Cruising in 2026: the ultimate guide to new ships and voyages

What’s new in cruising this year and beyond, from the next generation of ships hitting the waters to destinations and itineraries in focus.

Hotels at sea: the best in luxury cruising right now

We’re living in a post-modern travel moment where cruise lines are designing ships that look like hotels – and hotel brands are designing hotels that float. It’s all in pursuit of experiential luxury, and an ultra-luxe fleet of yachts is spearheading the movement. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection kicked off the trend four years ago and has since introduced its legion of fans to the world of cruising with a trio of vessels: Evrima, Ilma and Luminara.

Superyacht Aqua Lares — Superyacht *Aqua Lares* will spend the summer months sailing Svalbard and the Arctic Circle.

‘Aman junkies’ feeling cruise-curious need not switch allegiance with the launch of Aman at Sea. Reservations are now open for the debut of 47-suite yacht Amangati for her Mediterranean season in the European spring of 2027, including select voyages that drop anchor at key cultural fixtures such as the Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Grand Prix.

*Amangati* is Aman’s first foray into cruising. (Credit: Sinot)

Likewise, Four Seasons Yachts is rewriting the rules of indulgence at sea. Likened to floating palaces, its new-build vessels promise intimacy on a grand scale, where every detail feels couture-crafted. Leading the charge is Four Seasons I, a 207-metre showpiece setting sail on its inaugural voyage this season.

*Orient Express Corinthian* brings nostalgia to the high seas. (Credit: Accor/Martin Darzacq)

Legendary heritage brand Orient Express is also entering the fray, launching its first-ever sailing yacht 140 years after its first luxury trains left the station. Orient Express Corinthian debuts in June 2026, sailing between Marseille, Corsica and Liguria with 54 nostalgia-rich suites and a culinary concept helmed by Yannick Alléno, one of the world’s leading chefs. Sister yacht Orient Express Olympian will follow in 2027.

Explore Peru’s remote reaches in style with A&K Sanctuary’s *Pure Amazon*. (Credit: Damian Russell)

Luxury is also pushing into the wildest reaches. Aqua Expeditions’ latest superyacht, Aqua Lares, has launched in the Seychelles before it sails the Arctic from June to September, while A&K Sanctuary’s Pure Amazon brings the brand’s ethos of elevated exploration to the rainforest with a 12-cabin expedition vessel exploring Peru’s Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.

Dazzling debuts: new cruises coming this year

New additions onboard the reinvented *Celebrity Solstice* include Trattoria Rossa.

Things are looking shipshape as a fleet of next-generFation vessels make their grand entrances this year and beyond. Making a splash is Explora Journeys’ newest addition, EXPLORA III, a destination in its own right that marks a milestone in the evolution of this envelope-pushing brand. Debuting ahead of schedule in the Mediterranean in July, the LNG-powered ship introduces next-gen sustainability alongside expansive design, elevated dining and immersive wellness – including a sound-healing pod.

Meanwhile, Norwegian Luna, the newest Prima Class ship from Norwegian Cruise Line, begins its debut sailings this year. Bookings are also now open for Norwegian Aura, the next evolution in the fleet – 10 per cent larger than its predecessors and designed with curated, family-focused experiences in mind. It launches in Europe in May 2027 before homeporting in Miami.

MSC Cruises’ new flagship MSC World Asia sets sail in December 2026. Its design draws inspiration from Asian culture, art and landscape, including vibrant bespoke works by Vietnamese artist Hoan Phan.

Upping the ante in the megaship stakes, Royal Caribbean will debut Legend of the Seas in Europe in July, the next in the Icon Class fleet pitched as the world’s best family holiday at sea. The line is also evolving its fleet with a cutting-edge new Discovery Class, slated to launch in 2029.

*Celebrity Solstice* has been reborn. (Credit: Tracy Arm Fjord)

Celebrity Cruises is making its classics new again, investing over US$250 million to modernise its Solstice Series ships. First is Aussie fave Celebrity Solstice, which took to the seas in March with reimagined spaces, design upgrades and new onboard experiences.

Reflective of a shift towards immersive slow travel, the demand for river cruising is ever-increasing. AmaWaterways debuts AmaSofia in the European spring, sailing the Rhine and the Danube. Next year, the brand will launch a new vessel on the Mekong as well as AmaRudi, a next-generation double-width Danube ship.

Cruise the Danube with Uniworld. (Credit: Uniwold/Pam Mclean)

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises launches its first new-build since 2021: S.S. Emilie, a 154-passenger Super Ship sailing the Danube with Art Nouveau interiors inspired by Gustav Klimt and his muse, Emilie Flöge. The brand has announced four more ships for 2027, including S.S. Audrey and S.S. Marlene, named for screen legends Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich, plus S.S. São Rafael on Portugal’s Douro River.

Egypt remains high on the bucket list. Viking answers the call with two new 82-guest vessels – Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet – sailing the Nile this year. Or perhaps you’ve had your fill of all that is new and cutting-edge? If so, consider stepping back in time.

Experience life onboard Windstar Cruises’ *Star Seeker*.

Exploring the Caribbean and Alaska before sailing to Asia, with emphasis on immersion in Thailand and Vietnam, Windstar Cruises’ first new-build in its Star Class fleet, Star Seeker, also debuted this year. The 112-suite yacht will be joined by sister ship Star Explorer at the end of the year, purpose-built to glide into hard-to-reach river ports and cities such as London along the Thames.

