Hello fellow cruise enthusiasts!

Hope you’ve all had a fantastic start to 2025! It’s been a little while since my last message, but I want you to know I’m here for anything you need. In December, I underwent a full knee replacement, which temporarily paused my communications as I focused on recovery while continuing to support my clients. As we move forward, I’ve made some updates to how I communicate in 2025, and I hope these changes provide you with valuable insights and engagement. Don’t worry, I still found time to cruise my favorite Royal Caribbean ship – Utopia of the Seas – for a second time in January. I moved a little slower but still had a wonderful cruise experience all the same!

Recently, clients have asked why they should use a cruise travel agent instead of booking online or directly with the cruise line. My role extends beyond booking—I guide clients through every step, continuously educating myself on the latest offerings. By experiencing cruise lines, ships, and destinations firsthand, I provide personalized recommendations, insider tips, and seamless planning for a stress-free voyage.

In summer 2024, after a 17-day Iceland and Northern Europe cruise, I earned CLIA’s highest certification, Elite Cruise Counselor (ECC). The ECC is an advanced level certification and the highest-level designation a CLIA Individual Agent Member can achieve. With over 8,000 members, CLIA-certified agents are recognized as top cruise experts in North America.

While I hope you book with me, always choose a vetted, experienced travel professional. A knowledgeable agent offers more than just great prices—they provide expertise and guidance to ensure the best cruise experience.

2025 is set to bring an exciting wave of new cruise ships, each designed to elevate the travel experience with innovative features, enhanced amenities, and immersive itineraries.

From groundbreaking entertainment and cutting-edge technology to luxurious accommodations and expanded dining options, these new vessels promise something for every type of cruiser. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or family-friendly fun, the latest additions to the cruise industry are sure to deliver unforgettable experiences on the high seas.

Royal Caribbean International's second Icon-class ship, Star of the Seas, is currently under construction and is set to join the fleet in the summer of 2025.

As the middle ship in the trio of Icon-class vessels, Star of the Seas follows the launch of Icon of the Seas in early 2024 and precedes the debut of the third ship in the class in 2026. Like its sister ships, Star of the Seas will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the cleanest marine fuel available today.

Princess Cruises' 4,300-passenger, 178,000-ton Star Princess will be the second ship in the Sphere Class, following Sun Princess, which debuted in 2024. Both ships feature innovative design elements, including a glass-domed pool, a tech-forward Princess Arena theater, and a three-deck Piazza with a pop-up stage and giant LED screen. Star Princess will debut in the Mediterranean in October 2025, then head to the Caribbean for winter sailings. Starting in summer 2026, it will become the largest Princess ship to sail to Alaska, making its way through the Panama Canal to Seattle before returning to the Caribbean for another winter season.

Viking will introduce Viking Vesta to its ocean fleet in summer 2025, a sister ship to its 11 nearly identical vessels. Like its fleetmates, Viking Vesta will focus on extended port stays, with at least one complimentary excursion and overnights in select destinations.

Slightly longer than its siblings, Viking Vesta carries 998 passengers and offers amenities like a Nordic spa while still being small enough for less-accessible ports. With a child-free environment, the ship caters to older, well-traveled cruisers (18+ only), offering spacious cabins with balconies, including 270 square feet for the smallest rooms.

Onboard, guests can enjoy enrichment programs, low-key activities like trivia, and elegant dining in several restaurants, with buffet selections inspired by the ship’s destinations. Viking Vesta will debut in July 2025 with Mediterranean cruises ranging from seven to 21 nights, departing from Athens, Barcelona, Venice, and Rome.

Virgin Voyages will add Brilliant Lady to its fleet in 2025, nearly two years later than planned. The ship will feature signature offerings like balcony hammocks, multiple restaurants (no buffet or large main dining rooms), and a range of wellness options, including the Redemption Spa and free fitness classes. While similar to its sister ships, Brilliant Lady will expand Virgin’s itineraries with sailings from New York City and Los Angeles, including stops in Bermuda, Charleston, South Carolina, and Canada. It will debut in September 2025 with cruises from New York, then reposition to Miami, Los Angeles, and Seattle for Caribbean, Mexico, and Alaska sailings through 2026.

Norwegian Aqua, the newest addition to Norwegian Cruise Line's Prima Class, will debut in March. Designed for 3,571 passengers, it will be a larger version of its sister ships, making it a Prima Plus Class vessel. A standout feature will be the Aqua Slidecoaster, a hybrid waterslide and roller coaster that replaces the top-deck go-kart track, with magnet-powered slides that climb and descend three stories.

The ship will also feature a Glow Court with an LED floor for daytime sports and nightlife fun. Norwegian Aqua will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, on seven-night Caribbean cruises, with stops in Puerto Plata, Tortola, St. Thomas, and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian's private island.

MSC Cruises is set to make waves with MSC World America, a 216,000-ton, 5,228-passenger ship debuting in the U.S. this spring. As the second ship in MSC's World Class, it will be the first to sail from the U.S. to the Caribbean.

The ship is designed to attract families, featuring Family Aventura, a dedicated entertainment area with attractions like Cliffhanger (an overwater swing ride), Jaw Drop @ The Spiral (a 10-deck-high slide), Harbour Light House (a play area themed around MSC's private island), and Harbour Aquapark with four waterslides.

Disney Cruise Line will introduce Disney Destiny, the third ship in the Wish Class, following Disney Wish (2022) and Disney Treasure (2024). The 4,000-passenger ships share a layout but feature unique themes. Disney Destiny focuses on Disney villains and their heroic counterparts, with the Grand Hall showcasing a statue of T'Challa from Black Panther. New venues include the De Vil's piano lounge, inspired by Cruella de Vil, and The Sanctum, a Doctor Strange-themed spot for cocktails and activities.

For dining, Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King offers an immersive experience, while the rotational dining includes Worlds of Marvel and 1923. Adults can enjoy extra-fee restaurants like Palo Steakhouse and Enchante. The AquaMouse water ride also returns.

Disney Destiny will sail four- and five-night itineraries to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key, a new private beach destination, opens in July 2025 on Grand Bahama Island. Designed for all ages, it features five themed areas with music, dining, shopping, and beach activities. Guests can enjoy shore excursions like kayaking, snorkeling, Jeep tours, and glass-bottom boat rides, plus water sports rentals. Future expansions will add a water park and zip lines.

The main pier will accommodate two of Carnival’s largest ships, with plans to expand in 2026 to host up to four vessels.

Opening in December 2025, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will be the first in Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club Collection, blending Paradise Island’s stunning beaches with the cruise line’s signature experiences for an all-inclusive beach day infused with Bahamian culture.

Spanning 17 acres on the island’s western end, the new beach club offers vacationers an exclusive experience with a day pass, covering everything from the initial water taxi ride to dining, drinks, and amenities.

Developed in partnership with the Bahamian government, the club will showcase local influence through its design, live music, artisan shops, and cuisine. As the first project of its kind in The Bahamas, it will create hundreds of jobs, supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs while promoting responsible development.