massive cruise ship new

The World’s Largest Cruise Ship Is Nearly 1,200 Feet Long

Scheduled to debut in January, the vessel can accommodate 5,600 guests and 2,350 crew members

Daily Correspondent

The world’s largest cruise ship is almost ready to set sail.

Royal Caribbean’s massive new ship, Icon of the Seas , passed its inaugural round of sea trials with flying colors, bringing it one step closer to hitting the open ocean with passengers, the cruise line  announced late last month. If all goes as planned, the record-breaking vessel will begin sailing in the Caribbean in January 2024.

Just how big is Icon of the Seas ? Really big. As Jalopnik ’s Ryan Erik King writes, it’s the size of five Titantics. More specifically, Icon of the Seas measures 1,198 feet long—nearly a quarter of a mile—and has a gross tonnage of 250,800. All that space means it can accommodate 5,600 guests and 2,350 crew members.

The cruise line is positioning the vessel as “the ultimate family vacation,” as CEO Michael Bayley told reporters earlier this year, per  CNN ’s Maureen O’Hare.

“When you step back and look at all the energy and time that has gone into creating this ship, it is mind-blowing,” he added.

The previous world’s largest cruise ship was also a Royal Caribbean vessel, Wonder of the Seas , which spanned 1,188 feet long and featured 18 decks.

Crews in Turku, Finland, began work on Icon of the Seas in 2021. Last month, the vessel sailed the open ocean for the first time, as staffers spent four days testing the main engines, hull, brakes, steering system and other components. They also measured noise and vibration levels. 

The vessel will undergo another round of sea trials later this year before officially launching in Miami early next year, according to Royal Caribbean. Icon of the Seas will primarily take cruisers to the islands of the eastern and western Caribbean on seven-night itineraries.

With progress on Icon of the Seas moving along, Royal Caribbean has already started building another large “icon class” ship. The cruise line expects that unnamed vessel to launch in 2025, per a  statement .

Icon of the Seas has 20 total decks, 7 swimming pools and 8 “neighborhoods,” or distinct areas with entertainment and dining. Another noteworthy feature is Category 6, which will be the largest waterpark at sea when Icon of the Seas sets sail.

The ship will be equipped with a special grooming robot that will clean the hull whenever it’s in port to help reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency by 3 to 4 percent, reports  TTG Media ’s Charlotte Cullinan.

Icon of the Seas will also be the first ship in the cruise line’s fleet to run on liquefied natural gas and  fuel cells , which are similar to batteries but do not need to be recharged. Water is the main byproduct of fuel cells—which combine oxygen and hydrogen to produce energy—which should help the ship reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

Liquefied natural gas , meanwhile, is a controversial energy source that involves cooling natural gas to a liquid state to make it easier to transport. The liquid version is “actually worse than ordinary gas,” writes the  Natural Resources Defense Council . “The energy required to chill, ship and regasify the fossil fuel makes it far more carbon-intensive and increases the potential for leakage of dangerous methane,” according to the organization.

Royal Caribbean’s leaders say they view liquified natural gas as a “ transitional fue l,” and that they hope to continue to  reduce the environmental impact of their ships moving forward. 

"[Liquefied natural gas] is about 20-30 percent better for the environment [than heavy fuel oil], but it’s still not going to be the solution,” Bayley tells TTG Media . “We don’t know the answer, but the whole industry is working towards the answer.”

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Sarah Kuta | READ MORE

Sarah Kuta is a writer and editor based in Longmont, Colorado. She covers history, science, travel, food and beverage, sustainability, economics and other topics.

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.

Jesse Ashlock

CNT Editors

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.

Watch CBS News

World's largest cruise ship that's 5 times larger than the Titanic set to make its debut

By Li Cohen

July 12, 2023 / 8:38 AM EDT / CBS News

The RMS Titanic was once considered the largest ship in the world before it met its demise in the Atlantic Ocean. Now, Royal Caribbean International has created a "first-of-its-kind" ship nearly five times that size that will soon make its debut. 

The cruise ship, called Icon of the Seas, is massive – measuring 1,198 feet long with 250,800 gross tonnage. Capable of carrying 7,600 guests and 2,350 crew members, the ship is equipped with 20 total decks, seven pools, and what Royal Caribbean describes as six "record-breaking" waterslides.

When the RMS Titanic embarked on its ill-fated maiden voyage in 1912, it measured more than 852 feet long with 46,329 gross tonnage. Icon of the Seas' tonnage is more than five times that amount. 

The new ship will soon be ready for use, starting in January 2024, the cruise company says, after hitting a milestone last month with the successful completion of its i nitial round of sea trials . During those trials, the ship was put on the open ocean for the first time. 

