From luxury river cruises to jumbo vessels, there are plenty of exciting new cruise ships preparing to make waves in the coming months.This year has already seen the launch of Norwegian Luna and Royal Caribbean’s latest Icon class ship, while MSC Cruises is set to launch another megaship.A new vessel can bring an exciting blend of new features or modern takes on classic amenities. You may find waterslides and rollercoasters at sea or even just a new bar or restaurant.River cruise launches from Viking, Tui and Celebrity Cruises are also in the pipeline.Here are 11 of the best new cruise ships being launched in 2026 and beyond.Read more: The best cruise deals for 2026Best new cruise ships1.Norwegian LunaNorwegian Luna's bright hull shines on the water in the Caribbean (Marc Shoffman)The keys for the newest Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) vessel were handed over at the Financtieri shipyard in March and Luna has begun its debut Caribbean sailings from Miami.Norwegian Luna is the cruise line’s fourth Prima class ship and sister ship to Aqua, which was launched in April 2025.She has similar features to Aqua including the hybrid waterslide rollercoaster called the Slidecoaster as well as unique entertainment such as Rocket Man: A Celebration of Elton John. New features include a Moon Climber high ropes course and expanded outdoor areas. At 1,056 feet long and 156,300 gross tons, she is the 21st NCL ship and will have capacity for 3,550 passengers.Book now2. Legend of the SeasLegend of the Seas will be the first Icon class ship to launch in Europe (Royal Caribbean)Legend of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s third Icon class ship and the first to launch in Europe. She is making her debut in the Mediterranean this summer with seven-night cruises from Barcelona and Rome.Legend is the world’s largest cruise ship with gross tonnage of 248,663 and is 4mm bigger than its sisters Icon and Star of the Seas. It has the largest waterpark and slides at sea, plus a sky-walk and zipline course round the side of the ship and 40 bars and restaurants – catering for 5,610 passengers.The ship hosts exclusive performances of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical and there is an immersive Royal Railway dining experience.Book now3. Disney AdventureDisney Destiny launched November and will be followed by Disney Adventure next year (Disney Cruise Line)Disney Adventure launched in March 2026 and is the eighth ship in the Disney fleet.It will homeport in Singapore with three, four and five-night cruises around Asia and has Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr as its godparent.At 208,000 tonnes, with capacity for more than 6,000 guests, it is the largest Disney cruise ship.Unique facilities include a Disney castle and the Marvel-themed Ironcycle Test Run, the first rollercoaster on a Disney cruise ship. At 820 feet, it will be the longest at sea.Book now4. Seven Seas PrestigeSeven Seas Prestige is being built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy (Regent Seven Seas)Regent Seven Seas is preparing to launch its first new cruise ship class for 10 years.Seven Seas Prestige is set to hit the water in December 2026.The 77,000-tonne, 822-capacity ship will be the seventh ship in the fleet and the first of four new Prestige-class vessels.The crew-to-guest ratio is one of the largest at sea and 40 per cent bigger than the rest of the fleet.Features include butler service, luxury lounges and a new Mediterranean mezze-style restaurant called Azure.There are 12 suite categories to choose from including the 9,000 square foot Skyview Regent Suite.For £20,000 per night, it has space for up to six people with its own dedicated butler, floor-to-ceiling windows throughout and a wraparound balcony measuring more than 3,500-square-feet.The ship will make its maiden voyage from Barcelona to Miami on 13 December 2026, with itineraries scheduled until May 2027 to visit the Caribbean and Europe, including two transatlantic crossings. Book now5. Explora IIIExplora III is due to launch in August 2026 (Explora Journeys)The latest ship in the Explora Journeys fleet is set to launch this summer.Explora Journeys is the luxury brand of MSC Cruises.The latest ship, Explora III, will have capacity for around 900 guests and similar to its sisters, there will be five heated pools, six restaurants and 12 bars and lounges with a guest per staff ratio of 1.25:1.Explora III’s maiden seven-night voyage is scheduled for 3 August 2026 from Barcelona to Lisbon.Book now6. MSC World AsiaA dragon sculpture will be one of the main features in MSC World Asia's promenade (MSC Cruises)The latest in the World class series of MSC Cruises ships will launch in December 2026.MSC World Asia will feature design elements that reflect Asian culture, art and landscapes.Unique features across the 6,782-capacity ship include a giant dragon hanging in the World Promenade and a 12-deck high dry slide inspired by Singapore’s famous Gardens by the Bay.Guests can also enjoy a new pan-Asian restaurant that offers speciality dining, a bar and grab-and-go options.Passengers will be able to relax across seven pools or race in the ship’s F1 simulators.The ship’s maiden voyage departs on a seven-night round-trip from Barcelona on 4 December 2026.Book now7. Viking MiraViking Mira is due to launch in spring 2026 (Viking Cruises)Viking Cruises latest ocean cruise vessel launched in June 2026.Similar to the rest of the ocean fleet, Viking Mira is classed as a small ship, with a gross tonnage of 54,300. It features 499 staterooms that can host 998 guests.Passengers can enjoy the cruise line’s trademark Scandinavian designs in its bars and restaurants while sailing through the Mediterranean and northern Europe during its maiden season.Book now8. Star ExplorerStar Explorer is the newest ship in the Windstar fleet, due to launch next year (Windstar Cruises)Luxury cruise line Windstar will launch its latest cruise ship in December 2026.Star Explorer will offer 112 suites for just 224 guests, including two Horizon Owner’s Suites with wraparound balconies.Facilities include the Yacht Club Cafe and its Marina