
Guests/Crew: 5,610 Guests (double), 2,350 Crew
Royal Caribbean’s second Icon-Class ship, Star of the Seas will continue the dominance of world’s largest cruise ship, with incredible experiences around each corner.
The multi-level Royal Promenade features 15 restaurants and bars and return of the popular Pearl Café. Central Park features live music, bars and dining, including Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, and Chops Grille. Surfside, located aft on Deck 7, takes the boardwalk concept with the popular carousel and arcade and amps it up with a Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay aquaparks and Water’s Edge infinity pool.
AquaDome includes a reimagined version of the AquaTheater, located forward on deck 15. A major highlight is a pumped up aquapark located at Thrill Island, featuring 6 record-breaking waterslides, including two family raft slides, Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea, plus the industry’s first open freefall slide Pressure Drop, and Storm Chasers dueling mat racer slides.
After the thrills, check out Chill Island. Spanning three decks, expansive ocean views are the backdrop for tons of ways to cool off in the water at Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea, Swim & Tonic, Royal’s first swim-up bar, plus Cloud 17 and The Cove offering swim to the edge infinity pools. The Hideaway featuring an infinity pool suspended 8 decks above Surfside, is a adults only beach club type venue that has its own resident DJ, full-service bar and some of the best views onboard.
For those that enjoy exclusive experiences, the Suite Neighborhood, first debuted on Wonder of the Seas, is bigger than ever, offering some of Star of the Seas most spacious suites.
Things will get heavy, as Back to the future: The Musical takes you along for the ride in this ultimate homage to the hit movie franchise.
Star of the Seas sails alternating 7 Night Eastern & Western Caribbean itineraries from her year-round homeport of Port Canaveral, Florida each featuring a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Learn more about Star of the Seas
Brilliant Lady
Virgin Voyages
Launching: September 2025
Ship Class: 4th Ship for Virgin Voyages
Home-Port: New York, New York: Miami, Florida: Los Angeles, California: Seattle, Washington
Size: 110,000 Gross Tons
Guests/Crew: 2,770 Guests (double), 1,150 Crew
Brilliant Lady, the fourth adult only ship from Virgin Voyages will be virtually identical to her sisters Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady & Resilient Lady. Onboard Brilliant Lady just about anywhere you go will scream Virgin style, with ultra-contemporary furnishings, one-of-kind amenities like a tattoo parlor and record shop and of course, Virgin red all over. Staterooms feature modern appointments, and the rock-star suites are over the top. While there will be an emphasis on healthy cruising, with complimentary fitness classes, you’ll still be able to indulge at the over 20 included dining venues. Speaking of inclusions, how about free gratuities, Wi-Fi, filtered water and sodas.
Brilliant Lady’s inaugural season will start with 5 -10 night cruises from New York City to Bermuda and Canada New England, followed by a winter season of 7-12 night Caribbean itineraries from Miami, Florida through Spring 2026. In April 2026, she’ll transition to Los Angeles for Mexico cruises, then sail Alaska voyages throughout the Summer from Seattle, Washington.
Learn more about Brilliant Lady
Star Princess
Princess Cruises
Launching: October 2025
Ship Class: 2nd Sphere Class Ship
Home-Port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Seattle, Washington
Size: 175,500 Gross Tons
Guests/Crew: 4,300 Guests (double), 1,547 Crew
Star Princess, the second Sphere Class vessel will closely resemble the recently launched Sun Princess reigning as the largest ships ever constructed for Princess Cruises at 175,500 gross tons, 21 decks and able to accommodate over 4,300 guests. Powered by liquified natural gas, many elements of the ship’s construction and operation have been designed with the company’s green cruising focus in mind.
With the tremendous increase in size, guests can expect many past favorite venues onboard, but there will also be an opportunity to introduce an array of new dining, relaxation and entertainment spaces including The Dome, a stunning multi-level complex which features an inviting pool during the day and transforms into a performance venue at night. Star Princess will also have newly appointed staterooms and suites, including a new suite level called the Signature Collection.
Following her introductory Mediterranean and repositioning itinerary, Star Princess will debut with an inaugural fall/winter season of Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages out of Port Everglades, Florida in November 2025 followed by a summer season in Alaska starting in May 2026.
