Each year brings a fresh wave of shiny new cruise ships and 2026 is no exception, with everything from 36-passenger Arctic yachts to ocean giants carrying up to 7,600 holidaymakers.
Disney is introducing its biggest ship yet, while Royal Caribbean is rolling out the latest in its record-breaking Icon class. Not to be left out, MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line are also launching resort-style ships.
At the other end of the scale are ultra-luxury vessels, including new lines by Four Seasons, Orient Express and Selar, as well as an elegant riverboat simply called Emilie. Here are some of the most exciting ships to have caught our expert’s eye for next year.
The family favourite: Disney Adventure
Disney Cruise line
Disney goes from Minnie to mega with new ship Disney Adventure. The eighth member of the fleet, launching just four months after the 4,000-passenger Disney Destiny, will carry up to 6,700 holidaymakers to Asian destinations from Singapore.
The House of Mouse was able to snap up the partly-built ship for a bargain price in 2022 after the previous owners went into liquidation during the Covid pandemic. Among the new attractions will be the longest rollercoaster at sea, the 820ft Ironcycle Test Run and seven themed areas, including Imagination Garden, Toy Story Place and Marvel Landing. A striking centrepiece will be a three-deck-high storybook castle, while at the stern will be figures of Captains Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
Disney isn’t done yet, though, with five more ships planned by 2036.
Launching March
The floating city: Legend of the Seas
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean’s latest leviathan is launching in Europe. Legend of the Seas – the newest of the world’s biggest Icon class – can carry up to 7,600 passengers at full capacity, or 5,610, based on two per cabin.
Following its maiden voyage in Italy, the ship will eventually head across the Atlantic in November to join sister ships Icon and Star in the Caribbean. Legend will have eight “neighbourhoods” and 28 dining options, including a dummy train carriage that moves about as diners enjoy a five-course meal against the backdrop of passing scenery depicting the travels of Marco Polo through China, India and Italy.
Another venue, Hollywoodland Supper Club, aims to bring a sense of glitz and glamour with jazz, gourmet bites and cocktails. Entertainment includes a production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.
Launching July
The one with Elton John: Norwegian Luna
Norwegian Cruise Line
Sir Elton John appears to have exchanged the Yellow Brick Road for the open seas as a tribute show debuts on new ship Norwegian Luna. Rocket Man: A Celebration of Elton John will combine archive footage, spectacular costumes and four grand pianos to give a concert-like performance of his greatest hits.
The 21st ship in the NCL fleet will carry 3,571 guests and feature the Aqua Slidecoaster that first appeared on sister Norwegian Aqua – a ride that propels fun-lovers up a ramp at 30mph before sending them on a tidal wave through loops and bends around the ship’s funnel.
Or you might be tempted to try The Drop: a 10-storey free-fall slide. A more sedate feature is the Ocean Boulevard, an outdoor walkway that wraps all the way around the eighth deck.
Launching March
The European contender: MSC World Asia
MSC Cruises
It’s the year of the dragon for Swiss-based, family-owned MSC Cruises, which is introducing the third ship in its World class, MSC World Asia. A 39ft-long sculpture of the fire-breathing beast, fitted with nearly 700 mirrors and 3,000 LED lights, will be suspended above the main promenade.
The ship – a younger sister to MSC World Europa and MSC World America – is starting life sailing seven-night Mediterranean itineraries carrying up to 6,758 passengers.
More than 40 bars, lounges and restaurants include a British pub with a micro-brewery. As well as the longest dry slide at sea, the ship will offer seven pools and a range of children’s clubs for babies to teens. Those wishing to escape the hustle and bustle can stay in the Yacht Club, a private enclave with its own lounge, restaurant and sun deck.
Launching December
The new level of luxury: Seven Seas Prestige
Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC)
Regent, which claims to have the most luxurious ships at sea, is raising the bar even higher with a new class beginning with Seven Seas Prestige.
At 77,000 gross tons, it will be 40 per cent bigger than the line’s most recent ships but carry only 100 extra passengers, giving the 822 pampered guests much more space to enjoy.
For £20,000 a night, the top suite sleeps up to six guests and covers 9,000 square feet, including more than 3,500 square feet of wraparound balcony. As well as two bedrooms, it has two-and-a-half bathrooms, a living room, a floating natural stone staircase and private lift, a personal gym and sauna, a large walk-in wardrobe and a dining area with a glass-enclosed bar.
