Carnival Jubilee 5,400 pax launched December 2023
Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Jubilee features two marine-themed zones, Currents and The Shores. Currents, spanning decks 6 and 7, offers an ocean theme with LED windows, a wave-shaped LED ceiling, live music, a bar and dining venues including Dr.Inks , PH.D, Golden Mermaid, and Emeril’s Bistro 717 – led by celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse.
Celebrity Ascent 2,900 pax December
Celebrity Ascent features redesigned areas including a revamped Le Voyage restaurant by Daniel Boulud, and a revised Eden venue offering sensory experiences across three levels of the ship.
The Shores, situated on Deck 8, draws inspiration from coastal elements such as boardwalks and beaches. Features include a coloorful boardwalk, pizza and sandwich stands at Coastal Slice and Beach Buns, and the Marina Bar. There is also a shared area with a roller coaster, a three-deck atrium, and multiple cabin options. The ship is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) for reduced emissions.
Other revamped dining experiences include the Cosmopolitan and Fine Cut Steakhouse, an outdoor terrace at the Blu, a redesigned gaming floor at the Casino, and Craft Social extending its whiskey tastings with a new partnership.
Major features include The Magic Carpet, a movable deck spanning from decks 2 to 16, and Infinite Balcony cabins designed to blend indoors with outdoors.
The suites-only area, The Retreat, will offer free access to passengers staying in suites and includes a private pool, sundeck, lounge and restaurant.
On the top deck, the Rooftop Garden space is combined with the Rooftop Terrace, offering daytime activities and nighttime live music and films, with a grill that turns into a barbecue at night.
Celebrity Ascent will alternate cruises between Western and Eastern Caribbean thrugh the winter, then move to Europe for a summer of Mediterranean cruises in Greece, Italy, Turkey, Spain, and France.
Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas 7,600 pax January
Icon of the Seas, Royal Carribean’s most substantial new cruise ship, will have a maximum capacity of 7600 guests, possessing 2805 cabins and lengths of 1198 feet. The ship is expected to surpass the size of the current world’s most extensive cruise ship – Oasis class Wonder of the Seas.
Features include 20 total decks with 18 guest decks and eight neighbourhoods – five of them new, including AquaDome, Thrill Island, Chill Island, Surfside, and The Hideaway. The AquaDome, located at the ship’s bow, will accommodate several restaurants and bars and a transforming pool with a show called Aqua Action.
The Thrill Island neighbourhood will host the largest waterpark at sea, featuring six waterslides, a FlowRider surf simulator, a rock-climbing wall, an adventure-themed mini-golf course, and new dining venues.
Other neighbourhoods include Surfside, focused on young families with splash-and-play areas, family restaurants, and the Ultimate Family Townhouse suite, and The Hideaway, featuring the first suspended infinity pool at sea.
Royal Carribean’s signature neighbourhoods Central Park, Royal Promenade and Suite Neighbourhood will also feature, redesigned with more natural light, neutral tones and innovative venues like the Pearl – a multisensory installation providing access to the upper level.
Icon of the Seas aims to be pioneering in terms of sustainability, being the first in the fleet to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) to reduce emissions.
Sun Princess (Princess Cruises) 4,000 pax February
Sun Princess, expected to launch on February 8, 2024, will be the biggest ship in the Princess fleet and the first of two all-new Sphere-class vessels. The ship will feature the Signature Collection, a new level of suite accommodation exclusive to passengers staying in these suites.
The new ship will host a total of 2,157 cabins, including 50 suites and 100 connecting rooms, and provide more outdoor balcony space than other ships in the fleet. It will also bring forth the Reserve Collection suites, replacing the Club Class accommodation on existing ships.
A standout feature will be Park19, located on the ship’s top decks, offering nine family-friendly activities across decks 19, 20, and 21. Other family-centric offerings include Firefly Park for children aged six months to seven years and Neon Grove and The Underground for tweens and teenagers.
Princess Cruises has confirmed that Sun Princess will have all the line’s signature dining venues alongside new venues inclusion Umai Teppanyaki, The Catch by Rudi, O’Malley’s Irish Pub, and a dining experience called “Love by Britto”.
