December 2025 Review

So 2025 ended rather like it started – on a high with the promise of new ships and reports of record-smashing performances from Carnival Corporation and Marella Cruises. More world cruises were unveiled with ever imaginative itineraries, while a host of new culinary initiatives look set to spice up cruising’s appeal.

What’s new
It’s all go for MSC Cruises which signed a deal for six next-generation ships representing its debut New Frontier class, holding up to 5,400 passengers, and arriving from 2030. Royal Caribbean International opened the doors to its first beach resort, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in the Bahamas, while Windstar Cruises took delivery of its newest all-suite 224-guest yacht, Star Seeker, ahead of its January christening in Miami. Cruising newcomer Orient Express Sailing Yachts, which welcomes its first yacht Orient Express Corinthian in June, unveiled 2027 itineraries for this and sister yacht Orient Express Olympian which launches in the same year, while Crystal unveiled renderings of suites on new 650-guest Crystal Grace, due to debut in May 2028.

Food glorious food
P&O Cruises revealed a tasty tie-up with plant-based food brand BOSH! that will see new dishes added to fleetwide main dining menus, which have also been refreshed with 535 new dishes incorporated under the headings Signature Selections, Locally Inspired and Home Comforts. Foodie line Oceania Cruises’ new ship Oceania Sonata will debut fine-dining French restaurant La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France and Peruvian/Japanese fusion venue Nikkei Kitchen. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is bringing more epicurean experiences aboard Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager with new show kitchens or “culinary theatres” where guests can join classes, lectures and demonstrations, while Marella Cruises has unveiled Marella Voyager’s fourth a la carte venue with Japanese cuisine from Umi Sushi.

River world latest
Scenic unveiled new wine-themed river voyages along the Rhine, Danube, Rhone and through Bordeaux as part of its 2026 “A Taste of” series, while Riviera Travel celebrated the naming of its latest ship Riviera Radiance in Budapest. After joining forces last year to launch 2026 Venice and Mediterranean packages, which sold out in weeks, Uniworld and Seabourn revealed longer 15, 16 and 19-day options for 2027 aboard Uniworld’s La Venezia in the Venetian lagoon and Seabourn Ovation in the Adriatic and Aegean.

A world view
Global voyages seem to be all the rage with Explora Journeys introducing its inaugural world cruise for 2029 on Explora I. Departing January 6, the 128-day Endless Worlds sailing departs Dubai to trace ancient trading routes on an east-to-west journey. Azamara Cruises is offering a 175-night global sailing on Azamara Onward, departing Miami on January 5, 2028, and says it will offer more late nights, overnights and countries than any other world cruise in that year. For the first time, Seabourn has introduced an expedition flavour to its 120-day Cape to Cape sailing on Seabourn Quest which leaves Miami on January 7, 2028, and includes adventurous experiences for guests in locations including Antarctica and the Chilean fjords.

On the ball
Footie fever promises to take hold later this year with FIFA World Cup 26, and fans can catch the action on Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises, Cunard and Princess, which have all announced they will be broadcasting matches on their ships.