cruise liner launches

Carnival Cruise Line Takes Delivery of Celebration

• Icon of the Seas - Introduction & Big Reveals
• Carnival Reveals The Gateway For New Ship Celebration
• Carnival Cruise Line Grand Bahama Port Breaks Ground
• Carnival Celebration to Feature Miami Themed Zone

Top New Cruise Ships Launching in 2022

It’s time for the annual TalkingCruise guide to The Top New Cruise Ships in 2022. This year we’re highlighting our Top 10 picks of the latest and greatest.

The 2022 lineup of new ship builds will offer tons of variety in design, purpose and features and we’re certain you’ll find at least one that you can’t wait to board.

Delayed Cruise Ships from 2021

Valiant Lady

Virgin Voyages

Launching: March 2022 Ship Class: 2 nd Lady Ship Home-Port: Barcelona, Spain: Miami, Florida Size: 110,000 Gross Tons Guests/Crew: 2,770 Guests (double), 1,150 Crew

Valiant Lady , the second adult only ship from newcomer Virgin Voyages will be virtually identical to her sister Scarlet Lady. With her name derived from the Latin word for strong, just about anywhere you go onboard will scream Virgin style, with ultra-contemporary furnishings, one-of-kind amenities like a tattoo parlor and record shop and of course, Virgin red all over. Staterooms feature modern appointments, and the rock-star suites are over the top. While there will be an emphasis on healthy cruising, with complimentary fitness classes, you’ll still be able to indulge at the over 20 included dining venues. Speaking of inclusions, how about free gratuities, Wi-Fi, filtered water and sodas.

After sailing some introductory sailings in March & April, Valiant Lady’s inaugural season will feature 7 night Mediterranean itineraries departing from Barcelona, Spain, followed by a 14 night transatlantic voyage to Miami. From Port Miami, Valiant Lady will sail 5-8 night Caribbean itineraries though April 2023, each with a stop at Virgin Voyages’ exclusive Beach Club at Bimini.

Discovery Princess

Princess Cruises

Launching: March 2022 Ship Class: 6 th Royal-Class Ship Home-Port: Los Angeles, California; Seattle, Washington; Vancouver, Canada Size: 141,000 Gross Tons Guests/Crew: 3,660 Guests (double), 1,346 Crew

Discovery Princess will be Princess Cruises sixth Royal-Class ship, continuing the rapid growth plans from the last several years. Discovery Princess will feature the latest evolutions found on her most recent sister ships Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess. These include more hot tubs, a newly designed main pool deck, retreat pool and infinity WakeView aft pool. They’ll also be new kids and teens spaces and unparalleled luxury of two Sky Suites offering tons of space for up to 5 guests with two bedrooms and bathrooms and a massive 700 square foot balcony.

Discovery Princess will debut from Los Angeles, California sailing a series of Mexico, California Coast itineraries before transitioning to Alaska for the Summer months.

2022 Scheduled New Cruise Ships

Wonder of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International

Launching: March 2022 Ship Class: 5 th Oasis-Class Ship Home-Port: Port Everglades, Florida; Barcelona, Spain; Civitavecchia, Italy; Port Canaveral, Florida Size: 236,857 Gross Tons Guests/Crew: 5,734 Guests (double), 2,300 Crew

Following in the tradition of other Oasis-Class ships, Wonder of the Seas will take WOW to a new level. As the new holder of world’s largest cruise ship, Wonder of the Seas will share most of the main design elements, dining venues and activities of her sisters like Central Park and Boardwalk, AquaTheater, Ultimate Abyss and more, however, major changes have been made especially across the ship’s exterior decks.

The portside cantilevered whirlpool has morphed into a brand new watering hole called the Vue Bar. In place of a second FlowRider, a brand new underwater themed area called Wonder Playscape, will keep families occupied with slides, climbing walls, games and puzzles. The main pool deck has a whole new vibe with vibrant colors and large screen for poolside movies. An entire new neighborhood devoted to suite class will pamper guests like never before, with a plunge pool, bar and more.

Wonder of the Seas will depart on alternating 7 night Eastern & Western Caribbean itineraries in a short Caribbean season departing Port Everglades, Florida from March to April 2022, before repositioning to Europe. From April through November Wonder of the Seas will sail 7 night Mediterranean voyages departing Civitavecchia, Italy and Barcelona, Spain, followed by a transatlantic repositioning voyage to her new home at Port Canaveral, Florida.

Celebrity Beyond

Celebrity Cruises

Launching: April 2022 Ship Class: 3 rd Edge-Class Ship Home-Port: Barcelona, Spain; Southampton, England; Civitavecchia, Italy; Fort Lauderdale, Florida Size: 140,000 Gross Tons Guests/Crew: 3,260 Guests (double), 1,400 Crew

While much of Celebrity Beyond ’s elements are familiar, there are many notable changes to several areas around this 3 rd Edge-Class ship. In fact, the ship will be longer and teller than her sisters. Guests will appreciate the expanded Rooftop Garden, that now features cantilevered float pools. The all-new Moroccan inspired Sunset Bar with tiered seating and an aft location to really appreciate the views. The Retreat Sundeck, the exclusive resort-within-a-resort area for suite guests, has been expanded with two levels of luxurious bliss. There’s also the redesigned and more spacious Grand Atrium, new dining offerings and much more to explore.

Following her inaugural Mediterranean season commencing April 2022, Celebrity Beyond will reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in October 2022 and offer a series of 5 – 9 night Caribbean voyages through April 2023 then resume seasonal summer Mediterranean cruises.

