70 New Cruise Ships Are Coming—What That Means for Fares

Cruise Industry News says roughly 70 new cruise ships are on order as of October 1, 2025, adding about 185,000 berths over the next decade—an investment pegged around $64.8 billion. That’s a clear bet on sustained demand and a coming wave of capacity that could ripple through prices, ports, and ship design.

A decade-sized bet on demand

According to Cruise Industry News, the newbuild pipeline stretches roughly 10 years and spans multiple brands and segments. For travelers, that usually means more choice—think new itineraries, more homeports, and the latest hardware.

The headline numbers are big, but they break down simply: about 70 ships, roughly 185,000 berths, and an average of roughly 2,640 berths per ship. That implies a mix of large mainstream vessels and smaller premium, luxury, and expedition builds. With an estimated orderbook value near $64.8 billion, the average cost per berth pencils out around $350,000—consistent with modern, tech-heavy ships.

Where the money is likely going: size, brands, niches

Historically, the lion’s share of capacity growth lands in the mainstream segment, where economies of scale lower operating costs per guest and support splashy amenities. But the post-pandemic cycle also favored upmarket and expedition ships; those categories add fewer berths per hull yet command higher yields.

Expect both tracks to continue. Big-ship brands will chase scale and family demand; luxury and expedition lines will target deeper-pocketed travelers and harder-to-reach destinations. The practical upshot: more cabins industry-wide, but not all cabins compete on price or geography.

Shipyards are jammed, and that shapes the risk

Orderbooks don’t sail themselves. European yards—Fincantieri, Meyer Werft, and Chantiers de l’Atlantique—still dominate complex cruise construction. Backlogs are heavy. Reuters reported Fincantieri’s backlog hit record levels in 2024, underscoring how tight slots are and how carefully yards are sequencing deliveries. Tight capacity can stretch timelines, lock in higher build prices, and leave little room for late design changes.

That congestion matters for investors and travelers alike. Delivery slippage could bunch new capacity in certain years or push ships into later seasons, affecting itineraries and pricing windows. It also incentivizes brands to place options sooner rather than later to secure production slots.

The sustainability catch: fuel, plugs, and compliance costs

The next decade’s ships must meet stricter climate rules. The International Maritime Organization adopted a new greenhouse-gas strategy in July 2023 that targets net-zero emissions from international shipping “by or around” 2050, with interim checkpoints in the 2030s. In Europe, shipping entered the EU Emissions Trading System in 2024 (phased in to 2026), and the bloc’s FuelEU Maritime rules start ramping greenhouse-gas intensity reductions from 2025, with shore-power requirements at major ports arriving this decade.

Why it matters: greener ships cost more upfront but can lower operating and regulatory costs later. Expect more vessels with shore-power capability, cleaner fuels like LNG or methanol readiness, and efficiency tech from hull coatings to air lubrication systems. Those choices influence not just emissions but itinerary flexibility—ships designed for future fuels and plug-ins will have an easier time complying across regions.

• According to the European Parliament, maritime CO2 is being priced under the EU ETS starting 2024, with obligations rising to 100% by 2026 for covered voyages.
• The IMO’s 2023 strategy aims for deep emissions cuts this decade, pushing lines to lock in more efficient designs now.

Operators will try to pass at least part of these costs through, but fleetwide efficiency gains and more cabins competing in popular seasons can offset some upward fare pressure.

What this means for fares and onboard value

More capacity typically softens pricing at the margins—especially in shoulder seasons, on older ships, and in competitive drive-to markets. But don’t bank on blanket discounts. Newbuilds debut at a premium, and headline fares can be sticky when demand stays firm.

Watch for value to show up in other ways:

• Promotions that bundle Wi-Fi, drinks, or onboard credit.
• Loyalty program boosts as brands vie for repeat guests.
• Added itineraries and homeports, cutting airfare costs for some travelers.

In short, the capacity wave could mean more deals—but with nuance. Expect sharper pricing on legacy hardware and certain routes, while brand-new tonnage and marquee holidays hold rate.

Ports, crowding, and the itinerary chessboard

More ships mean more calls. Popular hubs—Caribbean staples, Alaska gateways, Mediterranean icons—will feel the strain unless port infrastructure keeps pace. Shore power availability, tendering limits, and local regulations will shape deployment. Lines may lean harder into secondary ports and shoulder-season sailings to smooth peaks.

For travelers, that could mean:

• More variety in routes and embarkation ports.
• A wider spread of sail dates outside peak weeks.
• Occasional itinerary tweaks as ports manage congestion or environmental rules.

Quick stats to keep handy

• Ships on order: ~70 (through the next decade)
• Added berths: ~185,000
• Estimated orderbook value: ~$64.8 billion
• Average berths per ship: ~2,640
• Implied cost per berth: ~$350,000

Bottom line: a bigger, greener, more competitive fleet

The orderbook signals confidence—and competition. Capacity growth should gradually pressure fares where ships and seasons overlap, while sustainability rules nudge designs toward future fuels and plug-ins. Yard backlogs are the wild card: deliveries look steady, but slots are tight and changes are costly.

If you’re shopping: be flexible on dates and ships, watch for bundled promos, and keep an eye on newer ports and shoulder seasons. The best values won’t always be on the newest steel—but the fleet’s next generation will set the pace on efficiency and amenities.

Pros and cons for travelers

• Pros: more choice, fresher hardware, potential value on older ships, wider range of homeports.
• Cons: crowding at marquee ports, patchy early adoption of green infrastructure, premiums on brand-new ships.

Summary

• About 70 ships adding ~185,000 berths are due over the next decade.
• Yard capacity is tight, which can affect pricing and timing.
• EU and IMO rules are shaping designs toward lower emissions and shore power.
• Expect selective fare pressure—deals on older hardware, premiums on newbuilds.
• Ports and itineraries will evolve as capacity and regulations rise.