Disney Destiny Joins Celebrity Xcel, Star Princess, Oceania Allura, Norwegian Aqua, Celebrity Apex, and Others to Surge Cruise Travel Across the Caribbean This Year

Published on December 20, 2025

In an unprecedented move, Disney Destiny, along with Celebrity Xcel, Star Princess, Oceania Allura, Norwegian Aqua, and Celebrity Apex, is set to revolutionize Caribbean cruising by offering a perfect blend of luxury, sustainability, and unforgettable itineraries. Each of these ships brings unique features to the table, elevating the cruising experience in the region to new heights. From family-friendly voyages on Disney Destiny to the eco-conscious innovations seen on Celebrity Xcel and Norwegian Aqua, this group of ships will cater to diverse traveler preferences. The ships will sail to iconic Caribbean destinations, including the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Aruba, and Cozumel, providing luxury, adventure, and relaxation for every type of cruiser.

Disney Destiny: The Ultimate Family Adventure Awaits in the Caribbean

Disney Destiny, the latest addition to Disney Cruise Line’s fleet, launched in November 2025, designed for families and Disney fans seeking fun and adventure in the Caribbean and Bahamas. As part of Disney’s ongoing expansion in the region, this ship marks a significant step forward in offering larger family‑friendly voyages.

• Opening Itinerary & Details: Disney Destiny began its maiden Caribbean and Bahamas sailings from Port Canaveral on November 20, 2025. The ship will primarily operate four and five night voyages with stops in Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, and various Caribbean islands like Nassau and Grand Cayman.
• Homeport Data: The ship will homeport in Port Canaveral for the 2025/26 winter season.
• Why Beneficial for Travelers: Families can enjoy a multitude of themed activities, world‑class dining, and immersive entertainment options designed specifically for children and adults alike. Disney’s focus on family‑oriented experiences ensures that children and adults both have an engaging time.

Celebrity Xcel: Elevating Luxury with Eco-Conscious Caribbean Voyages

Launched in mid-November 2025, Celebrity Xcel, a new premium cruise ship, aims to bring elevated cruising experiences to the Caribbean. Celebrity Xcel has a strong focus on luxury, sustainability, and sophisticated itineraries, it has quickly become a standout for discerning travelers.

• Purpose: Grow Celebrity’s premium cruise capacity with Caribbean/Bahamas sailings.
• Details: Edge‑class ship with ~3,260 passenger capacity; equipped with new features and flex‑fuel engine readiness, immediately deploying on Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale.
• Itinerary & Homeport:Celebrity Xcel begins its journeys from Fort Lauderdale with 10‑day cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, including Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Puerto Rico. Its inaugural cruise, held on November 19, kicked off the 2025/26 season of Caribbean cruises.
• Why It’s Beneficial for Travelers: Celebrity Xcel offers a luxurious experience with enhanced dining, wellness offerings, and spacious suites, making it perfect for those seeking a higher-end cruise. The ship also boasts environmentally‑friendly initiatives, which attract sustainability‑minded travelers looking to make eco-conscious travel choices.

Star Princess: A New Era of Sustainable Luxury Cruises in the Caribbean

The Star Princess officially launched in early November 2025, bringing the LNG-powered sphere-class ships to the Caribbean. Aimed at both adventure seekers and relaxation lovers, it’s a versatile ship that blends luxury and convenience.

• Details: Sphere‑class vessel designed for Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, and Panama Canal itineraries; LNG fuel reduces emissions relative to older ships — delivering modern cruising with lower environmental impact.
• Itinerary & Homeport: Princess Cruises’ Star Princess sails from Fort Lauderdale, offering Caribbean itineraries. Key ports include St. Maarten, Aruba, and Barbados, with its first voyage departing in early November. It’s designed for long-term Caribbean deployment during the winter.
• Why It’s Beneficial for Travelers:Star Princess offers new environmental technologies, like LNG fuel, lowering the ship’s carbon footprint. Travelers benefit from eco‑friendly cruising options, and the ship’s enhanced facilities cater to diverse needs, including spa treatments, gourmet dining, and family excursions.

Oceania Allura: Exclusive Luxury and Cultural Exploration in the Caribbean

The Oceania Allura, which joined the fleet in mid-November 2025, is a boutique luxury cruise ship designed to bring an intimate yet highly indulgent cruising experience to the Caribbean. This small, upscale ship caters to those looking for exclusive destinations and personalized services.