Disney Wish

Disney Cruise Line

Launching: June 2022 Ship Class: 1 st Triton-Class Ship Home-Port: Port Canaveral, Florida Size: 144,000 Gross Tons Guests/Crew: 4,000 Guests (double), 1,555 Crew

Disney Wish will usher in a whole new era of incredible onboard experiences as the first of three Triton-class vessels for Disney Cruise Line. From an all-new immersive water attraction, even more theming throughout the ship, including Star Wars, Marvel and other Disney exclusives, expanded dining and entertainment options, plus new stateroom and suite designs, including the line’s first Funnel Suite, Disney Wish is a dream come true.

Disney Wish will begin sailing from Port Canaveral in June 2022 with year-round alternating 3- and 4-night Bahamas itineraries each with a stop at Disney’s Castaway Cay, Bahamas.

Norwegian Prima

Norwegian Cruise Line

Launching: August 2022 Ship Class: 1 st Prima-Class Ship Home-Port: Southampton, England; Port Canaveral, Florida Size: 142,500 Gross Tons Guests/Crew: 3,215 Guests (double), 1,390 Crew

As their first all-new ship design in almost a decade, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Prima , has familiar favorites and new experiences to explore. While smaller than the most recent Breakaway and Breakaway Plus ship classes, Prima class ships are all about the wide-open spaces. Ocean Boulevard, located on Deck 8, features the Oceanwalk glass bridge, swim to the horizon in one of two infinity pools and watch the world go by at Infinity Beach, warm up on cool nights with friends around the firepit at the Indulge Outdoor Lounge, go all-in on some amazing food options at the Indulge Food Hall or enjoy dining with a view from one of the Ocean Boulevard seaside restaurants. Get your speed on with the return of go-kart racing on a three-level track, head down 10 stories on The Drop, freefall dry slide or go head-to-head racing down to the bottom of The Rush.

Norwegian Prima will begin sailing in the Summer of 2022 with itineraries in Northern Europe, before repositioning to the United States with a series of debuts from New York City, Galveston, Texas and Miami, Florida before arriving at her winter home of Port Canaveral. In March 2023, she’ll transition back to New York, then onto Northern Europe for the Summer.

Resilient Lady

Launching: August 2022 Ship Class: 3 rd Lady Ship Home-Port: Piraeus, Greece; San Juan, Puerto Rico Size: 110,000 Gross Tons Guests/Crew: 2,770 Guests (double), 1,150 Crew

Resilient Lady will be the third adult only ship from Virgin Voyages and share almost all features like her two sister ships with first-at-sea experiences including getting ink at the onboard tattoo parlor or spinning tunes like a pro at the record shop. All staterooms feature modern appointments, but the rock-star and mega-rock-star suites are way over the top and offer exclusive access to a private sundeck. There is an emphasis on healthy cruising onboard Virgin Voyages featuring complimentary fitness classes, but you’ll still be able to indulge at the over 20 included dining venues highlighted by seven unique full-service restaurants and The Galley foodhall with seemingly endless choices.

Resilient Lady’s inaugural season will feature 7 -9 night Mediterranean itineraries departing from Piraeus, Greece, followed by an 11 night transatlantic voyage from Lisbon, Portugal to San Juan, Puerto Rico. From San Juan, Resilient Lady will sail 7 night Southern Caribbean itineraries featuring five ports and just one day at sea through April 2023.

Carnival Celebration

Carnival Cruise Line

Launching: November 2022 Ship Class: 2 nd Excel-Class Ship Home-Port: Miami, Florida Size: 180,800 Gross Tons Guests/Crew: 5,282 Guests (double), 1,745 Crew

After making a big splash with the debut of Mardi Gras, Carnival Cruise Line’s second Excel-class ship Carnival Celebration will keep the excitement going as one of the most-anticipated new cruise ships for 2022. Like her sister, Carnival Celebration will be the first cruise ship powered by liquified natural gas from PortMiami. Many of Mardi Gras’ amazing features and amenities will be onboard including Bolt roller coaster, massive WaterWorks, SportSquare with challenging ropes course, and exclusive Loft 19 for Excel level suite guests.

Carnival favorite food spots like BlueIguana Cantina, Guy’s Burger Joint, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse|Brewhouse, SeaFood Shack and more are back, joined by venues launched on Mardi Gras like Shaq’s Big Chicken, Street Eats and Chibang. Carnival Celebration will not be an exact copy, as new venues and tweaked experiences have been promised.

Following a 14-night Transatlantic journey from Southampton to Miami, Carnival Celebration will sail year-round from PortMiami, Florida, with 5-8 night Caribbean itineraries through at least April 2024.

MSC Seascape

MSC Cruises

Launching: December 2022 Ship Class: 2 nd Seaside EVO-Class Ship Home-Port: Naples, Italy; Messina, Sicily: Barcelona, Spain; Marseille, France; Miami, Florida Size: 169,500 Gross Tons Guests/Crew: 4,540 Guests (double), 1,648 Crew

MSC Seascape will be nearly identical to her sister MSC Seashore, representing an evolution of the popular Seaside class ships, and providing even more connections to the sea. The most popular guest spaces like the AquaPark and Waterfront have been reimagined to create all new experiences and there’s a host of new spots to explore and wider range of accommodations, including an expanded Yacht Club for the ultimate in luxury. The ship will also offer the latest proprietary MSC technologies including MSC for ME.

MSC Seascape will debut from PortMiami in December 2022, offering varying Caribbean itineraries for the winter 2022-2023 season.

