Norwegian Cruise Line has made two announcements this week that could be extremely frustrating to guests, with a number of cruises cancelled and one cruise badly affected by upgrade works.
The first announcement was a significant redeployment of the cruise line’s ships for 2025, which will impact cruises on seven ships.
These include Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Star, Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Viva.
Select cruises for each of these ships have now been cancelled, with various reasons given – some are due to the continuing issues in the Red Sea, some are full ship charters, and some are due to the cruise line wanting to send more of the fleet to the Panama Canal.
Guests who were booked on these cruises will now receive a full refund along with a 10% Future Cruise Credit to apply to any other cruise with NCL before 31st December 2025.
The full list of cancellations are:
Norwegian Epic – 1st November and 11th November 2025 sailings
Norwegian Jade – 20th February, 4th March, 13th March and 24th March 2025 sailings
Norwegian Pearl – 19th April, 5th May, 16th May, 27th May, 5th June and 15 October 2025 sailings
Norwegian Sky – all sailings between 19th April and 5th June 2025
Norwegian Spirit – 1st January 2025 sailing
Norwegian Star – 17th May, 29th May and 9th June 2025 sailings
Norwegian Viva – 18th May, 27th May, 20th September and 29th September 2025 sailings
If that wasn’t frustrating enough for NCL guests, another announcement could be extremely disappointing for guests on the Norwegian Viva’s transatlantic cruise set to depart on 7th April 2024.
While that cruise is going ahead, the cruise line has written to guests to let them know that several areas of the ship will be closed during the cruise, as they are being upgraded.
While most of the enhancements have not been disclosed, the cruise line has announced that the Speedway Bar will be converted to Entourage, a hangout space for teenagers.
Other closed areas of the ship include part of Galaxy’s Pavilion (the TV gaming space), the Tee-Time minigolf course, The Wave (a popular water slide) and some other gaming spaces.
The cruise line did say that, if any of the areas could reopen during the cruise, they would and announcements would be made onboard.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
A lot of cruise lines offer additional packages and passes that you can book for your cruise to save some money or to unlock some additional perks.
MSC’s Fun Pass is one example, but I have to be honest – it’s one of the most confusing extra packages I’ve ever seen on a cruise!
There’s all kinds of different information from MSC that seems to be contradictory, but I’ve unpicked it all and made sense of it to bring you this simple, easy-to-understand guide to the MSC Fun Pass, and crucially, whether it’s worth buying.
What is the MSC Fun Pass?
The MSC Fun Pass is a pass you can book before you cruise or once onboard, though you’ll get the best deal if you pre-book. It offers you savings on lots of the onboard entertainment facilities on your MSC ship, such as the 4D cinema, bowling and more.
It’s actually two different passes, depending on which ship you sail on. There is:
The More You Play, The Less You Pay
All You Can Enjoy
You don’t get to pick one, and they work very differently.
How The MSC Fun Pass Works
The two different MSC Fun Passes don’t offer the same deal, so let me explain them separately.
1. The More You Play, The Less You Pay – Explained
This pass is available on MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Bellissima, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview. It’s also available on MSC Euribia, MSC Seashore and MSC Seascape, but the MSC website doesn’t tell you that.
This pass works by giving you free credit to use when you pay for a pass in advance – either before you cruise, or when you’re onboard. You get more bonus credit when booking before the cruise.
You’ll pay for the pass and your credit – including the bonus amount – is added to the pass. Every time you then use one of the entertainment facilities on the ship, the credit is deducted from the pass until you run out, at which point you’re charged as normal on your cruise account.
The amount of bonus you get on the ship depends on how much you pay, but before you cruise there’s just one flat fee option, which I’ll explain below.
Here’s a breakdown of the attractions it can be used with:
*On video games, it doesn’t include arcade games where you can win prizes, only video game machines.
2. All You Can Enjoy Pass – Explained
The MSC All You Can Enjoy Pass is available on the MSC Magnifica, MSC Fantasia, MSC Divina, MSC Splendida and MSC Preziosa.
This pass gives you unlimited use of the included entertainment facilities – you pay a single fee for your pass for the cruise, and then you can use the facilities as much as you want.
This pass is much easier to understand since it’s unlimited – once you’ve paid for the pass, you can then use these facilities without incurring any extra charges.
Here are the facilities it covers:
Attractions
MSC Magnifica
MSC Fantasia
MSC Divina, MSC Splendida, MSC Preziosa
4D Cinema
YES
YES
YES
F1 Simulator
No
YES
YES
Mini Bowling
YES
No
YES
Billiards
YES
No
No
Video Games
No
No
No
Buying Merchandise
No
No
No
MSC Fun Pass Cost & Value
In determining the value of the two different Fun Passes, you need to understand the cost involved, and what you actually save by purchasing them.
The More You Play – Value
The More You Play Fun Pass can be bought onboard the ship, or you can pay for it before you travel.
If you book before you cruise, you’ll get the best value:
Currency Onboard
What You’ll Pay
Bonus Received
Total Credit
GBP – £
£100
£80
£180
Euro – €
€100
€80
€180
USD – $
$70
$70
$140
These prices may change – the information MSC provides is contradictory in places, but you get the idea – you get a lot of free extra credit when you book in advance.
If you pay for a Fun Pass on the ship, you’ll still get bonus credit, but it won’t be as much. The percentage bonus you get will depend on how much you pay upfront. Here are some example amounts – again, these may vary by sailing:
What You’ll Pay
Bonus Received
Total Credit
£25
£5 (20%)
£30
£50
£10 (20%)
£50
£70
£20 (28.5%)
£90
£100
£40 (40%)
£140
£150
£70 (47%)
£220
You still get the best value pre-booking since you’ll get between 80-100% extra credit free, but booking on the ship is still good value.
As a guide, here’s the cost of all the attractions that are included, so you can see how quickly you’ll burn through your credit:
Attraction
Cost
Interactive Cinema
£10 adults, £8 children
F1 Simulator
£12
Bowling
£25 for 30 minutes, £45 per hour, £2 shoe rental
Billiards
£20 per hour
Zip Line
£10 per use
Flight Simulator
£15
VR Maze
£12
Video Games
£1.50 to £5
Buying Merch
Various
The important thing to note is that these passes can be shared – you can buy one, and everyone in your family can use it. You don’t need individual passes.
All You Can Enjoy – Value
It’s a lot harder to judge the cost of the All You Can Enjoy Fun Pass because the cost varies depending on the demand and the individual itinerary, including the length. It makes sense for an unlimited pass that the longer you cruise, the more it should cost.
I’ve seen some people booking a 7-night cruise saying they paid around $80 or £100 but it’s not a per-night fee, and it’ll depend on how busy the ship is likely to be.
The only way to know how much it’ll cost will be to check the MSC website once you’ve booked, and try to add it on for your cruise.
You can book this pass when you’re on the ship, but you’ll save 20% on the final cost if you book it before you sail. Also these are per-person passes and you can’t share them.
The activities do cost less on the ships that offer this pass – for example, it’s mini bowling rather than full bowling lanes, and the 4D cinema isn’t as good as the fully interactive cinemas on the other ships.
Attraction
Cost
4D Cinema
£8
F1 Simulator
£12
Mini Bowling
£5 per person, per game
Billiards
£20 per hour
So, is the MSC Fun Pass worth it or not?
