2024 will see multiple cruise lines bring new cruise ship builds into service. The industry will see new mega ships, new premium and luxury vessels, and ships that continue to take cruising to the next level. Let’s take a look at nine of those ships.
First up is Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas. When she debuts from PortMiami on January 27, 2024, Icon of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship in the world taking the title from the cruise line’s Wonder of the Seas. Icon of the Seas will spend her inaugural season in the Caribbean.
Next is Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess. She will enter service in early February and sail the Mediterranean before making her US debut at Port Everglades in October. Sun Princess will be the largest ship for Princess Cruises with the largest ever-casino aboard a Princess ship. She will also introduce a family activity zone and a new entertainment venue, The Dome.
Cunard Line will debut the fourth ship in its fleet, Queen Anne, on May 3, 2024 from Southampton. As the first newbuild for Cunard Line in over ten years, Queen Anne will feel like her sister ships with some updates. She will spend her maiden season offering itineraries to the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, the Canary Islands and the Norwegian Fjords.
Silversea Cruises’ Silver Ray is set to enter service June 15, 2024. She is a sister to Silversea Cruises’ Silver Nova and is one of the world’s greenest cruise ships. Silver Ray is also one of the most spacious ships and will spend her inaugural season in the Mediterranean on a variety of 6- to 11-night voyages before repositioning to Fort Lauderdale in December 2024 for the spring 2025 season.
TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 7 is still under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland but is expected to enter service on June 23, 2024. She will offer a new type of cabin specifically for single travelers, a new Asian and sushi restaurant, and a smoke-free casino. When she debuts she will spend her maiden season in Northern Europe before repositioning to the Canary Islands for the winter.
Also debuting for Royal Caribbean International is Utopia of the Seas. Utopia of the Seas will be the last of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships when she welcomes guests on July 22, 2024. She will be the only Oasis class ship to run off LNG. She will spend her maiden season offering short Bahamian cruises departing from Port Canaveral.
Explora Journeys, MSC Group’s luxury cruise line, will introduce Explora II in the Mediterranean with her maiden voyage from Barcelona on August 11, 2024. She is still under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy but when she debuts she will offer more than six restaurants, three outdoor and one indoor pool and an indoor-outdoor spa. Sustainability is key for the all-inclusive cruise line which means Explora II will be LNG-powered, will connect with ship to shore power and more.
Viking Cruises will debut its 10th ship, Viking Vela, on December 12, 2024 from ClRome. Viking Vela is an adults-only ship that offers the same Viking style and class of her sister ships. She will spend her inaugural season offering winter cruises in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
The last ship bringing the magic this year is Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Treasure. She is set to enter service on December 21, 2024 from Port Canaveral. Disney Wish is the sister to Disney Treasure with many similarities. They both have 1,254 guest rooms and both are LNG-powered. However, there are some differences as well. One such difference is the Grand Hall’s decor being inspired by Disney’s Aladdin along with Captain Minnie Mouse and other characters being dressed in adventure-appropriate attire. Disney Treasure will offer week-long cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas during her inaugural season. With Lighthouse Point opening this summer, Disney Treasure guests will have that to look forward to as well.
If you don’t already have your next cruise booked and want to get on one of these ships (or any ship), reach out to the lovely Jenny B today!