2025 Cruise trends: new ships, uncharted waters and record voyages
From Cunard’s Queen Anne arriving in Sydney for the first time to the longest cruise to ever depart from Australia, we have all the ship happenings you need to know about this year.
Every year, cruising steers into uncharted waters, navigating the latest trends and world events. January already launched 2025 in a different direction, with record numbers of cruises in Africa, many redirected long ago from the Red Sea and Suez Canal due to conflicts in the region. The remaining months will see dozens of new ships and experiences headed for the globe’s great oceans and rivers. These are some of the best cruise moments in store for our shores.
February
Sydneysiders may remember February 2007 when hundreds of thousands of spectators descended upon the harbour to witness the so-called royal rendezvous between Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2. Traffic ground to a halt, public transport was overwhelmed, and ferries could not move past the surrounding sightseeing boats. Eighteen years later, Queen Anne is set to arrive around sunrise on February 28. Not yet a legend like the QM2 and QE2, it’s unlikely to cause chaos, but diehard fans will be intrigued to see the historic line’s first new ship in 14 years.
March
A chapter of local history comes to an end when P&O Cruises Australia dissolves this month. The iconic brand represented the first time on a ship for many travellers, from Ten Pound Poms and World War II troops to young Aussies partying on the Fairstar. Two of the fleet will stay in Sydney and Brisbane, transferred to Carnival Cruise Line.
European river cruise season starts every March with a slew of new vessels. Viking has nine new builds on the way: Viking Nerthus, to be based in France on the Seine; Viking Gyda on the Douro in Portugal; and Annar, Dagur, Eldir and Honir on the Rhine and Danube.
APT will reveal its most stylish ships in Europe, Solara and Ostara. The vessels are sleek black instead of the traditional white, and each has six dining venues and stylish decor. This is a fresh course for the Australian company, which recently terminated its two-decade partnership with AmaWaterways.
Finally, after a few delays, river cruising is coming to Colombia. The 60-passenger AmaMagdalena is set to sail year-round along the Magdalena River between Cartagena and Barranquilla, soon to be joined by AmaMelodia.
April
New sailing trips to less crowded Greek islands offer an alternative to summer congestion. G Adventures is building five 56ft yachts, equipped with solar panels and quieter engines that minimise environmental impact. Evoking a private yacht experience, the 10-guest vessels have five ensuite cabins, a communal area, and sunbathing deck with outdoor shower. Embarkation is in Athens, Mykonos or Santorini, but the skipper soon flees for calmer spots to swim, hike and dine. The season runs from April to October.
Need more space? NCL will unveil a three-bedroom, three-bathroom, two-storey Haven Duplex Suite when it christens Norwegian Aqua in Florida. The luxurious loft is housed within The Haven, a private deck for guests booked in the top accommodation, with exclusive facilities and 24/7 butler service. The ship will also boast the fleet’s first Thai restaurant, a plant-based food outlet, and a wild ride that’s a cross between a roller coaster and a water slide. Eric Stonestreet, star of TV sitcom Modern Family, will lead the ceremony as the ship’s
May
Luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent is launching its first vessel in Latin America. The 22-passenger riverboat, Pure Amazon, will be based in Peru for wildlife adventures in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Guests can go fishing for piranhas, spot sloths on nature walks and pink dolphins in the lagoons or join night tours to observe the rainforest’s nocturnal creatures. On-board activities include morning yoga on the observation deck and wellness treatments inspired by Amazonian healing practices. Chic interiors make the most of Peruvian materials and handcrafted furniture. Pure Amazon has 10 suites and two solo cabins, with a choice of itineraries from three to seven nights.
June
On June 4, Crown Princess sets sail for 113 nights on the longest cruise ever to depart from Australia. At 19 decks high, 290m long and carrying 3080 passengers, the Princess Cruises ship is also the largest in history to host a full world voyage. The six-continent odyssey covers more than 40 destinations across 25 countries.
In the same month, a rare locally built vessel is scheduled to start churning along the Murray River. Under construction in Victoria, the 38-passenger paddle-steamer, Australian Star, has a hybrid diesel/steam propulsion system featuring a refurbished 1907 wood-fired engine. Among the modern touches are free wi-fi, a fine-dining restaurant and an elevator. Each of the 19 ensuite staterooms opens to a deck to enjoy the riverside views of gum trees, wetlands and birdlife. Taking over from the vintage PS Emmylou, Australian Star will operate weekly from Echuca. Included shore excursions will focus on the natural wonders, Indigenous culture and explorer history of the region.
July
Known for its cuisine, Oceania Cruises is recruiting 120 chefs – that’s one chef for every 10 guests – to work aboard the new Allura. In addition to its esteemed dining options offered across the fleet, the ship will introduce Creperie, serving 20 types of made-to-order crepes, waffles and ice- cream sundaes. With half of the 800 crew members dedicated to culinary experiences, the 1200-guest Allura is a promising option for foodies and all meals at the 12 dining venues are included in fares. The maiden voyage from Trieste to Athens departs July 18. Later seasons are spent in the Caribbean, Canada and New England.
