Cruise: Cruise Landscape—What’s New, What’s Trending for 2025

VIKINGCruise Landscape—What’s New, What’s Trending for 2025By Paloma Villaverde de RicoCruise brands have been rocking and rolling in 2024, and 2025 looks like it’s going to be another stellar year: Dazzling new ships, inimitable itineraries, top-notch sustainability initiatives…. We’ve got the deets on what to expect in the coming year (and even farther out).VIRGIN QUOTEWhat’s TrendingVirgin Voyages’ John Diorio, VP, North American Sales, is excited about 2025, telling Recommend that “we anticipate several exciting trends in the cruise industry. Based on feedback from our First Mates [travel advisor partners] and Sailors, we can expect an increased focus on immersive experiences and irresistible destinations. As travelers seek unique adventures, destinations like Alaska will remain popular.” He adds, “Winter travel also continues to be a popular trend year over year. We’ll be capitalizing on fresh new itineraries for 2026 and 2027 next year and ensuring we meet the demand for warmer destination options.” Aimee Price, VP/Head of Sales, USA West & Canada, Explora Journeys, says that the cruise line is seeing a growing demand for bleisure travel, noting that the brand’s ships provide “an ideal environment for nomadic entrepreneurs to stay connected while enjoying their downtime.” There’s also a trend toward “efficient travel,” she says, remarking that Explora Journeys’ itineraries “cater to luxury travelers looking to maximize their time and money, offering 7-night voyages that can be combined with land experiences, as well as extended port stays for deeper immersion.”EXPLORA QUOTE No surprise that immersive itineraries are gaining traction among repeat cruisers who want to explore further, but they’re also a great way to pique the interest of land-focused travelers. According to Lee Haslett, Celestyal’s Chief Commercial Officer, “In 2025, we feel that there will be an even greater interest in adding more unique, less visited ports of call and land experiences into guests’ trips. Celestyal fits this trend well, given that we operate a boutique fleet of two ships that carry just over 1,200 passengers each, so while we visit the iconic destinations on everyone’s bucket list, we can access the hidden-gem islands and ports that larger ships cannot.” HX’s CEO Gebhard Rainer tells us that he’s seeing a few trends continue their momentum into 2025, including new-to-cruise. “In the past two years,” he says, “nearly 30 percent of all cruise passengers have been new-to-cruise, with a notable 12 percent increase in the last year alone.” One segment of the cruise industry that attracts new-to-cruise is expedition cruising, which, Gebhard says, “is booming. [There’s been] a 71 percent increase in passengers from 2019 to 2023. This surge reflects the growing demand for immersive and adventurous travel.” He notes that an expedition cruise is more than “just a voyage; [it’s a] transformative experience.” With the countless options available to travelers when it comes to cruises—from weekend mega-ship sailings to small ship itineraries that circumnavigate the world—it’s no surprise that new-to-cruise is surging. In fact, says Koreen McNutt, Sr. VP of Sales, Commercial Sales Officer for MSC Cruises USA, “The cruise experience is always evolving with broader travel trends, so cruising [remains] a popular choice for travelers. “At MSC Cruises…we’ve seen a growing demand for culinary experiences and exceptional food…[so] we have been rolling out shore excursions like culinary walking tours and tastings that cater to our foodie guests. We’re also continuing to see travelers seek out more personalized, luxury experiences. Our ship-within-a-ship concept, MSC Yacht Club, is the perfect way for guests to have an elevated vacation.” Multigenerational travel has definitely been the talk of the town for the last few years, but there’s been a big focus on solo travelers recently, with McNutt stating that, “solo travel will continue to be big in 2025, and cruising is a great way to meet others during your travels and not have to worry about the logistics of getting from place to place.” Solo travelers, no doubt, will be heading to the spa while on a cruise vacation, and Celebrity Cruises’ Katina Athanasiou-Soy, Sr. VP of Sales & Services, The Americas, says that, in fact, more and more cruise passengers are looking for a wellness element. “Wellness travel continues to rise in popularity, with cruisers seeking out vacations that offer