The cruise industry is set for growth with new ships and themed itineraries attracting diverse travelers in 2026 and 2027.
The cruise industry continues to thrive thanks to a significant number of new ships preparing to join fleets around the world and themed itineraries that attract both new and returning passengers.
FLORIDA - Ship travel is continuously reshaping itself with new ships joining fleets, themed journeys, and unique experiences offered at sea and on rivers.
In this article, we take a look at the key trends that will stand out in cruise travel in 2026 and 2027.
New cruise ships
According to the 2026 Cruise Industry News Annual Report, the global cruise ship fleet is expected to rise from 459 ships at the beginning of this year to approximately 540 by 2037. This means that passenger capacity will reach nearly 50 million within the next decade.
According to Cruise Industry News, 13 new cruise ships will enter service in 2026. Of the new beds, 22,841 will be in the contemporary segment, 4,166 in the luxury segment, and 100 will be used for expedition-focused travel.
Among the highlighted ships is Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas, which made its maiden voyage in July. The world's largest cruise ship, Legend of the Seas shares this title with its sister ships, Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas. Legend of the Seas features 28 dining venues, seven pools, the Crown's Edge aerial park, a water park, a surf simulator, a climbing wall, and a mini-golf course; in addition, it offers shows such as Roald Dahl's adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and America's Got Talent LIVE.
Also in July, Explora Journeys took delivery of its third ship, EXPLORA III, at Fincantieri's Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa, Italy. The widest ship in the Explora fleet, EXPLORA III includes three different dining concepts: The Cellar, The Chef's Table, and Shore Club on 11, along with various penthouses and residences, as well as spa and fitness areas.
Earlier this year, the world's first hydrogen-powered cruise ship, Viking Libra, reached a significant milestone in its construction. Launched on March 19 at Fincantieri's Ancona shipyard, the ship is designed to sail with nearly zero emissions while operating on hydrogen and is scheduled to enter service in November 2026.
Viking River Cruises also took delivery of the company's newest long ship, Viking Dagur. Built at Meyer’s Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock-Warnemünde, Germany, the ship has a capacity of 190 passengers and will operate on Viking's river cruise routes on the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers.
“Chocolate Lab” on MSC World Asia
Another new ship set to enter service in 2026 is MSC World Asia. Starting in December 2026, this MSC Cruises ship will embark on seven-night Mediterranean itineraries, visiting ports such as Barcelona, Marseille, Messina, Civitavecchia (Rome), Naples, and Valletta.
Equipped with new entertainment, gastronomy, and family experiences, guests traveling on MSC World Asia will be able to explore over 40 bars, lounges, cafes, and restaurants. Passengers will also enjoy the largest Venchi chocolate experience at sea; a 300-square-meter area combining a chocolate boutique, café, and gelateria awaits them.
Located in the Galleria area on Deck 6, the Venchi space offers a live chocolate-making experience; guests can watch the masters at work and enter the “chocolate lab” to create their own custom tablets. In collaboration, Venchi and MSC Cruises have also developed a new ice cream flavor called “Crunchy Waves”; this flavor will be available at selected Venchi stores worldwide from August 1-31.
As a member of MSC’s flagship World Class series, powered by LNG, MSC World Asia will accommodate up to 6,762 passengers and offer over 2,600 cabins. Other entertainment areas include the Family Aventura District, The Clubhouse, and MSC Luna Park Arena.
Young travelers embracing cruise vacations
Europe's cruise sector is increasingly attracting a younger audience. These travelers are adopting cruise travel as a flexible and experience-focused holiday form, with the Mediterranean being a significant part of the story.
According to MSC Cruises data, 34% of bookings from travelers aged 18-35 are made for Mediterranean routes. This figure aligns with data from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which states that the Mediterranean is the leading region in the overall cruise industry.
MSC reports that interest in the Caribbean is also rising among young travelers. Currently, approximately 40% of bookings from the 18-35 age group for 2026 are for Caribbean routes; this figure was 28% in 2024 and 33% in 2025.
MSC stated, “This upward trend indicates that young travelers are increasingly choosing cruise vacations to reach a broader range of destinations, including those traditionally viewed as more luxurious.”
Themed cruises: True crime stories, golf, and music
True crime stories are gaining significant interest in literature, the podcast world, television, and cinema; now they have also become a popular trend in cruise travel.
Virgin Voyages recently announced that its adult-only true crime-themed cruise, described as a must-do experience for all “amateur detectives,” will return “due to high demand.”
The ship will set sail from Miami on March 20, 2027, for a five-night adventure in the Caribbean. Onboard, there will be live podcast recordings, behind-the-scenes sessions for aspiring content creators, meet-and-greets with hosts of true crime shows, and events featuring crime-themed trivia contests that will test passengers' “detective skills.”
Health and active lifestyle-focused cruises are another rising trend adopted by many cruise companies, including Silversea. Silversea recently announced a new golf-focused travel collection, set to begin in 2027, in partnership with international golf travel provider PerryGolf. These new cruises will offer passengers the opportunity to play at some of the world's most famous golf courses.
On the other hand, river cruise company VIVA Cruises confirmed that its “Winter Magic with André Rieu” cruises will take place in December 2026. The VIVA RUBY will embark on six-night journeys departing from Düsseldorf on December 9 and 15, stopping at Venlo, Roermond, Maastricht, and Nijmegen, with the opportunity to attend a Christmas concert by the famous violinist and conductor André Rieu.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
