by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 7:30 AM ET, Tue April 28, 2026
April was an eventful month for the cruise industry. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) released its 2026 State of the Cruise Industry report, numerous brands announced fleet expansions and others celebrated major construction milestones for new ships. In case you missed them, these were the biggest cruise news stories of April 2026.
Top Takeaways From CLIA's 2026 State of the Cruise Industry Report
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) released its 2026 State of the Cruise Industry report this month, offering a stat-driven look at how the industry is faring. In 2025, a record-high 37.2 million people took cruise vacations, according to the report. That’s up from 34.6 million passengers in 2024 and 31.7 million in 2023.
“Cruising is sailing toward the future with exceptional momentum and strength,” says Bud Darr, president and chief executive officer of CLIA. “Record demand, growing interest from new cruisers and sustained confidence in the cruise experience are being matched by innovation, technological advancements and destination partnerships. At the same time, we’re seeing a meaningful shift in recognition that cruise is a leader in sustainable operations.”
AmaWaterways Announces Major Fleet Expansion
This month, AmaWaterways revealed that it plans to grow its fleet to more than 50 ships by 2032, with multiple new vessels introduced each year across both established and emerging regions.
AmaMagna in Budapest (Photo Credit: AmaWaterways)
The brand currently has 31 ships in operation. It already has three new ships announced to debut in 2027 on the Rhine, Danube and Mekong.
In Europe, AmaWaterways had already confirmed eight new ships and is now adding seven more, including one in Portugal. The line is also adding one additional ship on the Chobe River in Africa, joining Zambezi Queen, and two new ships on the Nile River in Egypt.
Princess Cruises Orders Three New Ships
The Princess Cruises fleet is growing. The line announced this month that it ordered three new ships from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, which are slated for delivery in late 2035, 2038 and 2039.
The 183,000-gross-ton vessels will be the largest by capacity in the Princess Cruises fleet, with space to accommodate approximately 4,700 travelers. They represent a brand new platform called the Voyager class, featuring completely reimagined outer decks, staterooms and Piazza designs. They’ll also be dual-fuel powered—primarily by liquefied natural gas.
Carnival Corporation & plc, Princess Cruises’ parent company, already has seven new ships under contract that are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2033.
Riverside Luxury Cruises to Launch Riverside Mahler in 2028
Riverside Luxury Cruises plans to debut an additional ship in 2028, the company announced this month.
In 2023, the company purchased five river ships from Crystal Cruises: Mozart, Debussy, Ravel, Mahler and Bach. Since then, it has put Mozart, Debussy and Ravel into service under the Riverside Luxury Cruises banner.
Now, it plans to launch the fourth—Mahler. Riverside Mahler will join sister-ship Riverside Debussy sailing itineraries on the Rhine, Main, Moselle and Danube rivers.
Trafalgar Launches River Cruising With Inaugural Sailings of Trafalgar Verity and Trafalgar Reverie
In April, Trafalgar officially launched its new river cruise offerings, with Trafalgar Verity and Trafalgar Reverie setting sail on their inaugural voyages.
The 128-guest Trafalgar Verity hosted trade partners, media and team members with a three-day inaugural sailing. Guests enjoy the ship’s official naming ceremony and blessing, as well as curated cultural programming, including a visit to a historic Dutch windmill and a hosted lunch in the small fishing village of Monnickendam. The ship’s godmother is past guest Cassandra Estrella-Roca.
The 128-guest Trafalgar Reverie also embarked on its inaugural sailing along the Danube, a sold-out departure featuring a naming ceremony and blessing led by company executives and godmother Kate McIntosh. Guests are experiencing the “Best of the Danube” itinerary from Passau to Budapest.
Meet Skipper, Chief Dog Officer for Royal Caribbean's New Ship Legend of the Seas
Meet Skipper, the friendly pup that will serve as the “chief dog officer” aboard Royal Caribbean International’s forthcoming ship, Legend of the Seas. Michael Bayley, the line’s president and chief executive officer, shared an adorable video this month of Skipper’s first day at work at the company’s headquarters in Miami.
Skipper, the chief dog officer for Legend of the Seas (Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean International)
Skipper, a golden retriever born in early February, is continuing a tradition that started with Icon of the Seas, which introduced the position with Rover in 2024. Next, a pup named Sailor joined the team aboard Star of the Seas in 2025. Skipper will set sail on Legend of the Seas, which is slated to debut in Europe in July.