MSC World Europa

Launching: December 2022 Ship Class: 1 st World-Class Ship Home-Port: Dubai, UAE; Genoa, Italy; Naples, Italy; Messina, Sicily: Barcelona, Spain; Marseille, France Size: 205,000 Gross Tons Guests/Crew: 5,079 Guests (double), 1,648 Crew

Fans of MSC Cruises have been waiting years for more details on the largest, most imaginative cruise ship ever to join the MSC Cruises fleet. While not taking away the title of world’s largest, MSC World Europa will be 205,000 gross tons, almost 1,100 feet long, with a maximum capacity of 6,700 guests, putting her well ahead of most of the largest cruise ships sailing today.

MSC has done some amazing things to utilize this massive size to the utmost, offering a wide variety of experiences, expanded and brand-new venues to appeal to everyone. Highlights include one of the longest dry slide at sea at a dizzying 11 decks high, 13 dining venues with retuning MSC favorites and new concepts, 19 different categories of accommodations, featuring the line’s first promenade view and infinite ocean view rooms plus expanded premium level Aurea and Yacht Club amenities.

Along with these amazing features, MSC World Europa will be the line’s first vessel to be powered by liquified natural gas.

MSC World Europa will begin sailing from the United Arab Emirates in December 2022, and in March 2023, she’ll reposition for the summer in the Mediterranean.

What an impressive lineup of new cruise ships in 2022. Which one is your favorite? Did you see any ship you are interested in sailing on? Let us know in the comments.

Related Posts

Icon of the Seas – Introduction & Big Reveals

Norwegian Viva – Cruise Ship Preview (2023)

The World's Largest Cruise Ship Is Coming in January—Here's What It's Like Inside

By Jessica Puckett

The biggest thing to ever hit cruising is coming in January 2024, when Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas —which will be the largest cruise ship in the world —will debut to passengers for the first time.

With capacity for nearly 10,000 passengers and crew, Icon of the Seas is billed as part all-inclusive resort, part theme park, and a massive destination unto itself . Clocking in at 250,380 gross tons and measuring nearly a quarter mile long (1,198 feet to be exact), the vast ship will sport a total of 20 decks, 18 of which will be accessible to guests.

The ship will be divided into eight different “neighborhoods,” each with their own distinct atmospheres, dining options, and activities. “ Icon of the Seas is truly what we call a white paper ship,” Anna Drescher, manager of architectural design, new building and innovation for Royal Caribbean group, said in a video statement . “The reason that we call it that is we start with a blank sheet of sketch paper, so it truly is starting fresh.”

In June 2023, the ship hit a major milestone when it completed its first sea trials outside the shipyard in Turku, Finland. Next up is the colossal new ship’s first voyage, slated to depart on January 27, 2024. It will sail roundtrip from Miami to the Caribbean islands of St. Kitts, St. Thomas, and the Bahamas.

The ship's typical seven-day itineraries include three at-sea days, so passengers have time to fully enjoy the endless choices of amenities on board. “We want guests to walk up to the ship and just have this moment of: I can’t believe that’s where I’m going ,” said Jennifer Goswami, the line’s senior manager of product development.

Here's a look at the enormous scale of the new ship and what to expect on board.

When it begins sailing, the Icon of the Seas will offer a total of 2,805 staterooms that can hold 5,610 passengers at double occupancy, or a maximum of 7,600 guests. Passengers can choose from a whopping 28 different room types, including Sunset Suites with wraparound balconies and Family Infinite Balcony staterooms with bunkbeds fit for a family of up to six.

The largest suite on board will be the three-story, 1,772-square-foot “Ultimate Family Townhouse,” which comes with its own movie theater, ping-pong table, karaoke, and a slide between floors. It can sleep up to eight people and costs approximately $75,000 per week.

Among the eight "neighborhoods," or sections of the ship with distinct ambiance, are Central Park, which offers greenery and sidewalk cafes, and The Hideaway, which aims for a European beach club aesthetic. There's also The Suite Neighborhood, Surfside, Thrill Island, Chill Island, The Royal Promenade, and the Aquadome.

The ship's 2,350 crew members will also get their own neighborhood, complete with amenities like a gaming room and hair salon.

Another superlative for Icon will be sporting the largest waterpark at sea. The park, called Category 6, features six different record-breaking waterslides, including the tallest onboard waterslide. There will also be a free-fall slide, plus a raft-style slide for four passengers to ride together.

Jessica Puckett

Olivia Morelli

Rachel Chang

Seven pools and nine whirlpools will be located throughout the ship, including the first infinity pool on a cruise ship to be suspended in the air. The Royal Bay pool, located on the 15th deck, will break the record for largest pool at sea, holding an astounding 40,000 gallons of water.

Across the towering vessel, there'll be more than 20 food venues and 15 bars and nightlife experiences, including a sweeping three-level main dining room.

Among the options for grabbing a drink will be the line's first onboard swim-up bar, a walk-up Champagne bar, and a bar specializing in coffee cocktails like espresso martinis.

On the entertainment front, Royal Caribbean has hired 75 performers to titillate guests across three cavernous theaters. The Absolute Zero ice arena will feature shows with Olympic-level skaters, while the AquaTheater will combine the talents of divers, robots, and skateboarders.

In the Royal Theater, a 16-piece orchestra (the largest one at sea), will accompany shows like the Wizard of Oz.

In smaller venues throughout the ship, like the dueling piano bar, 50 live musicians and comedians will perform each night, making it possible for every type of passenger to find something that fits their style.

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The world's largest cruise ship has 20 decks, 7 pools and would cover almost 4 city blocks

Largest-cruise-ship.

• Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later. More content below

MIAMI (AP) — The world's largest cruise ship — the size of almost four city blocks — is set to begin its maiden voyage Saturday as it leaves from the Port of Miami.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas runs nearly 1,200 feet (365 meters) from bow to stern.

