Two storied hospitality brands are taking to the high seas this year, raising the bar on the fast-growing and increasingly competitive ultra-luxury small ship cruising sector.
Yachts from Four Seasons and Orient Express are among some two dozen new ships setting sail in 2026. They join more traditional ships from companies like Disney Cruise Line, Viking, and MSC, as well as expansions by more established luxury players like Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Explora Journeys and small-ship operators Windstar Cruises and Emerald Cruises.
These new ships offer an increasingly diverse mix of options for both first-time and repeat cruisers of all travel styles.
Here are six of the new ships launching in 2026 that we’re most excited about.
Four Seasons I
The pool area on the forthcoming Four Seasons I yacht
Courtesy of Four Seasons Yachts
Four Seasons, a world-renowned leader in luxury hotels, joins Ritz-Carlton and a growing number of upscale hotel brands entering the cruise scene with the summer launch of Four Seasons I.
The ship will feature expansive staterooms that are designed to feel more like hotel rooms than cruise ship cabins. In fact, the experience overall is being designed to feel more akin to a floating resort than a cruise ship, with pricing based on each cabin rather than per passenger, and with all dining and drinks aboard priced à la carte instead of included in the rate.
The 95 cabins on the 222-passenger Four Seasons I will range in size from 500 square feet to 9,975-square feet. The vessel’s seven largest signature suites will have either two or three bedrooms, separate living rooms, indoor and outdoor dining spaces, splash pools, outdoor showers, and the option to connect to additional suites. All staterooms will feature floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies.
The yacht will have 11 dining venues, spa and wellness offerings, and a large pool, as well as a “transverse” floating marina,” that opens on both sides of the vessel to give guests direct access to the water for lounging, swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The interior area that connects the two marinas will house a bar and lounge space.
Orient Express Corinthian
In 2026, Orient Express Sailing Yachts launches its first ship, combining glamour with sustainability.
Courtesy of Orient Express Sailing Yachts
Just the name Orient Express conjures up images of slow and luxurious travel, from the famed 140-year-old train featured in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express that links Istanbul to London to its newer sister train La Dolce Vita and two hotels in Italy (one in Rome, and one in Venice).
This year, the iconic brand will bring its timeless luxury to the water, with the June launch of Orient Express Corinthian, whose interiors have been designed to reflect the golden age of travel and grandeur of ocean liners. While the vessel is being billed as the world’s largest sailing yacht, it will have just 54 suites, ranging in size from 500 to 2,500 square feet; a Guerlain spa, a 115-seat cabaret; a state-of-the-art recording studio; two pools; and 10 bars and restaurants overseen by renowned chef Yannick Alléno, whose global restaurant empire has earned 17 Michelin stars.
While classic in its interior stylings, it will also be one of the most innovative vessels launching in 2026—it will be the first sailing yacht to use a revolutionary wind-powered SolidSail system from French shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique that is paired with hybrid LNG propulsion for near-zero-emissions.
Orient Express Corinthian will sail its first season along the coasts of the French and Italian rivieras and through the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas before making a winter transatlantic crossing to the Caribbean.
Windstar Cruises’ Star Seeker
Passengers can lounge and dine alfresco on Star Seeker’s outdoor decks.
Courtesy of Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises made a name for itself in the 1980s when it launched two sailing ships. But in more recent years it has focused on growing its “Star Class” fleet of small, all-suite motor-powered ships. The first four were renovations of former Seabourn ships. But this year, Windstar launched its first newly built ship, Star Seeker.
The ship has 112 cabins, most with private verandas and/or floor-to-ceiling windows. All suites feature large mosaic-glass showers and fully stocked mini-bars. Two owner’s suites include large wrap-around balconies. There are five dining venues aboard, including the new Mediterranean-Asian inspired Basil + Bamboo, a full service spa and fitness centers, and a rear marina that gives guests direct ocean access for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding. There’s even a small sailboat guests can use.
Star Seeker is spending the winter in the Caribbean before heading to Alaska. A second new build in the same “Star Class,” Star Explorer, will launch in early 2027.
Explora Journeys’ Explora III
Splurge on a sprawling “residence” accommodation on the new Explora III.
Courtesy of Explora Journeys
Explora Journeys (a company that purposely doesn’t use the word “cruise” in its name) launches the third ship in its fleet this summer, Explora III. With 463 suites, the experience is designed to feel more like a private yacht than a traditional cruise ship. Yet it still has the big-ship amenities many cruisers favor, including 5 pools, 12 bars and lounges, 7 restaurants, and high-end shopping. Suites range in size from the more traditional 400-square-foot cruise cabin with a balcony and sitting area, to “residences” with large balconies and private pools.
Developed by the Aponte family, owners of Explora’s parent company MSC Cruises, the ship was created to evoke a European luxury experience. It also has a focus on sustainability. MSC Group has pledged to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Explora III will run on liquified natural gas (LNG), which is currently the cleanest marine fuel available at scale and has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by 25 percent.
Launching this summer from Italy, Explora III will then sail to Spain, the United Kingdom, northern Europe, and North America.
Emerald Cruises’ Emerald Kaia
Get out onto the water via Emerald Kaia’s marina area.
Courtesy of Emerald Cruises
Emerald Cruises, which currently sails two 100-passenger super-yachts, will launch the first of three next-generation boutique-style small ships this spring. Emerald Kaia is slightly larger than its sister ships, Emerald Azzura and Emerald Sakara, with a 128-passenger capacity. The ship maintains the brand’s relaxed luxury atmosphere, but with more space and a host of upgrades.
New features will include family-friendly connecting suites, an observation deck with an additional pool and sun loungers, an indoor/outdoor gym, expanded spa, two new restaurants, and a bar in the marina area that will offer a wider range of water sports activities, including Seabobs and paddleboards.
The signature restaurant, La Cucina, will have an open kitchen while the Night Market Grill will offer a private dining experience (for an additional fee) for just eight guests.
The brand will launch two more ships in 2027 and 2028, Emerald Raiya and Emerald Xara, with the same sleek design and amenities. Emerald Kaia is set to launch in April and will sail from the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Adriatic Seas to the Seychelles.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Prestige
The Seven Seas Prestige is gearing up to set a new bar for luxury travel at sea.
Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Long a world leader in luxury cruising, Regent Seven Seas Cruises this year launches its first new ship class in 10 years. Seven Seas Prestige will be the seventh ship in what Regent calls “the world’s most luxurious fleet,” and the first of three ships planned for the new prestige class.
Years in the making, the company says the ship will “redefine ultra-luxury travel.” At 77,000 tons and carrying just 822 guests with 630 crew members, Seven Seas Prestige will be 40 percent larger than previous Regent ships, yet it will accommodate only 10 percent more guests.
It will have 12 all-balcony suite categories, including the $25,000-a-night, two-story, 8,794-square-foot Skyview Regent Suite, with both a stone staircase and a private elevator. The lower level will be outfitted with a formal dining area, library, living room, ocean-facing bar, and a bedroom, while the upstairs will be the expansive main suite. It will also have exclusive access to the Study, a private dining venue for up to 12 guests, located on Deck 11, between restaurants Chartreuse and Prime 7.
Set to debut in December, the ship will sail the winter in the Caribbean before heading to Europe.
