From Celebrity Cruises’ new European river ships to construction delays for Disney Cruise Line, these were some of the biggest cruise news stories you might have missed in September 2025.
Celebrity Shares Details About 2027 European River Cruises
In early September, Celebrity Cruises unveiled more details about its highly anticipated European river cruises. The company shared the names of its first two river ships: Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker. They’ll combine some of the features from Celebrity’s Edge Series ocean ships with a patent-pending design that “offers more space to vacation while bringing guests even closer to destinations,” says Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises.
In its first season, Celebrity will offer 33 week-long sailings on the Rhine and Danube with a focus on culture, history and connection. Guests can expect to visit multiple ports per day and enjoy some overnight experiences during their sailing. Pre- and post-cruise stays in cities like Prague and Budapest will also be available to book in early 2026.
Later in the month, the company also opened bookings for the remaining inventory on the inaugural sailings, on the heels of Celebrity’s priority booking access, which sold out in six minutes.
A rendering of Celebrity Compass (Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises)
AmaWaterways Orders Eight New River Cruise Ships
In mid-September, AmaWaterways made headlines when it announced that it had ordered eight new river ships scheduled for delivery by 2030. That will bring the total fleet to more than 40 vessels, doubling the number of ships since 2020.
“Our expanding fleet is a direct response to the strong demand from guests eager to discover river cruising and Europe’s beautiful rivers,” says Catherine Powell, chief executive officer of AmaWaterways.
Disney Adventure Delayed for Three Months After Starting Sea Trials
Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, Disney Adventure, headed out to sea trials in the North Sea earlier this month. However, less than two weeks later, the company announced that the ship’s debut would be delayed by three months. Disney did not explain the reason for the delay, though at least 25 sailings, carrying around 6,700 passengers each, have been impacted by the three-month delay.
“As we work on the final touches to bring the Disney Adventure to our guests, we’ve encountered unexpected delays in the shipbuilding process,” says Joe Schott, president of Disney Signature Experiences. “The ship, once complete, will be the company’s largest ever.”
Riviera Travel to Offer Dedicated Solo River Cruise Ship, New Mekong Ship
Starting in June 2027, Riviera Travel will offer a river cruise ship—the MS George Eliot—dedicated entirely to taking solo travelers along the Danube, Rhine and Moselle rivers in Europe. Originally designed for up to 140 guests, MS George Eliot will accommodate 68 solo travelers, creating a 1:2 crew-to-guest ratio. Solo travelers can take advantage of communal spaces in the lounge, bar and sundeck. A welcome dinner and cocktail reception, as well as daily entertainment, will let travelers connect with others when desired.
The company also announced this month that it plans to launch a new ship on the Mekong River. The new vessel, Riviera Alba, will set sail in 2027, marking the brand’s expansion to Asia and its first ship outside of Europe.
Celebrity Xcel Successfully Completes Sea Trials Ahead of November Debut
Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship, Celebrity Xcel, has successfully completed sea trials. The new vessel completed its first ocean sailing on September 13, with Captain Kyriakos “Kirk” Matragkas at the helm. Celebrity Xcel demonstrated a series of maneuverability skills to test its functional and operational capabilities near the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, where the ship has been under construction.
Celebrity Xcel is preparing to welcome its first guests for its inaugural sailings in November. It’s the fifth ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series and features seven new spaces.
Celebrity Xcel during sea trials (Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises)
PONANT EXPLORATIONS Debuts New Yachting Brand, Adds Catamaran
PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP is launching a new yachting brand and adding a new catamaran to its fleet. The company is debuting PONANT YACHTING, building off the success of tailor-made catamaran journeys it launched in 2024. By late 2026, PONANT YACHTING will operate three catamarans, the Spirit of Ponant, La Désirade and the forthcoming Spirit of Ponant II, each with a capacity of nine to 12 guests.
The Spirit of Ponant II is being built in France by Lagoon and will be based in French Polynesia. It’s the 22nd ship in the PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP fleet. The vessel will be 82 feet long and 36 feet wide, with five double staterooms that can accommodate up to 10 guests. The vessel will be available exclusively for full private charters, with rates starting at $74,930.
