Sneak Peek of the 17 New Cruise Ships Coming in 2027 and 2028

If you think today’s cruise ships are already massive, luxurious, and packed with attractions, just wait until you see what is coming next.

The cruise industry’s newbuild pipeline for 2027 and 2028 includes everything from enormous family-focused mega-ships to intimate luxury vessels, hydrogen-powered ships, new ship classes, and several vessels whose final details have not even been revealed yet.

And one of the biggest surprises may be how quickly the definition of a “cruise ship” is changing.

Royal Caribbean is preparing another Icon Class giant. Norwegian Cruise Line is building its largest ship yet. Disney is expanding its fleet with a new Wish-class vessel. Viking is pushing forward with hydrogen propulsion. Luxury brands such as Explora Journeys, Crystal, and Oceania are also preparing major additions.

Here is our sneak peek at 17 notable new cruise ships scheduled for 2027 and 2028.

Important note: This is a curated 17-ship preview, not a claim that exactly 17 cruise ships will launch worldwide during these two years. Cruise-line orderbooks continue to evolve, ship names are still being announced, and delivery schedules can change.

New Cruise Ships Coming in 2027

1. Carnival Festivale

Carnival Cruise Line is preparing another major addition to its Excel-class family.

Carnival Festivale is scheduled to enter service in 2027. Carnival currently lists the ship at 182,015 gross tons, with double occupancy of 5,356 guests and a crew of 1,768. The ship is being built at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany.

The arrival will continue Carnival’s expansion of the Excel platform, following ships such as Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee.

For Carnival fans, this is one of the most important new cruise ships to watch in 2027 because it expands a class already known for large-scale entertainment and resort-style experiences.

2. EXPLORA IV

The luxury side of cruising is expanding too.

EXPLORA IV is scheduled to join Explora Journeys in 2027 as part of the brand’s plan to build a six-ship fleet.

Rather than competing with the biggest family mega-ships, Explora Journeys emphasizes space, serenity, ocean-facing accommodations, elevated dining, and a private-yacht-inspired atmosphere.

EXPLORA IV represents another step in the rapid growth of this relatively young luxury brand.

3. Norwegian Aura

Norwegian Aura could become one of the headline ships of 2027.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings describes the vessel as approximately 170,000 gross tons with about 3,880 berths, while Norwegian has promoted Aura as its largest ship to date.

Its first scheduled sailing is a seven-day Mediterranean voyage from Trieste to Barcelona beginning May 21, 2027. After crossing the Atlantic, Norwegian Aura is scheduled to begin Caribbean cruises from Miami.

The ship is also bringing new onboard concepts, including NCL’s first overhanging cabanas overlooking Vibe Beach Club.

For cruisers who like the Prima-class concept but want to see where Norwegian takes it next, Aura deserves a place near the top of the 2027 watch list.

4. Viking Astrea

Viking Astrea stands out for a completely different reason: propulsion technology.

Viking says the ship is scheduled for delivery in 2027 and will use a propulsion system based partly on liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells.

According to Viking, Astrea will be capable of operating with zero emissions under appropriate operating conditions, following the technology introduced with Viking Libra.

That makes Viking Astrea particularly interesting because the biggest cruise story of the next few years may not simply be bigger waterslides or more restaurants. It may also be the industry’s attempt to develop cleaner ways to operate ships.

5. Hero of the Seas

This may be the ship that generates the most attention on the entire 2027 list.

Hero of the Seas will become Royal Caribbean’s fourth Icon Class ship and is scheduled to arrive in Miami in August 2027.

And Royal Caribbean is not simply presenting Hero as another copy of the existing Icon ships.

The company has revealed a lineup that includes nine pools, 28 dining venues, cooking classes, new family raft slides, and new multigenerational accommodations.

One of the most dramatic accommodations will be the three-story Ultimate Family Treehouse, designed for large family groups.

Royal Caribbean has also promoted a new attraction as the first funnel raft slide at sea.

That combination helps explain why Hero of the Seas could become one of the most talked-about new cruise ships of 2027.

Instead of asking how much bigger a cruise ship can become, Hero raises another question: how many different vacation experiences can one ship contain?

6. Oceania Sonata

Oceania Sonata is not chasing mega-ship size.

It is doing something potentially more important for Oceania Cruises: introducing an entirely new class.

The ship is the first of the new Sonata Class and is scheduled to debut in August 2027.

Oceania says the vessel will have 695 rooms and suites. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings lists the new class at approximately 86,000 gross tons and 1,390 berths.

The focus remains consistent with Oceania’s identity: smaller-ship luxury, culinary experiences, destination-focused itineraries, and more space.

For travelers who find the latest 200,000-plus-ton ships overwhelming, Oceania Sonata could represent one of the most interesting alternatives in 2027.

7. MSC World Atlantic

Another giant is heading to Florida.

MSC World Atlantic is scheduled to debut from Port Canaveral in winter 2027, bringing MSC Cruises’ World Class concept to another major U.S. homeport.

MSC says the ship will sail Caribbean itineraries and will become the first World Class ship to visit Grand Turk.

