There are some seriously exciting new cruise ships launching in 2027, including the biggest Norwegian Cruise Line ship ever and another enormous Icon Class ship from Royal Caribbean.
Carnival, Disney, MSC Cruises and Oceania are all getting new ships too, while several luxury cruise lines have some very impressive launches planned.
With 13 major new cruise ships currently scheduled to arrive during 2027, there’s a lot to look forward to.
Here are all the new cruise ships launching in 2027, and what we know about them so far.
New Cruise Ships Launching In 2027
1. Aranoa
- Cruise line: Aranui Cruises
- Gross tonnage: 7,000
- Capacity: 198 guests
- Expected debut: 6th March 2027
Aranoa will be a rather unusual addition to the cruise world in 2027. Like Aranui 5, she’ll combine cruising with a working cargo service, carrying both passengers and essential supplies to some of French Polynesia’s most remote islands.
She’ll carry just 198 guests and will focus on the beautiful Austral Islands, with 13-day voyages exploring places including Tubuai, Raivavae, Rimatara and Rapa.
Despite being a working passenger-freighter, Aranoa won’t be short on comforts. Guests can expect stylish cabins, restaurants, bars, a spa, fitness facilities and plenty of space to enjoy the spectacular Polynesian scenery.
Her arrival will also give Aranui Cruises two passenger-freighters for the first time, with Aranui 5 continuing to serve the Marquesas Islands while Aranoa focuses on the Austral Islands.
2. Amangati
- Cruise line: Aman at Sea
- Capacity: 94 guests
- Expected debut: Spring 2027
Luxury hotel brand Aman is heading to sea for the first time in 2027 with Amangati, a new ultra-luxury yacht carrying just 94 guests.
She’ll have only 47 suites, so this will be a very different experience from the huge new cruise ships launching in the same year. The focus will be on space, privacy and the understated luxury that Aman is known for at its resorts around the world.
Amangati will also have extensive wellness facilities, continuing another big part of the Aman experience at sea.
Her first voyages are planned for spring 2027, when she’ll begin sailing in the Mediterranean before exploring destinations further afield.
3. Carnival Festivale
- Cruise line: Carnival Cruise Line
- Gross tonnage: 182,015
- Capacity: 5,356 guests
- Expected debut: May 2027
Carnival Festivale will be the fourth ship in Carnival’s huge Excel Class, joining Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee.
Music will be a big part of the experience, with new music-themed zones and entertainment alongside some major family attractions. One of the highlights will be Sunsation Point, featuring Carnival’s most family-friendly waterpark yet.
There’ll also be new restaurants and bars, while many of the popular features from Carnival’s other Excel Class ships will return.
Carnival Festivale’s maiden voyage will be a 15-night transatlantic cruise from Southampton on 2nd May 2027. After arriving in Florida, she’ll sail year-round from Port Canaveral, mainly offering six and eight-night Caribbean cruises.
4. Viking Astrea
- Cruise line: Viking
- Gross tonnage: 54,300
- Capacity: 998 guests
- Expected debut: May 2027
Viking Astrea will be the latest addition to Viking’s growing ocean fleet, carrying 998 guests in 499 cabins.
She’ll follow the familiar design of Viking’s other ocean ships, but there’s one particularly interesting difference. Viking Astrea will be the cruise line’s second hydrogen-powered ship, following Viking Libra in 2026.
Her propulsion system will use liquid hydrogen and fuel cells alongside conventional propulsion, allowing the ship to operate with zero emissions while using hydrogen power.
Viking Astrea was floated out at the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona in September 2026 and is expected to be delivered in May 2027.
She’ll then spend her first season sailing in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
5. Norwegian Aura
- Cruise line: Norwegian Cruise Line
- Gross tonnage: 170,000
- Capacity: 3,879 guests
- Expected debut: 21st May 2027
Norwegian Aura will be Norwegian Cruise Line’s biggest ship ever, even larger than Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna.
One of the biggest new features will be Ocean Heights, a three-deck outdoor activity area packed with waterslides, a ropes course, mini golf and even a funfair-style midway. The ship will have six waterslides in total, along with an expanded pool deck and more outdoor space than any previous NCL ship.
Families will be a major focus, but there’ll still be plenty for adults, including an expanded Vibe Beach Club and plenty of places to relax overlooking the ocean.
Norwegian Aura’s maiden voyage will depart Trieste on 21st May 2027 for a seven-night Mediterranean cruise. She’ll then cross the Atlantic and spend her first full season sailing seven-night Caribbean cruises from Miami.
And she’ll be easy to spot. Norwegian Aura will feature another colourful piece of NCL’s signature hull art, this time designed by British artist Rosie Woods.
6. Orient Express Olympian
- Cruise line: Orient Express Sailing Yachts
- Gross tonnage: 16,000
- Capacity: 110 guests
- Expected debut: 6th June 2027
Orient Express Olympian will be the second enormous sailing yacht from Orient Express, following sister ship Orient Express Corinthian in 2026.
