New ships and itinerary changes shape the cruise outlook
Marc Shoffman has highlighted 13 vessels expected to begin sailing next year, alongside updates from major ocean and river cruise lines.
Cruise editor Marc Shoffman has selected 13 notable new vessels due to sail next year. Among other ship developments, Allura is described as a new addition to Oceania’s fleet, while Uniworld has unveiled new river cruise super ships.
A one-of-a-kind treehouse suite planned for Hero of the Seas will cost as much as $375,000. The accommodation is expected to be the only suite of its type aboard the ship.
Cruise lines are also avoiding a popular Alaskan fjord because of landslide risk. Separately, Carnival has substituted cancelled voyages with invitation-only cruises.
Looking further ahead, MSC Cruises has disclosed a 2026 entertainment program that includes robot dogs. Celebrity Cruises, meanwhile, reportedly increased its automatic daily gratuities without advance warning.