• Purpose: Enhance upper‑premium cruising in Caribbean markets.
• Details: Smaller vessel (~1,200 passengers) focused on elevated culinary and destination‑centric experiences, deployed in the Caribbean as part of the cruise line’s seasonal homeport strategy.
• Itinerary & Homeport: Allura departs from Miami on Caribbean voyages, focusing on the luxury cruise market. Its maiden voyage, on November 13, 2025, featured stops in Cuba, Cayman Islands, and St. Kitts, with longer, more exclusive itineraries focused on cultural exploration.
• Why It’s Beneficial for Travelers: Oceania Allura’s smaller size enables access to more secluded ports, often overlooked by larger ships. With premium dining and exclusive excursions, travelers seeking luxury and immersion in culture will find it the ideal vessel for a once-in-a-lifetime cruise.

Norwegian Aqua: Sustainable Cruising Meets Luxury in the Caribbean

The Norwegian Aqua, launched earlier in 2025 but still relevant for this winter season, represents Norwegian Cruise Line’s commitment to expanding Caribbean operations with eco-friendly cruising in mind. Aqua’s modern design, LNG fuel, and luxury touches make it a top choice for Caribbean travelers.

• Purpose: The ship focuses on sustainable travel while providing premium dining and spacious accommodations for discerning travelers.
• Details: Norwegian Aqua (Norwegian Cruise Line) is designed to expand Caribbean cruising with eco-friendly features, including LNG-powered engines. Launched in 2025, it offers luxury itineraries to destinations like Cozumel and Grand Turk.
• Itinerary & Homeport: Norwegian Aqua departs from PortMiami, with voyages lasting seven to ten days. The ship’s maiden voyage, July 2025, began its seasonal deployment, focusing on the Caribbean, including Cozumel, Grand Turk, and San Juan.
• Why It’s Beneficial for Travelers: Norwegian Aqua features eco-friendly, LNG-powered engines, offering an environmentally conscious vacation choice. Guests also benefit from its high-end amenities, gourmet dining, and luxury suites, making it perfect for those wanting a modern, sustainable cruise experience.

Celebrity Apex: Premium Luxury Cruises to Iconic Caribbean Destinations

Celebrity Apex, part of Celebrity Cruises’ Edge class, began service in October 2025 with its Caribbean voyages, adding a premium luxury option for travelers heading to top destinations. Its unique, modern design and innovative spaces make it a standout ship for sophisticated cruisers.

• Itinerary & Homeport: The ship operates primarily from Fort Lauderdale and Miami, offering seven‑night Caribbean cruises. Maiden sailings began November 2025, featuring stops in Cuba, the Bahamas, and Puerto Rico.
• Why It’s Beneficial for Travelers: Celebrity Apex is well known for its stylish décor, luxurious accommodations, and premium itineraries, making it a top choice for travelers looking for affordable luxury. With its innovative Solarium and Edge‑class design, passengers enjoy sophisticated relaxation and top-tier dining.

The six new ships launched in November 2025 significantly enhance Caribbean offerings by expanding capacity, introducing environmentally friendly vessels, and catering to premium markets. For travelers, this means more choices in luxury, sustainability, and family‑friendly cruising, alongside exciting itineraries to well-loved Caribbean destinations like the Bahamas, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. The variety of new ships helps ensure that the Caribbean continues to be one of the world’s most sought‑after cruising regions in the coming years.

Why These Cruises Are Important for the Caribbean and Travelers

The recent launch of ships like Disney Destiny, Celebrity Xcel, Star Princess, Oceania Allura, Norwegian Aqua, and Celebrity Apex is pivotal for both the Caribbean and global travelers. These ships play a crucial role in boosting Caribbean tourism by offering luxury, sustainability, and diverse itineraries, making the region even more appealing to premium and eco-conscious travelers.

For the Caribbean, these new ships inject significant economic benefits by increasing passenger traffic, boosting port revenues, and supporting local businesses. They also drive sustainable tourism practices with eco-friendly vessels that reduce carbon emissions, which is critical for preserving the region’s natural beauty.

For travelers, these ships deliver unmatched experiences with world-class amenities, innovative onboard technologies, and access to hidden gems in the Caribbean. Whether travelers are seeking luxury relaxation or adventurous excursions, these cruises offer something for everyone, ensuring memorable voyages while promoting sustainability and responsible tourism.

Disney Destiny joins Celebrity Xcel, Star Princess, Oceania Allura, Norwegian Aqua, and Celebrity Apex to revolutionize Caribbean cruising by offering a perfect blend of luxury, sustainability, and unforgettable itineraries. Each ship brings unique features, from eco-friendly technologies to premium onboard experiences, ensuring travelers enjoy a diverse, high-quality cruising experience across the region. This collaboration of ships redefines cruising standards, making the Caribbean a prime destination for those seeking both indulgence and environmental responsibility.