November 2025 Review

There were fireworks galore in November which exploded into life with an exciting line-up of new ship announcements that dominated the river scene, while Florida fizzed with festivities as a clutch of ocean ships debuted. Yet, it wasn’t just about partying as the industry leapt into action to help hurricane-stricken Jamaica.

It’s all new on the rivers (and coasts)
American Cruise Lines made waves with news of five new riverboats and five more coastal vessels by 2028 with the first, American Pioneer, having debuted in October. TUI River Cruises blessed its second Nile vessel TUI Bahareya, while AmaWaterways announced second ship, AmaMelodia, on Colombia’s Magdalena River, plus four new itineraries in its 2026 Africa Collection. Amadeus River Cruises hailed new addition Amadeus Mira to arrive in 2027, following Amadeus Aurea which enters service next year. Meanwhile VIVA Cruises unveiled an exclusive LGBTQ+ & Friends departure from Dusseldorf for World Pride next July, featuring three days in Amsterdam.

Announcements and debuts
As Princess Cruises’ Star Princess and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Xcel were named in Fort Lauderdale, Celebrity Apex launched its debut season from Port Canaveral and MSC Cruises’ MSC Seascape arrived in Texas for an inaugural Caribbean season from Galveston. The cruising giant also declared it is spending €3.5 billion on two more World Class ships for delivery in 2030 and 2031. Oceania Cruises christened Oceania Allura in Miami and revealed more details about Oceania Sonata debuting in 2027, while Crystal announced that its first new ocean ship in 25 years would be called Crystal Grace when it launches in 2028. Adding to the ranks of new ships was AE Expeditions’ latest arrival Douglas Mawson, named in Sydney.

Looking ahead to 2027/28
New programmes flowed with Oceania’s 2027/28 season marking its first full winter in the Mediterranean and Royal Caribbean International announcing the opening of its Royal Beach Club Santorini in summer 2027. Silversea is targeting new intimate ports offering an authentic feel in its 2027/8 Mediterranean programme, while Holland America Line’s 2027/28 Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific series contains 14 itineraries on Westerdam, Zaandam and Koningsdam with more than 100 wildlife-focused excursions. Princess Cruises revealed its largest, most diverse Caribbean programme with 31 ports, including Celebration Key which it will call at from November 2026.

Snippets of interest
As fast as its first Caribbean fly-cruise season got under way, Ambassador Cruise Line unveiled its second for 2026/27 with Renaissance homeporting in Barbados. Azamara Cruises is enabling guests to ship luggage directly between their home and the ship by partnering with luggage delivery firm Ship&Play. It also unveiled a pre-cruise dining and spa reservation programme, allowing guests to book restaurants up to 150 days before departure and spa treatments up to a year in advance.

Bringing some relief
Proving that it’s not all about selling holidays, cruise companies jumped into action to help the stricken Caribbean isle of Jamaica after it was devastated by Hurricane Melissa. Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam brought volunteers and badly-needed supplies to Ocho Rios while Royal Caribbean International’s Rhapsody of the Seas delivered emergency relief along with MSC Cruises’ MSC Divina. Several companies have also made donations, including Norwegian Cruise Line which has pledged up to $100,000.