The New Ships I'm Most Excited About In 2027

There’s something special about looking ahead at the next generation of cruise ships. Some bring completely new ideas, some take successful concepts even further, and others are exciting simply because they give us a glimpse of where cruising is heading next.

While plenty more ships will launch in 2027, these are the ones I’m watching most closely right now. Some are huge family-friendly mega-ships, others are luxury vessels that couldn’t be more different. They’re ranked purely by how excited I am to see them enter service.

1. Hero of the Seas

Cruise line: Royal Caribbean
Expected launch date: August 2027
Gross tonnage: 250,800

Royal Caribbean has spent the last few years redefining what a cruise ship can be, and Hero of the Seas looks set to continue that trend. As the fourth Icon Class vessel, it will build on a formula that’s already proved hugely popular with families and first-time cruisers alike.

Hero of the Seas Ultimate Family Treehouse

What’s exciting isn’t just the ship itself but what new features might be introduced. Royal Caribbean rarely delivers a carbon copy, and each new vessel tends to bring tweaks, improvements and fresh attractions. By 2027, the cruise line will have had several years of guest feedback from Icon of the Seas and its sisters, giving it the chance to refine the concept even further.

The biggest question is simple – what could possibly come next after Icon?

2. Norwegian Aura

Cruise line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Expected launch date: May 2027
Gross tonnage: 170,000

Norwegian Aqua may be grabbing the headlines today, but Norwegian Aura could end up being the more interesting ship. As the latest Prima Plus Class vessel, it’s expected to build on a design that’s already earning praise for offering something a little different from the industry’s biggest mega-ships.

The Prima Class ships have focused heavily on outdoor spaces, elevated dining and a more upmarket feel than previous Norwegian vessels. Aura should continue that direction while potentially introducing new venues and attractions of its own.

I’m especially interested to see how Norwegian evolves the Prima concept. Cruise lines often learn a lot from the first few ships in a class, and by the time Aura arrives, Norwegian will have had years to fine-tune the experience.

3. Disney Believe

Cruise line: Disney Cruise Line
Expected launch date: Late 2027
Gross tonnage: 144,000

Disney Cruise Line has been on an incredible expansion journey recently, and Disney Believe is one of the most anticipated additions still to come.

What makes Disney ships exciting isn’t usually waterslides or record-breaking statistics. It’s the storytelling. Disney has a knack for creating ships that feel immersive without becoming overwhelming, and every new vessel brings fresh themes, entertainment and character experiences.

The exact details are still limited, which only adds to the intrigue. Disney’s newer ships have shown how the cruise line is willing to blend classic ocean liner elegance with cutting-edge technology and spectacular entertainment.

For families, this could easily become one of the most sought-after ships of 2027.

4. MSC World Atlantic

Cruise line: MSC Cruises
Expected launch date: Late 2027
Gross tonnage: 215,863

MSC Cruises continues to grow at a remarkable pace, and World Atlantic represents another step forward for the World Class programme.

The World Class ships have impressed with their futuristic design, huge range of facilities and distinctive European style. They’re among the most visually striking ships currently sailing, particularly with their dramatic outdoor promenades and impressive architecture.

What’s exciting here is seeing how MSC adapts the platform for new markets and guest expectations. The cruise line has become increasingly popular with British and North American travellers while retaining much of its European character.

World Atlantic should continue that balancing act while adding its own personality to the growing class.

5. Carnival Festivale

Cruise line: Carnival Cruise Line
Expected launch date: Spring 2027
Gross tonnage: 182,015

Carnival’s next major ship launch is particularly interesting because it signals the next chapter beyond the Excel Class vessels.

Carnival has always excelled at creating ships that prioritise fun, and Festivale looks set to continue that tradition. While details remain limited, the cruise line has already hinted at new family-focused features and experiences designed specifically for future generations of cruisers.

Carnival ships don’t always chase luxury or innovation for innovation’s sake. Instead, they focus on creating memorable holidays for ordinary families, and that’s one of the reasons they remain so popular.

Festivale feels like a ship that could quietly become one of the biggest success stories of the year.

6. Oceania Sonata

Cruise line: Oceania Cruises
Expected launch date: August 2027
Gross tonnage: 86,000

Not every exciting new ship needs to carry thousands of passengers.

Oceania Sonata will be the first vessel in Oceania’s new Sonata Class, making it one of the most significant launches in the premium cruise sector for years. Oceania has built a loyal following thanks to its destination-focused itineraries, excellent food and refined atmosphere.

Being the first in a brand-new class automatically makes Sonata fascinating. New ship classes often reveal where a cruise line believes the future lies, and it’ll be interesting to see how Oceania balances innovation with the features that existing guests already love.

Food lovers in particular will be watching closely.

7. Orient Express Olympian

Cruise line: Orient Express Sailing Yachts
Expected launch date: Spring 2027
Gross tonnage: 26,200

Few names carry as much romance and history as Orient Express.

Olympian isn’t aiming to compete with the biggest cruise ships in the world. Instead, it’s designed to create an entirely different experience. Combining luxury hospitality with sailing yacht technology, the vessel promises something far removed from traditional cruising.

Part of the excitement comes from the fact that this is a completely new venture. We know the Orient Express brand from luxury rail travel and iconic journeys, but translating that heritage to the sea is an ambitious challenge.

If it succeeds, Olympian could become one of the most distinctive ships sailing anywhere in the world.

8. EXPLORA IV And EXPLORA V

Cruise line: Explora Journeys
Expected launch dates: 2027
Gross tonnage: 72,810

Explora Journeys has quickly established itself as one of the most intriguing luxury cruise brands, and 2027 will see the fleet continue to grow with the arrival of both EXPLORA IV and EXPLORA V.

What makes these ships exciting is how confidently the brand has carved out its own identity. Rather than trying to copy traditional luxury cruise lines, Explora has focused on creating a more contemporary, yacht-inspired experience.

By the time these vessels arrive, we’ll have a much clearer picture of how successful that strategy has been. The expansion also signals long-term confidence from the company, which is always encouraging to see in a relatively new cruise brand.

These ships may not generate mainstream headlines, but luxury cruise fans will be paying close attention.

9. Celebrity River Cruises

Cruise line: Celebrity River Cruises
Expected launch dates: 2027

There will be plenty of new river ships launching in 2027, but Celebrity’s arrival feels different because it’s not simply adding another vessel to an existing fleet. It’s the launch of an entirely new cruise line.

Celebrity Cruises has built a strong reputation in the ocean cruise market, particularly among travellers looking for a premium experience without stepping into full luxury pricing. Seeing that approach applied to river cruising is genuinely intriguing.

We still know relatively little about the ships themselves, but that’s part of the appeal. A new entrant can bring fresh ideas, challenge established operators and potentially attract people who have never considered a river cruise before.

For that reason alone, this is one of the launches I’m most curious about.

Final Word

Trying to predict which new ship will become the standout success of 2027 is almost impossible. Some vessels arrive with huge fanfare only to blend into the background, while others quietly exceed expectations.

For me, Hero of the Seas sits firmly at the top of the list because it’s likely to push the boundaries of mainstream cruising yet again. But every ship here offers something different, whether that’s family entertainment, premium dining, luxury yacht-style cruising or even the launch of an entirely new cruise line.

The best part is that we’re still early in the reveal cycle. Between now and launch day, there’ll be plenty more announcements, surprises and perhaps a few unexpected additions to the 2027 lineup.

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The New Ships I’m Most Excited About In 2027

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