While the orderbook continues to swell, the volume of newbuilding deliveries has yet to reflect the current dynamism of the cruise-ship construction boom.
Assuming that all scheduled deliveries take place on time, 2026 would not be a memorable year of newbuilding inaugurations.
Altogether, 17 vessels are scheduled to be handed over in the 12 months to the end of December, just above the average of the previous 10 years. Capacity-wise, 28,680 additional lower berths are expected during 2026, which is about 13% below the average of the last 10 years and about 27% lower than the figure for 2025.
But the total capacity of the orderbook is now within touching distance of its historic peak. In fact, in total gross-ton size, it is already virtually level with the 2019 peak.
The average size and capacity of newbuildings have also dipped so far in 2026. They are expected to remain so for the full year because of the relatively low number of larger vessels delivered. This trend is expected to reverse in the coming years because of the increased number of megaship orders.
Source: CruiseTimes Research
Source: CruiseTimes Research
The debutantes
In the first seven months of 2026, eight newbuildings, totalling 750,885 gross tons and 15,697 lower berths, were delivered to their owners. These are far from extraordinary numbers by recent standards.
Source: CruiseTimes Research
In mid-March, since our spring update, Four Seasons Yachts’ first ultra-luxury newbuild, the 185-guest Four Seasons I, was delivered to its owners by Fincantieri. The vessel immediately embarked on its inaugural voyage in the Mediterranean, on 20 March.
At the end of May, Viking Holdings added another newbuild, the standard 998-passenger Viking Mira, to its rapidly expanding ocean fleet. The delivery took place on the back of the company reporting an excellent set of interim financial performance results.
On 4 April, Emerald Cruises took delivery of the 128-passenger Emerald Kaia from Ha Long Shipbuilding of Vietnam.
At the end of April, France’s Chantiers de l’Atlantique delivered the 130-passenger Orient Express Corinthian to its operator Orient Express Silenseas, marking the beginning of operations for yet another ultra-luxury cruise brand.
On 9 June, Royal Caribbean International took delivery of its third Icon-class ship, the 248,660-gross-ton Legend of the Seas, from Meyer Turku in Finland.
In mid-June, TUI Cruises took delivery of the 156,650-gross-ton Mein Schiff Flow, the second of the InTUItion-class cruise ships, from Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard. The third and fourth units are not expected until 2031 and 2032.
On 23 July, Fincantieri’s Sestri shipyard handed over the 922-passenger Explora III to Explora Journeys. This was the third of six in the series for the luxury cruise brand.
Newbuildings delivered 1 January – 31 July 2026
| Ship name | Builder | Gross ton | Lower berth | Cruise brand |
| Emerald Kaia | Ha Long Shipbuilding | 5,175 | 128 | Emerald Cruises |
| Explora III | Fincantieri | 72,810 | 922 | Explora Journeys |
| Four Seasons I | Fincantieri | 32,950 | 185 | Four Seasons Yachts |
| Legend of the Seas | Meyer Turku | 248,660 | 5,800 | Royal Caribbean International |
| Mein Schiff Flow | Fincantieri | 157,650 | 3,984 | TUI Cruises |
| Norwegian Luna | Fincantieri | 154,140 | 3,550 | Norwegian Cruise Line |
| Orient Express Corinthian | Chantiers de l’Atlantique | 25,200 | 130 | Orient Express Silenseas |
| Viking Mira | Fincantieri | 54,300 | 998 | Viking Ocean Cruises |
Source: CruiseTimes Research
Future entrants
So far this year, the orderbook has continued its steady pace of expansion, led by megaship construction orders from major cruise brands.
On 20 March, on the day of Adora Cruises’ second ship being floated out in Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, the company announced a firm plan to build two more ships, with the option for a third. The first will be delivered before the end of 2030.
At the end of March, Oceanwide Expeditions revealed that it had signed a letter of intent for two 146-passenger, eco-sail expedition vessels, with hybrid propulsion systems, for 2029 and 2030 deliveries (not yet added to our list, because they are not firm orders or options). The company has yet to provide the name of the builder or to disclose any further detail on the newbuilds, except that they will be based on the existing Hondius-class designs.
The megaship construction race has continued. In April, Princess Cruises announced that it had ordered three 180,000-gross-ton, 4,700-passenger newbuilds from Fincantieri for 2035, 2038, and 2039 deliveries. These units will be based on the Sphere-class design and will be the line’s biggest ships yet. The new orders mean that Carnival Group as a whole now has 10 high-value cruise ships on order simultaneously – a huge financial commitment.
It also means that the length of the orderbook contract period has been stretched to an unprecedented 13 years. This should lessen the financial pressure. The size of the orderbook has now surpassed 10 million gross tons.
