Our pick of the hottest new ocean and river ships that'll set sail in 2025

Set to debut in the middle of 2025, Viking Vesta will be the 12th ocean vessel for Viking Cruises. As on Viking's other luxury ocean ships, every stylish stateroom will have a private balcony. No casinos and no kids, but plenty of space for 998 passengers. Compared to similar ships in the fleet, Viking Vesta is 10 metres longer and two metres wider. Embark on a voyage in the Med, or a leisurely look at northern Europe. vikingcruises.com.au

The highly anticipated fifth ship in Celebrity Cruises' Edge Series, Celebrity Xcel will make its maiden voyage in the Caribbean in November, 2025. Fans of Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond and Ascent already know about the Infinite Veranda staterooms, stunning design and innovative entertainment. Guests rave about the food, the cocktails and the service. Building on the success of those ships, Celebrity Cruises has teased of groundbreaking new experiences to come. celebritycruises.com.au

Joining the Oceania Cruises fleet in Europe next summer, Allura will depart from Trieste. The eighth vessel for the line, this will be the second 1200-guest Allura Class ship. A favourite of gourmet travellers all over the world, food is at the heart of everything Oceania Cruises does. In fact, 50 per cent of crew members are dedicated to culinary experiences. The new ship will have an onboard creperie, a first for the line, serving fresh crepes, waffles and sundaes. oceaniacruises.com

Experts in polar adventure cruising, Aurora Expeditions offers a journey retracing the steps of Sir Douglas Mawson's Australasian Antarctic Expedition. So, it's only fitting the line's newest vessel (the third purpose-built ship in the fleet) is named after the legendary Australian geologist and explorer. The Douglas Mawson will accommodate up to 130 passengers in style and comfort. Nordic-inspired cabins will include several single-berth options for solo travellers. auroraexpeditions.com.au

First there was Norwegian Prima, the first ship in Norwegian Cruise Lines's Prima Class. Christened by pop star Katy Perry in Iceland, it set a new standard for NCL. Next came Norwegian Viva, moving to a Latin rhythm with music superstar godfather Luis Fonsi. As eyes turn to the launch of Norwegian Aqua, the question is, who will be doing the honours? As the first ship in the Prima Plus class, Aqua will be more spacious and luxurious than her predecessors. She'll also offer new thrills, including the world's first Aqua Slidecoaster. We can't wait. ncl.com.au

Pass the Bahama Mama! From its planned Florida homeport, Royal Caribbean International's next mega-ship, with capacity for 5610 passengers, will sail seven-night Caribbean itineraries to some of the world's most beautiful beaches. The second ship in the innovative Icon class, Star of the Seas is designed for families, fun and adventures. Expect record-breaking waterslides, a towering waterfall and a massive ice arena. royalcaribbean.com.au

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In 2025, APT will redefine its European river cruise offering with two brand-new, ultra-modern ships, APT Solara and APT Ostara. Designed in Melbourne, the sleek ships will each carry a maximum of 154 passengers along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. Six dining venues include the Owner's Cellar, Bistro Saison and the Daystar Deck. aptouring.com.au

With room for 4300 guests, Princess Cruises' Star Princess will make its debut in the Mediterranean in August next year, complete with a "Piazza" featuring a glass sphere and an entertainment venue called the Dome, which is inspired by the terraces of Santorini. princess.com