Top 5 Luxury Ships Setting Sail in 2027

First Class Cruising
Aug 13
5 min read

Luxury cruising is entering an exciting new chapter in 2027, with smaller ships, more personalised service and some of the world's leading hospitality brands heading to sea.

From Aman's highly anticipated first yacht to the continued expansion of Explora Journeys, here are five luxury ships to have on your radar for 2027.

Aman at Sea (Amangati)

Aman's arrival at sea is arguably one of the most anticipated luxury launches of 2027.

Rather than approaching Amangati as a traditional cruise ship, Aman has taken much of what defines its hotels and resorts - privacy, space, understated design and highly personalised service - and translated it into a yacht experience.

With just 47 suites accommodating 94 guests, the scale is deliberately intimate. Every suite features its own private terrace, while the overall design places a strong emphasis on open space and connection to the ocean.

Wellness will also play a significant role onboard. The two-storey Aman Spa is set to be one of the largest found on a luxury yacht, complemented by a Japanese serenity garden, ocean-facing treatment rooms, yoga and meditation spaces.

There is also a marina at water level, allowing guests to access the sea directly and shifting the experience closer to that of a private superyacht than a conventional cruise.

Inaugural sailing: 7 May 2027, 6 nights - Palma de Mallorca to Nice

Maiden season: Mediterranean, followed by the Caribbean

Guest capacity (double occupancy): 94

Best suited to: Travellers already drawn to Aman hotels and resorts who prioritise privacy, wellness and highly personalised service, and want one of the most exclusive experiences currently being developed at sea.

Orient Express Olympian

Following the launch of Orient Express Corinthian in 2026, Orient Express will expand its presence at sea with its second sailing yacht, Orient Express Olympian.

The concept is very different from most new luxury ships. Rather than simply using the ocean as a way to move between destinations, Orient Express is placing the romance of sailing at the centre of the experience.

At approximately 220 metres in length, Olympian will use three large SolidSail masts alongside hybrid propulsion technology, bringing together traditional sailing with modern engineering.

The onboard experience is expected to follow the design-led approach established by Corinthian, drawing on the heritage and glamour associated with the Orient Express name while translating it into a contemporary yacht setting.

For travellers, the appeal lies as much in the journey itself as in the destination - slower, quieter and more connected to the sea than a conventional cruise experience.

Inaugural sailing: 22 July 2027, 8 nights - London to London

Maiden season: Northern Europe, followed by the Mediterranean

Guest capacity: 110

Best suited to: Travellers drawn to design, heritage and the romance of sailing, particularly those looking for something that feels distinctly different from a traditional luxury cruise.

EXPLORA IV

EXPLORA IV continues the rapid expansion of Explora Journeys and builds on the brand's quieter, more residential approach to luxury cruising.

The ship will feature 461 ocean-front suites, alongside generous outdoor spaces, five heated pools, seven restaurants and 12 bars and lounges.

What continues to differentiate Explora is the absence of many of the traditional elements associated with cruising. The experience is intentionally less structured, with a focus on space, flexibility, contemporary design and spending time at sea at your own pace.

Her inaugural season is particularly interesting, moving away from the typical Mediterranean debut and instead exploring Europe, Iceland, Greenland and the east coast of North America.

Inaugural sailing: 15 April 2027, 8 nights - Genoa, Italy to Lisbon, Portugal

Maiden season: Mediterranean, followed by Europe

Guest capacity (double occupancy): 922

Best suited to: Travellers who prefer contemporary design, spacious accommodation and a relaxed onboard atmosphere, with greater flexibility and less formality than more traditional luxury cruise lines.

EXPLORA V

Later in 2027, Explora Journeys will welcome a second new ship with the arrival of EXPLORA V.

While the onboard philosophy will remain consistent with the rest of the Explora fleet, what makes this launch particularly interesting is where she will sail.

EXPLORA V is scheduled to begin her inaugural journeys in the Mediterranean during the quieter winter season, offering a very different experience of destinations usually associated with peak summer travel.

From there, she will continue east toward the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula as part of Explora Journeys' expanding global programme.

The introduction of EXPLORA V also comes as the brand enters Asia for the first time during its 2027-28 season, marking an important stage in Explora's transition from a relatively new luxury cruise line into a much broader global operation.

Inaugural sailing: 04 December 2027, 7 nights - Civitavecchia, Italy to Istanbul, Turkey

Maiden season: Mediterranean, followed by the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula

Guest capacity (double occupancy): Approximately 922

Best suited to: Travellers who like Explora's contemporary, resort-style approach to cruising and are interested in exploring familiar destinations outside the traditional peak season.

Emerald Raiya

At the smaller end of the spectrum, Emerald Raiya represents the continued growth of Emerald Cruises' luxury yacht collection.

Designed for just 128 guests across 64 suites and staterooms, the 120-metre yacht offers a considerably more intimate experience than a traditional cruise ship.

The design follows the next-generation approach introduced with sister yacht Emerald Kaia, with a strong emphasis on open-air living and access to the water.

Guests can expect an expansive Sky Deck, multiple pool areas, wellness facilities, intimate dining venues and a marina platform that provides direct access to the sea.

That smaller scale also allows Emerald Raiya to focus more heavily on coastal exploration, particularly in destinations where the experience is as much about secluded harbours and smaller ports as major cities.

Launch: 01 May 2027, 7 nights - Athens to Dubrovnik

Maiden season: Mediterranean

Guest capacity (double occupancy): 128

Best suited to: Travellers who prefer the intimacy of a yacht, easy access to the water and destination-focused itineraries without moving into the ultra-exclusive price point of the newest hotel-branded superyachts.

The luxury cruise landscape is becoming increasingly diverse, and 2027 demonstrates just how far the industry has moved beyond the traditional definition of cruising.

Aman is bringing the privacy and serenity of its resorts to sea, Orient Express is reviving the romance of sailing, while Explora Journeys and Emerald Cruises continue to develop more contemporary, residential alternatives to conventional cruise travel.

For travellers, that means the choice is becoming less about simply selecting a ship and more about choosing a style of travel that suits the way they want to experience the world.

If you're considering travelling aboard one of these new ships in 2027, it's worth planning early. Inaugural seasons typically generate significant interest, and the most sought-after suites and itineraries can be secured well in advance.