At 220 metres long, she’ll be one of the largest sailing yachts in the world, yet she’ll carry just 110 guests across 54 suites.
The most spectacular feature will be her three huge SolidSail rigs, with a combined sail area of 4,500 square metres. They’ll work alongside a hybrid propulsion system, giving this luxury yacht a very different look from almost anything else at sea.
Olympian is due to welcome her first guests on 6th June 2027, with her first season taking her around Northern Europe. Her itineraries will include destinations in Scandinavia, Britain and France.
7. Emerald Raiya
- Cruise line: Emerald Cruises
- Gross tonnage: 11,000
- Capacity: 128 guests
- Expected debut: June 2027
Emerald Raiya will join Emerald Cruises’ growing fleet of luxury superyachts in June 2027.
Carrying just 128 guests, she’s a very different proposition from the huge new cruise ships arriving during the year. Expect spacious suites, plenty of outdoor areas and a marina platform giving guests easy access to the water.
Emerald Raiya will make her debut with a Greek Islands & Turkish Coastlines voyage before spending the summer cruising the Adriatic and Eastern Mediterranean. She’ll then head to the Red Sea and Seychelles in December for the winter season.
She follows Emerald Kaia, which launched in 2026, as Emerald Cruises continues to expand its luxury yacht fleet. Another sister ship, Emerald Xara, is already planned for 2028.
8. Explora IV
- Cruise line: Explora Journeys
- Gross tonnage: 72,810
- Capacity: 922 guests
- Expected debut: Summer 2027
Explora Journeys will continue its rapid expansion in 2027 with Explora IV, the fourth ship to join the luxury cruise line’s fleet.
She’ll carry just 922 guests, with every accommodation an oceanfront suite. There’ll also be plenty of outdoor space, multiple pools and a choice of restaurants and bars, continuing the relaxed luxury style that Explora Journeys is known for.
Explora IV will also be larger than the first ships in the fleet, with additional space incorporated into her design as Explora Journeys continues to develop its next generation of ships.
Her first cruises will take her to Northern Europe, including sailings from Southampton, before she explores more destinations around the world.
9. Oceania Sonata
- Cruise line: Oceania Cruises
- Gross tonnage: 86,000
- Capacity: 1,390 guests
- Expected debut: 7th August 2027
Oceania Sonata will be the first ship in Oceania Cruises’ brand-new Sonata Class, making her one of the cruise line’s most important launches in years.
She’ll be considerably larger than Oceania’s existing ships, carrying around 1,390 guests, but the focus will remain firmly on the more intimate style of cruising that the line is known for.
Food will naturally be a big part of the experience, with a wide choice of restaurants alongside spacious suites and plenty of outdoor areas. Despite the extra size, she’ll still carry far fewer guests than most of the huge new ships launching in 2027.
Oceania Sonata is expected to make her debut in August 2027, with her first season taking her around Europe.
10. Hero of the Seas
- Cruise line: Royal Caribbean
- Gross tonnage: Around 250,800
- Capacity: 5,610 guests
- Expected debut: August 2027
Hero of the Seas will be the fourth ship in Royal Caribbean’s enormous Icon Class, following Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas and Legend of the Seas.
She’ll have eight neighbourhoods, nine pools and an incredible 28 places to eat, along with many of the huge family attractions that have made the Icon Class stand out.
There’ll be some new additions too, including family raft slides, cooking classes and the three-storey Ultimate Family Treehouse, which can accommodate up to 12 guests.
Hero of the Seas is due to make her debut from Miami in August 2027, sailing seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises. She floated for the first time in September 2026, so construction is now well underway ahead of her launch.
11. MSC World Atlantic
- Cruise line: MSC Cruises
- Gross tonnage: 215,863
- Capacity: 6,762 guests
- Expected debut: 13th November 2027
MSC World Atlantic will be the fourth ship in MSC Cruises’ enormous World Class, following MSC World Europa, MSC World America and MSC World Asia.
She’ll be divided into seven different districts, with more than 30 bars, restaurants and lounges across the ship. There’ll be plenty for families too, including a huge aquapark, a high ropes course and Cliffhanger, the over-water swing that sends riders soaring around 50 metres above the ocean.
New venues will include Viva La Musica, which will bring Latin music and dancing to the ship, and The Clubhouse, a retro-inspired entertainment space designed for both children and adults.
MSC World Atlantic is due to begin sailing from Port Canaveral on 13th November 2027, offering seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises. Her itineraries will include destinations such as Ocean Cay, Nassau, Grand Turk, Puerto Plata, Costa Maya and Cozumel.
12. Explora V
- Cruise line: Explora Journeys
- Gross tonnage: Around 72,800
- Capacity: 914 guests
- Expected debut: December 2027
Explora Journeys will add a second new ship to its fleet in 2027, with EXPLORA V following EXPLORA IV later in the year.
