New Cruise Ships Coming in 2027: 12 Ships to Watch, From Mega-Ships to Luxury Yachts
If you’re thinking about booking a cruise in 2027, there are plenty of new ships to consider. But with so many announcements about waterslides, restaurants, entertainment, and new onboard experiences, how do you decide which ship is actually worth booking?
That’s the question I wanted to answer in my two-part look at the new cruise ships coming in 2027.
I’m Angela from Grab Your Bags Travel, and instead of simply listing the newest ships and their features, I’m looking at what each one could mean for your vacation. Who is the ship designed for? What might make it stand out? What should you consider before booking? And which ships have me curious enough to want to experience them for myself?
Part 1 looks at six upcoming mainstream cruise ships, from family-friendly mega-ships to a more laid-back Caribbean experience. Part 2 explores smaller premium and luxury ships, including intimate yachts and Celebrity Cruises’ move into European river cruising.
Whether you’re planning a family vacation, looking for a more upscale cruise, or simply curious about what’s coming to the cruise industry in 2027, here’s where I’d start.
Watch Part 1: Six Mainstream Cruise Ships Coming in 2027
In this video, I put six upcoming cruise ships through what I call my Boarding Pass 4: four questions I ask when deciding whether a ship is worth considering.
- Space: Will the ship feel roomy, or will it simply be big?
- Service: Will the experience meet expectations?
- Food: What can you eat without continually paying extra?
- Size and amenities: Will you use everything the ship offers, or spend your vacation walking from one place to another?
These ships haven’t sailed at the time of my assessment, so my verdicts are based on announced features, my experience with the cruise lines, and what I’ll be watching for when they debut.
1. Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber
Best for: Cruisers looking for a laid-back, tropical atmosphere.
Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber is scheduled to debut in January 2027, sailing from Miami on a seven-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary.
Unlike a ship built entirely from the ground up, Beachcomber is the former Costa Fortuna, receiving a major makeover. The ship is expected to accommodate approximately 3,450 guests and become the largest ship in the Margaritaville at Sea fleet.
What interests me most is whether the redesign will make an older ship feel like a true Margaritaville experience rather than simply a refurbished vessel.
For travelers who enjoy the relaxed, Jimmy Buffett-inspired atmosphere, this could be an interesting option. However, if your priority is sailing on a completely new ship with that brand-new-ship feeling, Beachcomber may not be what you’re looking for.
2. Carnival Festivale
Best for: Families and cruisers who enjoy lively, social vacations.
Carnival Festivale is the next Excel-class ship, scheduled to arrive at Port Canaveral in May 2027. With capacity for approximately 6,400 guests, the ship will feature six distinct zones, including music-themed spaces and additional connecting staterooms for families.
New dining options are also part of the plan. Some restaurants will carry an additional charge, while others will offer complimentary dining or a first visit included before subsequent visits incur a fee.
That distinction matters when you’re comparing cruise fares. A ship can offer plenty of dining choices, but you’ll want to know which ones are included in the price.
Carnival Festivale looks promising for cruisers who want an energetic atmosphere and lots to do. My biggest question is whether the different areas will feel spacious enough for a ship of this size.
If you prefer a quieter cruise with fewer crowds and a more relaxed pace, this may be a ship to research carefully before booking.
3. Norwegian Aura
Best for: Families with older children and travelers who enjoy a modern, upscale atmosphere.
Norwegian Aura is the next Prima Plus-class ship from Norwegian Cruise Line. It is planned to be approximately 10% larger than Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna, with accommodations for around 3,840 guests.
The ship is scheduled to begin sailing in May 2027, with an inaugural Mediterranean itinerary before moving to Miami in June.
One of the headline features is The Haven, Norwegian’s ship-within-a-ship luxury area. Aura is expected to have 159 Haven suites, the largest Haven offering in the fleet at the time of the announcement. The ship will also feature five waterslides and new entertainment.
But my interest in Aura goes beyond the headline attractions.
I’ve sailed on several Norwegian ships, including Norwegian Aqua, and I loved the outdoor spaces, food hall, and modern venues on Aqua. However, I found the buffet too small for the number of guests, particularly at breakfast.