More Cruise Ships Safely Cross Strait of Hormuz After Being Stranded For Weeks
Several cruise ships safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz after being stranded for weeks. The list includes two TUI Cruises cruise ships—Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5—as well as Celestyal Discovery, Celestyal Journey and MSC Euribia.
Celestyal Discovery, under the command of Captain Nikolaos Vasileiou, became the first cruise ship to depart the gulf on April 17. According to Celestyal Cruises, the ship "established a safe and proven route through the Strait, enabling other cruise operators to follow."
Helmed by Captain Angelos Vasilakos, Celestyal Journey followed on April 18, leading a broader convoy of cruise ships. Both Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey are now repositioning to the Mediterranean, where they will begin their summer sailings as planned. All future sailings currently on sale will operate as scheduled.
Disney Cruise Line, Port of San Diego Extend Partnership Through 2031
Disney Cruise Line and the Port of San Diego extended their partnership through at least 2031, which will roughly double the number of Disney cruises sailing out of the Southern California city each year. The agreement gives Disney non-exclusive priority access to the north and south berths at the B Street cruise terminal.
Disney estimates more than a million passengers will pass through the port, representing the first time in more than 20 years that a cruise line has offered a minimum annual guarantee at the Port of San Diego.
Oceania Cruises to Update Ships
Oceania Cruises will update two of its ships, the company revealed this month. It will transform Oceania Nautica into Oceania Aurelia, upgrading the vessel for longer voyages, and it will refurbish Oceania Marina.
Both projects are part of the fleetwide OceaniaNEXT program, which is meant to help ensure the company’s existing vessels are aligned with the design and ambiance of its planned new builds.
Royal Caribbean's New Ship Legend of the Seas Starts Sea Trials
This month, Royal Caribbean celebrated a major construction milestone for its newest ship, Legend of the Seas, ahead of its July 2026 debut. The vessel—the third ship in the brand’s Icon Class—started sea trials in Turku, Finland, with more than 2,000 engineers and specialists conducting a series of technical tests to evaluate the vessel’s systems. Legend of the Seas will cover approximately 2,400 nautical miles before returning to the Meyer Turku shipyard for its final stages of construction.
Princess Cruises’ Star Princess Transits Panama Canal for First Time
In April, Princess Cruises’ newest ship, Star Princess, completed its first-ever transit of the Panama Canal, giving guests a front-row seat to one of the world’s greatest engineering marvels. The transit marks a significant moment in the ship’s inaugural season, which kicked off last fall.
“A Panama Canal transit is a true “must-do” journey for travelers around the world, and it’s especially meaningful when one of our newest ships makes this iconic passage for the very first time,” says Gennaro Arma, captain of Star Princess. “We’re honored to make this historic crossing in partnership with the Panama Canal Authority, whose expertise and stewardship have shaped one of the world’s great maritime landmarks.”
Star Princess transiting the Panama Canal (Photo Credit: Princess Cruises)
Norwegian Cruise Line Celebrates Float Out of Norwegian Aura
Norwegian Cruise Line celebrated a major construction milestone for its newest ship Norwegian Aura. In April, the cruise line and shipbuilding partner Fincantieri floated out Norwegian Aura for the first time in Monfalcone, Italy, marking the first time the vessel touched water.
Now that the external hull is constructed, crews will turn their attention toward interior spaces ahead of Norwegian Aura’s scheduled debut in May 2027. After a transatlantic crossing, the vessel will homeport in Miami and offer seven-day voyages to the Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean.
“She builds on the legacy of our award-winning Prima Class while taking our commitment to thoughtfully designed guest‑first experiences even further,” says Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Created in close partnership with Fincantieri, the ship is purposefully constructed to deliver an elevated, multi‑generational vacation experience, with expansive outdoor spaces like Ocean Heights that bring families and friends together for fun-filled days.”
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises Celebrates Launch of New Ship S.S. Emilie
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises celebrated the launch of its newest river ship, S.S. Emilie. The 154-guest vessel set sail on its inaugural voyage—Uniworld’s 10-day “Tulips & Windmills” itinerary—after a christening ceremony led by president and chief executive officer Ellen Bettridge, and Julie Higgins, the ship’s godmother and the brand’s sustainability officer.