Entertainment spaces on Sun Princess include The Dome, a multi-level deck with an indoor and outdoor pool area that transforms into an entertainment space at night, and the Princess Arena, a grand theatre offering column-free views and configurable seating.
As part of Carnival Corporation’s “green cruising” initiative, Sun Princess will incorporate the latest sustainable technology, being one of 11 new ships in the corporate fleet powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The ship will also be the first built to meet the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
Cunard Queen Anne 3,000 pax May
Cunard’s latest fleet addition, Queen Anne, is set to feature a completely redesigned interior by design companies David Collins Studio, Richmond International, and Sybille de Margerie. The ship’s design will draw on Cunard’s 182-year history while offering a modern aesthetic.
Queen Anne will have a Grand Lobby featuring a contemporary metal mural sculpture, a two-deck, 825-seat Royal Court Theatre designed after world-class theatres, and fifteen restaurants including the main dining room Britannia Restaurant and the Golden Lion pub.
Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux will be modernizing the menu for the Golden Lion pub and developing a gala night menu for the Queens Grill. The vessel is also set to debut Aranya, Cunard’s first-ever Indian restaurant, amongst other specialty restaurants.
Suites on the Queen Anne will have a more contemporary look and feel. Queens Grill suites will feature dedicated dining rooms, walk-in wardrobes, and marble bathrooms. Princess Grill suites will offer bar areas and Britannia balcony rooms will have sofa seating areas.
The ship will feature a new wellness and beauty concept, Mareel Wellness & Beauty. The spa and wellness centre will be located on the top deck, and it’s set to deliver a contemporary, open, and relaxed atmosphere.
Queen Anne will bring the Cunard fleet back to four ships and is set to depart for its maiden voyage on May 3, 2024 from Southampton, visiting La Coruna and Lisbon before returning to Southampton on May 10, 2024 and visiting Belfast on her second trip. The ship’s maiden season voyages will include trips to the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, the Canary Islands, and the Norwegian Fjords.
Silversea Silver Ray 728 pax May
Silversea’s second Nova Class ship, Silver Ray, set to launch in summer 2023, will feature eco-friendly features, an innovative “horizontal” design, and all-balcony cabins with butler service. Its 728 passengers will enjoy the highest space-to-guest ratio in the Silversea fleet.
Silver Ray’s design utilizes extensive amounts of glass, including sea-facing elevators with glass walls, and a pool located on the side of the ship for unobstructed views. The ship’s “horizontal” plan, a first for Silversea, situates staterooms across the length of the ship.
The ship comprises cabins located across four decks, available in 13 categories, all with verandas and walk-in closets. The largest staterooms are the pair of Otium Suites, offering a 270-degree view and measuring a total of 1,324 square feet.
Eight dining options will be available to passengers, including the signature S.A.L.T. Kitchen with destination-inspired menus, the Grill, Spaccanapoli pizzeria, Asian-fusion restaurant Kaiseki, and French dining venue La Dame. The ship will also harbor bars and lounges, including the open-air Dusk Bar and the culturally-themed Arts Cafe.
Using new sustainable technology, Silver Ray aims to be entirely emission-free while in port by using fuel cells and batteries. The ship will also employ eco-friendly liquefied natural gas (LNG) as its main fuel and achieve a significant overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Silver Ray’s maiden voyage is planned for June 27, 2024, lasting 11 nights from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Fusina (Venice) before continuing its inaugural season in the Mediterranean. By December 2024, the ship will reposition to Fort Lauderdale before spending the spring 2025 season in South America.
Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas 5,668 pax July
Utopia of the Seas will be the sixth giant cruise ship in Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis Class and its first ship in its class powered by environmentally-friendly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
The ship was floated out at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France in September 2023. The process of moving the ship involved filling the ship’s dry dock with over 46 million gallons of water.
Utopia of the Seas will include over 20 dining options including a brand new, unnamed venue emulating a train journey. Other eateries onboard will showcase Royal Caribbean’s staple Asian restaurant Izumi, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar, Windjammer, Hooked Seafood, and Chops Grille.
The ship will feature five pools that range from upbeat to lowkey, Royal Caribbean’s signature slide Ultimate Abyss and various other attractions including the FlowRider surf simulator, AquaDunes minigolf and Utopia Playscape.