watersports platformThe new ship will sail year-round in Europe, starting in December 2026 with a sailing from from Barcelona.It is also due to be christened in Tower Bridge, London in May 2027.Book now9. Tui AriaTui Elara will be the first in the fleet to visit Brussels (Tui)Tui Aria hit the water in March 2026 and is the first Tui river cruise ship in Europe to have an indoor pool with a retractable roof.In the evening, the pool floor will rise, transforming the space into a secondary dining venue with Italian-inspired dishes. The ship accommodates 190 passengers across 96 cabins.Itineraries include the “Moselle and North Rhine” itinerary, sailing from Frankfurt. The “North Rhine and Moselle Explorer” and “Dutch Delta Discovery” itineraries will depart from Amsterdam.Tui River Cruises is also bringing a fifth ship to European waterways in summer 2027 with the launch of Tui Elara.The adult-only 138-passenger ship will feature Verdastro as its main a la carte restaurant and The Observatory as the primary lounge, bar and entertainment space. It will operate five, seven and 14-night sailings from Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Basel with five new itineraries along the Rhine, Moselle, Dutch and Belgian waterways, making 15 itineraries in total.It will also be the first ship in the fleet to sail to Brussels in Belgium. Book now10. Scenic GroupScenic Group is bringing a range of new luxury river cruise ships to the water (Scenic Group)Luxury brand Scenic Group is planning to launch three new luxury river ships in 2027 and early 2028. The new vessels will operate across Europe and Asia.The new fleet includes the 112-guest Emerald Nova, which will launch in June 2027 on the Douro River.Scenic Aria will also be unveiled in the region in September 2027, catering for 96 passengers.Scenic Spirit II is also launching in early 2028 on the Mekong River. The 68-passenger ship will cruise the Mekong River across Vietnam and Cambodia. It will call at the stops such as Phnom Penh, Ankor Ban and Ho Chi Minh City, with excursion options including the infamous Killing Fields and a visit to a wet market.Emerald Astra is also launching in May 2026 on the Rhine, Main and Danube and Emerald Lumi on the Seine in 2027.Book now11. Celebrity River CruisesMarc Shoffman visited the shipyard where the first Celebrity River Cruise ship is being built (Marc Shoffman)Celebrity Cruises is making its debut on the river in 2027.The Royal Caribbean Group brand is looking to replicate its luxury ocean cruise experience for passengers on the world’s top rivers.It is building 10 ships, with the first two Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker set to sail the Rhine and Danube next year.Cabins have already sold out for 2027 and bookings are open for 2028.Book now12. Four SeasonsThe Four Seasons I pool deck can be turned into a dance floor at night (Four Seasons)Hotel chain the Four Seasons has made its debut on the water with a luxury yacht.Its inaugural vessel, Four Seasons I, completed its maiden voyage during March in the Mediterranean.Customised routes include the Greek islands, Croatia and the French Riviera this summer and the Caribbean and Bahamas in the winter.Features include large suites, private plunge pools, high-end food and access to exclusive ports and yacht-only harbours.A sister ship is due to follow in 2027.Book now13. Oceania SonataOceania Sonata will debut in August 2027 (Oceania Cruises)Oceania Sonata will join the culinary-focused luxury cruise line’s fleet in August 2027.At 86,000 tons and with capacity for just 1,390 guests, Oceania Sonata is the first of a new class of cruise ships for the Oceania Cruises brand.She will have a greater choice of suites and one chef for every eight guests. Half of the ship’s crew is dedicated to culinary operations.There will be two new fine-dining restaurants on board.These include La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, the only restaurant at sea approved by the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France (Master Chefs of France).There is also a new Peruvian and Japanese fusion venue called Nikkei Kitchen.Her inaugural season features 22 sailings from August 2027 until April 2028, starting in the Mediterranean during the summer before heading to the Caribbean for the winter. Book now14. Riviera ResplendenceRiviera Travel is offering another luxury option on The Rhine (Getty Images)Riviera Travel’s newest premium river cruise ship MS Riviera Resplendence took her maiden voyage on the Rhine in early July 2026.The 135-metre vessel features contemporary interiors and some of the company's largest-ever suites with floor-to-ceiling French balconies. Guests can choose from three onboard dining venues and relax in the spa, splash pool or split-level lounge and bar area.Book now15. TM RigelTM Rigel is the latest luxury ship from Travelmarvel (Travelmarvel)Travelmarvel, the premium arm of APT Travel Group, launched its newest European river ship, TM Rigel, in June.The adult-only cruise ship will sail on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers.Accommodating up to 178 guests across 89 cabins and served by a crew of 44, TM Rigel features an expansive sun deck with jacuzzi and a choice of three places to eat including Constellations for fine dining, the casual True North Lounge and the cosy McGeary's Bar which serves pub-style cuisine.Guests can stay in spacious deluxe cabins and suites with French-style balconies and electronic slide-down windows.Book now16. My WayMy Way will join the Sail Croatia fleet in 2027 (Sail Croatia)Sail Croatia is launching a new small ship in 2027 that will cater for 36 passengers.The new vessel, My Way, will start sailing in June 2027 on seven-night cruises between Split and Dubrovnik. There will be 18 en-suite cabins on board, each with double or twin beds.The spacious top deck will offer a comfortable lounge area and jacuzzi as well as sun loungers to enjoy the scenery.There will also be chances to jump from the ship into the clear waters of the Adriatic during regular swim stops.Book nowThis piece was first published in December 2025 and has been revised and updated