At the end of April, Royal Caribbean Group exercised the options for the sixth and seventh Icon-class vessels with Meyer Turku for 2029 and 2030 deliveries. These orders took the overall estimated orderbook value to over $90 billion. It also meant that Royal Caribbean International would have an Icon-class newbuild delivered every year for seven consecutive years from 2024. That fact alone is a remarkable marketing triumph for this popular series of vessels.
In June, Swiss-based Ulyssia Residences placed an order for an ultra-luxury, 100,000-gross-ton residential cruise vessel, noticeably at China Merchants Shipbuilding. The cost of this vessel, named Ulyssia and slated for delivery in 2031, was reportedly around €2 billion, making it the most expensive residential ship ever built. The ship will be designed to contain 122 residences and 22 guest suites.
It seems the concept of offering luxury residence at sea has just taken another step forward. There is a growing perception that this is a rapidly emerging market, with the world’s super-rich increasingly willing to spend on niche experiential products. Not long before this order, Four Seasons Yachts announced a residential component of its second newbuild, Four Seasons II, scheduled for delivery in 2028. The ship will have 79 suites, compared to 95 on Four Seasons I, including two- to four-bedroom residential suites.
Then, on 7 July, Fincantieri and Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings, joint owner and operator of Four Seasons Yachts, announced a firmed contract to build a third unit of the series, the Four Seasons III, slated for 2031 delivery. It should surprise no one if this vessel, too, features residential suites.
Source: CruiseTimes Research
Ocean cruise newbuilding orderbook on 30 July 2026 (140,000 gross tons and above)
| Ship name | Delivery year | Builder | Gross ton | Lower berth | Brand | Estimated contract price |
| Adora Flora City | 2026 | Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipyard | 141,900 | 4,288 | Adora Cruises | $750,000,000 |
| Adora order 3 | 2030 | Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipyard | 141,900 | 4,288 | Adora Cruises | $750,000,000 |
| Adora order 4 | 2032 | Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipyard | 141,900 | 4,288 | Adora Cruises | $750,000,000 |
| Aida order 1 | 2030 | Fincantieri | 165,000 | 4,500 | AIDA Cruises | €1,000,000,000 |
| Aida order 2 | 2031 | Fincantieri | 165,000 | 4,500 | AIDA Cruises | €1,000,000,000 |
| Carnival Festivale | 2027 | Meyer Werft | 183,858 | 5,374 | Carnival Cruise Line | $1,100,000,000 |
| Carnival Tropicale | 2028 | Meyer Werft | 183,858 | 5,374 | Carnival Cruise Line | $1,100,000,000 |
| Carnival Destiny | 2029 | Fincantieri | 228,500 | 8,000 | Carnival Cruise Line | $1,250,000,000 |
| Carnival Project Ace 2 | 2031 | Fincantieri | 228,500 | 8,000 | Carnival Cruise Line | $1,250,000,000 |
| Carnival Project Ace 3 | 2033 | Fincantieri | 228,500 | 8,000 | Carnival Cruise Line | $1,250,000,000 |
| Celebrity Xcite | 2028 | Chantiers de l’Atlantique | 140,600 | 2,900 | Celebrity Cruises | $900,000,000 |
| MSC World Asia | 2026 | Chantiers de l’Atlantique | 215,863 | 5,264 | MSC Cruises | €1,125,000,000 |
| MSC World Atlantic | 2027 | Chantiers de l’Atlantique | 215,863 | 5,264 | MSC Cruises | €1,125,000,000 |
| World class 5 | 2029 | Chantiers de l’Atlantique | 215,863 | 5,264 | MSC Cruises | €1,750,000,000 |
| World class 6 | 2030 | Chantiers de l’Atlantique | 215,863 | 5,264 | MSC Cruises | €1,750,000,000 |
| World class 7 | 2030 | Chantiers de l’Atlantique | 215,863 | 5,236 | MSC Cruises | €1,750,000,000 |
| World class 8 | 2031 | Chantiers de l’Atlantique | 215,856 | 5,236 | MSC Cruises | €1,750,000,000 |