The ship will feature 20 types of accommodations suitable for three, four, five, or more passengers. This includes Royal Loft Suite and Ultimate Family Suite, alongside the introduction of a new category named Solarium Suites.
Shipping out of Port Canaveral (Orlando) for its maiden voyage in July 2024, Utopia of the Seas will focus on short getaway itineraries, offering both 3-night weekend voyages and 4-night weekday trips including stops at Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Disney Treasure 4,000 pax December
Disney Treasure, the sixth vessel in Disney Cruise Line’s growing fleet, is launching as a sister ship to Disney Wish and an unnamed third vessel, all part of the Wish-class vessels. This 4,000-passenger ship is set to be built at Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany and will be powered by liquefied natural gas.
The ship’s design will revolve around the theme of adventure, featuring references to the movies “Coco,” “Zootopia,” and several Disney theme park attractions. The ship will also have a new Aladdin-inspired Grand Hall, with bronze statues of Aladdin, Princess Jasmine, and the animated Magic Carpet.
The ship’s AquaMouse attraction returns with a new Mickey and Minnie-themed adventure story on the top deck. There will also be a Quiet Cove adults-only area with its own infinity pool, poolside bar, and cafe.
A new interactive dining experience, Plaza de Coco, will be introduced onboard Disney Treasure, offering a modern Mexican restaurant with performances involving characters from “Coco.” Other dining options will include “World of Marvel” and “1923,” paying homage to classic Walt Disney animation.
Disney Treasure will offer rooms with the signature split-bath concept. Among the 1,256 cabins onboard, 451 rooms will have connecting doors for large family groups. The ship will also feature four Royal suites themed around large cats from Disney animated films and a Tomorrow Tower Suite in the ship’s funnel styled after Walt Disney’s EPCOT center.
Disney Treasure will embark on its maiden voyage on December 21, 2024, with a seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailing from Port Canaveral. Regular itineraries will include trips to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, potentially featuring Disney’s new private Bahamian island, Lighthouse Point.
Virgin Brilliant Lady 2,700 pax (2023 launch delayed)
Brilliant Lady’s fares will include several complimentary amenities like a basic beverage package, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and signature fitness classes such as yoga, meditation, and cycling to fit the brand’s “Vitamin Sea” wellness philosophy.
Upholding Virgin Voyages’ non-traditional cruising approach, Brilliant Lady will likely feature a wide range of dining options, bypassing standard buffet and main dining room setups, with about 20 dining venues expected to be available.
The ship is expected to follow the layout of its sister ships with 1,408 cabins, the majority offering ocean views and around 86% featuring balconies. Solo traveler cabins and Mega RockStar suites with retro furnishings will also be available.
TUI Mein Schiff Relax 4,000 pax December
Mein Schiff Relax is the eighth vessel in the Mein Schiff fleet and offers relaxation facilities on its 17 passenger decks. Not only does it uphold proven features, but it also surprises with numerous popular new additions, focusing on providing more freedom. This raises comfort experiences to a new level. The modern ocean liner features eco-friendly LNG propulsion, a land power connection, and a fast and stable Starlink Internet connection.
The outdoor area of Mein Schiff Relax features numerous sun loungers and other comfortable seating options. The deck’s comfort zone comes equipped with particularly soft flooring, perfect for fitness exercises. Additionally, active guests can engage in various sports offers or jog on the floating track on the pool deck. The half-shade roof is a special highlight, which invites you to linger with its play of light and shadow. In addition, there is a 25-meter long outdoor pool for refreshing dips and whirlpools for soothing relaxation. For younger passengers, there is a kids club in the kids’ area.
Indoor areas include the tea lounge, generous spa area “SPA & Meer” with new and varied wellness experiences including heated benches, an ice fountain, herb, infrared and salt saunas, foot baths, and a steam bath. A quiet room and various massage offerings are also available.
Families accommodations offer extra space and multiple sleeping options. Some rooms are also suitable for disabled passengers with more floor space and wider entrance and bathroom doors.
Culinary highlights include a two-deck main restaurant offering delicious five-course meals for lunch and dinner. If you prefer cuisine from a specific country, Mein Schiff relax has you covered with a variety of specialty restaurants offer a wide range of international dishes, combined with bars, a café, and an ice cream parlor.
