Top New Cruise Ships Arriving in 2025

It’s time for the annual Talking Cruise guide to The Top New Cruise Ships in 2025. This year we’re highlighting our Top 8 picks of the latest and greatest. The 2025 lineup of new ship builds will offer tons of variety in design, purpose and features and we’re certain you’ll find at least one that you can’t wait to board. Norwegian Aqua Norwegian Cruise Line Photo Courtesy: Norwegian Cruise Line Launching: March 2025 Ship Class: 1 st Prima Plus Class Ship Home-Port: Southampton, United Kingdom: Miami, Florida: Port Canaveral, Florida: New York, New York Size: 156,300 Gross Tons Guests/Crew: 3,571 Guests (double), 1,390 Crew Following the launch of the first two Prima Class ships, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Cruise Line’s next iteration under the Prima Plus class will be 10% larger and have increased guest capacity. Guests can expect more outdoor space along Ocean Boulevard, an expanded Vibe Beach Club and the main pool deck. Norwegian Aqua will also feature brand new experiences like the first at sea hybrid roller-coaster and waterslide, the Aqua Slidecoaster and Glow Court digital sports complex. For those seeking a luxurious hideaway, NCL’s first ever three-bedroom Duplex Haven Suites will be a great addition to The Haven by Norwegian complex, the largest in the fleet, offering exclusive access to a dedicated sun deck, infinity pool, outdoor spa and more. After an introductory series of sailings from Port Canaveral Norwegian Aqua will offer Bermuda itineraries from New York City, August to October 2025, followed by Caribbean departures from Miami through April 2026. Learn more about Norwegian Aqua MSC World America MSC Cruises Photo Courtesy: MSC Cruises Launching: April 2025 Ship Class: 2 nd World Class Ship Home-Port: Miami, Florida Size: 215,863 Gross Tons Guests/Crew: 5,079 Guests (double), 2,138 Crew While still not taking away the title of world’s largest, MSC World America, the second World-Class ship, will be 215,000 gross tons, almost 1,100 feet long, with a maximum capacity of 6,700 guests, putting her well ahead of most of the largest cruise ships sailing today. MSC has done some amazing things to utilize this massive size to the utmost, offering a wide variety of experiences, expanded and brand-new venues to appeal to everyone. Highlights include one of the longest dry slide at sea at a dizzying 11 decks high, Cliffhanger, over-the-water swing ride, 13 dining venues with retuning MSC favorites and new concepts, 19 different categories of accommodations, featuring the line’s first promenade view and infinite ocean view rooms plus expanded premium level Aurea and Yacht Club amenities. Powered by liquified natural gas, MSC World America will begin sailing from her brand new terminal at PortMiami starting April 2025 with alternating 7 nights Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries each featuring a stop at MSC’s own Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Learn more about MSC World America Star of the Seas Royal Caribbean International Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean Launching: August 2025 Ship Class: 2 nd Icon Class Ship Home-Port: Port Canaveral, Florida Size: 248,663 Gross Tons Guests/Crew: 5,610 Guests (double), 2,350 Crew Royal Caribbean’s second Icon-Class ship, Star of the Seas will continue the dominance of world’s largest cruise ship, with incredible experiences around each corner. The multi-level Royal Promenade features 15 restaurants and bars and return of the popular Pearl Café. Central Park features live music, bars and dining, including Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, and Chops Grille. Surfside, located aft on Deck 7, takes the boardwalk concept with the popular carousel and arcade and amps it up with a Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay aquaparks and Water’s Edge infinity pool. AquaDome includes a reimagined version of the AquaTheater, located forward on deck 15. A major highlight is a pumped up aquapark located at Thrill Island, featuring 6 record-breaking waterslides, including two family raft slides, Sto