| Frontier class 1 | 2030 | Meyer Werft | 180,000 | 4,500 | MSC Cruises | $1,950,000,000 |
| Frontier class 2 | 2031 | Meyer Werft | 180,000 | 4,500 | MSC Cruises | $1,950,000,000 |
| Frontier class 3 | 2032 | Meyer Werft | 180,000 | 4,500 | MSC Cruises | $1,950,000,000 |
| Frontier class 4 | 2033 | Meyer Werft | 180,000 | 4,500 | MSC Cruises | $1,950,000,000 |
| Norwegian Aura | 2027 | Fincantieri | 169,000 | 3,500 | Norwegian Cruise Line | €800,000,000 |
| Prima Plus class 2 | 2028 | Fincantieri | 169,000 | 3,500 | Norwegian Cruise Line | €800,000,000 |
| NCL new class 1 | 2030 | Fincantieri | 226,000 | 5,100 | Norwegian Cruise Line | $2,335,000,000 |
| NCL new class 2 | 2032 | Fincantieri | 226,000 | 5,100 | Norwegian Cruise Line | $2,335,000,000 |
| NCL new class 3 | 2034 | Fincantieri | 226,000 | 5,100 | Norwegian Cruise Line | $2,335,000,000 |
| NCL new class 4 | 2036 | Fincantieri | 226,000 | 5,100 | Norwegian Cruise Line | $2,335,000,000 |
| NCL new class 5 | 2037 | Fincantieri | 226,000 | 5,100 | Norwegian Cruise Line | $2,335,000,000 |
| Oriental Land order | 2028 | Meyer Werft | 144,000 | 2,500 | Oriental Land Co. | $1,000,000,000 |
| Sphere Plus class 1 | 2035 | Fincantieri | 180,000 | 4,500 | Princess Cruises | $1,000,000,000 |
| Sphere Plus class 2 | 2038 | Fincantieri | 180,000 | 4,500 | Princess Cruises | $1,000,000,000 |
| Sphere Plus class 3 | 2039 | Fincantieri | 180,000 | 4,500 | Princess Cruises | $1,000,000,000 |
| Discovery class 1 | 2029 | Chantiers de l’Atlantique | 150,000 | 2,500 | Royal Caribbean International | $1,000,000,000 |
| Discovery class 2 | 2032 | Chantiers de l’Atlantique | 150,000 | 2,500 | Royal Caribbean International | $1,000,000,000 |
| Hero of the Seas | 2027 | Meyer Turku | 248,663 | 5,600 | Royal Caribbean International | $2,200,000,000 |
| Champion of the Seas | 2028 | Meyer Turku | 248,663 | 5,600 | Royal Caribbean International | $2,200,000,000 |
| Icon class 6 | 2029 | Meyer Turku | 248,663 | 5,600 | Royal Caribbean International | $2,200,000,000 |
| Icon class 7 | 2030 | Meyer Turku | 248,663 | 5,600 | Royal Caribbean International | $2,200,000,000 |
| Oasis class 7 | 2028 | Chantiers de l’Atlantique | 231,000 | 5,714 | Royal Caribbean International | $1,400,000,000 |
| InTUItion class 3 | 2031 | Fincantieri | 157,651 | 3,984 | TUI Cruises | $1,150,000,000 |
| InTUItion class 4 | 2032 | Fincantieri | 157,651 | 3,984 | TUI Cruises | $1,150,000,000 |
Source: CruiseTimes Research
Ocean cruise newbuilding orderbook on 30 July 2026 (45,000–139,999 gross tons)
| Ship name | Delivery year | Builder | Gross ton | Lower berth | Brand | Estimated contract price |
| Crystal Grace | 2028 | Fincantieri | 61,800 | 690 | Crystal Cruises | $510,000,000 |
| Crystal 2 | 2028 | Fincantieri | 61,800 | 690 | Crystal Cruises | $510,000,000 |
| Crystal 3 | 2032 | Fincantieri | 61,800 | 690 | Crystal Cruises | $510,000,000 |
| Disney Believe | 2027 | Meyer Werft | 144,000 | 2,500 | Disney Cruise Line | $1,180,000,000 |
| Disney Meyer Werft 1 | 2029 | Meyer Werft | 104,000 | 3,000 | Disney Cruise Line | $1,180,000,000 |
| Disney Meyer Werft 2 | 2029 | Meyer Werft | 104,000 | 3,000 | Disney Cruise Line | $1,180,000,000 |
| Disney Meyer Werft 3 | 2030 | Meyer Werft | 104,000 | 3,000 | Disney Cruise Line | $1,180,000,000 |
| Explora IV | 2027 | Fincantieri | 72,810 | 922 | Explora Journeys | €500,000,000 |
| Explora V | 2027 | Fincantieri | 72,810 | 922 | Explora Journeys | €750,000,000 |
| Explora VI | 2028 | Fincantieri | 72,810 | 922 | Explora Journeys | €750,000,000 |
| Oceania Sonata | 2027 | Fincantieri | 84,700 | 1,390 | Oceania Cruises | $925,000,000 |