Norwegian says Aura will have an expanded Surfside Café buffet and reconfigured restaurant spaces. Those changes are exactly what I want to see in practice.
The question is whether Norwegian can maintain the spacious feel I enjoyed while improving the areas that matter most during everyday cruising.
4. Royal Caribbean’s Hero of the Seas
Best for: Multigenerational families and travelers who want a vacation packed with activities.
Royal Caribbean’s Hero of the Seas is scheduled to debut in August 2027 as the fourth Icon-class ship. With a maximum capacity of approximately 7,600 guests, this is a ship designed to offer a huge range of experiences.
Royal Caribbean has built its reputation around large ships that give families plenty of ways to spend their time together or separately. Hero of the Seas continues that approach with multiple complimentary dining venues, specialty restaurants, family experiences, and entertainment.
Among the announced attractions are a SpongeBob musical production, a themed dining experience, and a dedicated family cooking space where guests can prepare a meal with Royal Caribbean chefs.
For families traveling with children, parents, and grandparents, having so many different activities and dining options can make it easier for everyone to find something they enjoy.
The trade-off is size. On a ship this large, you’ll want to consider how much walking is involved and whether you’ll actually use enough of the amenities to justify choosing such a big vessel.
Royal Caribbean is a line I particularly like for family and multigenerational travel. Hero of the Seas looks promising for those travelers, but it may be more ship than you need if you prefer a simpler vacation.
5. Disney Believe
Best for: Families, multigenerational groups, and Disney fans.
Disney Believe is the fourth Wish-class ship, scheduled to begin sailing in December 2027 from Fort Lauderdale on four- and five-night Bahamas cruises.
The ship’s design centers on themes of promises and possibilities, with Disney storytelling woven into its public spaces, dining, and entertainment.
Among the announced experiences are a Moana-inspired Grand Hall, a new Encanto stage production, a Frozen-themed family dining experience, and an interactive game-show venue inspired by Zootopia.
Disney is also planning dedicated adult spaces, including a Little Mermaid-inspired piano lounge and a Snow White-themed gathering space that will transition from family activities during the day to an adults-oriented atmosphere at night.
One thing I appreciate about Disney Cruise Line is how it creates spaces for adults while still making the overall experience family-focused.
Disney Believe looks promising for families who want entertainment and Disney storytelling to be central to their vacation. However, travelers who prioritize a casino or an unlimited alcoholic-drink package may find that another cruise line is a better fit.
6. MSC World Atlantic
Best for: Cruisers interested in MSC’s newer ships and those looking for a potentially appealing luxury upgrade.
MSC World Atlantic is scheduled to debut in November 2027 from Port Canaveral as the fourth ship in MSC’s World class. The ship is expected to accommodate up to approximately 6,762 guests.
I have sailed on MSC Meraviglia, and while I thought the ship was beautiful, I had concerns about the service, main dining room food and portions, and the number of complimentary dining options relative to the number of guests.
That experience is why I’m particularly interested in seeing how MSC’s World-class ships perform.
World Atlantic is expected to offer additional complimentary food venues, including options such as Promenade Bites and other casual dining spaces. The MSC Yacht Club will also have an expanded private sundeck and solarium, along with a second Yacht Club dining room.
MSC Yacht Club is worth considering separately from the standard ship experience. It offers a more exclusive, ship-within-a-ship environment, and MSC has developed that product for travelers seeking a different level of service and privacy.
Would I consider sailing World Atlantic in its first season? Yes. I’m interested in seeing how MSC continues to develop its newer ships and whether the changes address the concerns I’ve had.
My verdict is a question mark, not because the ship lacks interesting features, but because I want to see how the experience works once guests are actually onboard.
If you’re considering MSC, World Atlantic may be worth watching. If service and dining on an earlier MSC ship disappointed you, you may prefer to wait for reviews from its first season.
Watch Part 2: Smaller, Premium and Luxury Cruise Ships Coming in 2027
The second video takes a different approach. These ships aren’t competing to offer the most waterslides or the largest collection of attractions.
