13 New Cruise Ships to Enter Service in 2026

According to the latest edition of the cruise ship orderbook by Cruise Industry News, 13 cruise ships will enter service in 2026.

As part of a strong year for the shipbuilding business, 13 vessels are set to be delivered to 12 cruise lines, including Viking, which is set to welcome two luxury vessels from Fincantieri.

[Download a PDF of the orderbook here]

The year will be particularly strong in the luxury segment, with seven upscale vessels set to enter service.

In addition to Viking, other brands taking delivery of high-end newbuilds include Emerald Cruises, Explora Journeys, Atlas Ocean Voyages and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Marking Orient Express’s official debut, the OE Corinthian is also set to enter service in 2026, kicking off the company’s first-ever cruise program.

The industry is welcoming several large ships next year as well, including the Legend of the Seas.

Currently being built for Royal Caribbean International at the Meyer Turku in Finland, the 250,000-ton vessel will be the second in the company’s Icon-class series.

Norwegian Cruise Line and TUI Cruises are also welcoming large vessels to their fleets with the debuts of the Norwegian Luna and the Mein Schiff Flow.

Continuing its record-breaking World class, MSC Cruises is set to take delivery of the MSC World Asia from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

Other ships entering service include the Adora Flora City, which will become the largest cruise ship ever built in China, and the Magellan Discovery, which was designed to offer expedition cruises in Antarctica.

According to CIN’s independent research, the new ships will add roughly 38,000 berths to the industry in 2026.

With an average size of 112,377 tons and an average cost of $805,066,667, the newbuilds will cost over $12 billion.

The World to Undergo Major Refit During Six-Week Drydock

The company announced in a press release that the World Residences at Sea is set to undergo a major upgrade.

The refurbishment will take place during a six-week drydock at the Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, Spain.

According to the ship’s operator, the project aims to bring an array of transformative enhancements to the vessel, including environmental, technical and hotel upgrades.

“This extraordinary 40-day, $30+ million outlay in the ship demonstrates residents’ commitment to keeping The World at the forefront of luxury living and represents the next chapter in that journey,” said Jessica Hoppe, president and CEO of The World.

The ship was also recently awarded a “Statement of Extended Life” from Det Norske Veritas (DNV).

“Our resident owners continue to invest in the ship, ensuring that it not only evolves with their needs but also stays ahead of global innovations. Our recent Statement of Extended Life from DNV is a testament to the exceedingly high standards that we set, how hard our deck and engine teams work to meet those standards, and the support that we receive from the resident community,” she added.

As part of its regular schedule, The World is said to enter a planned drydock every three years to conduct routine technology and maintenance upgrades, as well as updates to public spaces based on current design and lifestyle trends.

The DNV statement is a result of the company’s commitment to maintenance.

After the completion of a comprehensive study and extensive evaluation, DNV recognized its commitment to maximizing the sustainable lifespan of the vessel.

“Most notably, The World’s physical condition is that of a ship that is just 5.6 years old, far younger than her chronological age—providing confidence in her long-term quality, efficiency, and environmental responsibility,” the company stated.

The 2025 drydock will focus on energy efficiency and sustainability, ensuring that the World continues to meet and exceed global climate targets.

Among the updates is the installation of shore power, also known as cold ironing, a High Voltage Shore Connection (HVSC) system.

The ship’s bulbous bow will be replaced as part of a decarbonization project.

Originally optimized for a speed of 19 knots, the new design will reduce hull resistance by up to 10 percent and significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The World will also debut a reimagined pool deck, a refreshed spa and more.

Fincantieri Delivers Mein Schiff Relax in Monfalcone

Fincantieri has delivered the new Mein Schiff Relax to TUI Cruises, with the ship being handed over on Friday in Monfalcone.

Fincantieri said in a press release that the vessel is the first of two InTUltion class new concept cruise ships that are dual fuel powered (Liquid Natural Gas and Marine Gas Oil) that Fincantieri is building for TUI Cruises. The sister ship will set sail in mid-2026.

According to the press release, the Italian Minister for Relations with Parliament, Luca Ciriani, attended the ceremony, welcomed by Biagio Mazzotta, and Pierroberto Folgiero, chairman, CEO and managing director of Fincantieri.

The event was also attended by Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of the Fincantieri Merchant Ships Division, as well as Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises, Frank Kuhlmann, chief financial officer of TUI Cruises and Captain Tom Roth.

The company said that this unit forms the backbone of TUI Cruises’ new fleet, based on a first-in-class project developed by Fincantieri.

The project focuses on energy efficiency and aims to reduce operational consumption and minimize environmental impact in compliance with the latest regulations. According to Fincantieri, the ship’s ability to use low-emission fuels marks a step towards climate-neutral cruising.

The ship also features catalytic converters meeting Euro 6 standards, a generative turbine using the residual heat from the diesel generators and an electrical shore-power connection. This ensures almost emission-free operations while in port (about 40 per cent of operating time).

The ship also has a waste treatment system that can transform organic materials into recyclable components.