restoration and rejuvenation,” she says. Rejuvenation, in part, comes from meeting locals, exploring a destination and savoring its culinary delights. Says Athanasiou-Soy, “Celebrity Cruises’ authentic shore excursions offer unique…ways for your clients to discover and immerse themselves in the [destinations’] cultures.” For example, in the Caribbean, which, she says will remain a top destination for cruisers, Celebrity passengers can opt for immersive shore excursions, the kind that allow for that authenticity. AMA LOUNGEWhat's New In 2025, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to book a dream cruise vacation for your clients, whether they’re heading out solo and hopping on a cruise for the first time, or gathering their extended family together to celebrate a momentous occasion. Here’s a treasure trove of booking opportunities:• AmaWaterways has rescheduled the inaugural sailing of AmaMagdalena to March 15, 2025, allowing the company to finalize the essential infrastructure for this new river cruise destination. The company is focused on enhancing the cruising experience along Colombia's Magdalena River, collaborating closely with local communities and officials to develop the necessary infrastructure. Nine custom-designed excursion boats will allow guests to explore secluded areas rich in biodiversity, opening up parts of Colombia rarely seen by travelers. On board, guests will enjoy tropical fruit tastings, artisanal chocolate and rum samplings, and Colombian coffee tastings. The culinary highlight of the experience will be an intimate restaurant, with just 16 seats, featuring a Colombian chef who will guide guests on a curated journey through the country’s flavors. Shore excursions are designed to allow guests to interact with indigenous communities, explore natural wonders and visit areas that are often out of reach, with each itinerary guided by experienced locals. The launch of AmaMelodia, the company’s second ship on the Magdalena River, remains on schedule for June 2025.AZAMARA SHIP• Azamara Cruises has released its first-ever travel advisor-curated cruise: the 11-day The Mysteries & Lore, focused on the French Riviera. Designed by Travel Advisor Erica Lane, who won the cruise line’s 2023 “Chart Your Own Course” sweepstakes, the cruise sets sail in the summer of 2026. The journey begins in Rome and includes a visit to Corsica before exploring the Côte d’Azur and disembarking in Nice, France. Guests will enjoy picturesque stops in Menton, famous for its lemon trees; Marseille, where they can indulge in local bouillabaisse and explore the historic Vieux Port; the glamorous St. Tropez; and Cannes, where they can stroll along the iconic waterfront promenade, Boulevard de la Croisette. The cruise also features an overnight stay in Monte Carlo, Monaco, offering guests the chance to try their luck at the famous Casino de Monte-Carlo or explore the Prince’s Palace of Monaco, home to the royal Grimaldi family.• Celebrity Cruises’ new ship Celebrity Xcel, the fifth ship in the cruise line’s Edge Series ships, will debut in November 2025, sailing from Fort Lauderdale to explore the Caribbean. She’ll then sail her inaugural European season in 2026, offering Celebrity’s first overnights in Madeira, Portugal; guests will have 7- to 11-night journeys out of Barcelona and Athens to choose from. Departing from Miami for the first time, Celebrity Xcel returns to the Caribbean for her second season in winter 2026-27, offering 7-night voyages to destinations like Mexico, The Bahamas and Grand Cayman.• From April 2025, Celestyal Cruises is bringing back the 7-day Heavenly Adriatic itinerary that debuted earlier this year and was built specifically with North American guests in mind. The itinerary sails roundtrip from Athens, featuring late-night stays in Dubrovnik and full days in Kefalonia, Koto in Montenegro, Corfu. It also visits lesser-visited ports such as Bari, an emerging Puglia region, and Katakolo in Greece. There are also a few departures that take in Marghera, Venice. CUNARD• Cuban ballet company Acosta Danza will be on board Cunard’s Queen Victoria for a special 6-week residency. Founded by world-renowned ballerina Carlos Acosta, the company will perform two exclusive shows. In addition to performances, there’ll be workshops and panel discussions, and guests can also watch “Yuli: The Carlos Acosta Story,” a biographical film. The summer sailing, a 14-night Italy and Adriatic voyage, will include port calls to Cephalonia in Greece, Dubrovnik and Barcelona.
• Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Destiny is set for her inaugural season in November 2025, sailing 4- and 5-night cruises to The Bahamas and Western Caribbean from Port Everglades. The heroes- and villains-inspired ship will debut new ways for families to interact with famed characters and stories from the Marvel Universe with all-new spaces and experiences. Highlights include the “Black Panther”-inspired Grand Hall; the Sanctum, the line’s first lounge inspired by the sorcerers and mystical artifacts of Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange”; and the Marvel-inspired Destiny Tower Suite, which will honor Iron Man’s legacy with a luxurious take on the sleek, industrial designs of Tony Stark. • Emerald Cruises’ 180-guest Emerald Astra will be the seventh ship in the Star-Ship fleet when she sets sail in 2026, meandering along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. Closer in, for 2025, the cruise line is readying for fleet-wide enhancements, including the redesign of some spaces, updated layouts and new furniture.• Explora Journeys has unveiled its Chef Invité Series with Michelin-starred Thierry Marx on board EXPLORA II for an 11-night Caribbean sailing from Jan. 24 to Feb. 4 (departing from Miami). Throughout this journey, guests will embark on a gastronomic experience alongside Marx, where they will have the opportunity to participate in cooking workshops, attend exclusive private dinners, explore local markets on guided tours in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe and visit a local herb and vegetable producer for a meet-and-greet and tastings in Antigua. A further highlight of the journey will be an open panel discussion where guests can interact directly with Marx. • Hurtigruten’s Sea Zero project, the zero-emission ship, is scheduled to debut in 2030 sailing entirely emission-free during normal operation with the help of large batteries, sails and other innovative solutions. Energy consumption is set to be reduced by 40-50 percent. One of the most exciting elements is the sails, which can be raised and lowered as needed. So-called “smart cabins” will allow guests to control their own energy usage. Guests would be able to control heating and ventilation through an app and a screen in the cabin, while also seeing how much energy is being used. Meanwhile, HX’s 2026-2027 season lineup will include new itineraries in Antarctica, Alaska, Greenland, Norway and the Galapagos. Samples include the 7-night Ultimate Norway expedition in January 2026, traveling to the Lyngen Alps, Lofoten Islands, Vesteralen and Senja while experiencing polar nights and the Northern Lights; and the 17-day Solar Eclipse Expedition sailing in August 2026, cruising through Greenland, Iceland and Svalbard. • Silversea will have a new collection of over 160 ocean voyages for 2026—already on sale—calling in over 150 destinations in 33 countries, including five maiden calls and 99 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Silversea’s new sailings will coincide with many of the world’s most iconic events and experiences, including the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh and the Monaco Grand Prix. For clients with ample time on their hands, recommend the 50-day Grand Voyage Mediterranean 2026 on board Silver Spirit, departing Lisbon in mid-September in the less busy shoulder season and overnighting in Malaga, Livorno and Istanbul.• Oceania Cruises’ new ship Allura will join the fleet in July 2025, cruising from Trieste, Italy, on July 18 on a 6-day sailing to Athens, with stops in Rijeka, Croatia; Ravenna; Dubrovnik; and Kotor, Montenegro. Following her summer season in the Mediterranean, Allura will sail to Canada and New England for a series of immersive voyages in North America before her premiere winter season in the Caribbean, homeporting in Miami. For new-to-brand travelers who are curious to sample an ultra-premium vacation experience, the line has introduced a 4-day Taste of Oceania Cruises roundtrip sailing from New York Sept. 30-Oct. 4, 2025. • MSC World America will begin sailing out of the cruise line’s shiny new terminal at PortMiami in April 2025. Among the many new offerings expected to debut on board the ship—including the only overwater swings at sea—is an array of new bar and lounge concepts. These include a new sports bar and comedy club, the All-Stars Sports Bar, as well as a microbrewery that’s part of the ship’s British-style pub featuring exclusive new beers developed for the American palate. There will also be options for bourbon lovers at the mixology bar as well as a gin-focused bar. • The first two vessels in the Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) Prima Plus Class, Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna, are set to launch in April 2025 and 2026, respectively. In a nutshell: The soon-to-debut ships will feature NCL’s first-ever Aqua and Luna Game Zone, an all-new gaming experience and an evolution of NCL’s popular Galaxy Pavilion and arcade venues. The sister vessels