by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 7:00 AM ET, Fri October 30, 2026
October brought a wave of major developments across the cruise industry, from new ship announcements and fleet reshuffling to fresh travel options and signs of continued demand. Here are the biggest cruise news stories of October 2026.
Norwegian Cruise Line Unveils Final Prima Class Ship, Norwegian Bella
This month, Norwegian Cruise Line unveiled its sixth and final ship in its Prima Class: Norwegian Bella. The vessel is scheduled to begin offering seven-day Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona, Spain, in May 2028. Norwegian Bella’s inaugural season will include calls in Rome, Florence and Salerno, Italy; Marseille, France; and Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
The approximately 1,129-foot-long vessel will measure 170,000 gross tons and accommodate 3,921 guests at double occupancy. It will join Norwegian Aura, scheduled for delivery in May 2027, as the largest ships in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet.
A rendering of Norwegian Bella (Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)
Carnival Corporation Moving Vessels Between Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Cunard
Carnival Corporation revealed this month that it’s moving ships between several of its brands. Holland America Line will add P&O Cruises’ Vista Class ship Arcadia to its fleet in 2029, bringing the premium cruise line’s total fleet to 12 ships and adding capacity for more than 2,000 guests.
As Arcadia moves to Holland America Line, P&O Cruises will receive Cunard’s Queen Anne. The 3,000-passenger Queen Anne is scheduled to join P&O Cruises in 2029 and will undergo extensive design changes to bring the ship in line with the rest of the P&O Cruises fleet.
Record Number of Americans to Cruise in 2027
The number of Americans planning to cruise in 2027 is expected to reach a record high, with an estimated 22.4 million people traveling via ocean cruise next year. Americans, according to AAA and Tourism Economics, are cruising now more than ever, with the number expected to increase 3.6% from 2026—the fifth consecutive year of record gains for the cruise industry.
Viking Honors Travel Advisors in Global Naming Event
Viking named seven travel advisors as godparents of seven river ships in four countries during a ceremony in Amsterdam this month, set against the backdrop of two of the new vessels, Viking Rota and Viking Haki.
The ceremony also named Viking Fjolvar in Les Andelys, France; Viking Halogi and Viking Sjofn in Rostock, Germany; and Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet in Luxor, Egypt, virtually.
The godparents and captains of Viking’s newly named river ships. (Photo Credit: Viking)
Disney Reveals Name of First Cruise Ship Sailing From Japan in 2029
This month, Disney Cruise Line revealed the name of its first ship set to sail from Japan: Disney Imagination, scheduled to begin operations from Tokyo in spring 2029, according to the Disney Parks Blog.
Disney Imagination will feature Ariel from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ The Little Mermaid on its stern, a tradition across Disney Cruise Line’s fleet. Ariel will appear alongside Sebastian and other characters from The Little Mermaid, using her signature dinglehopper to create the ship’s name.
Royal Caribbean, MSC Group Team Up to Build New Cruise Terminal in Japan
A new cruise terminal at Naha Port in Okinawa, Japan, is officially under construction, with Royal Caribbean Group and MSC Cruises partnering to develop the facility as the region looks to accommodate growing demand for cruise travel.
Naha Port Authority, Cruise Port Naha G.K., Royal Caribbean Group and MSC Cruises marked the start of construction with a groundbreaking ceremony at the future terminal site. The new facility is expected to be completed and begin operations in March 2028.
MSC Cruises Celebrates Float Out of MSC World Atlantic
MSC Cruises celebrated a major construction milestone this month, as MSC World Atlantic touched water for the first time at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.
The float out moves MSC World Atlantic from the construction dock into the water, where work will continue on the ship’s interiors, public spaces and final technical elements ahead of its delivery to MSC Cruises in 2027.
MSC World Atlantic will become the 25th ship in the MSC Cruises fleet and the fourth LNG-powered vessel in the cruise line’s World Class series. The ship is scheduled to enter service in November 2027 with alternating seven- and 14-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.
MSC World Atlantic (Photo Credit: MSC Cruises)
Disney Cruise Line Reveals More Details About Disney Believe
Disney Cruise Line revealed new details for its newest ship, Disney Believe, this month.
The fourth ship in the Wish class is set to make its maiden voyage on December 18, 2027, offering four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean from Port Everglades, Florida.
Disney Believe will introduce the world’s first stage adaptation of “Encanto,” a family dining venue that expands the Frozen universe. a Grand Hall inspired by “Moana” and more.
Margaritaville at Sea Unveils New Cruise Membership for Unlimited Sailings
This month, Margaritaville at Sea unveiled a new unlimited cruise membership, giving travelers the opportunity to sail aboard all three of its ships through the end of 2027.
The cruise line’s new 2027 Annual Cruise Membership starts at $2,499 for two adults and includes unlimited eligible sailings of up to seven nights in stateroom categories through Breezy Balcony. Returning Paradise Pass holders can purchase the membership for $1,999 for a limited time.
The new membership can be used across the Margaritaville at Sea fleet. That includes Paradise, sailing from the Port of Palm Beach; Islander, sailing from Port Tampa Bay; and the new Beachcomber, which will debut in 2027.
Royal Caribbean Bringing SpongeBob Musical to New Ship
Royal Caribbean shared this month that “The SpongeBob Musical” will headline the theater entertainment lineup aboard Hero of the Seas, the cruise line’s fourth Icon Class ship.
The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical will make its at-sea debut when Hero of the Seas begins sailing from Miami in August 2027. The production will bring SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick, Squidward, and the rest of Bikini Bottom to life in the ship’s Royal Theater.
AmaWaterways Launches New Machu Picchu Land Package
AmaWaterways announced this month that it is expanding its travel offerings in South America with a new six-day Machu Picchu post-cruise travel extension, available for travelers who choose the Magic of Colombia river cruise itinerary. The new journey will be available on select 2027 sailings beginning in April, and on every Magic of Colombia sailing beginning in 2028.
Travelers taking the Machu Picchu post-cruise land package with AmaWaterways have the option to enjoy the Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train experience. (Photo Credit: AmaWaterways)
Riviera Travel River Cruises Launches New Vacation Guarantee, Celebrates Sales Growth
Riviera Travel River Cruises is introducing a new guarantee that gives travelers more flexibility when significant itinerary changes are required before departure, including disruptions caused by low water levels, extreme weather or natural disasters.
Under the Riviera Vacation Guarantee, travelers have the option to accept a revised itinerary and receive a goodwill gesture, such as a future travel credit; reschedule the same vacation for the following year at the original price; or cancel and receive a full refund within seven days.
The brand also revealed this month that it’s on track to exceed 100% year-over-year growth in its North American business for the second consecutive year, fueled by rising demand for river cruises, solo travel and group bookings.
As of September 2026, Riviera Travel River Cruises’ North American business was up 92% year over year. Bookings on its Rhine and Moselle itineraries have increased 200% while bookings for its Mekong River itinerary, introduced in 2025, are up 300%.
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