The ship is divided into eight primary areas : 

• The "AquaDome" sits atop the front of the ship, offering 220-degree views and a 55-foot waterfall
• The "Suite Neighborhood" with a Mediterranean restaurant and two-floor sundeck
• A five-deck-high open-air "Central Park" with living plant walls
• "Chill Island" with four pools and a swim-up bar
• "Thrill Island," featuring what the company says is the largest waterpark at sea, called "Category 6"
• An area dedicated to families called "Surfside"
• The "Royal Promenade" with ocean views
• "The Hideaway," which offers 180-degree views at the back of the ship and an infinity pool

Icon of the Seas first opened up for reservations in October of last year while the cruise industry was still recovering from the downturn it faced during the coronavirus pandemic.  At the time, prices started at $1,537 a person, but they have since increased by a few hundred dollars. 

Royal Caribbean now lists the cheapest ticket at $1,851 for an interior room on a seven-night cruise from Miami to the Western Caribbean in September 2024. The most expensive is substantially higher – $10,864 for a suite on the same cruise in March. The ship also offers a seven-day trip to the Eastern Caribbean. 

Take laidback to another level. 🤩 #IconoftheSeas pic.twitter.com/0xIurFOMyD — Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) July 10, 2023

And while many are excited about the chance to ride the ship to the Caribbean, calling it "stunning" and like a "scene from sci-fi movie" on social media, some others have expressed otherwise. 

"Every time I see a picture of the Icon of the Seas cruise ship I am filled with an intense dread ," one person said. 

" Infection of the Seas by Royal Caribbean," another person jested, seemingly alluding to past COVID outbreaks on cruise ships during the pandemic. 

But for Royal Caribbean, it's all about the excitement. The day it opened up tickets for the ship in October, Royal Caribbean said it had the single largest booking day in the company's 53-year history.

"The enthusiasm and excitement for Icon are undeniable in more ways than one," Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said in October . "The incredible response we have received from our loyal guests, vacationers new to cruising, crew members and travel partners continues to come in, and this is just the beginning. We can't wait to share more of what Icon has in store in the coming months."

• Cruise Ship
• Royal Caribbean

Li Cohen is a social media producer and trending content writer for CBS News.

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The World's Largest Cruise Ship Has 20 Decks, 7 Pools and Would Cover Almost 4 City Blocks

The world’s largest cruise ship is set to begin its maiden voyage from the Port of Miami

The World's Largest Cruise Ship Has 20 Decks, 7 Pools and Would Cover Almost 4 City Blocks

Rebecca Blackwell

FILE - The Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, sits docked after arriving to its home port in Miami, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is leaving South Florida on Saturday, Jan. 27, for its first seven-day island-hopping voyage through the tropics. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

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.

Photos You Should See - April 2024

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.”

Copyright 2024 The  Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Royal Caribbean Bets on a Giant Candy-Colored Cruise Ship

The ship, by some measures the world’s largest, will depart from Miami in January on its maiden voyage. Some can’t wait to board. Others call it a “monstrosity” that is bad for the environment.

By Jesus Jiménez

When the Icon of the Seas sets sail early next year, it will take some time to disappear from the horizon. At 1,198 feet long and a gross tonnage of 250,800, it is hard to miss.

The Royal Caribbean cruise ship will have 20 decks packed with more than 20 bars and restaurants, seven pools, nine whirlpools, and six water slides, as well as mini golf, rock climbing and an arcade. It will carry up to 7,960 people — up to 5,610 guests and a crew of 2,350 to pour drinks, turn back covers, swab the decks and keep the vessel on course.

Since Royal Caribbean announced this newest ship last year, it has helped to boost the company’s sales with high demand for advanced bookings.

It has also become an object of fascination (and scorn) on social media.

Some can’t wait to climb aboard, with rooms already selling out for the ship’s first voyage. But others have criticized its size and bright colors, calling it a “ monstrosity .” One critic called an artist’s rendering a “ Candy Crush version of the dystopian underground world” from science-fiction series “Silo” on Apple TV+.

Some critics even drew comparisons to an ill-fated ocean liner of yesteryear, noting it is five times “ larger and heavier than the Titanic ,” and about 300 feet longer.

Royal Caribbean bills the older Wonder of the Seas as the “biggest ship in the world.” When the new one is ready, it will be 10 feet longer, heavier and will carry more people, perhaps giving it bragging rights as the world’s largest.

Royal Caribbean said in a statement last month that the Icon of Seas had passed its first round of sea trials, traveling in the open ocean for the first time near Turku, Finland. The ship will have another round of trials later this year ahead of its debut in January, the company said.

Interest in the ship comes as the cruise industry tries to bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic, when multiple outbreaks onboard ships led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to chastise the industry and ban cruises .

But now the voyages have resumed and vacationers have returned to the sea, even as the industry still faces health and environmental concerns.

This year, for example, the C.D.C. has recorded 13 norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships , four of them on Royal Caribbean International cruises.