The ship, which is leaving South Florida for its first seven-day island-hopping voyage through the tropics, was officially christened Tuesday with help from soccer legend Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates.

“Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of dreaming, innovating and living our mission – to deliver the world’s best vacation experiences responsibly," Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty said earlier this week. “She is the ultimate multigenerational family vacation, forever changing the status quo in family travel and fulfilling vacation dreams for all ages on board.”

The ship sets sail as Royal Caribbean’s cruises are having a moment online. Since December, the company’s 9-month “Ultimate World Cruise” has captivated — and confused — a following of avid watchers on social media.

Millions are following the journey through the eyes of the passengers, as they live and post their lives aboard a vessel they’ll be on for nearly a year. If it sounds like a reality show, that’s exactly what some watchers have turned it into.

When the Icon of the Seas was first revealed in October 2022, the ship spurred the single largest booking day and the highest volume booking week in Royal Caribbean’s then 53-year history, according to the cruise line.

The Icon of the Seas is divided into eight neighborhoods across 20 decks. The ship includes six waterslides, seven swimming pools, an ice skating rink, a theater and more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges. The ship can carry up to 7,600 passengers at maximum capacity, along with 2,350 crew members.

It is powered by six dual-fuel engines, which can be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a fuel alternative that the Cruise Lines International Association says reduces sulfur and greenhouse gas emissions. However, some environmentalists worry LNG-powered ships increase methane emissions . Other say that vacationers generate eight times more carbon on a cruise than they do on land.

Royal Caribbean says every kilowatt used on the Icon of the Seas “is scrutinized for energy efficiencies and emission reductions.”

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Watch CBS News

World's largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, begins its maiden voyage after christening from Lionel Messi

Updated on: January 27, 2024 / 10:51 PM EST / CBS/AP

The world's largest cruise ship is set to begin its maiden voyage Saturday as it gets underway from the Port of Miami.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, which runs nearly 1,200 feet from bow to stern, is leaving South Florida for its first seven-day island-hopping voyage through the tropics. The ship was officially christened Tuesday with help from soccer legend Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates.

"Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of dreaming, innovating and living our mission – to deliver the world's best vacation experiences responsibly," Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty said earlier this week. "She is the ultimate multigenerational family vacation, forever changing the status quo in family travel and fulfilling vacation dreams for all ages on board."

When the Icon of the Seas was first revealed in October 2022, the ship spurred the single largest booking day and the highest volume booking week in Royal Caribbean's then 53-year history, according to the cruise line.

The Icon of the Seas is divided into eight neighborhoods across 20 decks. The ship includes six waterslides, seven swimming pools, an ice-skating rink, a theater and more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges. The ship can carry up to 7,600 passengers at maximum capacity, along with 2,350 crew members.

Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Chief Product Innovation Officer, says the cruise ship is more than just its amenities.

"It's really about iconic experiences," he said.

Cruising is surging in popularity. Last year, passenger volume outpaced pre-pandemic numbers , and this year is expected to hit a new high of 36 million as spending on experiences has climbed 65% since 2019.

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Full transcript of "Face the Nation," April 7, 2024

I sailed on Royal Caribbean's 2 largest cruise ships. They were shockingly similar for the $1,000 difference

• Royal Caribbean operates many of the cruise industry's biggest ships.
• Icon of the Seas  launched in January, dethroning its predecessor, Wonder of the Seas, as the world's largest.
• Here's how the two mega-ships compare in size, neighborhoods, amenities, dining, cabins, and costs.

Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's new mega-cruise ship darling, was deemed a success before it was even built.

In January, the highly anticipated vessel — complete with more than 40 bars and restaurants, a six-slide waterpark, and a waterfall — set sail, dethroning its less than two-year-old precursor, the Wonder of the Seas , as the world's largest cruise ship.

Before its debut, Michael Bayley, the president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, had already repeatedly called Icon its "best-selling product" yet. The company experienced its largest booking day ever when reservations opened for Icon of the Seas more than a year before its launch, it said

Despite all of this fanfare, you might be surprised by how similar it is to its predecessor.

I've sailed on both ships. Let's see how Icon and Wonder compare in six categories: size, neighborhoods, amenities, dining, cabins, and costs.

Both ships stunt the size of their competitors.

Wonder of the Seas debuted in 2022 as the then-world's largest cruise liner, measuring 235,600 gross-tons, 1,188 feet-long, and 18 decks-tall. The ship can accommodate up to 9,288 people, including 2,204 crew.

Icon of the Seas is, comparatively, 13,063 gross-tons heavier, eight feet longer, and two decks taller. It can sail up to 9,950 people, including 2,350 crew, although it's 52 feet less wide than its predecessor.

Both vessels feel more like amusement parks than traditional cruise ships.

Royal Caribbean invited me on complimentary, non-revenue sailings on both ships: two nights on Wonder in late 2022 and three nights on Icon in January.

I spent most of my time lost, overwhelmed, and exhausted.

It's no surprise both ships are operating weeklong itineraries this year. Any less, and you might not have time to experience all the activities and restaurants on your list.

Like other Royal Caribbean ships, Wonder and Icon have eight 'neighborhoods' that serve separate purposes.

The new ship shares three of Wonder of the Seas' neighborhoods : Central Park, Royal Promenade, and Suite.

Icon's other five — Thrill Island , Surfside, Hideaway, Chill Island, and AquaDome — are a first for the cruise line.

Many of the ships' amenities overlap, but in differing quantities.

Wonder has three waterslides. Icon has a six-slide waterpark complete with rafting and racing options.

Both have increasingly popular cruise amenities like decks-long dry slides, mini-golf courses, rock climbing walls, and playgrounds.

