Find inspiration for your next luxury cruise holiday with our pick of the new
ships taking to the high seas in 2025.
For all the talk of tightened purse strings amid rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, many of us still have ample disposable income – and want to see the world in style.
A record one million passengers embarked on a luxury cruise last year, up from 600,000 in 2019 according to Cruise Industry News.
Little wonder then that operators can’t build ships fast enough. Luxury lines such as Scenic, Emerald Cruises and Viking – who, to date, have mostly been known for river cruising – have entered the ocean cruise market while the MSC Group has launched a new luxury arm in Explora Journeys.
Luxury hotel operators are also getting in on the act. Ritz-Carlton is gearing up to launch its third superyacht, Luminara, while Four Seasons and Aman Resorts are muscling in on the cruise market too.
Meanwhile, Abercrombie & Kent’s reborn Crystal will add five new luxury ships to its fleet by 2032.
We’ve rounded up some of the most notable luxury cruise ships slated to debut in the new year…
Allura, Oceania Cruises
When Allura joins Oceania Cruises’ fleet in summer 2025, she will be the second of the culinary and destination-focused line’s new Allura class. (Her sister, the 1,200-passenger Vista, set sail in spring 2023).
Like its older sibling, the 11-deck Allura – named to reflect the excitement of starting an immersive new journey – will offer spacious all-balcony cabins, a staff to-guest ratio of 2:3, a stylish resort-style pool deck, and restaurants and bars ranging from Ember (expect reworked American classics) and the plant-based Aquamar Kitchen to the Founder’s Bar which will feature craft cocktails.
Allura’s new additions include a French style crêperie serving freshly made-to order crêpes, a luxurious library featuring floor-to-ceiling glass walls and Ralph Lauren furnishings, and a tranquil top deck hub for cocktail slurping.
True to her name, Allura will sail to some of the Mediterranean‘s most captivating destinations including Cádiz, Cagliari and Cinque Terre in her inaugural season.
Maiden voyage: July 18, 2025
Allura
Luminara, Ritz-Carlton
High-end hotel groups are entering previously uncharted waters with a raft of superyachts.
The Ritz-Carlton was the first hotel brand to do so with the launch of the 298-passenger Evrima and 448-passenger Ilma yachts in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Next up is the 453-passenger Luminara, a near-identical vessel to Ilma, which is set to join the hospitality giant’s fleet in 2025.
Derived from the Latin word ‘light’ and decorated in a colour palette of soft browns and natural fixtures of oak, Calcutta marble, and leather accents, the 226-suite yacht will feature one of the highest staff and space ratios at sea – the new Residential Suite is more than 1,000 sqft.
Onboard amenities will include seven world-class restaurants, a wine vault with rare bottles, a signature Ritz-Carlton spa, and an expanded marina that gives guests direct access to the ocean.
Over to Jim Murren, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s CEO, for the last word: “With Luminara […] we are expanding the horizons of ultra-luxury travel.”
Maiden voyage: July 31, 2025
Luminara
Star Seeker, Windstar Cruises
Founded by entrepreneurs Karl G. Andrén and Jean-Claude Potier, Windstar Cruises hasn’t expanded its fleet since 2014/15 when it adopted three ships (Star Pride, Star Legend, and Star Breeze) from Seabourn.
But it’s all change as the small-ship specialist gets ready to welcome a brand new vessel in December 2025.
Star Seeker will be the first of Windstar’s new Star class and able to accommodate 224 passengers in 112 suites across 12 categories – the lion’s share of which will feature verandas or floor-to-ceiling windows.
Or if you’re feeling flush, plump for the two, new top-deck Horizon Owner’s suites replete with wraparound balconies.
Despite its small size, there won’t be a dull moment onboard thanks to a full-service spa, five fab dining venues (Windstar is the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation), and a new twist on the line’s signature Watersports Platform – which will turn the ocean into an infinity pool by letting guests access the sea directly from the ship.
Maiden voyage: December 28, 2025
Star Seeker
Xcel, Celebrity Cruises
The fifth and final ship in Celebrity Cruises‘ Edge class series is expected to commence sailing in November 2025.
If you’re a fan of the line’s Edge class series you’ll be pleased to know that, much like her sisters, Celebrity Xcel will feature a Magic Carpet (a tennis-court-sized, cantilevered platform that moves up and down the side of the ship); Infinite Veranda staterooms with outward-facing walls made entirely of glass; and Eden, an enchanting, rooftop garden.
As for the dining options, the likes of Le Voyage – a fine-dining restaurant by star chef Daniel Boulud – and Celebrity Cruises’ classics Normandie and Raw on 5 will return.
Meanwhile British interior designer Kelly Hoppen, is once again the brains behind the ship’s sleek and chic interiors.
Passengers can also expect some newness as Celebrity Cruises president Laura Hodges Bethge confirmed: “True to her name, this next step will excel beyond her sister ships with entirely new experiences, yet to be revealed, but that will change the game all over again.”
Maiden voyage: November 18, 2025
Celebrity Xcel
Written by Kaye Holland