The company is positioning World Atlantic as a blend of European style and American comfort, with dining, entertainment, and large-scale attractions designed for the U.S. market.

It will also arrive during a period of major expansion around MSC’s Caribbean product, including new experiences connected to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

For Florida cruisers, this could become one of the most consequential new ships of late 2027.

8. EXPLORA V

Explora Journeys is planning to move quickly.

EXPLORA V is also scheduled for 2027, meaning the luxury brand expects two additions — EXPLORA IV and EXPLORA V — during the same year.

The company currently presents EXPLORA V as another ship built around space, ease, intimacy, and connection with the ocean.

Its arrival will bring Explora Journeys even closer to completing its planned six-ship fleet.

For luxury travelers, that rapid expansion could mean more itinerary choices and greater global reach from a brand that is still establishing its identity.

9. Disney Believe

Disney Cruise Line has another major ship on the way.

Disney Believe is scheduled to sail in late 2027.

Disney has already revealed that the ship will draw inspiration from stories including Moana, Encanto, Frozen, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and The Little Mermaid.

Moana is set to play a prominent role in the Grand Hall, while Tinker Bell is associated with the bow artwork and Buzz Lightyear and Woody with the stern.

But many details are still being revealed.

That makes Disney Believe one of the more intriguing ships on this list: we know it is coming, we know its storytelling identity is beginning to emerge, but there is still plenty left for Disney to announce before guests board in late 2027.

New Cruise Ships Coming in 2028

If 2027 looks busy, 2028 could be just as fascinating.

Several cruise lines are already confirming major newbuilds for that year, while some ships remain unnamed.

10. Viking Lyra

Viking Lyra is scheduled to join the Viking ocean fleet in 2028.

Viking has already announced that the ship is expected to spend its inaugural season sailing in the Mediterranean and Scandinavia.

The ship continues Viking’s destination-focused approach rather than the theme-park-style model found aboard many contemporary mega-ships.

There is also an important update for anyone tracking the overall newbuild count: Viking’s latest corporate filing lists another ship, Viking Vega, for expected delivery in 2028 as well.

That is one reason travelers should treat any “17 ships” list as a snapshot rather than a definitive worldwide total.

11. Crystal Grace

Crystal Grace represents something especially significant for the luxury market.

Crystal describes it as its first new ocean ship in 25 years.

The vessel is scheduled to make its official debut on June 11, 2028, beginning with a Mediterranean itinerary from Civitavecchia, the port for Rome.

Crystal currently lists capacity at 650 guests, with 330 ocean-view rooms and suites and nine dining venues.

Those numbers tell you immediately what kind of ship this is trying to be.

Instead of maximizing passenger count, Crystal Grace is focused on a more spacious, high-end cruise experience.

For luxury-cruise watchers, its debut could be one of 2028’s most important events.

12. EXPLORA VI

EXPLORA VI is scheduled to join Explora Journeys in 2028, completing the brand’s planned six-ship fleet.

The company describes the vessel as a floating-hotel-style experience built around the ease and privacy of a residence at sea.

By the time EXPLORA VI arrives, the brand will have grown from its first ship in 2023 to a six-vessel fleet in roughly five years.

That is a remarkably fast expansion in the luxury cruise segment.

13. Celebrity Xcite

Celebrity Cruises is also preparing its next major ship.

Celebrity Xcite is coming in 2028.

The company has begun teasing the ship with the phrase “a ship designed to excite every sense,” but many of the detailed onboard experiences have yet to be revealed.

What is known is that Xcite will continue Celebrity’s Edge-class expansion.

That makes this ship worth watching closely as more information emerges. Celebrity’s Edge-class ships have been defined by distinctive design choices, and Xcite will reveal how far the company intends to evolve that formula.

14. Carnival Tropicale

Carnival Tropicale will join Carnival’s Excel class in 2028 and is scheduled to sail from Galveston, Texas.

The name pays tribute to the original MS Tropicale, which entered service in 1982.

But the new ship is being designed for a very different era.

Carnival has already announced Sunsation Point, an upper-deck entertainment zone, along with Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, featuring six waterslides and two splash pads.

The company is also promising entertainment influenced by old-school Las Vegas with a tropical twist.

For Texas cruisers, Tropicale is a major development. Galveston has become increasingly important to the cruise industry, and adding another new Excel-class ship reinforces that trend.

15. Royal Caribbean Icon Class Ship No. 5

Royal Caribbean is not stopping with Hero of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Group has confirmed an order for a fifth Icon Class ship, currently scheduled for delivery in 2028, subject to the terms associated with the shipbuilding agreement and financing.

Its final public name has not yet been announced in the sources used for this preview.

That means travelers should be cautious about online rumors claiming a confirmed name, attraction list, or deployment.

What we can say is that another Icon Class ship is officially in the pipeline.

Considering the scale of Icon of the Seas and the continued evolution planned for Hero of the Seas, Icon 5 could become one of 2028’s biggest cruise stories.

16. Royal Caribbean Oasis Class Ship No. 7

Royal Caribbean also has another giant coming from its famous Oasis Class.