Learn more about Star Princess
Celebrity Xcel
Celebrity Cruises
Launching: November 2025
Ship Class: 5th Edge Class Ship
Home-Port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Barcelona, Spain: Piraeus, Greese
Size: 140,600 Gross Tons
Guests/Crew: 3,260 Guests (double), 1,400 Crew
Celebrity Xcel will include familiar elements found on the other Edge-Class ships, but will mostly resemble Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent the most recent ships in this class. Celebrity Beyond introduced many notable changes to several areas around the ship while also being longer and taller than her previous sisters. Guests will appreciate the expanded Rooftop Garden, that features cantilevered float pools. The Moroccan inspired Sunset Bar with tiered seating and an aft location to really appreciate the views. The Retreat Sundeck, the exclusive resort-within-a-resort area for suite guests, has been expanded with two levels of luxurious bliss. There’s also the redesigned and more spacious Grand Atrium, new dining offerings and much more to explore.
Following her inaugural Winter Caribbean season commencing November 2025 from Port Everglades, Florida, Celebrity Xcel will reposition to Barcelona, Spain in April 2026 and offer a series of 7-11 night Mediterranean voyages throughout the Summer.
Learn more about Celebrity Xcel
Disney Destiny
Disney Cruise Line
Launching: November 2025
Ship Class: 3rd Wish Class Ship
Home-Port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Size: 144,000 Gross Tons
Guests/Crew: 4,000 Guests (double), 1,555 Crew
Taking many design cues from the most recent Disney builds, Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, Disney Destiny will feature immersive dining, activities and entertainment offerings inspired by the heroes and villains from across the Disney universe.
From the Grand Hall where guests are greeted by a statue of T’Challa from The Black Panther, the tone will be set for what you can expect onboard Disney Destiny. Mystical experiences await for Doctor Strange fans in The Sanctum. Get ready for an out-of-this-world dining experience at Worlds of Marvel and join the Avengers team at Marvel Super Hero Academy.
Be part of the circle of life at Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King, a dining experience celebrating the renowned music of the Walt Disney Animation Studios film.
The AquaMouse water coaster, a 760-foot-long water ride, returns with a new storyline filled with Disney Animation villains. An all-new stage show Go the Distance: “Disney Hercules,” will be a high-energy show filled with the celebrated songs and larger-than-life characters from the Walt Disney Animation Studios movie.
Families looking for the utmost is luxury accommodations, the Destiny Tower Suite, a 2,000 square feet Marvel-inspired penthouse will honor Iron Man’s mighty legacy.
Disney Destiny, Disney Cruise Line’s third Wish-Class ship will be launching in November 2025 with 4 and 5 night Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries from Port Everglades, Florida.
Learn more about Disney Destiny
Disney Adventure
Disney Cruise Line
Launching: December 2025
Ship Class: 1st Adventure Class Ship
Home-Port: Singapore
Size: 208,000 Gross Tons
Guests/Crew: 6,700 Guests (double), 2,500 Crew
A brand new ship design considerably larger than anything else Disney Cruise Line has ever built will be coming in 2025. While many of the ship’s public spaces will take theming cues from previous ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, expect a ton of brand new experiences in fun, dining, entertainment and accommodations.
Highlights include the Big Hero 6 inspired San Fransokyo high-tech themed entertainment area, Marvel Landing featuring 3 amazing attractions Groot Galaxy Spin, Pym Quantum Racers and the longest roller coaster at sea Ironcycle Test Run a high speed circuit themed to Iron Man.
More character awaits at the Moana Wayfinder Bay pool that also features a live Moana themed show “Moana: Call of the Sea” and Imagination Garden, where Disney stories come to life. Disney Discovery Reef is the gateway to immersive dining experiences including Stitch’s ‘Ohana Grill, Bewitching Boba and Brews, Cosmic Kebabs as well as premier dining venues Palo Trattoria and Mike & Sulley’s – Flavors of Asia. Guests will also enjoy the Navigator’s Club and Hollywood Spotlight Club restaurants, Animator’s Palate and Animator’s Table and the Enchanted Summer Restaurant and Pixar Market Restaurant. Guests in all levels of accommodation can expect special Disney touches capturing the adventurous spirit of beloved Disney, Pixar or Marvel themes.
Enjoy water play at Toy Story Place. Located on the upper decks, little cruisers can frolic at the water playground of Toy Story Splash Pad, while all guests can ride like the wind on Woody and Jessie’s Wild Slides. This area also has dedicated dining spots at Pizza Planet and Wheezy’s Freezies.
Disney Adventure will sail 3 and 4 night itineraries exclusively from Singapore, starting December 2025.
Learn more about Disney Adventure
What an impressive lineup of new cruise ships in 2025. Which one is your favorite? Did you see any ship you are interested in sailing on? Let us know in the comments.