| Oceania Arietta | 2028 | Fincantieri | 84,700 | 1,390 | Oceania Cruises | $925,000,000 |
| Sonata class 3 | 2032 | Fincantieri | 84,700 | 1,390 | Oceania Cruises | $925,000,000 |
| Sonata class 4 | 2035 | Fincantieri | 84,700 | 1,390 | Oceania Cruises | $925,000,000 |
| Sonata class 5 | 2037 | Fincantieri | 84,700 | 1,390 | Oceania Cruises | $925,000,000 |
| Njord | 2026 | Meyer Werft | 84,800 | 1,000 | Ocean Residences Development | $650,000,000 |
| Seven Seas Prestige | 2026 | Fincantieri | 76,550 | 850 | Regent Seven Seas | €816,000,000 |
| Prestige class 2 | 2030 | Fincantieri | 76,550 | 850 | Regent Seven Seas | €816,000,000 |
| Prestige class 3 | 2033 | Fincantieri | 76,550 | 822 | Regent Seven Seas | €816,000,000 |
| Prestige class 4 | 2036 | Fincantieri | 76,550 | 822 | Regent Seven Seas | €816,000,000 |
| Narrative | 2028 | Brodosplit Shipyard | 78,513 | 1,498 | Storylines | $900,000,000 |
| Ulyssia | 2031 | China Merchants Shipbuilding | 100,000 | 122 residences | Ulyssia Residences | €2,000,000,000 |
| Viking Libra | 2026 | Fincantieri | 54,300 | 998 | Viking Cruises | €425,000,000 |
| Viking Astrea | 2027 | Fincantieri | 54,300 | 998 | Viking Cruises | €425,000,000 |
| Viking Lyra | 2028 | Fincantieri | 54,300 | 998 | Viking Cruises | €425,000,000 |
| Viking 17 | 2028 | Fincantieri | 54,300 | 998 | Viking Cruises | €425,000,000 |
| Viking 18 | 2029 | Fincantieri | 54,300 | 998 | Viking Cruises | €425,000,000 |
| Viking 19 | 2030 | Fincantieri | 54,300 | 998 | Viking Cruises | €425,000,000 |
| Viking 20 | 2031 | Fincantieri | 54,300 | 998 | Viking Cruises | €425,000,000 |
| Viking 21 | 2030 | Fincantieri | 54,300 | 998 | Viking Cruises | €425,000,000 |
| Viking 22 | 2031 | Fincantieri | 54,300 | 998 | Viking Cruises | €425,000,000 |
Source: CruiseTimes Research
Ocean cruise newbuilding orderbook on 30 July 2026 (small, upscale, & expedition)
| Ship name | Delivery year | Builder | Gross ton | Lower berth | Brand | Estimated contract price |
| Amangati | 2027 | T. Mariotti | 23,000 | 100 | Aman at Sea | $200,000,000 |
| Magellan Discoverer | 2026 | Asenav | 4,900 | 76 | Antarctica21 | $70,000,000 |
| Aranoa | 2027 | Huanghai | 11,000 | 198 | Aranui Cruises | |
| Four Seasons II | 2026 | Fincantieri | 32,950 | 185 | Four Seasons Yachts | €400,000,000 |
| Four Seasons III | 2031 | Fincantieri | 34,000 | 185 | Four Seasons Yachts | €400,000,000 |
| Atlas Adventurer | 2028 | China Merchants Shipbuilding | 26,000 | 404 | Atlas Ocean Voyages | $260,000,000 |
| Ocean Advice expedition 1 | 2028 | CMHI Jiangsu | 9,900 | 260 | Ocean Advice | |
| Ocean Advice expedition 2 | 2028 | CMHI Jiangsu | 9,900 | 260 | Ocean Advice | |
| Ocean Advice expedition 3 | 2029 | CMHI Jiangsu | 9,900 | 260 | Ocean Advice | |
| Ocean Advice expedition 4 | 2029 | CMHI Jiangsu | 9,900 | 260 | Ocean Advice | |
| Janssonius | 2026 (awaiting confirmation) | DIV Shipbuilding | 6,603 | 194 | Oceanwide Expeditions | $85,000,000 |
| Orient Express Olympian | 2027 | Chantiers de l’Atlantique | 25,200 | 130 | Orient Express (Accor Group) | $300,000,000 |
| Sefu | 2027 | West Sea Viana Shipyard, Portugal | 9,289 | 120 | Ryobi Holdings/R Yacht (Japan) | €100,000,000 |
| Emerald Raiya | 2026 | Ha Long Shipbuilding, Vietnam | 5,175 | 128 | Scenic Group/Emerald Cruises | $120,000,000 |
| Emerald Xara | 2027 | Ha Long Shipbuilding, Vietnam | 5,175 | 128 | Scenic Group/Emerald Cruises | $120,000,000 |
| Scenic Ikon | 2027 | MKM Yachts, Croatia | 26,500 | 270 | Scenic Cruises | $290,000,000 |
| Viking Expeditions 3 | 2030 | Fincantieri | 30,114 | 378 | Viking Expeditions | $300,000,000 |
| Viking Expeditions 4 | 2031 | Fincantieri | 30,114 | 378 | Viking Expeditions | $300,000,000 |
Source: CruiseTimes Research
