Interested in taking a cruise vacation? You’re not alone. According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), 27% of cruisers in the past two years are new to cruising and 82% of those who have cruised before plan on cruising again. And those of us who want to set sail from the South are in luck – nearly 45% of the cruise industry sets sail from our part of the world to destinations like Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean, with plenty of U.S. ports of call mixed in. 

Fortunately for us, cruise lines have set their sights on adding even more. Here, we take a look at 17 new cruises setting sail in the South.

American Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines has added four new cruise itineraries from the South to its line up in 2025, with another on tap for 2026. 

The new eight-day Potomac River & Chesapeake Bay itinerary sails between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, calling upon Revolutionary War sites, colonial settlements, and waterfront towns along the way. American Cruise Lines enjoys the added clout of being the only cruise line to call upon Washington, D.C.

Departing from Charleston, South Carolina, the new 9-day Southeast Sea Islands Cruise calls upon Beaufort, Hilton Head, Savannah, and Jekyll Island before arriving in Amelia Island, Florida, just north of Jacksonville. 

Sailing between New Orleans and Memphis, the new 12-day Mississippi Explorer travels along the Mississippi Delta, calling upon iconic landmarks like Oak Alley, Houmas House, Vicksburg National Military Park, GRAMMY® Museum Mississippi, and Natchez along the way.

The new 15-day Grand Florida Coast & Keys itinerary departs from Amelia Island, outside Jacksonville, sailing along Florida’s east coast before rounding the Florida Keys and making its way up the west coast before arriving in St. Petersburg.

Carnival Cruise Line

One of Carnival’s newest ships, Carnival Venezia began sailing from Port Canaveral for the first time in December, bringing its “Fun Italian Style” to the Sunshine State. Set sail on a three-day or four-day itinerary to the Bahamas; seven-day voyages to the Eastern or Western Caribbean; an 11- or 14-day sailing to the Southern Caribbean; or a 14-day cruise to the Panama Canal.

Carnival is also debuting a new port of call in July 2025: Celebration Key. The cruise line’s private island features two freshwater lagoons, a 1.2-mile white sand beach and plenty of activities to keep busy, and will be called upon by its ships departing from Galveston, Jacksonville, Miami, Mobile, Port Canaveral, and Tampa.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises’ newest and most innovative ship, Celebrity Xcel, is making her debut with a five-night maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale in November 2025. She’ll sail a few more times from Fort Lauderdale before repositioning to Miami for six-, seven- and eight-night itineraries calling upon the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and Mexico.

Cunard

For the first time in Cunard’s history, one of their ships, Queen Elizabeth, will spend a full season in the Caribbean, sailing out of Miami starting in October 2025. The iconic ship’s roundtrip Caribbean voyages range from 9 to 28 nights, calling upon iconic destinations like Montego Bay, Jamaica; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and St John’s, Antigua. 

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Treasure embarked on her maiden voyage in December, and is following up with an inaugural season of seven-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Port Canaveral.

In November 2025, Disney Treasure will be joined by her sister ship, Disney Destiny, which will set sail on four- and five- night cruises to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale for her inaugural season.

Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys, the luxury small ship cruise line brand from the MSC Group, debuted its second ship in the fleet, EXPLORA II, in Rome in September. Following her inaugural journey, she will be sailing from Miami throughout the Caribbean during the Winter 2024-2025 season. Ports of call during the ship’s seven- to 31-night itineraries include Anguilla, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts, Virgin Gorda, New Orleans, Mexico, and more.

Holland America Line

Sailing from Miami, Holland America Line’s new 10-day Southern Caribbean: Amber Cove & ABC Islands itinerary sets sail in December 2025 aboard the Zuiderdam. During the voyage, guests will call upon the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, and the ABC islands, Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao.

MSC Cruises

In April 2025, MSC Cruises will launch its newest World Class ship, MSC World America, with seven- and 14-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries sailing from Miami. The new ship features seven distinct districts ranging from the Family Aventura district to the World Promenade with panoramic sea views, dining options and unique pop-up events. It also features  Cliffhanger – the only over-water swing ride at sea.   

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, will make her debut in April 2025 when she sets sail on seven-day Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral throughout the summer. After her initial voyages, the ship will move to Miami to sail four-, five- and seven-day itineraries to the Caribbean and Mexico, calling upon ports of call like Belize, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, and Cozumel. Onboard, guests can enjoy brand-new entertainment productions, including “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince,” the first-ever show at sea celebrating the global icon Prince, and Planterie, the cruise line’s first eatery offering a full plant-based menu.

In November 2025, Norwegian Gem will arrive in Jacksonville, Florida, marking the first time the cruise line will homeport in the city. The ship will set sail on a variety of three-, four-, five-, 11- and 12-day itineraries to the Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean.

Princess Cruise Lines

Princess Cruise Lines’ Caribbean Princess set sail from Port Canaveral in November, marking the first time the cruise line has sailed from this part of Florida. Since her inaugural four-day Turks & Caicos Getaway voyage from Port Canaveral, the ship is sailing six-, eight- and 14-day itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from both Port Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale.

Looking ahead to Fall 2025, Princess’ newest ship, Star Princess, will set sail from Fort Lauderdale. The sister ship to the Sun Princess will embark upon four-, five-, seven-, eight- and 14-day itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, with some itineraries calling upon Mexico, too.