Instead, many focus on service, destination experiences, smaller ports, and a more intimate atmosphere.
For these ships, I use a different set of questions:
- Service: Is the ship designed to deliver more personal attention?
- Itinerary: Can it visit places that larger ships cannot?
- What’s included: What does the fare actually cover?
- Evenings: What kind of entertainment and nightlife will be available?
That last question is especially important for me. I enjoy the entertainment choices on larger ships, and it’s one of the things I’d miss most when moving to a smaller vessel.
Here are the ships I explore in Part 2.
7. Oceania Sonata
Best for: Adults seeking a refined cruise with an emphasis on food, enrichment, and destination experiences.
Oceania Sonata is the first ship in Oceania Cruises’ new Sonata class, scheduled to debut in August 2027 with accommodations for approximately 1,390 guests.
Oceania is known for its culinary focus, and Sonata is expected to feature 10 dining venues, including the Grand Dining Room, Jacques, Red Ginger, Polo Grill, and Toscana.
The ship is also designed around enrichment and a more unhurried onboard experience. Planned offerings include culinary classes, destination-focused talks, wellness facilities, and performances in the Sonata Lounge.
Another important consideration is Oceania’s adults-only policy for new reservations, introduced in 2026. Guests must be at least 18, making this a different proposition for travelers who cruise with children or younger family members.
Sonata looks like a promising option for people who want a more refined ocean cruise without moving all the way to an intimate luxury yacht.
It offers a potential middle ground for travelers who enjoy excellent dining and destination enrichment but still want the amenities of a full-size cruise ship.
8. Viking Astrea
Best for: Travelers who prioritize destinations, culture, and a more inclusive cruise experience.
Viking Astrea is scheduled to debut in May 2027, carrying approximately 998 guests. It will be Viking’s second hydrogen-powered ocean ship, with its first season planned for the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
Viking takes a destination-focused approach to cruising. Its ocean ships are adults-only, without casinos or waterslides, and place more emphasis on culture and exploration.
The fare includes a range of amenities, such as one shore excursion in each port, Wi-Fi, onboard meals, selected drinks with lunch and dinner, specialty coffees, teas, bottled water, and enrichment programming. Alternative restaurants are also included.
The important question is whether the included excursions match the way you like to explore.
Some travelers appreciate having tours included in the fare. Others prefer to explore independently or choose more specialized excursions. If you fall into the second category, you may not get the same value from every included benefit.
Viking Astrea looks promising for travelers who enjoy cultural experiences and itineraries that take center stage. The trade-off is a quieter evening atmosphere, with live music, lectures, and performances rather than the large production shows found on many mainstream ships.
9. Explora Journeys EXPLORA IV and EXPLORA V
Best for: Travelers seeking a contemporary luxury cruise with extensive onboard inclusions.
Explora Journeys, MSC Group’s luxury cruise brand, is adding two ships to its fleet in 2027.
EXPLORA IV is scheduled to make its maiden voyage in April, followed by EXPLORA V in December. Both ships are designed for a smaller guest experience than mainstream mega-ships, with approximately 922 to 926 guests at double occupancy.
EXPLORA V is also planned to feature fuel-cell technology that could allow it to operate with its engines switched off and zero emissions while in port.
The appeal of Explora Journeys is the luxury experience and the inclusions that come with it.
The onboard offering includes an extensive beverage package, Wi-Fi, prepaid gratuities, a stocked and replenished minibar, wellness facilities, and other amenities intended to make the vacation feel more seamless.
EXPLORA V’s winter Mediterranean itineraries, followed by voyages in the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula, may also appeal to travelers looking to explore beyond the traditional summer Mediterranean season.
I haven’t sailed with Explora Journeys, so I’m not going to pretend I can evaluate its service from personal experience. But I am interested in what the brand offers, particularly for travelers who want a more luxurious experience without the scale of a mega-ship.
10. Emerald Raiya
Best for: Travelers who want an intimate yacht experience and access to smaller ports.
Emerald Raiya brings Emerald Cruises’ approach to smaller-ship travel out to sea. The yacht is scheduled to debut in June 2027, sailing around Greece and Turkey.