Viking is also adding an ocean ship, the 998-passenger Viking Vesta. The inaugural sailing from Venice to Barcelona will kick off a busy Mediterranean and Northern Europe program.
August
Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas may not align with everybody’s tastes, but there’s no ignoring the hype around the next contender for world’s biggest cruise ship. Accommodating 5610 passengers at double occupancy (7600 at maximum capacity) and 2350 crew, it will offer more than 40 places to dine or drink, seven pools, six water slides, ice skating, pickleball courts, an escape room and a carousel. A 16m waterfall is used in a daring show called H2Whoa, performed by professional divers in the AquaDome. Straight from Broadway, the headline production is Back to the Future: The Musical. Cruises sail round-trip from Port Canaveral, Orlando, Florida.
September
Get ready for three epic parties in New York, Miami and Los Angeles to celebrate Brilliant Lady, the fourth and final instalment of Virgin Voyages. The Brilliant 4 You Pass gets you on its first four cruises departing from these cities and Seattle as it sails toward Alaska. It guarantees access to the VIP events, early boarding and free shore excursions. The adults-only ship will have more than 20 complimentary eateries, ranging from vegetarian to Korean barbecue, and 17 bars. Burn off some kilojoules at the free fitness classes, in the boxing ring, or dancing around the pool, nightclubs and drag shows. The innovative company is also selling summer passes that include laundry service and coffee if you spend 24 to 40 nights on board.
October
International ships start repositioning from the northern to southern hemisphere this month, arriving in time for Australia’s warmer weather. This annual movement officially begins our 2025/26 peak cruise season, which runs until April. Silversea’s Silver Nova leads the charge, entering via Darwin on October 2 before heading down the east coast to Sydney. Several ships will be making their maiden calls in Australia this summer, including Silver Moon, Anthem of the Seas and Discovery Princess.
Princess Cruises’ biggest ship, Sun Princess, gets a twin sister when the 4300-passenger Star Princess is deployed in the Mediterranean. Some venues have been expanded, such as the extra seats at O’Malley’s Irish Pub and the Love by Britto restaurant. The casino has added a non-smoking area, while kids can play in pop-jet fountains at the Splash Zone. Star Princess is bound for the Caribbean, followed by Alaska. In addition to its new ocean ship and nine river ships in Europe, Viking Cruises will debut the 80-guest Viking Tonle on the Mekong. For nine months of every year, 14-night river cruises are offered between Cambodia and Vietnam.
November
Celebrity Xcel is the fifth and final of Celebrity Cruises’ Edge class, recognisable by its orange Magic Carpet deck that moves up and down the exterior. Plans include a redesign of the Retreat area, a Daniel Boulud restaurant, and a larger rooftop garden that will expand over the edge of the ship, with a few more surprises yet to be announced.
Christmas-market river cruises start in late November in Europe. However, there’s another option for lovers of festive movies. The Hallmark Christmas Cruise from Miami to Mexico is an extravaganza of carols, crafts, contests, star appearances and the premiere of a new Hallmark Christmas movie. Although the 2025 cruise is sold out, cancelled cabins are released every Friday and a second departure is expected, which happened last year.
December
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will sail in Asia for the first time with its third superyacht, Luminara. After repositioning from Europe via South Africa and Sri Lanka, it departs Singapore on December 23 for a week of exploring the Malay Peninsula. Other itineraries include Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea and The Philippines. The 452-passenger vessel will have five restaurants, six bars, a wine vault, gym, spa, salon, spacious suites up to 100sq m, and a ratio of almost one crew member for every guest. An aft marina enables direct sea access for kayaking and paddle-boarding, when weather conditions allow.
Gone are the days of having to fly to South America to cruise to Antarctica. Aurora Expeditions is the latest to resume more convenient departures from Australia or New Zealand. The new 130-passenger Douglas Mawson leaves from Hobart on December 11 and returns to Dunedin almost a month later, retracing the route of Sir Douglas Mawson’s 1911–1914 Australasian Antarctic Expedition. This one is for hardy mariners, as about half of the trip is spent at sea.
As part of a collaboration with Singapore Tourism Board, Disney Adventure will sail exclusively from the Marina Bay Cruise Centre for the next five years, from December 15. The inaugural itineraries, from three to five nights, don’t stop anywhere because the ship itself is the attraction. Entertainment is provided by superheroes from Disney’s Marvel movies. Deadpool, Spider-Man, Thor, Captain America and Black Panther star in a new stage show, Avengers Assemble! Other attractions on the company’s first Asia-based ship include an Iron Man-themed roller coaster and a Toy Story water park for kids.
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