The seventh Oasis Class ship is scheduled for 2028.

Its name and complete experience lineup have not yet been officially revealed in the information available for this preview.

Even without those details, its presence on the orderbook is significant.

The Oasis Class fundamentally changed expectations for mega-ships by introducing enormous neighborhood-style vessels. More than a decade later, Royal Caribbean is still investing in the platform while simultaneously expanding Icon Class.

That suggests the company sees room for both concepts to continue evolving.

17. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Unnamed 2028 Prima-Class Ship

Our final ship does not have a public name yet — but the order itself is very real.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings currently lists another next-generation, methanol-ready Prima Class ship for 2028.

The company’s latest filing puts the ship at approximately 170,000 gross tons with about 3,880 berths.

It follows Norwegian Aura, which is scheduled for 2027.

Because the 2028 vessel remains unnamed, travelers should be careful with unofficial renderings, rumored names, or attraction lists circulating online.

For now, the most important fact is that Norwegian’s expansion of the Prima platform continues beyond Aura.

Which New Cruise Ship Could Be the Biggest Game-Changer?

That depends entirely on what kind of cruiser you are.

Families looking for maximum onboard entertainment may immediately gravitate toward Hero of the Seas, especially with its nine pools, 28 dining venues, new family raft slides, cooking experiences, and three-story Ultimate Family Treehouse.

Disney fans will be watching Disney Believe as Disney reveals more of its entertainment and storytelling.

Travelers interested in environmental technology should keep an eye on Viking Astrea and its hydrogen-based propulsion system.

Luxury cruisers have a very different set of choices, including Crystal Grace, Oceania Sonata, and the expanding Explora Journeys fleet.

Meanwhile, Carnival Festivale, Carnival Tropicale, MSC World Atlantic, Norwegian Aura, and the future Royal Caribbean giants show that the mega-ship race is nowhere near finished.

Why 2027 and 2028 Matter for Cruising

The most interesting part of this newbuild wave is not simply the number of ships.

It is how different they are becoming.

One side of the industry is creating enormous floating resorts packed with pools, slides, restaurants, neighborhoods, entertainment, and family attractions.

Another is moving toward smaller, more spacious luxury ships.

At the same time, new propulsion technology is becoming part of the conversation, while cruise lines continue experimenting with new ship classes and new approaches to onboard design.

In other words, there may no longer be one clear definition of what the “cruise ship of the future” looks like.

It could be a giant Icon Class resort carrying thousands of vacationers.

It could be a 650-guest luxury ship.

Or it could be a smaller ocean vessel using next-generation propulsion technology.

That variety may ultimately be the biggest story of 2027 and 2028.

Should You Wait for These New Cruise Ships Before Booking?

Not necessarily.

A brand-new ship can be exciting, but being among the first passengers also comes with uncertainty.

Schedules can change. Delivery dates can move. Attractions can be modified before launch. Some experiences may still be undergoing final adjustments during a ship’s earliest sailings.

If your priority is experiencing the newest hardware and attractions, waiting for one of these ships could make sense.

If itinerary, price, cabin location, or destination matters more to you, an existing ship may still offer the better vacation.

The smartest strategy is to compare the ship and the itinerary rather than booking purely because a vessel is new.

One Important Warning About Future Cruise-Ship Announcements

The cruise orderbook is constantly changing.

Ships can be renamed before launch. Delivery dates can move. New orders can be added. Options can become firm orders. Cruise lines can also reveal ships that were previously listed only as unnamed newbuilds.

That has already happened during the development of the 2027–2028 pipeline.

For example, Viking’s latest filing now lists Viking Vega for 2028 in addition to Viking Lyra. Royal Caribbean Group is also expanding into river cruising with new Celebrity river ships beginning in 2027.

So when you see a headline claiming there will be “exactly” a certain number of new cruise ships in 2027 or 2028, treat that number carefully.

Our list highlights 17 of the notable ocean cruise ships currently worth watching, rather than claiming these are the only new vessels scheduled worldwide.

Final Thoughts: The Next Generation of Cruise Ships Is Coming Fast

The next two years could deliver one of the most varied collections of new cruise ships the industry has seen.

There are giant family resorts.

There are intimate luxury ships.

There are new ship classes.

There are ships experimenting with next-generation propulsion.

And several of the most anticipated vessels still have major details waiting to be revealed.

For pure onboard spectacle, Hero of the Seas may be the ship to watch most closely in 2027.

For luxury, Crystal Grace and Oceania Sonata could be major milestones.

For Disney fans, Disney Believe opens another chapter in Disney Cruise Line’s rapid fleet expansion.

And by 2028, another Icon Class ship, another Oasis Class giant, Celebrity Xcite, Carnival Tropicale, EXPLORA VI, Viking Lyra, and Norwegian’s next Prima-class vessel should give cruisers even more choices.

The biggest takeaway?

Cruise ships are not just getting newer. They are becoming more specialized, more ambitious, and more dramatically different from one another.

And 2027 and 2028 may give travelers their clearest look yet at where the cruise industry is heading next.