With approximately 128 guests, all accommodated in suites, Emerald Raiya offers a very different experience from a ship carrying several thousand passengers.
Its smaller size is part of the appeal. The itinerary can include harbors and destinations that are not practical for larger cruise ships, while a high crew-to-guest ratio is intended to deliver more personal attention.
Emerald’s positioning emphasizes premium value, with a contemporary and more active approach than some ultra-luxury offerings. Typical inclusions on its yachts cover meals and accompanying drinks, selected excursions, Wi-Fi, and gratuities, although travelers should confirm the exact terms for their sailing.
The trade-off is entertainment. On a yacht of this size, expect a quieter evening atmosphere, such as live music in the lounge, rather than large theatrical productions.
If your favorite part of cruising is discovering destinations and enjoying a more intimate onboard experience, Emerald Raiya is one to watch. If you love the entertainment and variety of a large ship, you may find it too quiet.
11. Aman at Sea’s Amangati
Best for: Luxury travelers who value privacy, personalized service, and unusual experiences.
One of the most intriguing ships in the 2027 lineup is Amangati, the planned luxury sailing yacht from Aman, a brand known for its luxury resorts.
With just 94 guests in 47 suites, each with a private terrace, Amangati is designed to bring the Aman resort experience to the water.
The yacht is scheduled to debut in the Mediterranean in spring 2027 before moving to the Caribbean in November.
Its planned features include a fold-out marina platform with water toys, a two-story spa, four restaurants, a jazz club, a cigar lounge, and a private cinema.
But the most important distinction isn’t simply the list of luxury amenities. It’s the kind of vacation the ship is designed to deliver.
Aman is targeting travelers who want a highly intimate experience, with personalized service, access to smaller ports, and a strong connection between the ship and its destinations.
There is one important detail to understand when comparing luxury fares: luxury does not automatically mean everything is included.
Amangati’s planned fare includes amenities such as a personal suite host, Wi-Fi, selected drinks, onboard entertainment, and use of the marina and its water toys. Wine and cocktails, specialty dining, shore excursions, and spa treatments are among the items that may cost extra.
For anyone considering a yacht at this price level, reading the fare inclusions is essential.
Amangati looks promising for travelers who want privacy, personalized attention, and a more unusual way to explore the Mediterranean and Caribbean. It’s a very different vacation from a conventional cruise ship, and the price should be evaluated accordingly.
12. Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker
Best for: Celebrity Cruises fans who want to explore Europe’s rivers with a familiar cruise brand.
Perhaps the biggest surprise in the second video is that Celebrity Cruises is moving into river cruising.
Celebrity Compass is scheduled to debut in August 2027, followed by Celebrity Seeker in October. The ships are planned to sail the Rhine and Danube, bringing Celebrity’s brand into a completely different type of cruise experience.
This isn’t simply a smaller version of a Celebrity ocean ship. River cruising changes the entire rhythm of a vacation.
Instead of waking up at a cruise terminal outside a city, you often find yourself right in the destination. The focus shifts toward exploring European towns and cities, with the ship serving as your floating hotel.
Celebrity plans to bring some familiar touches to its river ships, including venues inspired by its ocean fleet, such as the Martini Bar, Sunset Bar, and Café al Bacio.
The fare is expected to include meals, Wi-Fi, a Classic Drink Package, onboard experiences, and one shore excursion per day. Travelers should also account for gratuities and check the precise inclusions before comparing prices.
I book Celebrity most often for my own cruises because I enjoy its relaxed luxury atmosphere, food, service, and attention to detail. I’ve never taken a river cruise, so the idea of experiencing Europe this way through a familiar brand is especially interesting to me.
For existing Celebrity fans, Compass and Seeker could be an appealing way to try a new style of travel without moving to an entirely unfamiliar cruise brand.
One thing to remember: these are new ships and a new product for the brand. If you’re interested, pay attention to the itinerary, the fare inclusions, and early guest feedback as the first season approaches.
Which New Cruise Ships in 2027 Are Worth Booking?
