The cruise industry is gearing up for a landmark year in 2025, with several colossal ships preparing to set sail, promising unprecedented scale, luxury, and innovation at sea. With 17 new vessels expected to debut, five stand out as the biggest and most ambitious, redefining what it means to cruise in style.

1. Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas

Leading the fleet is Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, a sister ship to the current record-holder, Icon of the Seas. Weighing in at a staggering 250,800 tonnes—slightly heavier than Icon—this floating city will embark on seven-night cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida, visiting popular Eastern and Western Caribbean destinations, including the cruise line’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The ship features eight themed neighborhoods, 40 dining and bar venues, multiple pools, waterslides, and even a three-level Family Townhouse. Royal Caribbean has announced that Star of the Seas will begin full operations on August 31, with early “showcase sailings” offering shorter trips starting earlier in the summer.

2. Disney Cruise Line’s Adventure

Disney Cruise Line is launching its largest ship yet, Disney Adventure, in December. At 208,000 tonnes and 342 meters in length, it will carry around 6,000 guests. Based in Singapore, Adventure will offer three- to five-night cruises with no port calls—just immersive Disney entertainment at sea.

This ship will be the first Disney vessel based in Asia and will feature unique attractions such as a rollercoaster at sea, Marvel-themed experiences, and seven different “lands.” It is currently under construction, with a float-out planned for May and a maiden voyage scheduled for December 15.

3. MSC Cruises’ World America

Weighing 205,700 tonnes, World America is the second in MSC’s World-class series, following World Europa. From its Miami base, the ship will alternate seven-night Caribbean routes, including stops in Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.

The 22-deck ship boasts 19 restaurants, 20 bars, a Family Aventura park with over-water swings, and an onboard waterpark. World America is already completed and will be officially named in Miami on April 9, with Hollywood actress Drew Barrymore as its godmother.

4. Princess Cruises’ Star Princess

Star Princess, a 175,000-tonne vessel, is Princess Cruises’ second Sphere-class ship and the largest ever built in Italy. Slated for delivery in September, it will initially sail Mediterranean routes before heading to the Caribbean and Alaska in 2026. Amenities include pickleball and basketball courts, expanded bars, and new dining experiences.

5. TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff Relax

Already in operation, the 160,000-tonne Mein Schiff Relax entered service in March, focusing on wellness. With a spa, yoga deck, and over 30 dining venues, the ship currently runs Mediterranean cruises and will later shift to the Canary Islands.

Despite their grandeur, such mega-ships face challenges. Port capacity, local tourism limits—like those now enforced in Santorini—and environmental concerns around LNG fuel use are reshaping the future of cruising. With passenger preferences shifting post-pandemic, it remains to be seen whether “bigger is better” will remain the industry’s guiding mantra.

Spain is emerging as a leading destination for film and television tourism, with the country’s iconic landscapes and cities increasingly attracting travellers eager to visit the settings of their favorite movies and series. Driven by the global reach of streaming platforms like Netflix, this niche tourism sector is rapidly growing—and Spanish companies are stepping up to meet demand.

Popular international productions such as Game of Thrones, La Casa de Papel, Elite, Black Mirror, and Pedro Almodóvar’s films have been shot in Spain, transforming the country into a hotspot for fans seeking immersive experiences at filming locations.

“Before, it was mostly superfans visiting old western sets or Star Wars locations in Seville,” said Diego Santos, a tourism professor at EAE Business School in Madrid. “Now, movie tourism is becoming mainstream and growing very fast.”

The first national study on the trend, Spain of Film: Trends in Cinematographic Tourism, confirms the rising popularity of this travel style. It found that four in ten Spaniards see culture as a major travel motivator, while one in ten have planned trips specifically to filming sites.

Ana Alonso, founder of The Travelling Set, Spain’s first consultancy dedicated to screen tourism, sees huge potential. “Streaming platforms stir global curiosity about landscapes and cultures. That’s where film tourism steps in,” she said.

Madrid emerged as the most frequently mentioned destination for visitors associating their trip with a film or TV production, followed by Almería and Seville. However, Alonso believes Spain still has work to do. “Compared to the UK, Spain is just getting started. It’s like where wine tourism was in its early days.”