But instead of Wonder of the Seas' zipline , Icon of the Seas has Crown's Edge, a thrilling agility course with a small zipline that leaves travelers dangling 154 feet above the ocean.

Wonder’s Boardwalk neighborhood was my go-to.

Boardwalk delivered exactly as it had promised: an open-air space grounded by wood-planked floors, a hot dog stand, a sweets store, and kitschy, colorful decor.

Icon of the Seas' Surfside , designed for families with young children, felt like its closest dupe.

Both neighborhoods had a carousel, an outdoor playground, and family-friendly dining. But Surfside was more toddler-friendly, as suggested by the children's water play area and nighttime story readings.

On to entertainment: Both mega-ships have ice skating performances and exciting multi-disciplinary shows at the AquaTheater.

But travelers who enjoy musicals at sea will want to stick to Icon.

Unlike its predecessor, the new ship shows a rendition of Broadway hit "The Wizard of Oz" — Munchkins, a puppet Toto, and a 16-piece live band included.

The layout of Icon's amenities were better than its cousin.

Some of Wonder of the Seas' enticing outdoor amenities — like the surf simulator, zipline, and mini-golf course — are clustered on the deck above and away from the pools and water slides.

This layout might be difficult for parents with children who bounce from one activity to the next. Wouldn't it be easier to have all of these outdoor extras near each other, or at least on the same deck, for parental supervision purposes?

This is where Icon of the Seas excelled: All its exciting open-air activities were adjacent.

The rows of pools flowed perfectly into Thrill Island's waterpark , rock climbing walls, mini-golf course, and Crown's Edge.

The best part? The adult-only Hideaway — which flexes an infinity pool club with a DJ — is right behind Thrill Island, creating a clear separation between parents and their children without being too far from each other.

'Free' options like the buffet and build-your-own tacos and burritos bar are available on both ships.

But you won't find the larger vessel's five-stall food hall or mini-golf-adjacent finger food stand on Wonder.

As expected, Icon of the Seas has more dining options than its predecessor, although there are some overlaps.

Wonder of the Seas has 11 bars and 21 dining venues (9 complimentary and 12 upcharged).

Icon of the Seas has eight more bars, four more complimentary restaurants, and three more specialty dining choices.

Nor will you find the new ship’s plush $200-a-person Empire Supper Club on any other cruise liner.

The multi-course dinner, paired with cocktails and live music, stunts the cost of either vessel's other dinner options.

But if you love Johnny Rockets, you’ll be disappointed by Icon of the Seas.

Restaurants like the popular burger chain and Southern comfort-inspired Mason Jar are only on Wonder of the Seas. Fine by me: My fried chicken at Mason Jar was as dry as a desert.

The younger ship doesn't have Wonder's robot bartender-armed bar either. It does, however, have new watering holes with dueling pianos and live jazz.

Surprisingly, Wonder of the Seas has 65 more cabins than its new cousin.

But several of Icon's 28 stateroom categories are a first for the cruise line.

This includes the new family infinite balcony cabin, which has a small bunk bed nook for children.

Royal Caribbean assigned me an ocean-view balcony stateroom on both ships.

My Wonder of the Seas' cabin was 20 square-feet smaller than the one on Icon. But my bathroom on the latter was so tiny, I accidentally elbowed the walls at almost every turn.

Sailing on the world's largest cruise ship doesn't mean you'll have the world's largest cabin after all.

Wonder and Icon are both operating seven-night roundtrip itineraries from Florida to the Caribbean.

In 2024, Wonder of the Seas is scheduled for year-round sailings from Port Canaveral to the Caribbean and Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay , starting at $700 per person.

Icon of the Seas is spending its first year in service operating nearly identical itineraries but from Miami instead. The cheapest 2024 option is $1,786 per person.

That's a difference of more than $125 per person per day.

"Bookings and pricing for Icon of the Seas can only be described as 'iconic,'" Naftali Holtz, the CFO of Royal Caribbean Group, told analysts in February.

Icon of the Seas’ name speaks for itself.

If your family is looking for a jam-packed kid-friendly cruise with enough amenities to stay entertained for a week, both ships are a great option.

But if you're a seasoned mega-ship-cruiser looking to experience something new, Icon of the Seas is your best bet.

They may be similar, but no other behemoth cruise liner has a waterpark for children and a pool club for adults just dozens of feet from each other.

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Inside Ritz Carlton’s First Luxury Yacht Liner Launching This Summer

Setting sail on august 6, "evrima" boasts 149 lavish suites with hotel-like finishes., demetrius simms, demetrius simms's most recent stories.

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When Ritz-Carlton announced it was building three luxury superyachts back in 2017, fans of the storied American hotel chain were surprised—and instantly eager to hop on board. Now, four years later, after pandemic-related delays and rumored overspending, the first vessel is finally ready to set sail this summer and prove five-star hospitality can exist on the high seas.

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The 623-foot cruise liner, christened Evrima , will embark on its inaugural voyage in the Mediterranean on August 6, but Ritz-Carlton just couldn’t resist showing off the lavish interiors beforehand. Much like a ritzy hotel, the beautiful behemoth comes complete with 149 expansive suites that can collectively accommodate up to 298 guests.

Each suite includes a private balcony, floor-to-ceiling windows and high ceilings that together create a light, airy feeling. A high percentage of large suites will be available, but you’ll also be able to choose one of several loft suites that offer two stories of space for boundless in-suite entertaining. Best of all, if you’re traveling with family, you can combine nearby suites to form a bigger, open-concept abode.

