Arvia begins her Mediterranean Cruises from Southampton. She will also sail a range of 7, 14, 15 and 16 night cruises around the Caribbean from Barbados (Bridgetown) or Antigua (St John). When was Arvia built? Arvia was built in 2022.

The most exciting new arrival in Southampton for the 2026 season is the EXPLORA III, the third luxury ship from MSC’s ultra-premium brand, Explora Journeys. Set to make its maiden voyage from Southampton in August 2026, this 922-guest vessel is the first in the fleet to be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), reflecting a major push toward sustainability. Unlike traditional megaships, the EXPLORA III focuses on an "Ocean State of Mind," offering all-suite accommodations with private terraces and a much slower, more immersive pace of travel. Another notable 2026 arrival in the port is the Norwegian Luna, a sister ship to the Norwegian Aqua, which will feature expanded outdoor spaces and the innovative "Slidecoaster." These new additions join a bustling Southampton fleet that continues to be the primary gateway for UK-based travelers heading to the Norwegian Fjords and the Mediterranean.

That’s a bit of a broad question, as several cruise lines have new ships homeporting from or visiting Southampton. However, the most significant and recent “new ship” from Southampton is almost certainly the Queen Anne (Cunard Line).

Here’s a breakdown of the key new ships associated with Southampton:

1. Queen Anne (Cunard Line)

This is the headline answer. It’s the newest ship and a major event for Southampton, the historic home of Cunard. Maiden Voyage: May 2024 (set sail from Southampton on its naming ceremony voyage on May 3, 2024). Significance: It is the first new Cunard ship in 14 years (since the Queen Elizabeth in 2010) and the 249th ship in Cunard’s 184-year history. It represents a modern evolution of the Cunard “White Star Service” experience. Based in Southampton: It will be a regular sight in Southampton, operating a series of voyages from the UK, including Mediterranean, Norwegian Fjords, and Canary Islands itineraries.

2. Other Notable New Ships Sailing from Southampton (Recently)

• Icon of the Seas (Royal Caribbean): While not based in Southampton, the world’s largest cruise ship made its first-ever UK visit to Southampton in June 2024 for a series of preview sailings before heading to its homeport in Miami. This was a major one-off event.
• Anthem of the Seas / Independence of the Seas (Royal Caribbean): These are not new ships, but they are the primary, large Royal Caribbean ships that are regularly based in Southampton for the summer season, offering European itineraries.
• MSC Virtuosa (MSC Cruises): One of the newer and largest ships in the MSC fleet