To meet growing demand, companies are teaming up with tour operators to craft experiences that go beyond visiting filming sites. Aubry Minotti, founder of Lorens consultancy, explained, “These aren’t just location tours—they’re immersive experiences combining cinema with local history, culture, and gastronomy.”

Experiences range from night screenings and themed dinners to costume viewings, sewing workshops, and film-inspired team-building activities. Alonso adds that screen tourism opens the door to sustainable travel. “It’s not seasonal like beach holidays and can redirect tourists to lesser-known areas.”

Spain’s appeal as a filming destination is long-standing, thanks to its mild climate, diverse landscapes, and cinematic history—from Spaghetti Westerns in Almería to recent global hits. Today, film productions are further incentivized by government tax credits and simplified filming permits. According to the Spain Film Commission, these efforts are generating an economic impact of €1.32 billion.

In a significant milestone, Spain will host Europe’s first film tourism congress next month, marking its emergence as a hub in this growing sector.

As the country grapples with the backlash against mass tourism, screen tourism may offer a more sustainable path forward. “It’s a way to decongest tourist hotspots and bring life to new regions,” said Alonso. “It’s tourism with a story—and a purpose.”

As global air travel continues to rebound, airlines are increasingly holding onto older aircraft, investing billions in refurbishments to ensure passengers experience modern comfort. Delays in new aircraft deliveries due to supply chain disruptions have forced airlines to rethink their strategies, opting to upgrade aging fleets rather than retire them.

Massive Investments in Aircraft Refurbishments

Major carriers such as Emirates and Etihad have launched extensive refurbishment programs to modernize their aircraft interiors. Etihad has pledged $1 billion (€920 million) to upgrade its Boeing 777 and 787 fleets, while Emirates is investing a staggering $5 billion (€4.6 billion) to revamp its planes.

Finnair is also undergoing a major overhaul, refurbishing its long-haul Airbus A330 fleet and upgrading its regional Embraer E190s, some of which are nearly two decades old. The airline is modernizing the cabins with new slimline seats, fresh interior designs, and lightweight materials to enhance passenger comfort while improving fuel efficiency.

“We see this renewal as an important investment in travel comfort,” said Eeva Mattila, an engineer at Finnair Technical Operations. “Our aim is to provide a fresh and inviting travel environment for our customers.”

Supply Chain Delays Force Airlines to Adapt

Airlines’ reliance on older aircraft stems from significant delays in new aircraft production. Emirates, for instance, was expecting deliveries of Boeing’s 777X aircraft starting in 2020, but not a single jet has arrived. The airline has now expanded its refurbishment program to 220 planes.

“We have no choice,” Emirates CEO Sir Tim Clark stated at a tourism fair in Berlin. “This is the only way we can sustain and grow our network.”

Industry-wide delays have led to an increase in the global average aircraft age, now at a record 14.8 years—up from just over 13 years before the pandemic. While airlines emphasize that refurbished aircraft maintain high safety and comfort standards, aging fleets pose challenges for the industry’s sustainability goals.

Sustainability and Efficiency in Refurbishments

To offset the environmental impact of older aircraft, airlines are incorporating sustainable materials into their refurbishments. Finnair, for example, is using recycled leather instead of traditional cowhide, reducing carbon emissions by up to 85%. Similarly, lightweight seating options, such as Recaro seats, are being installed to lower fuel consumption and emissions.

KLM’s Boeing 737 refurbishments in 2021 resulted in a 20% reduction in seat weight, cutting carbon emissions by 184 tonnes per aircraft annually. Air France has taken similar steps, opting for ultra-lightweight, recycled components in its Embraer fleet.

Upcycling Old Aircraft Interiors

Rather than discarding outdated materials, airlines are finding innovative ways to repurpose old aircraft interiors. Emirates has turned discarded seat leather into luxury travel accessories, while Finnair has sold its used seats to budget carriers and developing nations.

For passengers, the focus remains on comfort and experience rather than aircraft age. With airlines investing heavily in modernizing older jets, travelers can expect a fresh and upgraded flying experience, even on planes that have been in service for decades.