A rendering of three Royal Caribbean ships at sea (Image: Royal Caribbean )
Brits planning cruise holidays next year will be spoilt for choice with a host of new ships set to join the fleets of major cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises and TUI Cruises.
Already making waves in 2025 is one of the world’s largest cruise ships, Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas. Sharing the title with her sister ship Icon of the Seas, passengers can expect an array of onboard amenities including swimming pools, thrilling waterslides, a vast ‘Central Park’ and a variety of new dining venues.
But that’s not all 2025 has to offer. The year is still set to see a number of eagerly-awaited launches as Disney Cruise Line gears up to introduce the Disney Destiny to its fleet, while Virgin Voyages prepares to welcome its fourth ship, the Brilliant Lady.
Looking ahead to 2026, we delve into the details of the new ships on the horizon….
A rendering of Legend of the Seas cruise ship at sea (Image: Royal Caribbean)
Legend of the Seas, Royal Caribbean
Gross tonnage: 250,800.
This third vessel in the cruise line’s Icon Class series (joining Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas) is scheduled to set sail from Barcelona in summer 2026. It will then embark on a winter season from Fort Lauderdale in Florida, offering itineraries to the Caribbean that include a visit to Royal Caribbean’s private island, CocoCay.
With a passenger capacity of up to 5,628, this colossal ship is sure to offer plenty for holidaymakers to relish, with highlights including the largest waterpark at sea, the 40ft-long FlowRider surf simulator, dazzling theatre shows, epic dining venues and much more.
More information can be found on royalcaribbean.com.
Norwegian Luna, Norwegian Cruise Line
Gross tonnage: 156,300.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s latest Prima Class ship is set to join the fleet in March 2026 when she will embark on a host of sun-soaked Caribbean sailings, departing from Miami.
Boasting a passenger capacity of 3,571, the new ship has everything you could want for a fun-filled family holiday; water parks, a plethora of restaurants, game arcades, a beach club and multiple pools. Thrill-seekers will definitely want to add the Aqua Slidecoaster to their bucket list; the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide at sea is a two-person ride that propels you along the ship in a jaw-dropping ride.
For the very brave there’s also The Drop, the world’s first free-fall slide at sea that plunges you down 10 storeys (and therefore definitely not for the faint-hearted).
More information can be found on ncl.com.
A rendering of the river cruise ship Mein Schiff Flow (Image: TUI Cruises)
Mein Schiff Flow, TUI Cruises
Gross tonnage: 160,000.
TUI Cruises, based in Germany, is set to welcome the second ship in its InTUItion class in July 2026. The Mein Schiff Flow will be able to hold up to 3,984 passengers, and is set to offer up heaps of entertainment on board.
The ship will feature a plethora of relaxation spaces, including a spa, gym and an impressive 17 bars and lounges, not to mention a cosy reading corner lounge. The top deck will boast a 25m-long outdoor pool, complete with a ‘Marcoon roof’ that partially covers the area, providing a shaded option for those wishing to escape the sun! (And yes, there are whirlpools on the deck too).
This family-friendly vessel will provide a wide range of kids’ clubs as well as a comprehensive sports programme, and is set to host dazzling shows in its theatre.
More information can be found at meinschiff.com.
A rendering of the outdoor water park and slides on the top deck of MSC World Asia (Image: MSC Cruises)
MSC World Asia, MSC Cruises
Gross tonnage: 215,863.
MSC Cruises’ new World Class ship is slated to make her debut in December 2026, with her inaugural season taking place in the Mediterranean. This colossal ship will have the capacity to accommodate up to 6,758 passengers, and could rival a small city with the staggering array of experiences on board.
We’re talking over 40 bars, lounges and dining venues, including six speciality restaurants, a large theatre for West End calibre shows, a rollerskating arena, bumper cars, water parks and multiple pools – all this alongside impressive areas such as the Galleria and outdoor promenades where you’ll find a multitude of shops and cafés!
More information can be found at msccruises.co.uk.
Cruise ships arriving in 2027
The year 2027 is set to be a big one for the cruise industry, with several major lines including Disney Cruise Line, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises all planning to launch new ships. While full details are yet to be revealed, it’s clear that there’s plenty of excitement on the horizon – stay tuned for more information!