Prestige will be followed by a sister ship in 2029.
Launching December
The latest superyacht: Emerald Kaia
Emerald Cruises
Fancy a quick dip in the sea? On Emerald Kaia you’ll be able to slide from deck four right into the ocean. Alternatively, you’ll be able to walk out onto a floating pontoon immediately after your gym workout. The latest – and biggest – addition to the line’s range of superyachts that began with Emerald Azzurra in 2022 will carry 128 passengers in luxury with an expanded sky deck and observation sun deck.
Private cabanas will offer panoramic sea views while al fresco dining choices include the Aqua Pool Café and La Cucina Terrace and the new Night Market Grill – a private dining venue for just eight guests. Kaia, being built in Vietnam, will make its inaugural cruise to Cyprus, Greece and Turkey.
Launching April
The plush hotel at sea: Four Seasons I
Four Seasons Yachts
Cruising celebrity, Captain Kate McCue, is taking the helm of this swish yacht, marking a new venture into cruising by the Four Seasons Hotels group. The captain, who racked up a million Instagram followers with previous employer Celebrity Cruises, will be in charge of a 190-passenger ship with 11 restaurants and lounges, a 66ft saltwater pool and as many crew as there are passengers.
The largest suite, housed in the funnel, will span four floors and be fitted with the biggest single piece of glass at sea, offering 280-degree views.
Four Seasons I, with a design that’s said to evoke “both a mid-century glamour and jet-settling lifestyle” will visit more than 130 destinations in more than 30 countries and territories in the Caribbean and Mediterranean in its first year.
Launching March
The new name in cruise: Orient Express Corinthian
Orient Express Sailing Yachts
The brand that will always be associated with luxury train journeys is branching into ocean travel with its first ship, Corinthian, said to be the world’s largest sailing yacht.
Built over four years in France, this three-masted vessel carries just 110 passengers. They have the choice of browsing through 1,500 rare books, visiting a cinema inspired by the golden age of film or popping along to a musical salon for intimate concerts and cultural talks.
The largest suite is named after Agatha Christie, though murder is definitely not on the menu on this Orient Express. Food is, though – in the skilled hands of multi-Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno.
After making its debut in the Mediterranean, Corinthian will head to the Caribbean in October. A sister ship, Olympian, is due to follow in 2027.
Launching June
The silent explorer: Captain Arctic
Selar
Sounding like a superhero, the wonderfully named Captain Arctic will begin sailing in November carrying only 36 passengers.
Currently being built in Mauritius, the polar ship will be powered largely by the sun and wind, using five 114ft-high aluminium solar sails that can be retracted like a Swiss Army knife when needed. Heating will be provided by burning recycled wooden waste pellets, all part of an aim to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 90 per cent compared to other cruise ships and create a voyage without any noise, vibration or smell.
Interestingly, there won’t be any WiFi on board because, according to co-founder and captain Sophie Galvagnon, it “shifts the way guests travel. They are more present, more open, more alive”.
Itineraries will include Northern Lights photography, whale spotting and Arctic clean-up initiatives.
Launching November
The green river queen: SS Emilie
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Inspired by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt and named after his life partner, Emilie Flöge, Uniworld’s new 154-passenger river ship has a lot going on under the water as well.
Innovative hull and bow designs, battery packs and advanced navigation systems will all increase fuel efficiency. Even the gym equipment will use less power.
On the cultural side, passengers on the Rhine can join a refugee canal cruise in Amsterdam, visit a dairy farm practising sustainable cheese-making, and explore the Netherlands’ green initiatives via electric city tram and sustainably powered water taxis. On Danube itineraries, travellers can visit the world’s largest walkable wooden sphere to learn about local conservation.
Emilie will act as the blueprint for two more ships in 2027 – Audrey and Marlene, inspired by Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich.
Launching March
A note on passenger numbers: Some cruise lines stick to the industry standard of counting two passengers per cabin (except for solo rooms) while others prefer to state the maximum possible numbers if all berths are filled.
About our expert
Dave Monk
A journalist for all of his career, Dave has sailed more than 100 voyages on 43 cruise lines – ranging from four-person boats to the biggest passenger ships in the world.