On Oceania Cruises’ new flagship, the spot occupied by the library on her older sister is now The Crêperie on Deck 14, trading the quiet rustle of pages for the alluring aroma of vanilla and caramelized sugar. Celebrity Cruises’ brightest and shiniest answers with a different kind of reinvention: At the aft of Deck 5, the boundary between ship and shore dissolves entirely at The Bazaar, reshaping a once-underactivated space in ways that sensorially redefine the Edge‑class experience.
Whether discovering tasty nooks or cultural crannies, few joys rival boarding a brand‑new ship. With several fresh vessels already welcoming guests and more set to debut in 2026, a wave of new hardware beckons, promising surprises for ocean‑bound travelers drawn to uncharted pleasures. From splashy stage productions to novel dining concepts, these ships brim with reasons to climb aboard.
The new year boasts a boatload of inaugural seasons. The unusually high swell of newbuilds earning their sea legs in 2026 has industry experts projecting that between 30% and 40% of the 21.7 million Americans expected to cruise over the next 12 months will do so on debuting or recently refurbished vessels.
If you’re tempted to join these ocean‑bound early adopters, this roundup of the nautically new should easily float your boat.
Premium/Upper-Premium Classes
We’ll start with a deep dive into two buoyant beauties from the premium and upper‑premium classes — the middle tiers in the familiar “good‑better‑best” framework that, in cruising, typically aligns with mainstream, premium and luxury. “Typically” is the operative word as the new Caribbean‑bound flagships mentioned earlier are already nudging the definition of “best” forward.
Bridging premium and luxury in several key areas, the latest and greatest from Oceania and Celebrity showcase two distinct interpretations of modern cruising — one boutique and culinary‑driven, the other big‑ship and theatrical.
Oceania Allura — Oceania Cruises (oceaniacruises.com): While Oceania prepares to open bookings Jan. 21 for its next flagship, Sonata, arriving in August 2027, the upper-premium line is already in the spotlight thanks to the just‑out Allura — a 1,200‑guest ship that doubles down on the space and polish that define the brand. The design leans contemporary without tipping into flash: bright lounges trimmed in marble, a Grand Dining Room framed by floor‑to‑ceiling windows and a pool deck that feels more European seaside than megaship resort.
Allura expands the line’s culinary footprint with 11 dining venues, including the new Crêperie, which replaces the library found on Vista. The concept adds French crêpes, Belgian and bubble waffles and gelato sundaes to the morning rotation, while refreshed menus at French-accented Jacques and expanded Japanese‑Peruvian dishes at Red Ginger broaden the global mix. Oceania’s hallmark 1:10 chef‑to‑guest ratio remains intact, and the Grand Dining Room’s over-the-top brunch returns with caviar, crab legs and regional specialties that shift with the itinerary, be it to the Caribbean out of Miami or the Mediterranean, for starters.
Creative and enrichment spaces give Allura a sense of purpose on sea days. The Culinary Center features 24 individual workstations for hands‑on classes, while the Artist Loft hosts rotating instructors for drawing, painting and mixed‑media workshops. Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center’s nutrition consultations add to a lineup that leans toward learning and immersion. On port days, small-group outings led by onboard chefs — called Culinary Discovery Tours — involve market visits, vineyard tastings and regional cooking classes that tie directly back to the ship’s culinary program.
Evenings onboard stay intentionally low‑key, with polished lounges, well‑paced entertainment and a bar program built around classics rather than theatrics. It’s a ship designed for travelers who want their days ashore rich and their nights onboard unhurried.
“Oceania Allura is our most innovative and luxurious ship to date,” said Jason Montague, chief luxury officer of Oceania Cruises at the recent christening ceremony in Miami. “She represents our bold vision for an entirely new generation of luxury travel experiences.”
Celebrity Xcel – Celebrity Cruises (celebritycruises.com): The most culturally expressive ship in the Edge‑series lineup is built around light, space and a deeper sense of place. Floor‑to‑ceiling windows brighten nearly every public room, and the ship’s open‑concept Grand Plaza — three soaring decks anchored by the Martini Bar — sets the tone for a design that feels both expansive and intimate. The guest capacity of 3,246 feels delightfully low considering the mind-blowing variety of venues, including nine superb specialty restaurants (love a good steakhouse at sea) and seven that are winners even without an upcharge.
The headline addition is The Bazaar, a three‑deck aft space inspired by ports on the itinerary. It’s a high‑energy, high‑design venue that replaces Eden on her sister ships, trading ethereal performance art for something more grounded in local culture — indigenous menus, steel‑pan bands, Carnival‑style dancers and goods by local artisans that bring the shore aboard.
“The Bazaar is a transformative space that literally changes daily to immerse guests in the destinations they visit longer than their stay in port by bringing them onboard so guests can continue to enjoy the sights, sounds and flavors of that destination even after we set sail,” said Celebrity President Laura Hodges Bethge following Xcel’s christening in Fort Lauderdale. “This is just one example of how we’re elevating what’s possible at sea.”
