CIN data shows that over 180 ships will sail in the region across 57 cruise lines, with capacity up 3.7 percent on a year-over-year basis.
MSC and Costa will together account for nearly 40 percent of the capacity in the Mediterranean this year.
Among North American brands, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Celebrity round out the top five, collectively accounting for approximately 18 percent of the market.
In addition, AIDA, Princess, Marella and TUI each bring significant capacity, while Viking Ocean has expanded its presence as it continues to expand.
New entrants and niche operators are adding further diversity. Aroya Cruises is positioning a ship in the region for a second straight year, while Orient Express is set to debut its much-anticipated Corinthian.
The capacity increase is being driven primarily by larger vessels.
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
Set to become the largest ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, the Norwegian Aura will offer cruises in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean starting in mid-2027.
Inaugural Cruise in the Mediterranean Dates: May 21, 2027 Length: 7 nights Homeports: Trieste (Italy) to Barcelona (Spain) Itinerary: Valletta (Malta); Salerno and Civitavecchia (Italy)
The Norwegian Aura will make its debut in the Mediterranean as part of a seven-night cruise departing from the Italian port of Trieste.
Sailing to Barcelona, the open-jaw itinerary features visits to destinations in Italy, Spain and Malta, such as Valletta, Salerno and Civitavecchia.
First Trans-Atlantic Crossing Date: May 28, 2027 Length: 13 nights Homeports: Barcelona (Spain) to Miami (United States) Itinerary: Gibraltar (United Kingdom); Motril and Cádiz (Spain)
Following its inaugural cruise in the Mediterranean, the Norwegian Aura kicks off a trans-Atlantic cruise to Miami.
The 13-night cruise sails to three ports before crossing the Atlantic: Cádiz, Motril and Gibraltar. The itinerary also includes eight days of cruising.
U.S. Debut Date: June 14, 2027 Length: 5 nights Homeport: Miami (United States) Itinerary: Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic); and Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas)
For its U.S. debut, the Prima Plus-class ship offers a short cruise to the Bahamas and the Caribbean sailing from PortMiami.
In addition to a day at sea, the five-night itinerary features visits to Puerto Plata and Norwegian’s private island destination of Great Stirrup Cay.
Eastern Caribbean Date: Weekly departures starting on June 19, 2027 Length: 8 nights Homeport: Miami (United States) Itinerary: Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic); St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands); Tortola (British Virgin Islands); Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas)
After its first short cruise, the Norwegian Aura kicks off a series of regular seven-night cruises to the Eastern Caribbean for the summer of 2027.
Sailing from PortMiami every Saturday, the ship offers an itinerary that features visits to Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Tortola and Great Stirrup Cay.
Western Caribbean Date: Weekly departures starting on October 30, 2027 Length: 7 nights Homeport: Miami (United States) Itinerary: Roatán (Honduras); Harvest Caye (Belize); Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico)
The new ship will move to the Western Caribbean for the 2027-28 season, offering weeklong cruises to the region starting in late October.
Also sailing from Miami, the itineraries include visits to Honduras, Belize and Mexico with planned stops at Roatán, Harvest Caye, Costa Maya and Cozumel.
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