Whether the MSC Fun Pass is worth it entirely depends on which ship you’re sailing on (and therefore which pass you can buy), and how much you’ll use the onboard entertainment amenities.
If you’ll use them a lot, it likely is worth buying, especially on the More You Play pass, since it’s free credits – if you would’ve spent £180 on those amenities anyway, then paying £100 for the £180 of credit is amazing value!
But, if you’re likely to spend less, or if you’re on one of the ships offering the All You Can Play pass and it’s a bit out of your price range, then don’t pay for it, and just pay for the attractions as you use them instead.
For a lot of people, you’ll be too busy relaxing in the bars, sunbathing by the pool or exploring the ports you visit. However, if your family loves these attractions, then I’d definitely recommend checking them out.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Can you take a dog on a cruise? On almost every major cruise line, only if it is a trained service dog. Emotional support dogs are not accepted by Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, Norwegian, Princess and most other big lines. The one real exception for ordinary pets is Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, which has onboard kennels for dogs and cats on its transatlantic crossings.
That is the short answer. Below we explain why emotional support animals are treated differently, compare the main cruise lines’ rules, look at the Queen Mary 2 kennels, and set out what service dog handlers need to do before sailing. Policies were checked against official cruise line and government sources in November 2026, but rules change, so always confirm with your line before you book.
Service dog vs emotional support dog: why the difference matters
Cruise lines sailing from US ports follow the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) definition of a service animal. In 2005 the US Supreme Court ruled in Spector v. Norwegian Cruise Line that Title III of the ADA can apply to foreign-flagged cruise ships in US waters, and the lines have built their policies around it.
Under the ADA, a service animal is a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Examples include guiding someone who is blind, alerting to a seizure or pulling a wheelchair.
An emotional support animal (ESA) provides comfort just by being there. That can be very real and important to its owner, but because the animal is not trained to perform a specific task, it is not a service animal under the ADA. Cruise lines are therefore free to refuse ESAs, and almost all of them do. Royal Caribbean stopped accepting emotional support animals in 2018, and Carnival states plainly that it does not allow emotional support dogs because the US Department of Justice does not recognize them.
What about psychiatric service dogs?
This is the point many ESA owners miss. A psychiatric service dog that is trained to perform a specific task (for example, deep pressure therapy during a panic attack, or interrupting self-harm behavior) is a service dog, not an ESA. Cruise lines that accept service dogs accept psychiatric service dogs on the same terms. What counts is the trained task, not the diagnosis. If your dog only provides companionship, it will not qualify, and a letter from a therapist will not change that.
Emotional support animal cruise rules: line-by-line comparison
The table below summarizes the published policies of the main cruise lines that sail from North America and Europe. “Pets” means ordinary pets traveling as pets rather than as working animals.
Cruise line
Service dogs
Emotional support animals
Pets
Notes
Cunard
Yes
No (ESAs would have to travel as pets)
Yes, Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossings only
Dogs and cats stay in the onboard kennels, not in cabins
Royal Caribbean
Yes
No
No
ESAs banned since 2018
Celebrity Cruises
Yes
No
No
Shared 4 x 4 ft mulch relief areas; ask at least 60 days ahead about any non-service animal needed for a disability
Carnival
Yes
No
No
Service Animal form due at least 30 days before sailing; dogs in training not allowed
Norwegian (NCL)
Yes
No
No
Book at least two weeks ahead; relief box provided
Princess
Yes, with prior approval
No
No
Relief area on an outside deck
Holland America
Yes
No (only trained service animals)
No
Therapy and companion animals excluded
Disney Cruise Line
Yes
Policy covers trained service animals only
No
Notify Disney at least 30 days before sailing
MSC Cruises
Recognized assistance dogs only
Not listed; check before booking
No
Approval must be requested at booking
Smaller luxury and expedition lines generally follow the same pattern. If your line is not listed, ask its access team in writing.
Port entry rules decide whether a dog can go ashore. Photo: Learna Barrett on Pexels
Cruise lines that allow dogs as pets: Queen Mary 2 kennels
If you are searching for cruise lines that allow dogs as ordinary pets, the list is very short. Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is the only major ocean liner with a permanent kennel program. It operates on transatlantic crossings, mainly between New York and Southampton, with some crossings starting or ending in Hamburg. Both dogs and cats are accepted.
Key facts as of late 2026:
Capacity: Queen Mary 2’s 2016 remastering added 12 kennels for a total of 24, plus an owners’ lounge and a larger outdoor exercise area (complete with a British lamppost and an American fire hydrant). Spaces are limited and popular crossings sell out well in advance.
Price: Cunard’s kennel terms for bookings made on or after 18 May 2026 list a fee of US$2,500 per kennel, per voyage, on top of your own fare. A US$250 deposit is due at booking and is non-refundable, with the balance usually due about 120 days before sailing. Older articles quoting $800 to $1,500 are out of date.
Cancellation: Charges rise as departure approaches, from 10% of the kennel fee at 120+ days out to 100% inside 29 days.
Care: A dedicated Kennel Master looks after the animals. Owners can visit during set hours, and Cunard offers a choice of pet food or you can bring your own.
Size and breed: Very large dogs may need two kennels, and some breeds have historically been refused. Check Cunard’s current kennel FAQ for your dog before you book.
Pets do not stay in your cabin and cannot roam the ship. An emotional support dog would sail on Queen Mary 2 as a pet in the kennels, not alongside you. Service dogs, however, stay with their handler as on other lines. For more on the ship itself, see our comparison of Cunard’s ships, and if you are booking a crossing with a pet, our guide to Queen Mary 2 cabins to avoid will help you pick a quieter stateroom.
What happened to the dog-friendly cruise charters?
In 2024 and 2025 there was a lot of excitement about Cruise Tails, a charter that planned to take hundreds of dogs on a Margaritaville at Sea sailing from Florida. The inaugural sailing did not go ahead, and Cruise Tails’ sailings were later cancelled. Treat any new “dog cruise” announcements with caution until a mainstream line confirms them.
How to take a service dog on a cruise: step by step
Taking a service dog on a cruise is very doable, but it needs more planning than a flight. These steps apply to most major lines.
Tell the cruise line early. Deadlines vary: Carnival asks for its Service Animal form at least 30 days before sailing, Disney wants 30 days’ notice, NCL asks you to book at least two weeks ahead, and Princess requires prior approval. Earlier is always better, especially if you need a specific relief material.
Describe the trained task. Several lines ask what work or task your dog performs. You do not need to disclose your medical condition, but be ready to explain the task.
Collect health paperwork. Expect to provide current vaccination records including rabies, and often the microchip number. NCL also asks for a USDA or international health certificate. Note that many ports only accept annual rabies vaccinations, not three-year shots.
Check every port of call. Each country sets its own rules, and some may not allow the dog ashore at all. NCL notes that service dogs cannot go ashore in Jamaica, and Iceland has strict quarantine rules. Carnival warns that Mexican ports require parasite treatment within 15 days before arrival and that Grand Turk needs an import license. The USDA APHIS Pet Travel site lists requirements by country.
Sort the CDC return requirements. Since August 2024, every dog entering or returning to the US needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, must be at least six months old and must have a scannable microchip. Carnival lists the CDC receipt among its embarkation documents.
Plan for relief areas. Ships provide a relief box or mulch area, usually on an outer crew or open deck. Practice with the same material at home in the weeks before you sail.
