Caribbean Cruise Capacity Up Over 10% for 2026
The Caribbean will have over 40 percent of cruise market share worldwide in 2026, according to the upcoming 2026 Cruise Industry News Annual Report.
CIN data shows that more than 200 ships will sail in the region, with capacity up over 10 percent on a year-over-year basis.
Larger brands, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC and Norwegian, will account for 75 percent of the capacity in the Caribbean this year.
Pushing up the numbers are large new ships, which are set to enter service for some of these brands over the course of 2026.
Norwegian will add a new ship to its Caribbean lineup in the second quarter, with the debut of the new Norwegian Luna.
Currently under construction in Italy, the 3,571-passenger vessel is set to offer weeklong cruises departing from PortMiami.
In November, Royal Caribbean is also introducing the next largest ship in the world, the Legend of the Seas.
As the third vessel in the company’s Icon-class series, the 5,610-guest ship will offer a seasonal deployment out of Fort Lauderdale.
The Caribbean is also welcoming new ships from a series of upscale and niche brands, such as Explora Journeys.
After an inaugural season in Northern Europe, the 922-guest ship will spend the 2026-27 season offering a series of cruises between San Juan and Miami.
Other luxury ships arriving in the region this year include the Seven Seas Prestige, the Four Seasons I, and Orient Express’ Corinthian.
2026 will also mark the first full year of service for megaships that entered service in 2025.
The lineup includes MSC’s World America, which debuted last April, Norwegian’s Aqua, which also debuted in April, and Royal Caribbean’s Star, which entered service in August.
After kicking off its maiden season in November 2025, the Disney Destiny will also offer its first year-round schedule in Port Everglades
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