Virgin Voyages’ New Ship Brilliant Lady Sets Sail
Virgin Voyages’ new ship Brilliant Lady set sail on her “MerMaiden” voyage from New York on September 5. The 2,762-guest vessel is the fourth and final ship in the company’s fleet, with new features designed for upcoming sailings to Alaska and through the Panama Canal. TravelPulse was onboard for the inaugural sailing and got to experience the new ship’s spaces, activities, entertainment offerings and more.
Brilliant Lady (Photo Credit: Virgin Voyages)
Windstar Cruises Will Have Two Ships Sailing in French Polynesia in 2027
Windstar Cruises plans to have two ships sailing in French Polynesia starting in March 2027. Wind Star will join Star Breeze to sail year-round in French Polynesia, offering Windstar’s most expansive South Pacific deployment to date.
Guests can choose between two distinct yachts. Wind Star is the brand’s newly refreshed, classic four-masted sailing yacht, with accommodations for up to 148 guests. The vessel will sail the 7-night Dreams of Tahiti itinerary continuously, with weekly Monday departures. Star Breeze is Windstar’s 312-guest all-suite motor yacht. The vessel will offer longer voyages to more remote locales like the Tuamotus, Marquesas, Fiji and the Cook Islands, which can be combined into Star Collector Voyages of up to 21 days.
Carnival Cruise Line Launches New Premium Non-Alcoholic Drink Package
Carnival Cruise Line is launching a new premium non-alcoholic beverage package. Called “CHEERS! Zero Proof,” the new offering includes various alcohol-free refreshment options, including handcrafted zero-proof cocktails, alcohol-free sparkling wine, coffee drinks, smoothies and sodas. The beverage package is “a direct response” to guest feedback, says Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
Similar to other drink packages, the non-alcoholic option applies to the full length of the cruise and is intended for individual use on board. Guests may still need to be at least 21 to order some items, such as alcoholic-free beer, wine and mocktails.
Royal Caribbean Officially Starts Building Fourth Icon Class Cruise Ship
Construction is officially underway for Royal Caribbean’s fourth Icon Class ship, which is scheduled to set sail in 2027. The unnamed ship will join Royal Caribbean’s existing fleet of Icon Class vessels, which includes Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas and the forthcoming Legend of the Seas. So far, the company has revealed few details about the fourth ship, but says it will share more information in the future.
Cruise Passenger Jumps Overboard to Avoid Paying Gambling Debt, Reporting Cash to Customs
A Royal Caribbean guest onboard the Rhapsody of the Seas reportedly jumped off the ship near the Port of San Juan to avoid paying off over $16,000 in gambling debt. According to CBS News, Jey Gonzalez-Diaz is now charged with a federal crime for avoiding monetary reporting requirements when returning to the U.S. and faces a fine of up to $250,000 or a prison sentence up to five years, or both.
Tauck to Debut Two New Riverboats on Seine, Douro Rivers in 2027
This month, Tauck announced that it plans to add two new riverboats on the Seine and Douro rivers in 2027—in addition to two new ships set to debut on the French and Portuguese riverways next year. Bookings are now open for the 2027 itineraries, and guests who reserve space now will have the opportunity to cancel and receive a full refund of their deposits, when pricing and final itinerary details are announced later this fall.
The ms Serene will inaugurate service on France’s Seine River next year, with its sister ship set to debut the waterway in 2027. (Photo Credit: Tauck)
Carnival Cruise Line Unveils New Hawaii Cruises, Repositions Ships
Carnival Cruise Line announced this month that it is launching its first-ever dedicated series of Hawaii cruises, which will take place aboard Carnival Legend. In addition, the cruise line is repositioning the Carnival Freedom to Norfolk, Virginia and it is also extending Carnival Pride’s year-round service in Baltimore.
“This update…represents important pieces of our strategy to deliver more fun experiences,” Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line president, said in a statement. “With fun on the move, we’re creating new options—a newer ship for Norfolk and a new series dedicated to Hawaii sailings from Long Beach are both great examples of that.”
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