Pack for the dog. Bring all food, medication, bowls, waste bags and a canine life jacket. Lines will not feed your dog from the restaurants.
Carry originals. Hand-carry original documents, and leave copies with Guest Services once aboard.
Paperwork for each port is the handler's responsibility. Photo: Marta Branco on Pexels
Port entry rules for a service dog on a cruise
The cruise line accepts your dog; each country decides whether it can step ashore.
Returning to the US
For US-vaccinated dogs that have only been in rabies-free or low-risk countries, the CDC Dog Import Form receipt, microchip and minimum age are generally enough. If the itinerary includes a country the CDC classes as high-risk for dog rabies, extra paperwork (a USDA-endorsed Certification of US-issued Rabies Vaccination) is needed. One genuinely helpful detail from the CDC: a service dog that stays aboard the ship while it docks in a high-risk country is not treated as having been in that country. If a port’s rules look too complex, leaving your dog on board for that day can simplify your return. Just remember most lines do not allow dogs to be left unattended, so you may need to stay on board too.
Europe and the UK
For Mediterranean or Northern Europe cruises, US dogs generally need a microchip, a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel, and an EU animal health certificate completed by a USDA-accredited vet and endorsed by APHIS. Great Britain has its own pet travel rules. Allow several months for paperwork.
Caribbean and Mexico
Island nations often require import permits issued in advance, some charge inspection or landing fees, and breed restrictions may apply. Tell shore excursion operators about your dog when you book.
Practical tips for cruising with a service dog
Choose a cabin near an exit or elevator. It makes trips to the relief area easier, particularly at night.
Know the off-limits areas. Pools, hot tubs, spas and food preparation areas are closed to dogs on all the lines above. Dining rooms are usually fine, but you cannot feed the dog there.
Keep the dog leashed or harnessed and under control at all times. Crew members cannot look after your dog for you.
Check your travel insurance. Being denied boarding or shore access because of paperwork is rarely covered. Our cruise insurance buyer’s guide explains what to look for.
Can you bring an emotional support dog on a cruise?
Not on major lines such as Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, Norwegian or Princess, which accept only trained service dogs. The only way to bring a non-service dog on a big ship is as a pet in the Queen Mary 2 kennels on a transatlantic crossing.
Where do dogs go to the bathroom on a cruise ship?
Ships set up a relief area for service dogs, usually a box or patch of mulch, sod or similar material on an outer deck away from guest traffic. Some lines let you request your dog’s preferred material in advance.
Which transatlantic cruise ships are dog friendly?
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is the only major ship that carries pet dogs and cats on transatlantic crossings, mainly between New York and Southampton. It has 24 kennels, and the fee for bookings made since May 2026 is US$2,500 per kennel.
Is there a fee to bring a service dog on a cruise?
Cruise lines do not charge a fee for trained service dogs. You may still pay for vet certificates, permits, USDA endorsements and port inspection fees, which can add up.
Do I need a CDC form for a service dog on a cruise?
Yes. Every dog entering or returning to the US, including service dogs, needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, a readable microchip and to be at least six months old. Extra documents apply if you visit high-risk countries.
Carnival Corporation has announced that it has placed an order for another Excel-class ship for the Carnival Cruise Line fleet, due to set sail in 2028.
The ship will be the fifth Excel-class ship sailing for the Carnival brand and the 11th built by the corporation overall.
She will be capable of carrying over 6,400 guests and 1,800 crew like her sisters, and she will also be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), the cleaner fuel type that the rest of the Excel-class ships are currently using.
There are currently three Excel-class ships sailing for Carnival – Mardi Gras (2021), Carnival Celebration (2022) and Carnival Jubilee (2023). A fourth has already been confirmed and will arrive one year earlier than the newest-announced vessel, in spring 2027.
Carnival’s Excel-class fleet will soon be a quintet of these very popular ships that provide outstanding guest amenities and tremendous operating efficiencies. Since the introduction of Mardi Gras in 2021 and the subsequent expansion with Carnival Celebration in 2022 and Carnival Jubilee in 2023, these Excel-class ships are driving excitement, demand, and strong guest satisfaction ratings.
Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line president
Neither the fourth or fifth ships have had their names revealed yet, with details like that typically being announced between 18 months and 3 years before the ships are completed.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
The new cruise ships of 2024 were a strong group. Ten major ocean ships actually entered service that year, from Royal Caribbean’s record-breaking Icon of the Seas in January to Disney Treasure just before Christmas. Two of the ships most often listed as “2024 launches”, Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady and TUI’s Mein Schiff Relax, didn’t sail until 2025.
Many lists of new cruise ships for 2024 were written before the year began, so they still show early estimates. This guide looks back instead. It gives the month each ship really debuted, its size, and where it sails now for the 2026-27 seasons, with fleet changes up to October 2026.
New cruise ships 2024 at a glance
Here’s the year in one table. Tonnage is approximate (lines and registries round it differently). Guest numbers are at double occupancy unless noted.
Ship
Cruise line
Debut (2024)
Guests
Gross tons
Where it sails now (2026-27)
Icon of the Seas
Royal Caribbean
January
5,610
~248,000
7-night Caribbean from Miami; moves to Galveston from August 2027
Sun Princess
Princess Cruises
February
4,300
~177,900
Caribbean in winter 2026-27 from Fort Lauderdale, San Juan and Port Canaveral; Europe in summer
Queen Anne
Cunard
May
~2,950
~113,000
Mainly from Southampton (Europe, Canaries, longer voyages); joins P&O in 2029
Silver Ray
Silversea
June
728
~54,700
Europe in summer; winter regions vary by season
Mein Schiff 7
TUI Cruises
June
~2,900
~111,000
Northern Europe in summer, warm-weather routes in winter (German-speaking market)
Utopia of the Seas
Royal Caribbean
July
5,668
~236,900
3- and 4-night Bahamas trips from Port Canaveral, with a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay
Ilma
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
September
448
n/a
Mediterranean in summer, Caribbean in winter
Explora II
Explora Journeys
Late summer
922
~64,000
Mediterranean in summer, the Americas in winter
Viking Vela
Viking
December
998
~54,300
Mediterranean and Northern Europe, plus winter Northern Lights voyages to Norway
Disney Treasure
Disney Cruise Line
December
~2,500
~144,000
7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean from Port Canaveral
The big ships: Icon, Utopia, Sun Princess and Disney Treasure
Icon of the Seas (January 2024)
Icon of the Seas started sailing from Miami on 27 January 2024 and was the year’s headline ship. It has a full waterpark (Category 6), the Thrill Island and Surfside areas, and the AquaDome. Royal Caribbean also built it around family suites. It was the world’s largest cruise ship until its Icon-class sister Star of the Seas arrived in August 2025. Icon is now one of three nearly identical giants.
Where it sails now: week-long Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from PortMiami. Royal Caribbean has confirmed Icon will move to Galveston, Texas, from August 2027, so the 2026-27 winter is likely its last full season from Miami.
Utopia of the Seas (July 2024)
Utopia is the sixth Oasis-class ship. Royal Caribbean designed it for short getaways rather than week-long holidays. It has a party-focused layout, a dry slide called the Ultimate Abyss, and the line’s first train-themed restaurant. It still sails mostly 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral, nearly all with a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay. If you’re trying to choose between Royal Caribbean’s two 2024 ships, our Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas comparison covers the differences in detail.
