Wide open oceans, winding rivers with castle views and luxurious onboard amenities put cruiseson travel bucket lists everywhere. Many groups choose cruising to pack multiple destinations into one trip — andto cut down on the hotel hopping and room rates. Because cruising is an ever-evolving industry, adapting to meet the growing demands of passengers, there’s always industry news to keep up with. From shiny new vessels to en vogue itineraries, here’s what’s new in the world of cruising.
AmaWaterways Expanding European Fleet
Thanks to upscale amenities, intimate settings and itineraries featuring multiple countries, river cruising is booming. More groups than ever before are chartering ships for beautiful, culturally immersive trips on the world’s rivers. AmaWaterways, one of the top river cruising companies in Europe, announced in September it would be adding eight additional ships to its European fleet. Founded in 2002, the company is known for its delicious cuisine, tasteful staterooms (many of which include balconies) and onboard programming, including wellness activities that let passengers enjoy active excursions or onboard exercise classes. The addition of eight new ships will bring the fleet up to 40, more than doubling its size in 2020. In early 2025, the cruise line introduced the AmaMagdalena and AmaMelodia, which will be sailing Colombia’s Magdalena River. The newest European ships are estimated to be delivered by 2030.
Royal Caribbean Reveals New Class of Ships
When it comes to large-ship ocean cruising, no one does it bigger than Royal Caribbean. The cruise line, founded in 1969, features 29 ships that have taken over 100 million guests to 300-plus ports around the world. In 2024, it debuted the Icon of the Seas, the world’s largst cruise ship, complete with eight onboard neighborhoods and a capacity for 7,600 passengers and more than 2,300 crew members. Two additional “Icon Class” ships, Star of the Seas and Legend of the Seas, are expected to debut in 2025 and 2026, respectively. But that doesn’t mean RoyalCaribbean’s future will exclusively be dedicated to these mammoth ships. Recently, the company confirmed plans to launch a smaller class of cruise ships, known as the Discovery Class. While specifics about this new class have yet to be released, it’s been hinted that they will focus on “discovering” new, exotic itineraries at smaller ports, which wasn’t possible for the Icon Class. Ports in the South Pacific, Asia, South America and Northern Europe are possible destinations. More concrete information about the DiscoveryClass is expected to be released in the final months of 2025 or early 2026.
Celebrity Enters River Cruise Market
One of the biggest names in the cruise industry, Celebrity Cruises, is entering a new market. Owned by the Royal Caribbean Group, Celebrity is known for its chic, modern ships, elevated onboard cuisine and upscale experiences. Now, it’s taking all the hallmarks of its ocean cruises to Europe’s rivers. The cruise line announced in early 2025 that it would be debuting Celebrity River Cruises starting in the 2027 season with an initial order of 10 ships. Since its original announcement, the brand has released details about the vessels, which will sail on the Danube and Rhine rivers, as well as the overall onboard experience. State rooms will be full of natural light and stocked with king beds, and some suites will offer balconies. Up to eight onboard restaurants and bars will give guests plenty of dining options to choose from. The itineraries will be seven nights and will include exclusive cultural experiences. Pre- and post-cruise stays will be available to book in early 2026. Priority booking for the vessels Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker began in October.
Viking Debuts India River Ship
Known for its river and expedition cruises, Viking is one of the world’s leading small ship cruise lines. Founded in 1997, it is a great option for mature travelers and offers upscale, luxurious ships and excellent service. Viking operates a fleet of 90-plus vessels on trips to all seven continents. Now it’s bringing river cruising to India with the Viking Brahmaputra, a triple-deck, 80-passenger vessel. Each of its 40 staterooms will include floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and a veranda; there will be an onboard spa and fitness center, as well as an open-air skydeck on the top level. The eight-day Wonders of India itinerary will begin and end in Delhi and will include hotel stays in Agra and Jaipur. The vessel will sail on the Brahmaputra River, while land excursions will include 13 tours with stops at as many as 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Passengers will have the opportunity to see the Taj Mahal, India’s Golden Triangle, the Palace of Winds and Old Delhi. Pre- and post-cruise extensions offered include two nights inDelhi, three nights in Dubai, four nights in Kathmandu, or five nights in Cochin and Mumbai. The vessel will sail in late 2027.
Carbon Neutral Cruising Planned with Hurtigruten
Industry trends show a growing preference for sustainable travel, especially among younger generations. From tour operators to large cruise lines, the travel industry is making changes to oblige the eco-conscious traveler. Hurtigruten, a Norwegian company that transports everything from cargo to international visitors across 34Norwegian ports, is no exception. The company takes travelers along the Norwegian coast onboard 10 customships and incorporates culturally authentic Norwegian experiences for passengers to enjoy. The company is also notable for its sustainability efforts, including Sea Zero, an initiative to sail without emissions.Hurtigruten is making progress on this front with its fleet, which contains four hybrid ships. One of these recently made history by hosting the first-ever climate-neutral biofuel sailing in October. The 485-passenger MS Richard Withsailed from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, powered by HVO100, a hydrotreated vegetable oil, and shore power. The ship covered nearly 2,500 miles, setting the stage for future biofueled expeditions.
Solar Eclipse Itineraries to be Offered by Carnival and Others
Total solar eclipses are a beloved phenomenon worldwide, with travelers flocking to the path of totality (or as close to it as they can get) by the millions. Destinations along that path see a massive uptick in tourism during the projected dates, but one way to conveniently see the eclipse at totality is onboard a cruise. With three total solar eclipses expected in the next three years, many cruise lines are giving passengers the incredible opportunity. Carnival recently added a July 2027 11-day voyage through the Caribbean to view an early August eclipse from its vessel Carnival Miracle. This mid-sized Carnival ship can hold over 2,000 passengers and features plentiful onboard amenities. But Carnival is far from the only cruise line to add eclipse sailings. Many other big names in the cruising industry are already selling trips for the 2026 solar eclipse that’s going to arc over the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Iceland and parts of Spain. Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, Celebrity, Princess Cruises, Virgin Voyages and Oceania Cruises offer multiple itineraries to let guests onboard witness the eclipse. Smaller expedition cruise lines like Aurora Expeditions and HX Expeditions will also offer itineraries.