A suite’s lounge aboard the luxury liner.  Photo by Francisco Martinez/Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Ritz-Carlton regulars can expect to find the brand’s signature king-size beds, double-vanity bathrooms and high-thread-count linens. Not to mention, you’ll have soundproof walls to ensure your privacy for the entire trip.

Most voyages will range from seven to 10 days. Depending on the season, Evrima will visit the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Central America and South America. Destinations along the way will vary from Spain’s Balearic Islands to the French Riviera to the Costa Rican coastlines. Furthermore, since the ship is a little smaller than other liners, you’ll be able to access sought-after ports of call such as Mykonos, Saint-Tropez, St. Barts and more.

At each destination, you’ll be able to partake in intimate group tours from the hotel’s elevated Shore Collection . Of course, if you’d rather explore independently, the “Concierge Ashore” team can assist with lining up private experiences or bespoke events by working with local guides to create a more immersive, personalized journey.

A Grand Suite bedroom.  Photo by Francisco Martinez/Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

As for downtime on board, Evrima offers a curated selection of ESPA spa treatments and even has its own signature restaurant called S.E.A. The latter is led by chef Sven Elverfeld of Aqua, a three-star Michelin restaurant at the Ritz Carlton, Wolfsburg, and offers a five-course degustation paired with fine wines and Champagne.

“Every element of the luxury yachting experience was carefully considered in creating Evrima ,” Douglas Prothero, CEO of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, said in a statement. “This attention to detail and innovation, and our commitment to delivering highly personalized, immersive journeys will place the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection in a league of its own, promising unforgettable getaways for both longtime cruisers and those who are new to the space.”

When it comes to price, rates vary depending on your destination, but a seven-day Caribbean voyage aboard Evrima starts at $5,100 per person in a double-occupancy suite. The two other yachts in the Ritz-Carlton fleet are also in production and slated to hit the seas in 2024 and 2025, respectively. All three of the yachts will also be available for private charters.

Five-star hospitality, indeed.

Check out more images below:

Photo by Francisco Martinez/Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Demetrius Simms is a digital staff writer at Robb Report. After starting their career in PR, they transitioned to freelance writing in 2020. Their work has now appeared in lifestyle and culture…

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Ambassador Cruise Line Launches 2025-26 Season

• March 21, 2024

Ambassador Cruise Line announced the launch of its 2025-26 season, featuring itineraries spanning 37 countries and three continents, according to a press release.

  The 2025-26 season includes 31 sailings and two Festive Events onboard the Ambience and 45 sailings and two Festive Events onboard the Ambition. During the cruise season, Ambassador’s two-ship fleet will visit a total of 130 ports.

The cruise line offers departures from seven regional ports across the UK, including London Tilbury, Newcastle Tyne, Dundee, Liverpool, Belfast, Bristol Royal Portbury and Falmouth.

To mark the launch of the new season, Ambassador is offering Buy One, Get One Free on all sailings in the 2025-26 season.

Ambassador Cruise Line Chief Executive Officer, Christian Verhounig, said: “As we approach our third season of sailing, we are proud to unveil our range of inspiring itineraries for 2025-26. With more UK regional departures than any other cruise line, we have reviewed guest feedback and researched trending destinations to curate a wonderful and unique range of diverse itineraries for all types of travelers to many remote destinations that bigger ships can’t call at. Together with our offers – Buy One, Get One Free, 50 percent off Single Fares and 25 percent off Premium Drinks Packages – now is a great time to get ahead and book your cruise holiday with Ambassador.

  “With amazing entertainment, outstanding cuisine and exceptional service a feature of our cruises, we pride ourselves on offering our guests an authentic sailing experience that goes above and beyond their expectations. Since operations started in spring 2022, more than 100,000 guests have enjoyed a premium value, no-fly cruise with Ambassador. With an average NPS score of 84, our guests rate their Ambassador experience highly, which is why 94 percent say that they would recommend us to their friends and family.

  “With no-fly cruising from seven UK ports offering holidaymakers the chance to start their holidays sooner without needing to worry about airport queues, flight cancellations, luggage restrictions or exchange rate fluctuations, we’re looking forward to offering the warmest welcome at sea to many more new and returning guests in 2025-26.”

Itineraries include:

• The 12-night Wonders of Western Europe cruise, sailing onboard the Ambition from Liverpool on April 15, 2025, 12.
• The 11-night Normandy and the British Isles adventure, sailing onboard the Ambition from Newcastle on July 19, 2025.
• The six-night Scandinavian Explorer, sailing onboard the Ambience from London Tilbury on July 28, 2025.
• The 40-night Jewels of the Caribbean, sailing onboard the Ambience from London Tilbury on January 30, 2026.

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Richard Branson’s cruise line launches month-long cruise for remote workers

Virgin Voyages is targeting a new type of traveler: remote workers.

In March, the Miami-based cruise line owned by Sir Richard Branson introduced a month-long cruise called the "Scarlet Summer Season Pass." It's essentially four week-long cruises packaged together to appeal to remote workers who want to spend a month at sea in southern Europe.

"People have really adopted the flexible working style, and it resonates with travelers," Virgin Voyages' CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu told CNBC Travel . "We got a lot of people who said it feels like an incredible value."  

The Scarlet Summer Season Pass covers two people and costs $9,990. The rate includes a room, meals, group fitness classes and Wi-Fi, plus laundry services, daily coffee and tea credits and access to workspaces. 

Booking the "Season Pass" is 30% cheaper than booking four week-long cruises back to back, according to Virgin's website. Travelers can also swap out travel companions for different legs of the cruise, said Saverimuttu, as long as they are 18 or older, in line with Virgin Voyages' adults-only policy .