The fifth ship in Celebrity’s popular Edge series offers several more new spaces and experiences, from an elevated Pool Club with valet service and private cabanas to the Attic at The Club, a late‑night lounge with a playful, adults‑only vibe. The Xcel even has Galaga, the star-fighting, fixed-shooter game that took countless quarters from this arcade lover back in the early ‘80s. What a blast, literally.
Suites face the sea with beds angled toward the horizon, and the ship’s tri‑fuel‑capable engine marks a step toward cleaner operations. Whether she’s sailing the Caribbean or shifting to Europe and North Africa, Xcel feels like a ship designed to meet travelers where they are now — seeking culture, connection and a little spectacle along the way.
Rounding out the premium and upper-premium picture:
Star Seeker and Star Explorer — Windstar Cruises (windstarcruises.com): With the 224‑guest Star Seeker recently christened, next December it’s Star Explorer’s turn. Both all‑suite yachts introduce a sleeker, more contemporary edge, with nearly every cabin offering a private veranda or floor‑to‑ceiling infinity window. Expanded wellness spaces and upgraded adventure amenities push the brand’s boutique style forward, as does the new “MediterrAsian” specialty restaurant, Basil + Bamboo. After debut seasons in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, the upper-premium ships will fan out to Alaska, Japan and other marquee regions.
Disney Adventure — Disney Cruise Line (disneycruise.com): Co‑captains Mickey and Minnie are looking toward a March roundtrip maiden voyage from Singapore. As Disney’s first Asia‑based ship and its largest yet, Adventure debuts with themed zones, family‑forward entertainment and the brand’s first roller coaster at sea. Designed for year‑round Southeast Asia itineraries, the 6,700‑passenger ship brings a full‑scale Disney resort experience to one of the world’s fastest‑growing cruise markets.
Viking Libra and Viking Mira — Viking Ocean Cruises (vikingcruises.com): Viking expands its upper-premium ocean fleet in 2026 with two 930‑guest sister ships that continue the line’s serene Scandinavian design and all‑veranda layout. Viking Mira debuts in June with Mediterranean sailings between Rome and Barcelona, while Viking Libra follows in December with a season of Greek Isles roundtrips from Athens.
Star Princess — Princess Cruises (princess.com): After an October maiden voyage, the newest Sphere‑class ship continues her inaugural season in the Caribbean before shifting to Alaska for the summer. The 4,300-passenger megaship features a striking outward‑facing Sphere that expands the Piazza with sweeping ocean views.
Mainstream Class
Norwegian Luna — Norwegian Cruise Line (ncl.com): Beginning in April, the second Prima‑Plus-class ship will sail from Miami to Caribbean ports including Great Stirrup Cay, where NCL will debut the nearly six‑acre Great Tides Waterpark with 19 waterslides, cliffside jumps, a dynamic river and swim‑up bars. Fleet firsts on the 3,571-guest Luna include the hybrid Aqua Slidecoaster, an expanded Vibe Beach Club and two highly anticipated shows: “Rocket Man: A Celebration of Elton John,” a hit-filled tribute to the legendary icon; and “HIKO,” a mixed-reality show that sounds like a blend of Cirque du Soleil and sci-fi. Luna’s transatlantic, 13-night maiden voyage departs Civitavecchia (Rome) on March 10.
Carnival Encounter and Carnival Adventure — Carnival Cruise Line (carnival.com): Carnival enters 2026 with two former P&O Australia ships that joined the fleet in 2025 and were updated with Carnival’s signature dining, entertainment and casual, high‑energy atmosphere. For their inaugural seasons as 2,600-guest Fun Ships, both vessels are operating short Caribbean and Bahamas cruises from Florida.
Legend of the Seas — Royal Caribbean International (royalcaribbean.com): Royal Caribbean’s third Icon‑Class ship, launches in July with a 7‑night Western Mediterranean maiden voyage in August from Barcelona. The 5,628‑guest ship delivers the line’s biggest thrills – the largest waterpark at sea, seven pools, 28 dining options and new entertainment including “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
MSC World Asia — MSC Cruises (msccruises.com): Launching next December, the new 6,762-passenger flagship brings an Asia‑inspired twist to the Mediterranean with seven‑night itineraries and standout design moments, including a 39‑foot stainless‑steel dragon above the World Promenade. It blends returning favorites with fresh concepts — a record‑setting dry slide, a Pan‑Asian street‑food venue, redesigned family zones, an all‑American sports bar and the most expansive MSC Yacht Club yet.
Luxury/Ultra-Luxury Classes
Seven Seas Prestige — Regent Seven Seas Cruises (rssc.com): Arriving in late 2026, Regent’s first Prestige‑Class ship carries 822 guests with one of the highest space ratios at sea. The design leans grand and architectural, debuting such new venues as the Starlight Atrium and Galileo’s Bar alongside refreshed takes on Regent’s signature restaurants. With expanded suite categories and next‑generation environmental tech, Prestige marks the ultra-luxury line’s first new class in 10 years.
Explora III — Explora Journeys (explorajourneys.com): The newbuild debuts in August, carrying about 922 guests in all‑suite accommodations and introducing the line’s first LNG‑powered design. She extends the brand’s focus on space, calm and oceanfront living with multiple pools, six restaurants and a wellness program shaped around relaxed, resort‑style sailing.