Maiden Voyages
Be first aboard the new cruise ships of 2027 and 2028. These are the maiden voyages and inaugural sailings we’re watching, from Hero of the Seas and Disney Believe out of Florida to Aman’s first yacht and Crystal’s first new ship in 25 years. Debut dates can move, so we track every change for you.
At a glance
New Cruise Ships of 2027 and 2028: Maiden Voyage Dates
Updated October 30, 2026. First sailing dates are set by each cruise line and can change.
| Ship | Cruise line | First sailing | Departs from |
|---|---|---|---|
| S.S. Marlene | Uniworld | March 27, 2027 | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| AmaRudi | AmaWaterways | April 11, 2027 | Danube River |
| S.S. Audrey | Uniworld | April 16, 2027 | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Norwegian Aura | Norwegian Cruise Line | May 2, 2027 | Trieste, Italy |
| Amangati | Aman at Sea | May 7, 2027 | Palma de Mallorca, Spain |
| Viking Astrea | Viking | June 1, 2027 | Venice (Chioggia), Italy |
| Hero of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | August 1, 2027 | Miami, Florida |
| Oceania Sonata | Oceania Cruises | August 7, 2027 | Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy |
| EXPLORA V | Explora Journeys | December 4, 2027 | Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy |
| Disney Believe | Disney Cruise Line | December 18, 2027 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
| Crystal Grace | Crystal | June 11, 2028 | Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy |
| EXPLORA VI | Explora Journeys | August 4, 2028 | Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy |
| Atlas Adventurer | Atlas Ocean Voyages | November 6, 2028 | Kobe, Japan |
Questions we hear
Maiden Voyage FAQ
What new cruise ships launch in 2027 and 2028?
New ships debuting in 2027 include Royal Caribbean's Hero of the Seas, Norwegian Aura, Disney Believe, Oceania Sonata, Viking Astrea, EXPLORA V and Aman's first yacht, Amangati, plus new river ships from Uniworld and AmaWaterways. In 2028, Crystal Grace, EXPLORA VI and Atlas Adventurer follow. The table above lists each first sailing we offer.
Should I book a maiden voyage?
Book one if being among the very first guests matters to you: the crew, the ship and the celebration are all brand new, and inaugural sailings often carry keepsakes and a festive atmosphere. The trade-off is that new ships can be delayed or have early service kinks. We book flexible fares where possible and track every schedule change for you.
What happens if a maiden voyage is delayed or cancelled?
If a cruise line moves or cancels a first sailing, it typically offers a full refund or a move to another date, often with onboard credit or a future cruise credit as compensation. Terms vary by line. As your travel consultant, we watch for changes, explain your options and rebook you.
Which new cruise ships sail from Florida?
Hero of the Seas begins her maiden season from Miami in August 2027, and Disney Believe sails her maiden voyage from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on December 18, 2027. Both are an easy drive from Orlando and Central Florida, so no flights are needed.
When do maiden voyages go on sale, and how fast do they sell?
Inaugural sailings usually open for booking a year or more before the ship debuts, and the most popular cabins and suites can sell out within days or weeks. Disney Believe opened on October 19, 2026. Ask us to be first to know when the next new ship opens for booking.
Dates to come
More Maiden Seasons on the Horizon
These new ships debut in 2027, and their lines have not yet published first sailing dates. We will add each one above as soon as its date is set, and more new ships follow in 2028.