2024 is already shaping up to be a great year in cruising. Let’s take a look at what the Top 3 are bringing into the New Year.
First is Carnival Cruise Line. The largest cruise line has a new ship, new itineraries and enhancements to existing products.
Late in 2023, Carnival Cruise Line announced enhancements to its Chef’s Table, online booking for “Behind the Fun” tours, a better disembarkation process through the HUB App, and a dedicated cooking class featuring Chief Culinary Officer Emeril Lagasse’s favorites.
The cruise line will also be expanding its Carnival Fun Italian Style concept with its second ship Carnival Firenze. She will begin sailing from the West Coast in April.
In 2024, Carnival Panorama will be offering two new trans-Pacific itineraries featuring destinations in Alaska, Asia, Hawaii, and the South Pacific. Additionally, Carnival Cruise Line is offering longer and more unique itineraries with Carnival Journeys.
Several ships are shifting homeports as well. Carnival Glory and Carnival Liberty are shifting their homeports in New Orleans and Port Canaveral, while Carnival Legend is headed to Europe for her summer programming before repositioning to Tampa in November. Carnival Miracle will begin departing from Galveston making her the fourth ship for the 2024-25 winter season.
And while it began in 2023, Carnival Jubilee is homeporting from Galveston for 2024, her first full year of service. She is offering week-long cruises to the Western Caribbean.
Next is Royal Caribbean International. The cruise line is debuting two new cruise ships, new itineraries, and expanding Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Perhaps the biggest thing to happen to 2024, is the debut of the world’s largest cruise ship. Icon of the Seas is set to enter service this month, January 2024. She is the first in the cruise line’s Icon Class of ships, is powered by LNG and offers several new features. She will sail from PortMiami offering week-long cruises to the Western and Eastern Caribbean.
Royal Caribbean International’s Spectrum of the Seas is returning to China this year. The cruise line is returning to China after a four year long hiatus. Spectrum of the Seas will offer four- to seven-night cruises from Shanghai to destinations like Cheju in South Korea and Nagasaki in Japan.
Set to open in time for Icon of the Seas inaugural cruise, Hideaway Beach will expand Perfect Day at CocoCay’s capacity by 13,000 guests per day. The adults-only venue offers a private beach and pools, new dining and drink options, exclusive cabanas and live music.
Utopia of the Seas, the cruise line’s last Oasis Class ship, is also debuting in 2024. She is set to enter service in July and sail short cruises from Port Canaveral to The Bahamas with ports of call to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau.
Last for Royal Caribbean International is themed cruises. In March, Independence of the Seas is hosting the 12th edition of the “Monsters of Rock Cruise” while Navigator of the Seas will host two different Taylor Swift themed cruises in April and July.
Finally, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is looking forward to some big things for 2024. The cruise line will offer new products, new itineraries and significant refurbishments for two ships.
Norwegian Joy and Oceania Cruises’ Marina are both undergoing significant changes for 2024. Norwegian Joy will receive more cabins and upgraded public areas during her drydock while Marina will receive new dining venues, upgraded public areas and refreshed cabins.
There are no new ships entering service for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, but three ships are completing their first year of service in 2024. Regent’s Seven Seas Grandeur, Norwegian Viva, and Oceania Cruises’ Vista will all celebrate their first anniversary in 2024.
Two world cruises are setting sail for Norwegian Cruise Line Holding in 2024. Regent’s Seven Seas Mariner is sailing an 132-night itinerary and Oceania’s Insignia is following behind on an 180-day itinerary. The popularity of these cruises cannot be denied since Oceania’s voyage sold out in 30 minutes while Regent’s sold out the same day it was opened for booking.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is offering more and longer cruises, a more immersive and diverse deployment with sailings to more exotic destinations. The number of sailings to Antarctica, South America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand have increased by 37 percent.
Yes, 2024 is shaping up to be a great year in cruising.