The Biggest Cruise News Stories of May 2025
It’s only May but, already, the summer travel season is heating up. Cruise lines are making big moves, from expanding into European river cruising to new ships and private destinations.
In case you missed them, these were some of the biggest cruise news stories of May 2025.
Cruise Lines Celebrate Travel Advisor Appreciation Month With Free Trip Giveaways, Booking Bonuses and Other Perks
This month, we got to celebrate the hard-working travel advisors who make their clients’ dream trips a reality. During Travel Advisor Appreciation month, many cruise lines unveiled promotions, perks, giveaways and other incentives.
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions to Launch European River Cruises in 2026
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions is getting into European river cruising, the company announced this month. The popular expedition cruise line is partnering with Transcend Cruises to expand into European river sailings starting in 2026. The two companies have entered into a multi-year charter agreement that will “reframe European river cruising for discerning travelers looking to experience the continent’s most iconic waterways like a true explorer,” according to a statement.
Exterior wellness deck aboard Transcend Cruises. (Photo Credit: Transcend Cruises)
Also this month, the company unveiled more details about its inaugural river cruise itineraries.
The “Castles, Culture and Culinary Delights” itinerary includes scenic sailing through the Rhine Gorge, private wine tastings and various tours. Stops include Mainz, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Strasbourg and Colmar.
The “Medieval History and Scenic Waterways” will sail along the Rhine and other waterways in Holland and Belgium.
Cruise Industry Reports Significant Climb in Passengers
Cruise ships welcomed 34.6 million passengers in 2024, a 9 percent increase from the 31.7 million travelers who cruised in 2023. That’s according to the latest State of the Cruise Industry report from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which was released this month.
Royal Caribbean Shares New Details About Entertainment and Dining on Star of the Seas
This month, Royal Caribbean shared new details about the entertainment and dining offerings aboard its new ship, Star of the Seas. Star of the Seas will offer five signature shows across stage, air, water and ice, including “Back to the Future: The Musical.” Other productions include “Create,” which follows the soul-searching journey of a curious robot, and “Pirates & Mermaids,” which combines dance, artistic swimming and diving skills. The AquaTheater will also host “Torque,” featuring dancers, slackliners and synchronized swimmers, while Absolute Zero will feature “SOL,” featuring the largest cast of ice skaters yet.
Star of the Seas floats out (Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean International)
Also this month, the new ship started sea trials ahead of its August debut.
Celebrity Cruises Rolls Out Red Carpet for Guests on 2025 President’s Cruise
This month, Celebrity Cruises celebrated its loyal Captain’s Club members with a special President’s Cruise sailing. Company president, Laura Hodges Bethge, along with many members of the brand’s executive leadership, once again joined this year’s exclusive voyage, which set out round-trip from Southampton, UK, aboard the Celebrity Apex on May 17, visiting ports in Belgium and the stunning Norwegian fjords along the way.
Speaking during her “Conversations with Celebrity” presentation in the Theatre on the final day of this year’s President’s Cruise sailing, Bethge also shared some timely details about a few exciting brand developments.
Four Seasons Yachts Secures Financing for Second Vessel
Four Seasons Yachts has secured financing for the design and construction of its second vessel, the company announced this month. The vessel will be built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in Ancona, Italy, with the order worth more than €400 million. Fincantieri is also constructing the line’s first vessel, Four Seasons I, which is slated to debut on January 25, 2026.
Trafalgar to Launch European River Cruises in 2026
Trafalgar is expanding into river cruising, the company revealed this month. Trafalgar, which specializes in guided land tours, will launch two European river cruise itineraries in the spring of 2026. Bookings opened this month for travel advisors.
Royal Caribbean Announces Details for New Private Destinations in Mexico, Bahamas and South Pacific
Royal Caribbean announced a significant investment in land this month. The cruise line revealed the next steps in its Ultimate Destination lineup of onshore locations with the opening in 2027 of Perfect Day Mexico, as well as the company’s first Royal Beach Clubs in The Bahamas (December 2025), Cozumel, Mexico (2026), and the South Pacific (2027).
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Offers First Look at New Ship Seven Seas Prestige
This month, Regent Seven Seas Cruises offered a sneak peek at its newest ship, Seven Seas Prestige. The cruise line shared renderings and a digital “fly-through” video of some of the public spaces onboard the new 822-guest vessel, which is slated to debut in late 2026.
A rendering of the Starlight Atrium (Photo Credit: Regent Seven Seas Cruises)
Margaritaville at Sea Buys Ship From Costa Cruises
The Margaritaville at Sea fleet is growing. The cruise line announced this month that it has purchased a third ship, the Costa Fortuna, from Costa Cruises. The 3,450-guest ship is now the largest vessel in the Margaritaville at Sea fleet. The company will renovate the vessel to give it the signature Margaritaville at Sea island-inspired design.
Carnival Cruise Line Introducing New Ticketless Shore Excursion System
Carnival Cruise Line is streamlining the shore excursion process by testing a new mobile application with some tour partners. The digital platform eliminates the need for physical shore excursion tickets and provides enhanced functionality. After successfully integrating the platform in Australia earlier this year, the company is now trialing the app with select tour operator partners in some destinations in The Bahamas and the Caribbean.
Viking Celebrates Float Out of Newest Nile Ship, Viking Thoth
Viking’s newest Nile River ship, Viking Thoth, touched water for the first time this month at Massara shipyard in Cairo. The 82-guest Viking Thoth is slated to debut in October, joining seven other Viking vessels in Egypt. Like its sister ships, the new vessel will sail Viking’s 12-day “Pharaohs & Pyramids” itinerary.
Next, the ship is heading into the final stage of construction, including the interior build-out.
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