Sun Princess (February 2024)
Sun Princess was the first of Princess Cruises’ Sphere-class ships. Its debut slipped twice, and its maiden voyage finally left Civitavecchia on 28 February 2024. Its standout features are the glass-domed Dome entertainment venue and the Spheres atrium. It’s also the largest ship Princess has ever built. Our Sun Princess ship guide covers the venues, cabins and dining.
Where it sails now: for winter 2026-27, Sun Princess is in the Caribbean and Bahamas, with departures from Fort Lauderdale, San Juan and Port Canaveral. It spends summers in Europe.
Disney Treasure (December 2024)
Disney Treasure is the second Wish-class ship. Its maiden voyage left Port Canaveral on 21 December 2024. The ship has an adventure theme, with a Coco-inspired restaurant, a Haunted Mansion lounge and “The Tale of Moana” in the theater. Its schedule has stayed simple: 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral through 2027. In November 2027 Disney Wish and Disney Destiny join it there, which will put all three Wish-class ships in the same port for one season.
The smaller 2024 launches focused on suites and space per guest. Photo: Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels
Luxury and premium cruise ships launched in 2024
Queen Anne (May 2024)
Queen Anne was Cunard’s first new ship since 2010. Her maiden voyage left Southampton on 3 May 2024. She brought a more contemporary look to the Cunard style and added more dining choices than her older fleetmates. She still sails mainly from Southampton, on Northern Europe, Mediterranean, Canary Islands and longer voyages.
The big change: in October 2026 Carnival Corporation announced that Queen Anne will leave Cunard. She will join P&O Cruises in May 2029, after the Four Queens event in Liverpool in 2028 and a last world cruise, and will be refitted and renamed first. P&O’s Arcadia leaves that fleet on 21 August 2029 and moves to Holland America Line. You can read more in our report on how Carnival Corporation is moving Queen Anne to P&O and Arcadia to Holland America. If you’ve always wanted to sail her as a Cunarder, you can book her under Cunard until spring 2029.
Silver Ray (June 2024)
Silver Ray is the second Nova-class ship for Silversea. Like Silver Nova, it has an asymmetric layout with a lot of glass, and it’s designed to burn less fuel than older ships. It carries just 728 guests in all-suite accommodation. Europe is its main summer region, and its winter deployment changes from year to year, so check Silversea’s current schedule.
Ilma (September 2024)
Ilma is the second ship from the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and it’s bigger than the first, Evrima. Ilma was delivered in July 2024 and sailed its first cruise from Monte Carlo on 2 September 2024. It carries up to 448 guests in 224 suites. It uses a superyacht-style pattern: Mediterranean summers, Caribbean winters, with overnights in smaller harbors.
Explora II (late summer 2024)
Explora II is MSC Group’s second luxury ship for Explora Journeys. Its first sailings were pushed back by a few weeks, so it debuted in late summer 2024 instead of early August. It carries 922 guests in ocean-front suites. Like its sister Explora I, it spends summers in the Mediterranean and winters in North America and the Caribbean.
Viking Vela (December 2024)
Some early lists suggested Viking Vela had been delayed beyond 2024, but it arrived on time. Fincantieri delivered it on 3 December 2024, and it sailed from Civitavecchia on 12 December. At about 54,300 tons and 998 guests, it’s a slightly larger version of Viking’s familiar ocean ship design. It sails mainly in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, and it runs winter “In Search of the Northern Lights” voyages along the Norwegian coast.
Mein Schiff 7 (June 2024)
Mein Schiff 7 debuted in June 2024 for TUI Cruises, the German brand (not the UK’s Marella). TUI Cruises built it with lower-emission fuels in mind. It sells mainly to German-speaking guests and spends summers in Northern Europe, then moves to warmer routes in winter.
The cruise ships that slipped out of 2024
Lists of new cruise ships for 2024 often included ships that didn’t arrive that year. Here are the main ones:
Brilliant Lady (Virgin Voyages): first expected in 2024, then delayed. It finally started sailing from New York in September 2025.
Mein Schiff Relax (TUI Cruises): the first of a new, larger class for TUI. Its maiden season began in 2025.
World Seeker (Mystic Cruises / Atlas Ocean Voyages): this small expedition ship’s delivery dates kept moving, and it didn’t join the class of 2024.
Two more ships arrived in 2024 but are easy to overlook. American Cruise Lines added American Liberty and American Legend, each with about 109 guests, for its US coastal routes. Oceanwide Expeditions also added the expedition ship Janssonius for polar trips.
Most of the 2024 launches have now settled into regular homeports. Photo: Mingyang LIU on Pexels
How the 2024 ships compare two years on
With two or three seasons behind them, these ships are easier to judge than they were on launch day. A few points to keep in mind:
Size is no longer unique. Icon of the Seas was the world’s largest ship in 2024, but Star of the Seas (2025) and the newer Icon-class ships now match or slightly beat it. You choose Icon for its itinerary and homeport now, not the record.
Launch problems are over. Sun Princess had technical problems in its first months and once swapped a port call because of them. Ships settle down after their first season, so a 2026-27 sailing doesn’t carry those launch-year risks.
Homeport changes matter more than age. Icon’s move to Galveston, Disney’s three Wish-class ships sharing Port Canaveral from November 2027, and Queen Anne’s move to P&O will change who books these ships and where. If you’ve wanted a particular ship from a particular port, check when that arrangement ends.
Prices have settled. Most new ships charge their highest fares in the first season. Two years later, regular sales and lower-demand dates often cost noticeably less than the launch prices.
Which 2024 cruise ship is right for you?
Families wanting maximum activities: Icon of the Seas for a full week, or Utopia of the Seas for a short Bahamas break.
Disney fans: Disney Treasure, especially if you want its longer 7-night Caribbean routes.
Mainstream travelers who like a calmer atmosphere: Sun Princess, which has new-ship features and a more relaxed feel.
Traditional British cruising: Queen Anne. Book before 2029 if you want to sail her as a Cunard ship.
Small-ship luxury: Silver Ray, Explora II or Ilma, depending on whether you want a classic luxury cruise line, a resort feel or a yacht-style trip.
Ten major ocean ships entered service in 2024: Icon of the Seas, Sun Princess, Queen Anne, Silver Ray, Mein Schiff 7, Utopia of the Seas, Ilma, Explora II, Viking Vela and Disney Treasure. American Cruise Lines also added two small coastal ships, American Liberty and American Legend.
What was the biggest new cruise ship of 2024?
Icon of the Seas, at roughly 248,000 gross tons and 5,610 guests at double occupancy. It held the world’s-largest title until its Icon-class sister Star of the Seas arrived in 2025.
Which cruise ships planned for 2024 were delayed?
Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady slipped to September 2025, and TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff Relax moved to 2025. Sun Princess launched about four weeks late in February 2024, and Explora II’s debut was also pushed back a few weeks.
Is Queen Anne leaving Cunard?
Yes. In October 2026 Carnival Corporation said Queen Anne will join P&O Cruises in May 2029, after a final world cruise for Cunard. She will be refitted and renamed. P&O’s Arcadia moves to Holland America Line later in 2029.
Are the 2024 cruise ships worth booking now?