In other news, HX Expeditions has unveiled its vintage-inspired ‘1896 Cabin’ aboard MS Fridtjof Nansen, inviting guests to experience life as an early polar adventurer. The immersive concept marks 130 years since HX Expeditions set out on its pioneering voyage from mainland Norway to Svalbard.

New waters: the latest and greatest cruise itineraries

Monaco GrandPrix — Drop anchor at the Monaco Grand Prix with Silversea.

The year is already awash with horizon-expanding itinerary announcements. Part of 414 inspiring new sailings for 2027–28, Silversea’s three new Grand Voyages invite unhurried travellers to explore the Western Mediterranean, Asia and South America in depth over 51 to 77 days.

Another cruise experience tapping into demand for extended itineraries, Explorations by Norwegian by My Cruises – the world’s longest cruise to and from Australia – is returning for a second year-long voyage with fresh destinations in Borneo, Kenya and the Philippines.

Departing from Melbourne, luxury cruise line Crystal will embark on its first circumnavigation of Australia as part of its 2029 World Cruise – a 127-night voyage aboard Crystal Symphony.

And in 2027, Uniworld will launch a collection of European itineraries blending boutique river cruising with its sister brand Luxury Gold’s premium small-group land travel. Expect everything from hiking in the Swiss alps to wine tasting on the banks of the Rhine and meeting the only saffron grower left in the Wachau Valley.

Plus, Hurtigruten is expanding its Fjord and Arctic Voyages for 2027-28 with three brand-new ‘Limited Collection’ voyages including The Arctic Line – North, departing Copenhagen before sailing Norway’s coast.

Sustainability at sea: eco-friendly cruise lines

Ponant Explorations kayaking — PONANT EXPLORATIONS invests in the environment. (Credit: Ponant/Daniel Ernst)

A wave of new initiatives shaped by an environmental ethos is rippling through the seas. Swap2Zero, a future transoceanic ship project from PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP, is paving the way towards decarbonised, zero-emissions navigation by 2030 using breakthrough technologies and wind-assisted propulsion.

Meanwhile, Viking’s 998-guest ocean ship Viking Libra will debut at the end of 2026 as the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship, meaning it will be capable of operating with zero emissions.

Also innovating in the eco-cruising space, HX Expeditions is launching two electric-powered ‘silent science boats’ to reduce underwater noise pollution during boat excursions in the Antarctic and Arctic.

In Alaskan waters, MSC Cruises has announced a landmark partnership with marine conservation organisation ORCA to study whale behaviour, collect data and improve guest whale-watching experiences.

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Seize the moment: cruise experiences you can’t miss

CelebritybXcel — Celebrity Xcel will host Med-inspired festivals during its European season.

Some experiences only come around once in a blue moon. Our advice? Seize the opportunity. Hurtigruten’s Astronomy Voyage on Signature offers first-class seats to the skin-tingling northern lights as you cruise Norway’s Arctic coast alongside an expert aurora chaser.

Or perhaps opt for PONANT EXPLORATIONS’ solar eclipse cruises near Iceland’s fjords or off Spain’s Balearic Islands to see the rare total solar eclipse on 12 August, when the moon will obscure the sun, creating an ethereal ring.

Plenty of cruise lines are tapping into the zeitgeist, too, and planning itineraries around cultural moments. Silversea’s newly unveiled voyage collection 2027–28 is built around some of the world’s best events and cultural, sporting and culinary festivals, from the iconic to the under-the-radar.

Think the Monaco Grand Prix, Carnival in Rio, Awa Odori in Tokushima (Japan’s largest dance festival), the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the San Sebastián Street Festival in Puerto Rico. All promise high energy and deep community connection.

The Bazaar, Celebrity Xcel — The festivals come to life in The Bazaar onboard *Celebrity Xcel*. (Credit: Michel Verdure)

Seasonal sailings are also in focus, with AmaWaterways offering Festive Delights cruises that channel the warmth and wonder of Christmas along Europe’s rivers. Or explore the waters of Baja California, Mexico, during peak whale migration season with UnCruise adventures for blue whale, humpack, dolphin and flying mobula ray spotting, along with the chance to snorkel with playful seal lions.

Cultural immersion is increasingly extending onboard, too. Celebrity Cruises’ brand-new Celebrity Xcel is a masterclass in this space. To mark its debut European season, the ship is launching four new Euro-inspired festivals at The Bazaar, designed to blend seamlessly with the in-port experience – celebrating, variously, Greek, Italian, Spanish and Moroccan flavours and flair.

Destination spotlight: the growth of cruising Asia

Cruising in Asia is continuing to grow apace in 2026. Cruise Lines International Association data shows Asia Pacific is the fastest growing regional market. The continent sings with punchy flavours, ancient cultures and metropolises that move at lightning speed. So is it really a surprise? No.

But what continues to delight is the wealth of new ways to discover this region by water – whether you’re witnessing South Korea’s electric markets with Explora Journeys, Vietnam’s imperial citadels with Silversea or Japan’s crimson foliage with Princess Cruises; or, you can board Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas, which will homeport for the first time in Singapore between October 2026 and February 2027.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

The ultimate guide to cruising around the globe in 2026