will boast even more expanded and redesigned spaces, including the Bull’s Eye Bar, a now complimentary experience with interactive dart games and a new full-service bar; and Tee Time, a supercharged version of mini golf where guests can play 12 interactive holes across two decks. Additionally, the Mandara Spa and Salon and Pulse Fitness Center will be refreshed to include design updates. Norwegian Aqua will sail 7-day Caribbean itineraries departing from Port Canaveral, featuring calls to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in The Bahamas. Following the ship’s Caribbean season, it will offer 5- and 7-day voyages to Bermuda from New York City from August 2025 through October 2025 and then cruise 5- and 7-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries from Miami, beginning October 2025 through April 2026.• Set to be delivered in 2026, Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ new ship, Seven Seas Prestige, will boast one of the highest space-to-guest ratios in the cruise industry, according to press material, with a gross tonnage of 77,000, hosting up to 850 guests. Seven Seas Prestige will introduce a reimagined Regent Suite, new accommodation categories and new dining experiences. The ship will be the first of two Prestige-Class ships—Regent’s first new ship class in 10 years. • Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has introduced themed cruises for 2025. The newly developed offerings include a music-themed cruise and an all-inclusive golf package, as well as the brand’s first-ever women’s-only sailing. The Women’s Only Cruise will set sail on Aug. 24 on the Burgundy and Provence itinerary, while the Music Cruise will offer exclusive Music of the Danube sailings on Aug. 3 and Nov. 2 aboard the Enchanting Danube itinerary. The Premium Golf Package is an add-on to the Brilliant Bordeaux itinerary. Available across six summer sailings, this package includes 18-hole rounds at Cabot Bordeaux and St. Emilion.• The 82-guest Viking Sobek—sister ship to Viking Osiris, Viking Aton and Viking Hathor—is Viking’s newest ship on the Nile River, set to sail the line’s 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. The itinerary begins with a 3-night stay in Cairo, followed by a flight to Luxor, where passengers visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak before boarding the ship for an 8-day roundtrip cruise on the Nile River, featuring visits to the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens and the tomb of Tutankhamen in the Valley of the Kings, and excursions to the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex in Qena, the temples at Abu Simbel and the High Dam in Aswan. Viking plans to welcome four additional ships in the next two years—the Viking Amun and the Viking Thoth in 2025 and the Viking Sekhmet and the Viking Ptah in 2026—which would bring Viking’s fleet to 10 vessels on the Nile River.• Virgin Voyages’ fourth vessel, Brilliant Lady, will make her debut in September 2025. For her inaugural season, Brilliant Lady’s North American tour will feature iconic ports of call like New York City to Bermuda and Canada, Los Angeles to Mexico, Miami to the ABC Islands, and Seattle to Alaska, along with a sailing through the Panama Canal. As Virgin Voyages’ final vessel in its current fleet of Lady Ships, Brilliant Lady will carry through many of the signature touches of the previous ships, including red balcony hammocks, top-end eateries—everything from Korean BBQ to Mexican food—a Happenings Cast in lieu of a traditional cruise director and a collection of high-end wellness spaces ranging from a yoga perch with ocean views to a mermaid-inspired spa. What’s new, however, is the adapted frame, meaning Brilliant Lady is designed to sail through the Panama Canal and to navigate rugged new landscapes, including the glaciers and fjords of Alaska. Dividing Rule
Royal Caribbean Set for Perfect Days in MexicoRoyal Caribbean’s Perfect Day delights are coming to Mexico in 2027 with the debut of Perfect Day Mexico in Mahahual, in the country’s Caribbean coast. Highlights include an all-new waterpark; pools and beaches; restaurants and bars; and music. “Perfect Day Mexico will build upon what Perfect Day at Coco Cay has,” said Vicki Freed, Sr. VP, Sales, Trade Support and Service, Royal Caribbean International, “and that is the thrill, the chill, and some of the really wonderful features that our guests love, plus some new bells and whistles. We [will] have a larger footprint in Perfect Day Mexico, where we will have the opportunity to have four berths. “It’s going to be really a very special experience for our guests because we will keep the authentic Mexican flavor…the crafts and the music. Mexico is such a popular destination for North Americans…it’s a very beautiful place to visit, and so we’re very excited to add this destination to our collection.” Freed says that ships leaving both Galveston and Florida ports will have an opportunity to visit Perfect Day Mexico.

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