Yes for most people. They’re still among the newest ships at sea, and the early problems are long fixed. Prices have also settled down since their first seasons, when they were most in demand.
I love a new cruise ship – there’s always something to get excited about. Even if it’s a sister ship to one that’s already sailing, there are normally a few new features, or at least the chance to experience that class of ship in some new destinations.
And in 2025, we’re hardly getting shortchanged – there’s an impressive 15 new cruise ships due to launch that year, although one of them is a little different from anything I’ve heard of before.
Let’s take a look at all 15 cruise ships that are due to launch in 2025, though be aware, delays aren’t uncommon and some of these could slip into 2026.
1. Mein Schiff Relax
Cruise line: TUI Cruises
Gross Tonnage: 160,000
Capacity: 3,894
Expected delivery: March 2025
Mein Schiff Relax is scheduled to be the eighth ship in the TUI Cruises fleet, primarily aimed at the German cruise market (though it’s far from exclusive and anyone’s welcome to book).
She’ll be quite distinct from the seven ships that have come before her, as she’ll be the first in the new InTUItion class.
Apart from being almost 50% bigger, she’ll have new features to look forward to, including single occupancy cabins for the first time on a TUI ship, and the beautiful Freedom Suite – a two-storey option that sleeps up to six guests.
She’ll also be the first TUI ship to be powered by LNG, a cleaner fuel type. She’s due to be joined by a sister ship in 2026.
2. MSC World America
Cruise line: MSC Cruises
Gross Tonnage: 215,863
Capacity: 6,762
Expected delivery: April 2025
The second World Class ship to launch for MSC Cruises, MSC World America will join MSC World Europa as the largest ships in the fleet.
She’ll also be the biggest MSC Cruises ship to sail around the Caribbean, offering cruises to the eastern and western sides of the region from Miami, including visits to MSC’s private island Ocean Cay Marine Reserve.
She’ll continue the trend of recent MSC ships to blend innovative tech with sleek, modern design. There’ll be more than 30 bars, lounges and restaurants where guests can unwind, along with a host of leisure facilities including the MSC SportPlex with rollerskate arena, and plenty of live entertainment in the theatres and lounges, along with pop-up experiences all over the ship.
3. Norwegian Aqua
Cruise line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Gross Tonnage: 156,000
Capacity: 3,550
Expected delivery: April 2025
Norwegian Cruise Line is set to introduce a new sub-class of ship with Norwegian Aqua. She’ll be the first Prima Plus ship, taking the design of the existing Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Aqua and expanding upon it.
Norwegian Aqua won’t be the biggest ship in the fleet – the Breakaway Plus subclass keeps that title – but she will offer a huge range of exciting features.
Chief among those will be the Aqua Slidecoaster, the world’s first combination rollercoaster and waterslide (not just at sea, but anywhere in the world!).
Guests can also look forward to relaxing in the sumptuous Infinity Beach area, bracing the glass-floored Oceanwalk, and the most luxurious Haven accommodations yet.
Norwegian Aqua will offer sailings from New York, Port Canaveral and Miami, with itineraries including calls at NCL’s private resort Great Stirrup Cay.
4. Allura
Cruise line: Oceania Cruises
Gross Tonnage: 68,000
Capacity: 1,200
Expected delivery: May 2025
Typically, when a cruise line names a class after a ship, it’s the first ship in that class given the naming right. Typically, but not always. Oceania is making an exception, as Allura is set to become the second ship in the new Allura Class, following her sister ship Vista which launched in 2023.
Expect a continuation of everything that makes Oceania’s ships so great, including incredible dining options as part of The Finest Cuisine at Sea.
There’ll also be beautiful luxury accommodations that you can book, and exciting experiences. Allura will have a focus on mixology, with “experiential beverage carts” taking cocktails to whole new levels.
Allura’s inaugural season will include sailings in the Eastern Mediterranean and then around the Americas.
5. American Patriot
Cruise line: American Cruise Lines
Gross Tonnage: TBA
Capacity: 125
Expected delivery: June 2025
American Cruise Lines is a smaller cruise company based in the US (and before you say “duh”, Norwegian Cruise Line ISN’T based in Norway, even if it was founded there, so it’s a valid point…).
They offer a mix of coastal and Great Lakes cruises, and American Patriot will be the first of two new Coastal Cat ships, part of a new Patriot Class.
She’s set to offer cruises in the New England region, and will accommodate up to 125 guests across just 56 suites, all of which have a private balcony. Her inaugural sailing will be a 14-night cruise from Boston.
6. Viking Vesta
Cruise line: Viking Cruises
Gross Tonnage: 47,000
Capacity: 998
Expected delivery: July 2025
Viking Vesta will be the 12th ocean cruise ship in the Viking fleet – this is one company that loves to build a large fleet, as we’ve already seen with their river cruise arm.
Like her sister ship Viking Vela, which launches in December 2024, she’ll be larger than the previous 10 ships in the fleet, though not by much – she will still offer a luxury experience for under 1,000 guests.
Expect the same high-class facilities as you’d find across the rest of the fleet, including several bars and lounges, a main dining room and two speciality restaurants, a winter garden and two separate pool decks. She’ll also feature stunning accommodations including the Owner’s Suite, which has its own private library, an ocean-view dry sauna and more.
Viking Vesta will offer cruises all across Europe in her inaugural season.
7. Luminara
Cruise line: Ritz-Carlton Yacht Cruises
Gross Tonnage: 46,750
Capacity: 452
Expected delivery: July 2025
Luminara will be the third superyacht sailing for Ritz Carlton, the company that also owns several of the most luxurious hotels around the world.
She will have 226 suites available to guests with an incredible space ratio, including two categories of suite that have 1,000 square feet of space.
The ship will feature five restaurants and six bars, as well as a wine vault for the wine connoisseurs out there. She’ll also feature an expanded marina, allowing guests to enjoy even more water sports activities directly from the ship.
Her maiden season will be spent in the Mediterranean.
8. Star Princess
Cruise line: Princess Cruises
Gross Tonnage: 175,500
Capacity: 4,300
Expected delivery: August 2025
The third ship named Star Princess to have sailed for Princess Cruises over the years, this latest vessel will set sail in the second half of 2025 and join Sun Princess in the Sphere Class.
It’s expected that she’ll be an almost identical twin, though Princess Cruises may have some surprises up their sleeves as we get closer to her launch.
She’ll have a huge range of bars and restaurants available and 1,500 cabins with balconies. She’ll also be the second Princess ship to be powered by LNG.
The Signature Suites return, as does the impressive dome, where guests can enjoy a wide variety of entertainment throughout their cruise. Her inaugural season will include cruises throughout Europe.
9. Star of the Seas
Cruise line: Royal Caribbean
Gross Tonnage: 250,800
Capacity: 7,600
Expected delivery: August 2025
Royal Caribbean has a habit of making very small adjustments to cruise ship sizes when new ships are launched within a class – so, while it is yet to be confirmed, there’s a good chance that Star of the Seas will be the standalone biggest cruise ship in the world when she arrives in 2025.
Failing that, she’ll share the title with her sister ship, Icon of the Seas.
We do know that Star of the Seas won’t be an identical twin when it comes to the features onboard, but we don’t yet know what the differences will be.
She will still retain many of the features that Icon of the Seas guests already love, including the Category 6 waterpark, the Swim & Tonic bar and so much more.