Within 24 hours of announcing the Season Pass, more than 2,000 people registered interest in it, said Saverimuttu. When bookings opened, spots on the month-long cruise — which stops at places like Cannes, Rome and Ibiza — sold out in 48 hours, a company representative told CNBC Travel.

That prompted Virgin Voyages to open additional spots for remote workers on a second cruise ship this summer.

The "Season Pass" cruises will sail on Virgin's Scarlet Lady and Resilient Lady ships, each of which can accommodate around 2,700 guests. Cruises are scheduled to sail from June to September this year.

'One of Richard's ideas'

The popularity of Virgin's Season Pass cruise stems from the broader shift to remote work since the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We are in the midst of a massive transformation in how, what, and where we do our jobs," KPMG's chief economist, Diane Swonk, told CNBC Travel. "There is no putting the work-from-home genie back in the bottle. Firms who try too aggressively to do so, lose a lot of their access to top talent and the diversity of their workforce."

Saverimuttu said most of the digital workers who have booked the cruise are in their mid-50s and are employed in full-time remote roles. 

He said the idea for the program came directly from Branson himself, after he learned passengers were taking extended trips while working remotely on the company's ships.

He attributed the program's quickly growing popularity to Branson's "magic touch" for understanding today's consumers.

"The response has really been phenomenal. It's really surprised us," he said. "But you know, maybe I shouldn't be surprised because it was one of Richard's ideas."

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• P&O Cruises launches "Shine at Sea" Seminars for agents aboard...

P&O Cruises launches "Shine at Sea" Seminars for agents aboard Iona

P&O Cruises is set to host 100 agents on its inaugural seminars at sea for the year. The cruise line has launched a fresh incentive program named Shine at Sea, where 50 agents will secure spots on each of two 7-night voyages aboard the Iona .

The first cruise is scheduled to depart on September 7, navigating the picturesque Norwegian fjords, while the second voyage will embark on November 2, exploring Northern Europe.

Agents can participate in a prize draw to win these coveted spots by making and registering new bookings through the Shine Rewards Club. They will have the flexibility to choose which seminar at sea they prefer to attend and can also nominate a colleague to accompany them.

Moreover, bonus entries can be obtained by tuning in to a live video session on April 24 on the line’s dedicated trade Facebook page and by participating in a happy hour event tailored for homeworkers on May 14.

Ruth Venn, Sales Director at P&O Cruises, expressed her enthusiasm for Shine at Sea, emphasizing that offering agents the opportunity to experience the product firsthand is the optimal approach.

In addition to these seminars at sea, P&O Cruises has unveiled its most extensive ship visit program for 2024, with over 1,000 places available for agents. This initiative will complement the existing ship visit opportunities, allowing the cruise line to host 1,100+ agents on board throughout the year.

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Cruise ship was right to ditch the late passengers in africa, travel writer says.

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Eight people have accused Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) of abandoning them on a tiny island in Africa after a private tour ran late and the group missed the embarkation cut-off time.

Four of the group are elderly and another is pregnant, and though the ship was still at anchor, they were denied boarding.

The ship, the Norwegian Dawn, set sail without them — and it was right to do so.

Once, I was late to check in for a flight. I jumped out of the taxi, sprinted to the counter (which is no mean feat when you’re hauling luggage) and arrived at the desk sweating bullets, prepared to get on my knees and grovel if it meant I’d be allowed through.

I began to tell my sob story to the lady at the desk, heart hammering and lungs gasping for air, when she politely interrupted and shook her head.

In the nicest way possible, she said this: “Stiff bickies.” (OK, yes, I’ve paraphrased.)

Sure, the plane was still at the airport, no more than a few hundred meters from where I was standing. However, the luggage had already been loaded, the manifest had already been finalized, and the other passengers were already boarding.

There was no way they were going to let me board, nor should they have.

You see, I had been on a whale-watching tour about two-and-a-half hours south of the airport — hey, it was my last day, I wanted to make it count.

I planned it to perfection, except for one detail: We spotted a playful pod right at the very end, so the captain offered to give us some bonus time to enjoy the view.

With one eye on the magnificent mammals and the other on my watch, I held on to a flicker of hope that I might make it.

I jumped on the bus back to town, flagged down a cab and asked the driver to hurry. I launched out of the car like a 100m sprinter launches out of starting blocks and ran into the terminal.

Alas, my proverbial ship had sailed.

Was it a bummer? Absolutely. But imagine delaying the other 158 or so passengers scheduled to depart on the Boeing 737, asking the crew to extend their shifts, or holding the plane and disrupting airport traffic … all so little old me could drop off my bags, scurry through security, and find my gate.

Imagine the awkwardness if I stepped onto that plane. What do you say? “Sorry, guys, my bad, lol.”

Keep up with The Post's coverage of the Norwegian Cruise debacle

• Eight Norwegian Cruise passengers, including a pregnant woman and an elderly man with a heart condition, were stranded on an African island without money and vital medications after the vessel left port without them.
• A spokesperson for the cruise line claimed the passengers were left on the island “on their own or with a private tour” and missed the “all-aboard time” by over an hour, according to the company.
• Americans Jill Campbell and her husband, Jay Campbell, said they are unsure whether they even want to resume the 20-day voyage after Norwegian Cruise Lines forgot about its “basic duty of care.”
• The eight passengers raced through seven different countries over a span of 48 hours to make it to Senegal, where the ship docked Tuesday morning,
• Doug and Violeta Sanders, a stranded Australian couple, have spoken out about their ordeal , saying it was “the worst experience of our lives.”
• Julie Lenkoff, 80,  suffered a stroke during an excursion on the cruise — and was left “alone” and “helpless” to find her way back to the US, according to her family.
• COLUMN: Cruise ship was right to ditch the late passengers in Africa

Check out The Post’s tips on what to do if you’re left stranded like the Norwegian Cruise passengers

That doesn’t even scratch the surface of a cruise ship’s operations. Norwegian Dawn can accommodate 3,372 people — 2,340 passengers and 1,032 crew — and this group of eight expected it to wait?

