In recent years, my husband and I have discovered the joy of cruising . We now average two cruises a year.
17.12.2024 - 18:07 / thepointsguy.com / Royal Caribbean
The most exciting new cruise ship debuting in 2025 comes from a line you might not expect.
MSC Cruises, the scrappy, under-the-radar cruise operator known to international travelers and deal-seekers, is making a splash in 2025 when its gigantic MSC World America arrives in Miami this spring. Never before has the cruise line homeported a ship like this in North America, and it finally has a chance to give popular megaships, such as Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class vessels, a run for their money.
The ship aims to make MSC a household name in America with its long list of family attractions, indulgent ship-within-a-ship complex for suite guests, and plentiful bars and restaurants. Even though the ship is the second in a series, with many similarities to the 2-year-old MSC World Europa, it's the first of its kind that U.S. cruisers are likely to experience.
Repeat ships are indeed the name of the game in 2025, though some lines are getting a bit more innovative than others with this year's new-builds.
Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises are both turning out ships that are based on previous vessels, but with the volume (and size) turned up a notch. Norwegian Aqua will be 10% larger than the line's newest ships, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, with cool touches like a hybrid waterslide and rollercoaster. Celebrity Xcel will take that line's modern Edge Class specs and add some extra oomph.
Windstar Cruises is introducing its first newly built ship in decades, and Disney Cruise Line will dominate the fourth quarter with two ship debuts — Disney Adventure, its largest ship ever, to be based in Singapore; and Disney Destiny, a sister to Disney Wish and Disney Treasure with new venues like The Sanctum and De Vil's.
And of course, Royal Caribbean fans can't wait for the second Icon Class vessel, Star of the Seas, which will join its sister, Icon of the Seas, as the largest cruise ships in the world, with extraordinary family appeal.
We couldn't forget ship launches from Princess Cruises, Viking and Virgin Voyages — just because they're not first in class does not mean they're not eagerly awaited.
Which new cruise ship will be your favorite in 2025, and which should you book ASAP? Here's our list of the best new cruise ships of 2025, in debut order, and all the key details that have been revealed about them so far.
Maiden voyage: March 28, 2025
Norwegian Aqua, the latest iteration of Norwegian Cruise Line's newest Prima Class of ships, is scheduled to make its sailing debut in March. Designed to carry 3,571 passengers at double occupancy, it will be a larger version of its sister ships, prompting the line to refer to it as a Prima Plus Class vessel.
At about 10% larger than the first two ships in the
In recent years, my husband and I have discovered the joy of cruising . We now average two cruises a year.
Not all cruise ships are created — or operated — equally.
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As a frequent cruiser, I always book interior cabins. They're often the most economical option, though they aren't identical across cruise lines.
A "B" is considered a passing grade on most exams.
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Here at TPG, our team of travel experts and global contributors begins the year by examining the most exciting hotels scheduled to open. Then, we make it our mission to visit as many of those hotels as possible — whether they're just down the street from TPG's HQ in New York City or on the opposite side of the globe — to determine if they're worthy of your hard-earned points and dollars.
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