Star of the Seas will sail from Port Canaveral and offer cruises to both the Eastern and Western Caribbean, with every cruise including a visit to the private island Perfect Day at CocoCay.
10. Celebrity Xcel
Cruise line: Celebrity Cruises
Gross Tonnage: 141,000
Capacity: 3,260
Expected delivery: November 2025
The next and perhaps final ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Class is Celebrity Xcel, set to debut in the Caribbean in late 2025.
While we don’t know a huge amount of detail yet. Celebrity Cruises has said that the ship will blend all the best bits of the Edge Class with some new experiences that will “change the game all over again”, so I can’t wait to see what those involve.
You can view the Celebrity Xcel deck plans already but they are mostly covered up with a “Coming Soon” notice. It does confirm that the Magic Carpet, the moving bar that’s attached to the side of the ship, will be present.
11. American Pioneer
Cruise line: American Cruise Lines
Gross Tonnage: TBA
Capacity: 125
Expected delivery: November 2025
The second of the new Patriot Class ships for American Cruise Lines, American Pioneer will debut six months after her sister ship the American Patriot. Like her sister, she’ll offer comfortable accommodation in the biggest suites for the cruise line.
The new ships will also feature the very best in stabilisers, designed by Rolls Royce, along with special designs to make sure that the coastal cruises are as smooth as can be, even when the seas aren’t particularly calm.
American Pioneer will sail around the Florida Coast and Florida Keys, with the maiden voyage being a 14-night cruise from Jacksonville to St. Petersburg.
12. Disney Adventure
Cruise line: Disney Cruise Line
Gross Tonnage: 208,000
Capacity: 6,000
Expected delivery: TBA 2025
In 2016, Disney Cruise Line announced two new ships that would ultimately become the Wish Class, with a third ship confirmed in 2017.
But amongst that, an opportunity arose – Dream Cruises, a company owned by Genting Hong Kong, went out of business and put its under-construction ship Global Dream up for sale. Disney bought it, and is now putting the finishing touches to what will be the Disney Adventure.
She’s set to be the biggest Disney cruise ship by quite some margin – the Wish Class ships are all around 144,000 GT,
While we don’t know a huge amount about the ship, we know that she will be based out of Singapore for her inaugural season, and will serve the Southeast Asian market throughout the year.
13. Disney Destiny
Cruise line: Disney Cruise Line
Gross Tonnage: 144,000
Capacity: 4,000
Expected delivery: TBA 2025
That third Wish-class ship I mentioned above is also due for delivery in 2025, and is set to be called Disney Destiny.
She will have a Heroes & Villains theme, and will feature a range of encounters with characters from movies like The Lion King, Hercules, and One Hundred and One Dalmatians – plenty for guests young and old to get excited about!
Beyond that, we don’t know a huge amount of detail yet, but expect that she’ll feature a version of the AquaMouse attraction at sea, along with several themed kids’ club areas drawing on the Disney, Pixar and Marvel universes.
14. Four Seasons Yacht
Cruise line: Four Seasons
Gross Tonnage: TBA
Capacity: Approximately 200
Expected delivery: TBA 2025
Four Seasons has decided to follow in the footsteps of Ritz Carlton and move from the luxury hotels game into the world of cruising, with the launch of its first superyacht later in 2025.
But there’s a catch, which makes this quite unique from a cruising perspective – for the initial season at least, cruises are by invitation only.
So, you won’t be able to book onto a cruise unless Four Seasons invites you, with priority going to loyal hotel guests.
This is shaping up to be a seriously special ship. She is being designed around immersive luxury experiences and will have just 95 suites, with the best being the Funnel Suite.
This stunning accommodation option will be the first four-storey suite at sea, with a huge outdoor terrace and an incredible 9,500 square feet of space. That’s considerable, seeing as the suite is designed for a maximum of six guests.
The ship will have a massive 20-metre (66 feet) pool, a marina that stretches the entire length of the ship, and plenty of space to relax with a glass of Champagne and some fine dining. She will sail in both the Mediterranean and the Caribbean when she launches.
15. World Seeker
Cruise line: Mystic Cruises
Gross Tonnage: 9,934
Capacity: Approximately 200
Expected delivery: TBA 2025
The World Seeker is a delayed cruise ship that is expected to launch at some point in 2025. She’s designed as an expedition ship, and will offer cruises in the polar regions.
Mystic Cruises doesn’t reveal a huge amount about its fleet of ships, even those already sailing for the cruise line.
But you can expect luxurious service and comfortable accommodations in both balcony and infinite suites, and signature dining with menus designed by renowned chefs.
I’ll keep you updated if the cruise line reveals any more information on the ship, including a more specific debut date.
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To Conclude
There’s a real mix of ships due to launch in 2025, including a new biggest ship in the world, some fantastic luxury cruise ships, and some that are packed with family-friendly activities.
It’s going to be an exciting year, that’s for sure, so let’s cross our fingers that all the ships on this list launch as planned.
Bookings are already open for many of them, so don’t hang about – inaugural seasons sell out quickly and you’ll want to secure your place if you want to be one of the first onboard.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise company, today announced it has signed an agreement with Meyer Werft shipyard for a fifth Excel-class cruise ship for its namesake Carnival Cruise Line brand. The delivery date is set for 2028.
In mid-February, Carnival Corporation announced the first newbuild order placed in five years, with news that a fourth Excel-class ship would join the Carnival Cruise Line fleet in Spring 2027.
Carnival Corporation Orders 11th Excel-Class Ship
This announcement confirms the 11th Excel-class ship for the corporation’s fleet across four world-class brands and the fifth to be sailed by Carnival Cruise Line. “Carnival’s Excel-class fleet will soon be a quintet of these very popular ships that provide outstanding guest amenities and tremendous operating efficiencies,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Since the introduction of Mardi Gras in 2021 and the subsequent expansion with Carnival Celebration in 2022 and Carnival Jubilee in 2023, these Excel-class ships are driving excitement, demand, and strong guest satisfaction ratings. With the arrival of Carnival Firenze in April, we are completing the addition of five ships to our fleet in less than 20 months, and then we will pivot to another phase of growth with these two Excel ships.”
This fifth Excel-class ship will be built on the same platform as its sisters, with the 180,000-ton ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and designed to carry over 6,400 guests and 1,800 crew.
“This new order continues to balance our commitment to growth with our responsible capital approach to utilize strong free cash flow over the next several years to strategically improve our balance sheet, significantly reduce our leverage levels and continue to transfer value from debt holders to shareholders,” said Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc.
Carnival Expanding Passenger Capacity
Our tour review for Carnival’s first Excel-Class ship, Mardi Gras
“Carnival Cruise Line continues to perform at an outstanding level, and we are focused on adding capacity across the company where it aligns with demand and our position in the marketplace. This measured capacity growth strategy will result in our adding one to two ships per year beginning in 2027, and we will be identifying additional fleet plans over the coming months for our cruise lines to meet capacity demand and improve execution across all aspects of our operation, with the benefit of yielding higher return on invested capital,” said Weinstein.
“We are proud of the role the Excel-class from MEYER WERFT and MEYER TURKU has played in contributing to the success of Carnival Corporation for many years now. We look forward to continuing this success story together,” said Bernd Eikens, CEO MEYER Group. This order is contingent upon financing, which is expected to be completed later this year.
