CRUISE GUIDE 2026
Which new vessels should you be keeping an eye on in 2026? Jane Archer rounds up the ones to watch
Almost 30 new ocean and river ships are set to launch in 2026, offering resort-style fun, stylish looks and luxurious living, alongside everything from waterslides, posh suite-only residences with butlers and more places to eat and drink than guests could hope to get to on one sailing. Prices are per person, based on two sharing, and exclude flights unless otherwise stated. Contact cruise lines for details of other inclusions.
MARCH Four Seasons Yachts: Four Seasons I The luxury brand’s debut yacht sets sail in the Mediterranean in March, promising personal service and Michelin-style cuisine. It holds 190 passengers and has all-balcony, all-suite accommodation, three restaurants, five bars, a spa and pool. Book it: From $20,200 per suite for five nights round-trip from Monaco.
fourseasonsyachts.com
Disney Cruise Line: Disney Adventure This is Disney’s biggest-ever ship, with room for 6,700 passengers. It will also be the line’s first Asia-based vessel, offering three and four-night cruises without port calls. Book it: From £1,443 for a three-night round-trip sailing from Singapore.
disneycruiseline.com
Uniworld River Cruises: Emilie Expect art nouveau and gold accents on Emilie, named after Austrian painter Gustav Klimt’s muse, Emilie
travelweekly.co.uk/cruise
Flöge. It’ll be cruising the Danube and has Grand Suites that connect to French balcony cabins to create two-bed suites. Book it: From £2,759 including flights for an eight-day Danube cruise from Belgrade to Vienna.
uniworld.com/uk
AmaWaterways: AmaSofia A Chef’s Table and heated pool with swim-up bar feature on AmaSofia, which will sail the Rhine and Danube. There’s all-day tapas in the lounge, cabins and suites with split balconies and indoor and outdoor seating. Book it: From £3,068 including flights for a one-week Danube cruise from Budapest to Vilshofen.
amawaterways.co.uk
Tauck: Lumière Spacious suites with two French balconies and a wellness retreat where guests can work out, enjoy a massage or just chill are among the highlights on board Lumière, which will be sailing the Rhône in France and holds just 130 passengers. Book it: From £5,490 for a 10-day Paris, Lyon & Provence cruise.
tauck.co.uk
APRIL
Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Luna A slidecoaster (think rollercoaster- meets-water flume) and The Drop, a 10-storey freefall slide, are among the thrills coming on Luna. Prefer to chill?
That’s easy given all the places to eat and drink, with no dress codes or formal nights to consider. Book it: From £750 for a seven-day Caribbean cruise sailing round-trip from Miami.
ncl.com
Emerald Cruises: Emerald Kaia A superyacht holding only 128 passengers, Emerald Kaia offers stylish suites, private cabanas and an aft marina with paddleboards, water scooters and other fun water toys. It will be sailing the Mediterranean from April. Book it: From £4,735 with flights for an eight-day Adriatic cruise round-trip from Venice.
emeraldcruises.co.uk
Tauck: Serene Tauck’s second river ship for 2026 (see March) holds 124 passengers and is sailing the Seine. Book it: From £5,690 for an 11-day Bordeaux, Paris & The Seine cruise.
tauck.co.uk
MAY Emerald Cruises: Emerald Astra Astra, meaning ‘stars’ in Latin, holds 180 passengers, offers a choice of cabins and suites with floor-to-ceiling, drop-down panorama windows and has an indoor swimming pool at the back that transforms into a cinema for screenings in the evenings. Book it: From £1,849 including £500 flight credit per person for
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