Andrea Zelinski
As I reported last week, a dozen new ships are scheduled to begin cruising this year. In the first half of the year, we're seeing ships from upscale and luxury lines, like Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Viking and Oceania.
But seven additional ships will launch between August and December, and almost all will be big ships belonging to contemporary or premium lines. Among them will be some with the industry's biggest new tonnage. (Although MSC's World America, which will debut in April, is also quite large, and Norwegian Cruise Line's first Prima Plus ship isn't too tiny, either.)
Here is our lineup of North America-focused cruise ships debuting in August and beyond:
Star of the Seas: Royal's follow-up to the Icon
The Icon of the Seas was a game-changer in the cruise industry when it launched early last year, and on Aug. 31 Royal Caribbean International will debut its sister, the Star of the Seas. The Icon's biggest claim to fame (aside from its size as the largest cruise ship in the world) is incorporating more land-based elements on the ship, like a six-slide water park and train dining-car experience. The Star is expected to do the same.
Brilliant Lady: Virgin's long-anticipated fourth ship
The fourth ship for the Virgin Voyages brand was supposed to launch at the end of 2023, but Virgin hit the pause button on the Brilliant Lady's first revenue sailing until this year so the line could build up its capacity; it's also made some operational changes. (ICYMI, Virgin Voyage's first ship launched in March 2020 as the pandemic took hold, throwing off the brand's original growth plan). The Brilliant Lady will sail its first cruise on Sept. 5 from New York before making its way to Miami, where it will operate in the Caribbean. The ship will then transit the Panama Canal en route to Los Angeles, where it will homeport before shifting to Seattle for a season in Alaska.
Star Princess: Like the Sun, but different
While similar to the Sun Princess, Princess Cruises' newest ship will offer a few distinctions, including newly designated nonsmoking areas of the casino; bigger dedicated space for O'Malley's Irish Pub and Love by Britto; and a new SkyDeck sports court for pickleball, basketball and a jogging track, splash pad and shaded areas for lounging. The ship can hold 4,314 guests at double occupancy. After cruising in the Med in the fall, the ship will primarily sail seven- to 14-day cruises in the Caribbean out of Fort Lauderdale until making its way up to Seattle for an Alaska season in May 2026.
Douglas Mawson: A new expedition ship
The Douglas Mawson, named for the Australian geologist and explorer, will be the third expedition ship for Aurora Expeditions. The 154-passenger vessel will be the first of Aurora's ships to return to East Antarctica in 13 years, following the path the explorer took departing from Hobart and semi-circumnavigating Antarctica. It will sail north after the Antarctica season to the British Isles and Mediterranean.
Celebrity Xcel: Different from Edge sisters
The fifth and final Edge-class ship from Celebrity is due in November, sailing out of Fort Lauderdale. But if you think you've seen the Edge class, think again: President Laura Hodges Bethge teased that the Celebrity Xcel will differ from its sisters with seven new experiences. The 3,248-passenger Xcel will begin in the Caribbean and move to Europe in the summer of 2026.
Disney Destiny: Villians and heroes
After the Disney Wish embraced a theme of whimsical enchantment, and the Disney Treasure offered a sense of adventure, Disney Cruise Line's third ship will take on the dichotomy of villains and heroes. The ship is the third in the Wish class and will feature the same structure as its older sisters while offering some all-new venues, like De Vil's piano lounge paying homage to the fur-caped villain of "One Hundred and One Dalmatians" fame. The ship is expected to sail four- and five-night cruises from Port Everglades beginning Nov. 20.
Disney Adventure: A unique ship for Asia
This is our one exception to the list of ships meant for the North American audience, but it was too big to pass up. Disney Cruise Line will debut not one ship but two this year: The second is the Disney Adventure, which will begin sailing short cruises from Singapore on Dec. 15 and will cater to the Asian market -- though U.S. advisors are also excited about the Adventure. The ship was acquired from liquidators, partially built, in late 2022 after former-owner Genting Hong Kong ceased operations. Unlike the 144,000 gross-ton Disney Destiny, which belongs to the Wish class, the Adventure is a breed of its own. The Adventure is estimated to be 208,000 gross tons and can accommodate 6,700 passengers and 2,500 crew members.