The Port of Baltimore has suspended cruise operations during the state of emergency, following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
In the early hours of the morning on 26th March 2024, a large container ship named Dali struck a support pier for the bridge, which resulted in the entire structure collapsing.
At the time of writing, there are still six people missing, believed to be construction crew repairing potholes on the bridge.
The bridge is key infrastructure for the port, with both Carnival’s Carnival Legend and Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas currently on cruises that were scheduled to return to the port on 31st March and 4th April respectively.
The port remains open, but cruise operations are on hold and officials at the port have said that they don’t currently know when they will be resumed.
It may be that those cruise ships are diverted to another port at the end of their cruise, and that future cruises from Baltimore are cancelled or offered from another port.
Cruise lines will update passengers as soon as possible, but rightly the immediate focus is on the tragic events unfolding and the search for the missing people.
John Heald, Brand Ambassador for Carnival
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Carnival Cruise Line has revealed details for Paradise Plaza and Calypso Lagoon, two of the five portals at its new Celebration Key™ cruise destination on Grand Bahama. It is set to debut in July 2025.
Celebration Key’s Paradise Plaza
Just a short walk from the ship, Paradise Plaza will welcome guests with a brightly colored promenade and radiant sun-shaped arch perfect for photo-taking. Guests will be immersed in the destination’s beauty as the sound of live music fills the air and the sight of the centerpiece 10-story-high Suncastle starts to build excitement for the paradise that awaits. Wayfinding and destination information will help guests choose how they want to spend their day – introducing them to options that fit any age or interest, whether that’s relaxing in a cabana, playing water sports, joining shore excursions, or simply taking in the gorgeous view of the ocean from a mile-long pristine beach. A Bahamian-themed fountain and ice cream shop add to the welcoming atmosphere.
Celebration Key’s Massive Calypso Lagoon
As guests survey their options, the adult-friendly Calypso Lagoon will surely be the first choice for many. To the west of Paradise Plaza, this portal is designed for adults seeking a lively and social atmosphere. Guests seeking athletic activity can visit the sports court. At the same time, those looking for a more laid-back vibe can dip in the massive freshwater lagoon, the largest in the Caribbean*, and relax on one of the many loungers, daybeds, or cabanas.
On one side of the lagoon, guests will find a unique bar with nearly 50 swings for those who want to dip their toes in the cool water, enjoying fantastic views across the lagoon as they sip on classic poolside and Bahamian cocktails. Additional bars around Calypso Lagoon will ensure everyone’s thirst is quenched. Guests will also find two dedicated full-service restaurants and a variety of casual snack shacks spread through the portal. The breathtaking Bahamian beach is also a perfect backdrop for lounging on the warm sand, swimming in the glistening Caribbean water, or enjoying fun-in-the-sun activities.
A Designated Adult-Only Area
A portion of Calypso Lagoon and the adjacent beach will be designated an adult-only area. In this section, guests will find a large swim-up bar with a DJ, keeping the energy going all day. This area will also feature Bahamian food trucks, cabanas, daybeds, and loungers.
“When guests see our Suncastle as they arrive at Celebration Key, they’ll know immediately they’re in for big FUN. Paradise Plaza will be the perfect welcome spot and will set the tone for the entire visit to this truly unique destination. These new details show the creative design that’s gone into the development of each portal, with Calypso Lagoon alone offering a wide variety of options to fill the day while honoring the beauty of Grand Bahama and celebrating Bahamian culture,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
Three other portals have been announced, including a family-friendly portal, a private retreat, and a retail area. Carnival will share further details about these portals in the coming months, as it also plans a second phase of the destination that will add new features beyond the five portals, including a waterpark.
Welcoming First Guests in July 2025
Celebration Key’s first guests will visit in July 2025. More than 500 itineraries currently open for sale feature visits to the new destination, with 18 ships set to call on Celebration Key from ten U.S. homeports through spring 2026.
In the Royal Caribbean vs MSC matchup, Royal Caribbean is usually the better pick if you want the most onboard thrills, Broadway-style shows and an American-style atmosphere, especially with kids. MSC Cruises usually wins on price, European style and its MSC Yacht Club, which costs a lot less than Royal Caribbean’s top suites. Neither line is better overall. The right one depends on your budget, who’s travelling and the kind of atmosphere you enjoy.
Below we compare the two lines for 2026-27 on ships, prices, cabins and suites, food, drinks packages, entertainment, kids clubs, private islands and loyalty perks. A verdict by traveller type follows the comparison table.
Royal Caribbean vs MSC at a glance
Feature
Royal Caribbean
MSC Cruises
Fleet size (late 2026)
About 30 ships
23 ships, 24 when MSC World Asia arrives in December 2026
Newest ships
Legend of the Seas (2026), Star of the Seas (2025), Icon of the Seas (2024)
MSC World Asia (December 2026), MSC World America (2025)
Onboard atmosphere
American, high energy, English-only
International, European style, multilingual announcements
Typical fares
Higher, especially on the Icon class
Usually lower, with frequent “kids sail free” deals
Top suites
Royal Suite Class (Star, Sky and Sea Class)
MSC Yacht Club ship-within-a-ship
Drinks package
Deluxe Beverage Package plus 18% gratuity
Premium Extra on North American sailings, service charge included
Kids clubs
Adventure Ocean, plus teen spaces
Doremiland, ages 0-17 split by age
Private destinations
Perfect Day at CocoCay, Labadee, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
Loyalty program
Crown & Anchor Society
MSC Voyagers Club, with status match
Fleet and newest ships for 2026-27
Royal Caribbean: the Icon class takes over
Royal Caribbean runs about 30 ships across seven classes. Its flagships are the Icon-class ships. Icon of the Seas came first in 2024, followed by Star of the Seas in 2025 and Legend of the Seas in July 2026. Each can carry up to around 7,600 guests. Legend of the Seas started with seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Rome (Civitavecchia). In November 2026 it moves to Fort Lauderdale for six-night Western Caribbean and eight-night Southern Caribbean trips. Hero of the Seas, the fourth Icon-class ship, is due in 2027. Royal Caribbean still has plenty of Oasis-class ships too. If you’re choosing between those two classes, our Icon class vs Oasis class comparison explains the differences.
MSC: the World class grows
MSC’s biggest ships are the LNG-powered World class. MSC World Europa launched in 2022, and MSC World America followed in 2025. MSC World America sails from Miami, measures 216,638 gross tons and holds up to 6,764 guests. MSC World Asia is due for delivery in late November 2026 and takes its first guests on 4 December 2026 from Barcelona. It will sail in the Mediterranean until about mid-November 2027, then move to the Caribbean. Its highlights include a 12-deck dry slide and a huge illuminated dragon sculpture over the Promenade. MSC World Atlantic follows in 2027. For the complete list of launches, see our guide to the newest MSC cruise ships in order.
Not every ship in either fleet is new. Both lines still sail older, smaller ships with fewer features and lower fares. Before booking, check which ship you’d actually be on.
Price and value: MSC vs Royal Caribbean
On similar itineraries and cabin types, MSC almost always costs less, sometimes by a wide margin. MSC also runs frequent promotions where children sail free when they share a cabin with two adults. You still pay taxes, port fees and any onboard extras for them. Royal Caribbean costs more, especially on Icon-class ships in school holidays. Many passengers think that’s fair, given how much is included on board.