A ship’s departure time isn’t exactly a mystery.

I sailed on Norwegian Dawn in February and the departure time was published in NCL’s Freestyle Daily newsletter the night before and announced over the loudspeaker multiple times in the morning.

It was also posted on signs at the doors where guests disembark.

The golden rule is clear: Make sure you’re back on time, or the ship may sail without you.

So what do you do if you’re left behind?

Generally there are two options: Either catch up with the ship at a later port or head home.

If you’re lucky, you’ll have brought your essentials with you — your passport, phone, credit card and medication — because all of your belongings will stay on board until the end.

Please don’t get me wrong, of course I’m sympathetic to the distress of those who were left in a foreign country without the safety of the ship.

It would be scary and stressful to figure out next steps, especially for the members of the group with higher needs, and disappointing to miss out on their vacation.

However, the unfortunate reality is that ships can’t always wait.

Private tours are a whole separate issue, because while the ship will wait for official tours — those which have been organized by the cruise ship operator — to return, all bets are off for passengers taking their shore excursions into their own hands.

Unofficial tours can be slightly cheaper than those on the ship’s itinerary, with slightly more availability, so they can be attractive. However, while operators will do their best to stick to scheduled times, all bets are off once you board that bus and leave the port.

Think of it like booking multiple legs of a trip with different airlines. They’re not in the same network, they don’t owe each other anything, and they can’t guarantee that you’ll make your connection. Say the bus breaks down. Maybe someone wanders off and takes ages to return.

Perhaps the group lingers over a delicious lunch. Someone might need to stop at an ATM or a bathroom. You could get stuck in traffic. Or maybe your tour will be like mine and you’ll see something incredible that simply makes you want to pause.

And so, eight passengers were left in São Tomé and Príncipe , Africa’s second-smallest country.

“While this is a very unfortunate situation, guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time,” NCL said in a statement, adding that it is communicating with the guests about their next steps. It’s harsh but fair, especially since the other 3,364 (or so) people on board got it right.

Kirrily Schwarz recently sailed on Norwegian Dawn as a guest of Norwegian Cruise Line.

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Couple fly through seven countries to catch up cruise ship that left them behind

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An American couple who flew thousands of miles to rejoin a cruise ship after it abandoned them on a remote African island are now having second thoughts about getting back on board.

Jay Campbell and his wife Jill were among nine passengers abandoned on São Tomé and Príncipe by the Norwegian Dawn cruise ship when they were late to return from a shore excursion on March 27.

But after jet-setting through seven countries in 48 hours to catch up with the ship in Dakar, the couple are beginning to feel disillusioned with the luxury liner.

‘After what we witnessed, we truly believe that although there’s a set of rules or policies that the ship may have followed, they followed those rules too rigidly,’ Jill Campbell told  USA TODAY .

‘I believe that they really forgot that they are people working in the hospitality industry and that really the safety and the well-being of the customers should be their first priority, and that should be placed first.’

‘We believe there was a basic duty of care that they’ve forgotten about so it does concern us,’ she added.

The couple, from South Carolina, had been eight days into a 21-day cruise from Cape Town to Barcelona when they embarked on a third-party tour of the island, located around 190 miles west of mainland Africa.

But when they arrived back at the port, where the Norwegian Dawn was still docked, the captain refused to let them board as they had missed the 3pm deadline for re-entry.

The São Tomé and Príncipe Coast Guard then ferried the stranded passengers to the cruise ship, but they were once again denied entry by the captain.

Upon their return to the island, the Campbells encountered a number of additional passengers who had been denied entry and abandoned by the cruise operator, including four elderly passengers, a pregnant woman and a person in a wheelchair.

The group later encountered an 80-year-old woman who had been on a separate tour organised by the cruise line, who had been left behind after becoming hospitalised while suffering a concussion while on the tour.

The Campbells were the only members of the group who had access to credit cards, and say they spent $5000 on accommodation for the group while they planned their next move.

The couple say they were grateful for the hospitality received by the people of São Tomé and Príncipe and had been receiving consular assistance from the US embassy in Angola. They were due to fly to Gambia on Sunday to try to rejoin the cruise.

‘I truly believe sometimes we’re put in certain places for a reason and I believe we were put in this place for the 80-year-old woman that was left alone,’ Campbell told ABC. ‘God forbid, what would have happened to that lady if we were not here.’

A spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line told the Mail that the eight remaining guests have been provided authorisation to rejoin the ship in Dakar today.

‘Despite the series of unfortunate events outside of our control, we will be reimbursing these eight guests for their travel costs from Banjul, Gambia to Dakar, Senegal,’ the spokesperson said.

Norwegian Cruise Line said it was the passengers’ responsibility to ensure they returned to the cruise ship on time and that they had returned the group’s passports to the relevant port authorities before departing.

A previous statement from the operator read: ‘While this is a very unfortunate situation, guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time, which is communicated broadly over the ship’s intercom in the daily communication and posted just before exiting the vessel.

‘Our team has been working closely with the local authorities to understand the requirements and necessary visas needed if the guests were to rejoin the ship at the next available port of call.’

Were you one of the passengers stranded on São Tomé and Príncipe? Contact us at [email protected] and tell us your story.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

For more stories like this, check our news page .

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