New ships on the horizon

There’s a certain buzz when sailing on a brand-new cruise ship. It’s the big things: the staff seem that little bit more eager to impress, the air is crisper, fresher; the food is tastier, cooked on brand-new, top-of-the-range kitchen equipment and served on uncracked fine china. It’s little things: the springs in your mattress, the crispness of your sheets, the satisfying slide of your veranda door opening to expansive ocean views.

Everything is amplified; everything is just better. Everything works.

The good news is: there’s plenty more of that to come. Luxury Cruise is booming. Cruise lines are drawing up plans for new ships to cater to a younger demographic and shipyards are busy turning those plans into reality. The whole face of our industry is changing with 2019 and the few years afterwards an increasingly distant nightmare. By our count, there are over 20(!) ships either confirmed or rumoured to have been planned to start sailing within the next few years. 

The better news is: we’ve got the inside scoop. With such close relationships to cruise line partners, we’re proud to present a list of new cruise ship confirmations, including rumours that haven’t even started yet.

Ultra-luxury cruise lines

What’s new for Explora Journeys, Regent Seven Seas, Scenic Eclipse and others?

Ultra-luxury cruise lines include well-known names such as Explora Journeys, Regent Seven Seas, Scenic Eclipse, Crystal, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Scenic Eclipse and Four Seasons Yacht—all of which are either confirmed or rumoured to have brand-new ships on their way over the next few years.

Click to discover ultra-luxury cruises at Panache Cruises >>

Explora Journeys are firm Panache Cruises favourites. I was lucky enough to be on one of EXPLORA I’s first few sailings from Portsmouth to Copenhagen. I had some of the best few days of my career, dining in incredible restaurants (try Sakura’s watermelon salad, I insist!), relaxing under the sun on one of the many cabanas or simply enjoying the refined elegance of my Veranda Stateroom. No less than five ships are on their way from Explora Journeys, with EXPLORA II due to set sail later this year and EXPLORA III recently celebrating her steel-cutting ceremony. The cruise line’s IV, V and VI have all been confirmed with Italy’s renowned Fincantieri shipyard. A new ship will be launched every year until 2028.

Another firm favourite, Regent Seven Seas, have also recently announced a new class of ship. Prestige Class promises to be bigger than the line’s previous ships, accommodating more passengers but creating more space for those passengers at the same time. But make no mistake about it, this isn’t a pivot to big-ship cruising for Regent. Prestige Class will continue a tradition of ultra luxury, including ultra all-inclusive itineraries, unlimited shore excursions and access to over 500 destinations. These ships are expected in 2026 and 2029.

Elsewhere Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will soon double their fleet by adding the ship Luminara with six bars, a wine vault and an opulent spa. Following in the footsteps of them, luxury hotel chain Four Seasons has announced the creation of a cruise brand. Their luxury yacht is launching in late 2025 with 14 decks. I’ve had a look at some pictures of the pool deck off the aft of the ship—it’s absolutely enormous!

And finally, Crystal Cruises, now under the guardianship of prolific travel brand Abercrombie & Kent, have also promised to add to their ocean fleet with two new ships on order. The first ship is to be delivered in 2028, with another planned, plus a possible third by 2032. Besides those, the brand is also set to launch an expedition cruise brand with one ship on order and coming soon!

Luxury cruise lines

What’s new for Oceania Cruises, Azamara, Windstar Cruises and Emerald Cruises?

A luxury cruise offers relaxed, laidback cruising. Luxury cruise brands include Oceania Cruises, Azamara, Windstar Cruises and Emerald Cruises. New ships are coming thick and fast over the next few years for these huge industry names.

Oceania Cruises are synonymous with luxury cruising. After the wild success of Oceania Vista which launched in 2023, the Allura Class will continue with her sister ship, Allura. Set for launch in 2025 after being built by Fincantieri, Allura will cost $660 million. We’ve been told to expect 67,000 gross tonnes of casually-elegant luxury; 15 decks and capacity for 1,200 passengers and 800 crew. This ship promises to be extraordinary. We can also reveal an option for Oceania Cruises to build a further two ships in the near future after Allura has finally set sail. Stay tuned to your emails, we’ll be the first to confirm details as soon as we have them.

Another new ship, which I am spectacularly excited to see, is Emerald Cruises’ shift towards a younger market with Emerald Kaia. She’s expected to launch in 2026 with a capacity for 160 passengers. Unique features include a slide into the ocean, an outdoor gym, a sea trampoline and luxurious open spaces like the Observation Sun Deck and a reimagined Sky Deck.

Elsewhere, we’re looking forward to the two new Windstar ships. Star Seeker and Star Explorer will be finished and built by the end of 2025 and 2026 respectively. They’re all-suite ships with 112 incredible accommodations for up to 224 guests and a gorgeous new main restaurant, Amphora. Panache Cruises Founder and CEO James Cole has also heard on the grapevine that a third new Windstar Cruises ship will be announced in due course!

New ships are also rumoured for Azamara. Azamara’s Managing Director, David Duff, has hinted at plans to build new ships using private investor backing. This marks a shift away from their previous strategy of buying old ships and refurbishing them, even though a legendary fleet of four, which is one of the most popular on our books at Panache Cruises, has been created.

If that wasn’t enough, the rumour mill is buzzing with rumours of no less than four new ultra-luxury yachts gracing our world’s oceans in the coming years. First, SeaDream are rumoured to have two more beautiful yachts in the pipeline that they’ll add to their already sparkling fleet of superyachts. Finally, and perhaps most exciting of all, the top table at Scenic is talking up the possibilities of not one, but two new Scenic Eclipse yachts being planned in the near future. If you’ve not sailed on Scenic Eclipse before, the experience is like nothing else. The World’s First Discovery Yachts™ are nothing like cruise ships at all, but more akin to sailing on a billionaire’s private yacht. Look at them!

Believe me, it’s as exciting a time to work in luxury cruising as it is to be a luxury cruiser. Business is booming, and the broad spectrum of new ships that are soon set to grace our seas and oceans pays testament to that.