From new ships to more immersive itineraries, 2025 is set to be a busy year for the cruise industry.
The typical cruise passenger is getting younger as taking to the waves is increasingly seen as an affordable and viable family holiday option and a good choice for for solo travellers.
More than a quarter of sailors in the past two years are new-to-cruise, according to data from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) trade body – an annual increase of 12 per cent.
Cruise lines are catering for this new and younger audience with ship launches that consider onboard activities and entertainment, and there is now a focus on how and where people want to sail and what they want to eat and drink.
Cruise lines are also keen to green and show they are aware of their impact on marine life and the destinations they visit. This is influencing itineraries but also the way cruise lines interact with their passengers, with a big shift towards mobile apps.
It will be a long time until robots start steering the ships but here are some of the top changes that are set to make waves in the cruise industry during 2025.
Read more: The best cruise deals for 2025
New ships
It is a big year for ship launches, with lots of megaships hitting the high seas.
The 6,762 capacity MSC World America will set sail for the first time in April with Caribbean itineraries from Miami.
Royal Caribbean is set to launch a sister ship to Icon of the Seas, currently the largest cruise ship in the world. It will unveil Star of the Seas in August with sailings from Orlando, catering for 5,610 passengers. The ship features eight different neighbourhoods, a waterpark and slides as well as 40 places to eat and drink.
In September, Virgin Voyages will launch its much-anticipated fourth ship Brilliant Lady with a five-night roundtrip sailing from New York.
Princess Cruises is also preparing for the launch of Star Princess, which will be the biggest ship in its fleet. Its first sailing is scheduled from Barcelona in October.
Fresh from unveiling Disney Treasure at the end of 2024, Mickey and co will welcome two new ships in 2025. The brand is due to launch Disney Destiny from Port Canaveral in November and Adventure, focused on the Asian market, in December.
The UK will also welcome several ships in 2025. The Ritz-Carlton’s newest superyacht, Ilma,…
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