S.S. Emilie is the brand’s first new build since 2020. It’s named after Emilie Flöge, the life partner of Austrian painter Gustav Klimt.
Scenic Group Announces Fleet Expansion Through 2028
Scenic Group is celebrating 40 years of innovation by expanding its fleet. The company has nine new ships launching between 2026 and 2028, marking one of the most significant growth periods in the company’s history.
The expansion is already underway with the debut of Emerald Kaia in April, followed by the launch of Emerald Astra in May. From there, the company plans to introduce Emerald Lumi, Emerald Nova, Emerald Raiya and Scenic Aria in 2027 and Scenic Spirit II, Scenic Ikon Discovery Yacht and Emerald Xara in 2028.
Holland America Line to Spend More Than $500 Million Updating Six Ships
Holland America Line plans to renovate six ships under a new $500 million project called “Holland America Evolution.” The multiyear renovation—which represents the largest fleet update in the line’s 153-year history—will take place ship by ship, delivering a comprehensive bow-to-stern revitalization while bringing the best of its Pinnacle Class ships across most of the fleet.
The line will refurbish four Vista Class ships—Oosterdam, Zuiderdam, Westerdam and Noordam—and the two Signature Class ships, Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam. Working with Fincantieri, the company will upgrade guest spaces and add additional staterooms and suites to boost capacity. Holland America Line will also make sustainability updates to all the vessels.
MSC Cruises Announces New Luxury Private Island, Sandy Cay
MSC Group’s Cruise Division announced it’ll be offering a new private island destination adjacent to its Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas, called Sandy Cay, to debut in 2028.
Aerial view rendering of Sandy Cay, MSC's new luxury private island oasis. (Photo Credit: MSC Cruises)
Offering a luxury experience for MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys guests, Sandy Cay will offer aragonite beaches and a more luxurious and nature-driven private island cruise destination, to complement the currently open Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Additionally, the group will enhance Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve with new dining venues, new beach concepts for families and adults, more areas to relax and immersive conservation experiences that tie in the island as a designated marine reserve.
See Inside Royal Caribbean's Ultimate Family Treehouse on New Hero of the Seas Ship
This month, Royal Caribbean International offered a look at some of the spaces that will be available onboard its fourth Icon Class ship, Hero of the Seas, which is slated to debut in August 2027.
One that’s getting a lot of buzz is the Ultimate Family Treehouse, a first-of-its-kind accommodation designed for families and groups. The cruise line recently unveiled a social media video rendering of the space, which can accommodate up to 12 travelers.
The space includes a private whirlpool on the balcony; indoor and outdoor dining areas; a rooftop terrace with a private whirlpool and ocean views; and a two-deck teen room that includes a game room and a secret hideout spot.
CLIA Inducts Industry Veterans Into CLIA Hall of Fame
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) paid tribute to Azamara Cruises CEO Dondra Ritzenthaler and TRAVELSAVERS, NEST and The Affluent Traveler Collection Founder CEO A.J. “Rick” Mazza with the CLIA Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Award for Lifetime Achievement during the annual 2026 CLIA 360 conference in Fort Lauderdale.
Ritzenthaler’s background includes key positions in the airline and cruise industries, including American Airlines and Celebrity Cruises. Mazza, a 50-year industry veteran, founded TRAVELSAVERS in 1970, a marketing group for travel advisors.
The CLIA Hall of Fame Awards ceremony was held on April 24 in Fort Lauderdale, during the CLIA 360 event, which kicked off on April 21 and concluded on April 26.
Viking Celebrates Float Out of Two Newest Nile River Ships, Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet
This month, Viking celebrated major construction milestones for its two newest ships for the Nile River. Viking Ptah, which is slated to debut in September, and Viking Sekhmet, scheduled to launch in November, both touched water for the first time, with traditional float out ceremonies for the vessels being held at Massara shipyard in Cairo.
The Viking Hathor cruises the Nile River, Egypt. (Photo Credit: Viking)
Later this year, both vessels will officially join the company’s growing fleet of ships in Egypt and will sail the 12-day “Pharaohs & Pyramids” itinerary. They will join Viking Osiris, Viking Aton, Viking Sobek, Viking Hathor, Viking Amun and Viking Thoth.
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