Set Sail in Style: The Most Anticipated New Cruise Ships of 2025

As the new year approaches, it's the perfect time to start planning your 2025 vacations and setting your travel goals in motion, and what better way to do so than cruising into the new year on a brand-new ship? The New Year means new beginnings, resolutions and new ships making their way to the crystal-clear waters and a spot with your name on it. 

Many cruise lines are releasing new ships to their fleet in 2025 and with these new ships comes unique features, exciting itineraries, new ship designs, amenities and a new cruising experience for everyone on board. Ready to kick off 2025 with an unforgettable voyage? Discover five incredible new ships from Virgin Voyages, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and MSC Cruises that are sure to inspire your next adventure.

Virgin Voyages’ newest addition, Brilliant Lady, is poised to redefine luxury cruising with a design that seamlessly blends modern elegance and eco-conscious innovation. The ship’s sleek, adult-only design offers a sophisticated yet playful atmosphere, ensuring every guest feels pampered and entertained. One of its standout features is the Sea Terrace cabins, boasting private balconies equipped with custom-designed hammocks that invite guests to unwind while enjoying ocean views. Adding to its allure, the ship features the Red Room, a transformational theater offering immersive shows and performances, alongside other unique spaces like the Aquatic Club, with its resort-style pool and chic lounging area.

Setting sail on carefully curated itineraries, Brilliant Lady explores some of the world’s most captivating destinations. Guests can embark on voyages through Alaska, USA and Canada, or tropical Caribbean escapes that include private beach parties at Virgin’s exclusive Beach Club at Bimini.

Celebrity Cruises is elevating luxury at sea with its newest ship, Celebrity Xcel, launching in November 2025 as the crown jewel of the Edge class. This ship is bigger and bolder than its predecessors, offering exclusive features like an expanded Rooftop Garden, complete with shaded seating areas, and infinity pools. Travelers can also indulge in world-class dining at Le Voyage, a specialty restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud, or sip expertly crafted cocktails at the fleet’s first World Class Bar, created in partnership with Diageo.

The Xcel embarks on captivating European itineraries, visiting iconic destinations such as Barcelona, Marseille, and Naples, before offering transatlantic voyages that seamlessly connect Europe to the Americas. Once winter arrives, the Xcel transitions to the Caribbean, sailing to tropical paradises and delivering unforgettable experiences across both continents. With its blend of upscale offerings and a strong commitment to greener seas, Celebrity Xcel redefines modern luxury cruising.

Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, launching in late 2025, is the newest addition to the Icon class and a beacon of innovation on the high seas. Tailored to suit every type of traveler – families, couples, and solo adventurers alike – the ship introduces cutting-edge features designed to elevate the cruising experience. The AquaDome, a crown jewel atop the ship, serves as a daytime oasis with panoramic ocean views and transforms into a venue for dazzling nighttime shows with aerial acrobatics and a dynamic water stage. Families will love the dedicated Surfside Neighborhood, complete with splash zones and tailored amenities for parents, while couples and solo travelers can find tranquility in exclusive adult-only retreats, such as the serene Hideaway Pool and floating infinity pools. 

Sailing to some of the world’s most coveted destinations, Star of the Seas will feature itineraries that span the Caribbean’s tropical paradise, where guests can enjoy private island experiences at Royal Caribbean’s exclusive Perfect Day at CocoCay, where thrills and relaxation merge seamlessly. Unique to this ship is its emphasis on blending state-of-the-art technology with sustainable practices, including advanced energy-saving systems and water desalination technologies. With its thoughtful design, immersive activities, and focus on innovation, Star of the Seas truly stands out as a next-level cruise experience that caters to diverse travelers and redefines what it means to set sail in style.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, is making waves as the first in the Prima Plus Class. The Aqua, with a larger and more spacious design, introduces a range of innovative features that redefine the cruising experience. Guests will marvel at the ship's vibrant hull design, crafted by renowned artist Allison Hueman, our first-ever female hull artist, blending ethereal imagery of sky and sea. Aqua boasts the world’s first hybrid coaster-slash-waterslide, the Aqua Slidecoaster, delivering a thrilling, three-story ride around the ship's funnel. The redesigned pool area is larger, with Infinity Beach providing serene waterfront relaxation, and the adults-only Vibe Beach Club is nearly double the size of similar spaces on earlier ships. 

The Aqua will embark on breathtaking itineraries to destinations such as Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island retreat, the pink sands of Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda, and the vibrant Caribbean ports of St. Thomas and Tortola. Designed to redefine cruising, the Norwegian Aqua combines world-class destinations with unmatched onboard luxury, creating an unforgettable experience for every guest.

MSC Cruises’ MSC World America, set to launch in 2025, represents a bold step forward in cruise innovation and eco-conscious travel. As the second ship in MSC’s World Class fleet, it blends cutting-edge design with sustainability, featuring advanced LNG-powered engines that significantly reduce emissions. Onboard, guests can enjoy modern amenities like the Zen Pool for quiet relaxation and immersive entertainment at The Dome, a multi-level venue showcasing dazzling LED shows and live performances. The ship’s sleek design and thoughtful spaces make it a versatile choice for travelers of all types, offering both serene escapes and vibrant social hubs.

Sailing to captivating destinations like the Caribbean, MSC World America promises unforgettable adventures. Itineraries feature stops at MSC’s exclusive Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, where guests can enjoy pristine beaches and eco-focused excursions like coral restoration activities. Unique onboard highlights, such as virtual reality escape rooms and a dynamic entertainment lineup, set this ship apart. With its blend of innovative technology, sustainability, and world-class experiences, MSC World America is designed to captivate modern travelers seeking a refined and adventurous journey at sea.

With these extraordinary new ships setting sail in 2025, there’s never been a better time to plan your next adventure at sea. Whether you’re drawn to luxury, thrilling innovations, or eco-conscious travel, these ships offer unforgettable experiences for every type of traveler. So, which destination will you explore first? Start planning your dream voyage and set sail in style!