For travelers seeking a cruise that feels polished, modern, and thoughtfully designed, without losing the warmth and accessibility Princess is known for, Star Princess is absolutely one to watch, especially as she heads north to Alaska in 2026.

River cruising continues to evolve in quiet but meaningful ways. The ships debuting in 2026 aren’t about flash or reinvention. They’re about refinement—more space where it matters, smarter design, improved sustainability, and itineraries that feel increasingly intentional.

The 2026 cruise lineup is notable not just for the number of new ocean ships launching, but for what they reveal about where cruising is headed: clearer audience targeting, more intentional design, and sharper distinctions between cruise experiences.

While much of the cruise industry focuses on scale, speed, and spectacle, another corner of the market is quietly evolving in a very different direction. The expedition, small-ship, and yacht space continues to prioritize access over abundance, intention over itinerary overload, and experience over entertainment. And the ships debuting in 2026 reflect that shift clearly.