MSC sells its fares in “experiences,” from the basic Bella up to Fantastica and Aurea. Those higher tiers add perks such as better cabin locations, flexibility or drinks. Royal Caribbean usually sells add-ons separately or in limited-time bundles. To compare fairly, price your actual cruise on each line with the extras you’d buy anyway, like drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities and one or two specialty meals.
Cabins and suites: Yacht Club vs Royal Suite Class
Standard cabins on both lines’ newer ships are modern and well designed. MSC cabins can feel a little more compact on some ships. Royal Caribbean offers more cabin types aimed at families, such as the multi-level Ultimate Family Townhouse on the Icon class. The bigger difference shows up at the top end.
MSC Yacht Club
The MSC Yacht Club is a private “ship within a ship.” It has its own suites, lounge, restaurant, pool deck and sun area. Guests get a 24-hour butler and concierge, a free in-suite minibar, drinks in Yacht Club venues and select bars, access to the spa’s thermal area, and priority boarding and disembarkation. A Yacht Club suite often costs far less than a comparable top suite on Royal Caribbean.
Royal Caribbean Royal Suite Class
Royal Caribbean groups its suites into Royal Suite Class, with three levels: Sea Class, Sky Class and Star Class. Perks grow with each level. Typical benefits include priority boarding, a suite lounge, reserved show seating, Wi-Fi and specialty dining privileges. Star Class adds a Royal Genie, a dedicated butler-style host who can arrange almost anything. On the Icon class, suite guests also get the Suite Neighborhood with its own sun deck and pool.
Suite perks are where MSC and Royal Caribbean differ most. Photo: Karina Badura on Pexels
MSC vs Royal Caribbean food and dining
Both lines include a main dining room and a buffet in the fare. MSC is best known for its Italian and Mediterranean dishes, and its free pizza is especially popular. Many cruisers find its main dining room less consistent from ship to ship, though. Royal Caribbean usually gets better marks for consistency across the fleet and for its range of free casual spots, including the Windjammer buffet, Sorrento’s pizza and Cafe Promenade. On the Icon class, the free options also include food halls.
The specialty restaurants cost extra on both lines. On MSC you’ll find Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, Kaito sushi and teppanyaki, and Hola! Tacos & Cantina. Royal Caribbean has Chops Grille, Izumi, Hooked Seafood, Wonderland and Jamie’s Italian on some ships. If dining matters to you, look up the menus for your specific ship.
Drinks packages compared
MSC: Since 2025, North American sailings offer one alcoholic package, Premium Extra. Recent advance-purchase prices have been around $70 per person per day, with the service charge already included. It is often bundled with Wi-Fi at a discount, and there is an alcohol-free package for non-drinkers.
Royal Caribbean: The Deluxe Beverage Package uses dynamic pricing. It often costs about $70-$105 per person per day before an 18% gratuity, and it’s cheapest when you buy during a pre-cruise sale. All adults in a cabin usually have to buy it if one adult does. The Refreshment Package covers non-alcoholic drinks, and the Classic Soda Package covers soda only.
Package prices change often and depend on the sailing, so check your cruise planner before you budget. As a rule of thumb, MSC packages end up cheaper once Royal Caribbean’s 18% gratuity is added.
Entertainment and activities
This is where Royal Caribbean leads. Its large ships offer Broadway-style musicals, ice shows, AquaTheater high-diving shows, FlowRider surf simulators, rock-climbing walls and, on the Icon class, a full waterpark with record-breaking slides.
MSC’s shows rely more on visuals, such as acrobatics, dance and music, because its audience comes from many countries and speaks many languages. Its newer ships add dry slides, a Formula 1 simulator, bowling and escape-room-style games, but several of these cost extra. MSC’s themed parties and piazza-style promenades create a lively evening feel. If big-production theatre matters to you, Royal Caribbean is the stronger choice.
MSC vs Royal Caribbean for kids and families
Both lines welcome families. Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean splits kids into Aquanauts (3-5), Explorers (6-8) and Voyagers (9-11), with separate tween and teen spaces. Nursery sessions for babies and toddlers cost extra. MSC’s Doremiland covers ages 0-17 in five groups, from Baby Club to Teen Club, and works with partners such as LEGO on activities.
MSC’s kids-sail-free fares make it hard to beat on price for families. Royal Caribbean’s waterparks, Surfside family area on the Icon class and CocoCay usually win with older kids and teens. Keep in mind that MSC’s kids clubs are multilingual.
Private islands are a big part of the Caribbean cruise comparison. Photo: 승우 신 on Pexels
Private islands: CocoCay vs Ocean Cay
Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas is one of Royal Caribbean’s biggest draws. It has Thrill Waterpark, a large freshwater pool, zip lines, beach clubs and paid extras such as the Hideaway Beach adults-only area. Royal Caribbean also has Labadee in Haiti. Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau opened in December 2025 as an all-inclusive day-pass beach club. More destinations are planned, including Perfect Day Mexico, expected in late 2027.
MSC’s Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is quieter. It’s a restored former sand-mining island with wide beaches, clear water and a lighthouse that hosts an evening light show on sailings with a late stay. If you’d rather spend your island day relaxing on the beach, many people prefer Ocean Cay. If you want waterslides and constant action, choose CocoCay.
Loyalty programs
Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society awards points per night sailed, with extra points for suites. Its tiers run from Gold up to Pinnacle Club, and benefits are shared with Celebrity Cruises through status matching. MSC Voyagers Club runs from Classic through Silver, Gold and Diamond to Blue Diamond. MSC also offers a one-time status match for members of other cruise loyalty programs, including Crown & Anchor. Approved matches commonly land at Gold or Diamond, which is a simple way for loyal Royal Caribbean passengers to try MSC with some perks already in place.
Which to choose: verdict by traveller type
Families with younger kids on a budget: MSC, especially with a kids-sail-free fare and a trip to Ocean Cay.
Families with tweens and teens: Royal Caribbean. The waterparks, FlowRider, teen clubs and CocoCay are hard to beat.
Couples who want affordable luxury: MSC Yacht Club offers butler service and private spaces for less than most rival suites.
Suite guests with a bigger budget: Royal Caribbean’s Star Class has some of the most complete suite perks at sea.
Show and activity lovers: Royal Caribbean, for its Broadway-style shows, ice shows and AquaTheater.
Travellers who enjoy an international feel or are heading to the Mediterranean: MSC, a European line with deep roots in the region.
Neither is better for everyone. Royal Caribbean is better for activities, shows and consistent food. MSC is better for lower fares, European style and good-value Yacht Club suites.
Is MSC cheaper than Royal Caribbean?
Usually, yes. MSC fares are typically lower on similar itineraries, and kids-sail-free deals make it cheaper still for families. Compare total costs with drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities included.
Which is bigger, MSC World America or Icon of the Seas?
Icon of the Seas is bigger, at about 248,663 gross tons with up to around 7,600 guests. MSC World America measures 216,638 gross tons and holds up to 6,764 guests.
Is MSC or Royal Caribbean better for kids?
MSC is great value for younger children. Royal Caribbean generally suits older kids and teens better thanks to its waterparks, active features and CocoCay.
What is MSC known for?
MSC is known for its Italian heritage, stylish modern ships, the MSC Yacht Club, good-value fares and its private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