There isn’t one ship on this list that will be the right choice for everyone. The best new cruise ship for you depends on the experience you want and how you prefer to spend your vacation.
Here’s how I’d narrow down the choices.
If you want a big-ship family vacation: Start with Royal Caribbean’s Hero of the Seas, Carnival Festivale, or Disney Believe. Each approaches family cruising differently, so consider the activities, atmosphere, and included experiences that matter most to your group.
If you want a modern ship with a more upscale feel: Norwegian Aura is worth watching, particularly if you enjoy Norwegian’s newer ships and want a combination of family attractions and premium accommodations.
If you’re interested in MSC: Keep MSC World Atlantic on your list if you’re curious about the World-class ships and the changes MSC is making to its onboard experience.
If you prefer a refined ocean cruise: Oceania Sonata and Viking Astrea offer different approaches to a more destination-focused experience. Explora Journeys is another option if you’re looking for a luxury cruise with a substantial set of inclusions.
If you want a smaller ship or yacht: Emerald Raiya and Amangati are worth investigating if smaller ports, privacy, and personalized service matter more to you than big-ship entertainment.
If you want to try river cruising: Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker could be particularly interesting if you already enjoy Celebrity Cruises and want to explore Europe in a different way.
What Should You Consider Before Booking a New Cruise Ship?
A new ship can be exciting, but I wouldn’t choose one based on its newest attraction alone.
Here are four things I’d consider before putting down a deposit.
1. Are you comfortable sailing during the inaugural season?
New ships can experience operational bumps during their first few months. That’s true of new hotels and restaurants, too, not just cruise ships.
If you love being among the first to experience something new, you may enjoy an inaugural season. If service consistency and a well-established routine matter more to you, waiting a few months can give the crew time to settle in and provide more guest feedback to consider.
2. What is included in the cruise fare?
Compare more than the starting price. Look at dining, drinks, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, gratuities, and any other benefits you would normally purchase.
A cruise with a higher fare may offer better value if it includes things you’d otherwise pay for separately. Conversely, an expensive luxury cruise may still have meaningful additional costs.
3. Does the ship match your travel style?
Think about how you actually spend your time on vacation.
Do you want waterslides, shows, family activities, and numerous dining venues? Or would you rather have quiet spaces, destination enrichment, personalized service, and access to smaller ports?
Neither approach is inherently better. The right ship is the one that matches the vacation you want.
4. Are you choosing the right itinerary?
The ship is only part of the experience. Consider the ports, length of the cruise, embarkation city, and time spent in each destination.
This matters especially when comparing ocean cruises with river cruises or smaller yachts. The itinerary may be the main reason to choose one sailing over another.
My Take on the New Cruise Ships Coming in 2027
What stands out to me about the 2027 cruise ship lineup is the variety.
The mainstream ships are competing to deliver more activities, dining choices, entertainment, and family experiences. The smaller premium and luxury ships are emphasizing different priorities, including service, destinations, intimacy, and what is included in the fare.
That means 2027 isn’t just about which cruise line is building the biggest ship. It’s about having more ways to choose the vacation that fits you.
I’m particularly interested in seeing how Norwegian Aura addresses the everyday details that can make or break a cruise, how MSC continues to develop its World-class ships, and how Celebrity’s river cruises translate a familiar ocean-cruise brand into a new setting.
And the smaller ships? They make me curious about how much the experience changes when you trade mega-ship entertainment for a more intimate itinerary.
My advice is to look beyond the brochure, compare the total cost, and choose based on how you want to feel during your vacation. A ship can have the most impressive features in the world and still not be the right ship for you.
Let’s Talk Cruising
Which of these new ships coming in 2027 interests you the most? Would you choose a large ship packed with activities, a refined ocean cruise, an intimate luxury yacht, or a European river cruise?
And when you’re deciding whether to book a new ship, what matters most to you: service, food, entertainment, itinerary, or value?
Let me know in the comments. I would love to hear what you think.
Until next time, grab your bags and happy cruising!
Angela
Grab Your Bags Travel
Cruise tips, ship reviews, and travel advice to help you plan your next cruise.
