MARITIME MONDAYS • CRUISE NEWS
CRUISE NEWS
The latest cruise news, updates and stories from around the cruise world.
THIS WEEK IN CRUISING
Cruising's next generation is taking shape in shipyards, entertainment venues and private destinations around the world. Here is the cruise week without the noise.
THE WEEK IN 60 SECONDS
- The global cruise ship orderbook now stands at 84 ships valued at about $88.8 billion, adding nearly 230,000 berths through 2039.
- Disney Believe reached a major construction milestone at Meyer Werft as its first completed gigablock floated out.
- Royal Caribbean laid the keel for its fifth Icon Class ship at Meyer Turku, officially beginning physical assembly.
Got a minute? You’re caught up. Have five? Keep going.
THE BIG STORIES
84 Ships Are Already Shaping the Future of Cruising
Cruise Industry News' latest global orderbook counts 84 ships through 2039, valued at $88.8 billion and representing nearly 230,000 additional berths. The pipeline spans major contemporary brands, luxury operators, expedition vessels and more.
Why we’re watching: The scale matters because today's ship orders become tomorrow's homeports, itineraries, onboard experiences and competitive pricing choices.
Disney Believe's First Gigablock Floats Out
Disney Cruise Line says the first of three major gigablocks for Disney Believe floated out at Meyer Werft on September 18. The ship is scheduled to sail in late 2027 and will feature new concepts inspired by stories including Encanto, Frozen, Moana and The Little Mermaid.
Why we’re watching: It is a rare public look at how a modern cruise ship moves from modular construction toward a finished vessel.
Royal Caribbean Begins Assembly of Its Fifth Icon Class Ship
Royal Caribbean marked the keel laying of its still-unnamed fifth Icon Class ship at Meyer Turku in Finland. The first major steel block was lowered into the dry dock onto a layer of coins, continuing a long maritime shipbuilding tradition.
Why we’re watching: Icon Class is no longer a one-ship experiment. Royal Caribbean is building a multi-ship generation around the concept.
AROUND THE CRUISE WORLD
Norwegian Aura Will Put Whitney Houston Center Stage
Norwegian Cruise Line unveiled the entertainment lineup for Norwegian Aura, led by a new original production, Whitney: A Celebration of Whitney Houston. The ship is scheduled to debut in May 2027.
All Four Virgin Voyages Ships Will Meet at Sea
Virgin Voyages confirmed that Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady will converge at one point in the Caribbean on February 16, 2027 for the line's first full-fleet meetup.
Holland America Moves Oosterdam's Evolution Forward
Holland America is moving Oosterdam's major Evolution renovation forward by five weeks. The transformed ship is now scheduled to return to service October 31, 2027, and the line has added five post-renovation voyages.
Great Tides Waterpark Is Now Open at Great Stirrup Cay
Norwegian Cruise Line opened Great Tides Waterpark to guests on September 4 as part of the continuing transformation of its private island, Great Stirrup Cay.
Hero of the Seas Is Floating
Royal Caribbean's fourth Icon Class ship, Hero of the Seas, floated for the first time September 4 at Meyer Turku after more than 18 months of construction. Outfitting now continues ahead of its August 2027 Miami debut.
THE HUMAN ELEMENT
This week's cover is about giant ships, but ships do not build themselves. Behind every float-out, keel laying and first sailing are thousands of people turning drawings and steel into somebody else's future vacation.
The People Behind the Steel
Royal Caribbean says thousands of shipbuilders, engineers and innovators will spend the next year completing Hero of the Seas after its float-out. The finished ship gets the spotlight, but the work continues long before the first guest ever walks aboard.
ON OUR RADAR
Watch the private-destination race
We’ll update these when the facts catch up with the rumors.
WHAT FUTURE SHIP ARE YOU MOST EXCITED TO SAIL?
This week's Maritime Mondays looks inside the shipyards building the next generation of cruising. Which announced or under-construction ship would you most like to try?
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