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The cruise industry continues to ramp up its offerings for the anticipated 21.7 million Americans expected to embark on ocean cruises in 2026. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line have one new ship each coming online this year, plus newsworthy developments for both companies’ private resorts.
The headliners of the brand-new ships coming to Florida in 2026 are the Prima Plus-class Norwegian Luna and Royal Caribbean’s third Icon-class ship, Legend of the Seas. In destination news, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau is now open and Norwegian Cruise Line is unveiling upgrades to its private island, Great Stirrup Cay.
These changes support a growing audience of cruisers sailing from Florida, which is home to the world’s three busiest cruise ports, in order: Port Canaveral, PortMiami and Port Everglades.
Here’s a rundown of the latest cruise news to follow in Florida and beyond in 2026.
Norwegian Luna: Norwegian Cruise Line’s new 156,300-gross-ton ship builds on the success of the Prima class, bringing modern design, infinity pools, the Aqua Slidecoaster and plenty of outdoor spaces for passengers sailing from PortMiami. The vessel begins sailing weeklong Caribbean voyages from South Florida in early April.
In addition to featuring the same hybrid rollercoaster and water slide that can be found on the Prima Plus-class Norwegian Aqua, Luna will have a 10-deck free-fall slide called The Drop and a top-deck sports and outdoor gaming space called The Stadium. Similar to all Prima-class vessels, the ship will feature Ocean Boulevard, a 46,000-square-foot outdoor walkway wrapping around the ship and Indulge Food Hall with 10 different food stations.
In the realm of entertainment, Luna showcases “ELTON: A Celebration of Elton John,” a concert-style production, and HIKO, which blends “mixed reality with Cirque-style artistry.”
Legend of the Seas: Royal Caribbean’s successful Icon class is welcoming a new member this year. The 248,663-gross-ton behemoth, which is set for its North American debut out of Port Everglades in November, is tied for the title of world’s largest cruise ship with its sister ships, Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas.
The ship features 28 ways to dine, including the Hollywoodland Supper Club and an immersive railroad-themed dining experience. Guests can also enjoy the Broadway hit Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” while sailing on the new megaship.
Around the ship, other Icon-class staples will feature prominently on Legend, including the Category 6 waterpark, the Crown’s Edge skywalk and zipline, mini golf, the FlowRider surf simulator and the Adrenaline Peak rock-climbing wall. The array of pools will also be similar to the other two Icon-class ships, with the adults-only Hideaway infinity pool, the kid-friendly Splashaway Bay and the large Royal Bay pool.
Legend of the Seas debuts out of Port Everglades with a three-night sailing on Nov. 11 before alternating six- and eight-night Caribbean itineraries.
Regent Seven Seas Prestige: The luxury cruise line’s newest and largest vessel begins sailing out of Miami at the very end of 2026. The ship, which has room for 822 passengers, has experienced enough demand that the first voyage out of Miami shows as waitlisted on the cruise line’s website.
On the new vessel, the Skyview Regent Suite is an option for the wealthiest guests at $25,000 per night. For that price, guests enjoy 8,794 square feet of space in a sprawling two-level suite. Luckily, all of the ship’s suites have a balcony, even in the 440-square-foot Deluxe Veranda Suite.
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island: The first of Royal Caribbean’s beach clubs is now open in Nassau, welcoming vacationers to 17 acres of tropical relaxation to enjoy. Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island is designed as a daytime experience for cruise passengers to spend a day in port.
After a short tender boat ride from the port, guests can enjoy three neighborhoods: Family Beach, Party Cove and Chill Beach. Visitors can explore two beaches, three pools, including the world’s largest swim-up bar. Food and drink offerings can be found at three beach grills and 10 bars. Day passes include food, beverages, WiFi, transportation and beach day amenities.
Pricing may vary based on demand, but Royal Caribbean advertised starting prices at $109.99 for guests ages 4-12, $129.99 for passes with nonalcoholic drinks and $169.99 for packages with drinks.
Royal Beach Club expands in Cozumel, Mexico, and Santorini, Greece, in 2026 and with a new destination in Lelepa, an island in the South Pacific, slated to open in 2027 for Australian cruisers. In addition, Royal Caribbean is eyeing a new Perfect Day destination in Mexico. Set to open in late 2027, the new private enclave is set in Mahahual in the state of Quintana Roo — home to the port of Costa Maya — and will have double the amount of guest-facing space as the existing Perfect Day offering in the Bahamas.
Norwegian Cruise Line Great Stirrup Cay: This Bahamian destination recently received upgrades, including a brand-new pier, a 28,000-square-foot heated pool with swim-up bars, and a kids’ splash area. The newly-opened Vibe Shore Club presents a new adults-only experience with cocktails from a private bar.
This summer, the destination will boast a massive waterpark with 19 water slides, an 800-foot “dynamic river,” a cliff-jumping experience and a family slide that can accommodate four sliders simultaneously. From the Great Tides Waterpark, it will be possible to catch a glimpse of the waterpark at Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Disney Adventure: The first in Disney’s Global class will be the cruise line’s eighth and largest ship at 208,000 gross tons. With room for more than 6,000 passengers and 2,000 crew members, the ship has seven themed areas, including the Disney Imagination Garden, Disney Discovery Reef, Toy Story Place and Marvel Landing.
This Disney Adventure started as the partially-built Global Dream, a ship originally ordered by Genting Hong Kong, a now-bankrupt Chinese holding company that owned several cruise lines. Star Cruises was the original line that planned to sail this ship until Disney Cruise Line purchased the partially-built ship in 2022.
Now the ship is outfitted for family-friendly themed adventures with signature entertainment, premium service and accommodations fit for a princess or prince.
The Disney Adventure will sail three- and four-night itineraries in the South China Sea beginning on March 10.
MSC World Asia: MSC’s third and newest World-class ship begins cruising the Mediterranean in December. Similar to the Miami-based MSC World America, the World Asia features the Cliffhanger mechanical swing, a twisting dry slide, seven pools and themed districts that separate the massive 215,863-gross-ton ship into distinct areas.
The ship’s biggest distinction can be found in its Asian theming and restaurant offerings, including the new Pan-Asian Street Food as one of more than 40 bars and restaurants to choose from. Another touch of Asia can be found on the World Promenade with a large suspended dragon sculpture. On such a large ship, MSC even found room for a roller-skate arena.
Looking ahead, Port Canaveral will welcome the MSC World Atlantic in November 2027.
Oceania Cruises, a culinary-centric luxury cruise line under the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings umbrella, recently announced that it would transition to only welcome passengers ages 18 and older. All existing reservations made prior to Jan. 7, 2026, that include travelers younger than 18, will be fully honored. The change was made to enhance the “tranquil environment” aboard the cruise line’s ships and to “enhance the very essence of the Oceania Cruises journey.”
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