She’ll have 457 oceanfront suites, along with five heated pools, seven restaurants and 12 bars and lounges. Like the other ships in the fleet, the focus will be on spacious accommodation, plenty of outdoor areas and a relaxed luxury experience.
EXPLORA V will also be powered by LNG, continuing the changes introduced with the newer ships in the Explora Journeys fleet.
Her first cruises will explore the Mediterranean during the quieter winter season, with destinations across Southern Europe and North Africa. She’ll then continue to the Atlantic Islands in early 2028.
13. Disney Believe
- Cruise line: Disney Cruise Line
- Gross tonnage: Around 144,000
- Capacity: Around 4,000 guests
- Expected debut: Late 2027
Disney Believe will become the ninth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet when she launches in 2027, following sister ships Disney Wish, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny.
She’ll be the fourth ship in Disney’s Wish Class, so we can expect a similar size and layout to her sisters, but with her own collection of Disney-themed spaces and entertainment.
Disney has already revealed some of the details that will make Believe different. Moana will take centre stage in the Grand Hall, while Tinker Bell and other characters from Peter Pan will feature on the bow and Woody and Buzz Lightyear will appear on the stern.
There’ll also be experiences inspired by Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars, although many of the ship’s restaurants, attractions and entertainment venues are still to be revealed.
Disney hasn’t yet announced an exact launch date or her first itineraries, so there’s plenty more to find out about Disney Believe before she sets sail in 2027.
New Cruise Ships Still To Launch In 2026
Although most of 2026’s new cruise ships are already sailing, the year isn’t quite finished yet. There are still four notable new ships due to arrive before 2027 begins.
1. MSC World Asia
- Cruise line: MSC Cruises
- Gross Tonnage: 215,863
- Capacity: 6,782
- Expected debut: December 2026
The third ship in MSC’s World Class, MSC World Asia will continue the line’s push toward ultra-modern, eco-friendly mega-ships.
Despite her name, she’ll debut in the Mediterranean before eventually moving east, bringing with her a vibrant mix of global dining, futuristic technology and sustainable innovation.
World Asia will feature several new entertainment zones and the longest dry slide at sea, along with a range of new Asian-inspired venues that nod to her namesake region.
Expect dazzling design, incredible nightlife, and family-friendly fun across every deck – the perfect balance of glitz, glamour and global flair.
Read more: Everything You Need to Know About MSC’s Newest Ships (In Order)
2. Seven Seas Prestige
- Cruise line: Regent Seven Seas
- Gross Tonnage: 77,000
- Capacity: 850
- Expected debut: December 2026
Regent’s first ship in a brand-new class turns luxury up a notch, even by Regent standards.
Seven Seas Prestige keeps the line’s all-suite, all-balcony DNA, but pushes for more al fresco moments – think enlarged terraces, breezy lounge spaces and intimate outdoor tables where dinner lingers into moonlit conversation.
Inside, the look is polished and residential, with warm textures, curated art and thoughtful lighting that flatters every setting.
Expect new dining concepts alongside beloved signatures, a refined take on afternoon tea, and a wellness programme that feels indulgent rather than obligatory.
As ever with Regent, immersive shore experiences and gracious service do the heavy lifting – Prestige simply gives them a sleeker stage.
3. Viking Libra
- Cruise line: Viking
- Gross Tonnage: 54,300
- Capacity: 998
- Expected debut: December 2026
Following just months after Mira, Viking Libra will join the fleet as her near-identical sister ship.
Expect the same elegant design, serene ambience, and destination-focused itineraries that define the Viking experience – though Libra will also push the brand further toward sustainable cruising, with the ability to operate on alternative fuel systems.
She’ll sail a mixture of Mediterranean and Northern European routes, offering all the refined touches Viking guests have come to love.
4. Star Explorer
- Cruise line: Windstar Cruises
- Gross Tonnage: 9,923
- Capacity: 224
- Expected debut: December 2026
Windstar’s Star Explorer will round off the year in classic style, joining the fleet as the sister to 2025’s Star Seeker. She’ll offer that same blend of small-ship intimacy and casual luxury that Windstar does best.
Guests can expect a relaxed atmosphere, all-suite accommodations, and the signature water sports platform that lets you dive straight into the sea from the back of the ship.
The décor will be warm and contemporary, and the dining – as ever with Windstar – will be exceptional.
Star Explorer’s maiden season will see her exploring the Mediterranean and beyond, perfect for those who love discovering smaller ports with a sense of adventure.
Read more: Windstar Cruises Fleet Guide
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Final Word
There are some seriously exciting new cruise ships arriving in 2027, from enormous family-friendly ships packed with attractions to tiny luxury yachts carrying fewer than 100 guests.
And with some cruise lines still keeping details under wraps, there’s plenty more we could learn about these ships before they set sail.
Which new ship are you most excited to try? Or is there one you’d happily give a miss?
