There’s a strong superyacht theme around the new luxury ocean ships debuting in 2026. Here are 10 you need to know about.
Aqua Expeditions’ sixth luxury superyacht, the 77-metre Aqua Lares, makes her debut in the Seychelles and Tanzania in February 2026, and in May heads north for her maiden season in the Arctic.
The former icebreaker has been extensively refurbished to accommodate up to 30 guests in 15 spacious suites and staterooms that range from 66 sqm to 13 sqm.
Guests can expect a superyacht experience with a 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, cuisine by world-renowned chefs and expert-led excursions in small groups. Aqua Lares is equipped with five private tenders, paddleboards, kayaks, snorkelling and diving gear, and mountain bikes.
Social spaces include a panoramic sun deck with bar and lounge, a cinema, boutique, gym, saloon, indoor dining room and shaded outdoor dining area. Wellness offerings feature two jacuzzis, a sauna, massage room and spa.
Cruise regions: East Africa, Arctic
Emerald Kaia
The first of three next-generation superyachts and the third in Emerald Cruises’ fleet of oceangoing vessels, the 128-guest, 120-metre Emerald Kaia sets sail in the Eastern Mediterranean in April 2026.
She is slightly larger than fleetmates Emerald Azzura (2022) and Emerald Sakara (2023) and reflects a similar sleek design and focus on outdoor living.
Emerald Kaia‘s 64 suites range from 131sqm Owner Suites (with private spa pool) to 82sqm Yacht Suites (with wraparound balcony). She offers a 1:1.4 crew to guest ratio and features include four dining venues, the Aqua Pool & Cafe plus Spa Pool on the Observation Sun Deck, the Elements Spa, which includes a gym opening to an overwater platform, and a marina platform that provides direct water access for swimming and water sports.
Cruise regions: Mediterranean, Adriatic, Red Sea, Seychelles
Explora III
Explora Journeys’ newest ultra-luxe ship Explora III is the first LNG-fuelled ship in the fleet, which is on track to reach six by 2028.
She is larger than her two 922-guest sister ships but still accommodates a maximum of 926 guests. Some of the top-level suites and public spaces are even more spacious and she will boast one of the highest space-per-guest ratios in the industry, along with a crew-to-guest ratio of about 1:1.25.
Explora III has 463 Ocean-Front Suites, five pools, six restaurants, 12 bars and lounges and a huge, “re-imagined” Ocean Wellness and Fitness space that includes a spa, fitness centre, and an expanded Sports Court for pickleball, paddle tennis and basketball.
Explora Journeys is exceptionally family-friendly, providing age-appropriate clubs and activities for young children and teens, baby-care services and free or reduced fares for under-18s.
Cruise regions: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Canada, US, Caribbean
Four Seasons I
Following Ritz-Carlton into the cruise sphere, Four Seasons I is the first of three superyachts planned for luxury hotel brand Four Seasons. The 222-guest, 207-metre vessel will embark on her maiden voyage in the Mediterranean in March 2026.
Four Seasons I boasts some of the biggest suites at sea – Signature Suites range from two to three bedrooms across multiple deck levels. These residential-style suites offer panoramic ocean views and expansive private terraces with splash pools, loungers and room to entertain.
Guests will enjoy a very high space-per-guest ratio and an equally impressive 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, fine wining and dining at 11 restaurants and lounges, extensive spa treatments and fitness facilities, a 20-metre pool and two retractable marina platforms for launching kayaks and standup paddleboards.
Cruise regions: Mediterranean, Caribbean
Orient Express Corinthian
Accor-owned ultra-luxe train and hospitality group Orient Express’s first seagoing venture, Orient Express Corinthian, will set sail in June 2026 in the French Riviera.
At 220 metres in length and supporting more than 4,500 square metres of sail on three masts, she will be the world’s biggest sailing ship and will offer cruises ranging from two to eight nights.
The 110-guest yacht’s 54 suites start at 45sqm and the largest are 225sqm. There is also the option of booking all six suites on Deck 7 to form the incredibly grand Penthouse for up to 22 guests.
Orient Express Corinthian’s lavish Art Deco-style interiors were inspired by the legendary Orient Express train of the 1920s; outstanding features include 13 restaurants and bars, a cinema, library, a 16-metre lap pool and even a bespoke tailor and personal shopper.
Cruise regions: Mediterranean, Caribbean
Seven Seas Prestige
Set to make her maiden voyage on 13 December 2026, a 14-night sailing from Barcelona to Miami, the 822-guest Seven Seas Prestige is Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ first ship in the line’s new class of ships since 2010.
She is 40 per cent larger than her Explorer-class fleetmates, but will only have 10 per cent more guests; she will therefore have one of the highest guest-to-space ratios at sea, as well as a very high 1:1.3 crew-to-guest ratio.
Prestige’s show-stopping Skyview Regent Suite, a palatial 817sqm residence on two levels, is the biggest Regent Suite in the fleet; there are 12 categories of suites altogether, including four new designs.
Among her 11 dining options is the new Azure restaurant, a Mediterranean mezze-style venue. Other new features include the stunning Starlight Atrium, enhanced spa facilities and a pickleball court.
Cruise regions: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, US, Central America, Caribbean
Viking Mira & Viking Libra
Viking Cruises introduces its 13th and 14th oceangoing ships in June and December 2026.
The 998-guest Viking Mira is identical to 2024’s Viking Vela and 2025’s Viking Vesta (the first 10 ships are slightly smaller and accommodate 930 guests), testament to the enduring popularity of Viking’s “no kids under 18, no casinos, no nickel and diming” ethos.
Viking Mira will make her maiden voyage on 5 June 2026, a 12-night sailing from Civitavecchia to Barcelona, before heading to Northern Europe.
Viking Libra is the first of Viking’s two hydrogen-powered vessels and the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship; the second, Viking Astrea, will launch in 2027. This technology allows her to operate with zero emissions in port and for short distances at sea.
Apart from this key difference, Viking Libra continues the line’s signature Scandi-style interior design, accommodation categories and dining options. Her maiden voyage is a 10-night Greek Odyssey departing Athens on 3 December 2026.
Cruise regions: worldwide
Star Seeker & Star Explorer
Star Seeker, Windstar Cruises’ first new ship in more than a decade, made her maiden voyage on 28 December 2025, arriving in Miami on 13 January 2026; her identical sister Star Explorer sets sail in December 2026. The new ships each feature 112 suites in 12 categories, most of which have verandas or floor-to-ceiling infinity windows.
Star Seeker and Star Explorer are an evolution of the line’s three Star-class ships, and with three sailing ships, bring Windstar’s small-ship fleet to eight.
New features include two aft-facing Horizon Owner’s Suites that can be connected to adjacent suites for added space, specialty restaurant Bamboo + Basil, a reimagined spa and water sports platform and upgraded amenities.
Cruise regions: Star Seeker will sail the Caribbean, Alaska and Asia; Star Explorer will sail the Mediterranean year-round
For more information, visit Aqua Expeditions, Emerald Cruises, Explora Journeys, Four Seasons Yachts, Orient Express, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Viking Cruises, Windstar Australia.