And environmentalists like Marcie Keever, program director of oceans and vessels at Friends of the Earth in Washington, contend that cruise lines “continue to build bigger ships that rely on fossil fuels, dump toxic wastewater into our oceans and burden coastal communities with air, water and garbage pollution.”

Royal Caribbean referred a request for comment on Tuesday seeking more details about the ship to its website . The company said it could not comment about environmental concerns, citing a quiet period required ahead of its next earnings report.

However, the company has touted the effect that the Icon of the Seas is already showing on its bottom line, saying in a statement that advance bookings during the first quarter were “significantly higher” than the first quarter of 2019.

Jason Liberty, president and chief executive of Royal Caribbean Group, said during an earnings call in May that the Icon of the Seas has been “significantly more booked” for its inaugural season “than any other Royal Caribbean ship launch.”

Michael Bayley, president and chief executive of Royal Caribbean International, said during the call that the ship was “the best performing new product launch we’ve ever had in the history of our business.”

“It’s really driving a huge amount of demand,” Mr. Bayley said.

Jesus Jiménez is a general assignment reporter. More about Jesus Jiménez

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Travel + Leisure’s 2024 It List.

Since 1971, Travel + Leisure editors have followed one mission: to inform, inspire, and guide travelers to have deeper, more meaningful experiences. T+L's editors have traveled to countries all over the world, having flown, sailed, road tripped, and taken the train countless miles. They've visited small towns and big cities, hidden gems and popular destinations, beaches and mountains, and everything in between. With a breadth of knowledge about destinations around the globe, air travel, cruises, hotels, food and drinks, outdoor adventure, and more, they are able to take their real-world experience and provide readers with tried-and-tested trip ideas, in-depth intel, and inspiration at every point of a journey.

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For the first time, we’re spotlighting new cruise ships on Travel + Leisure ’s It List, as these exceptional vessels become more and more like floating resorts — celebrity chefs, crystal chandeliers, and Rolex boutiques included.

Explora Journeys’ Explora I

Paul Brady/Travel + Leisure

It’s not every day a new cruise line arrives. The debut of the remarkable Explora I was a moment years in the making for Explora Journeys , the upstart luxury operator that aims to bring a European sensibility to the world of vacations at sea. So far, the project is a smashing success, thanks to the ship’s low-key vibe, standout food and beverage, and intriguing itineraries that visit in-demand ports in Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean. My own August 2023 trip on Explora I , from Copenhagen to Hamburg, Germany, included fulfilling visits to places such as Oslo and the town of Stavanger, Norway, a gateway to adventurous hiking with a postcard-perfect Old Town. The ship itself was also a destination, with its abundance of outdoor space — including an alfresco fitness center — and pools at seemingly every turn. The 461 suites, all of them with balconies, are filled with luxurious touches such as Frette linens and robes, heated marble floors, and Dyson hair dryers. But Explora I truly shines when it comes to food: During the week I was aboard, it was impossible to find a bad meal — and I was often astonished at the quality of, in particular, the pasta served in the Emporium Marketplace and the sushi on offer at Sakura, two of the nine restaurants aboard. The most ambitious of them all is Anthology, a rotating-chef concept that has seen a residency from seafood whiz Mario Ulaissi, known for his Michelin three-starred restaurant on Italy's Adriatic coast, and that recently welcomed Emma Bengtsson, from Aquavit , in New York City. Much has been made of Explora I ’s Rolex boutique — the first on any cruise ship — but for my money, the other shops on board were more interesting: The company has tapped family-owned businesses around the world to create capsule collections of resort wear, handbags, fragrances, sunglasses, and beautiful gifts that can’t be found elsewhere. From $2,050 per person for a six-day sailing. Accessible ship. — Paul Brady

Oceania Cruises’ Vista

Nick Tortajada/Courtesy of Oceania Cruises

The new Oceania Vista is in a class of its own; no really, it’s the first in Oceania Cruises ’ new Allura class. Of its 11 bars and restaurants, three are entirely new to the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings–owned brand — including a high-end cocktail spot called Founders’ Bar, serving 26 intricate drinks that use house-made syrups and top-shelf booze like Whistle Pig and parsley-infused Grey Goose. As Oceania levels up, the cruise line has produced a ship that feels more like a floating resort than the vessels that came before. There’s pickleball; a health-conscious restaurant, Aquamar, serving made-to-order salads and pressed juices; and a coffee shop that looks like one in walking distance of my home in L.A. (marble counters, gold accents, leather bar stools) and pulls an espresso shot of similar quality. Vista has more suites than others in the Oceania fleet, too: There are 14 Oceania Suites (up to 1,200 square feet); eight Vista Suites (up to 1,850 square feet); and three Owner’s Suites with Ralph Lauren Home decor and two massive terraces (2,400 square feet). But the most hotel-like touch? A celebrity chef–driven restaurant, Toscana, where Giada De Laurentiis — the ship’s godmother — supplied two recipes for the menu. As someone who watched a lot of Everyday Italian in the early aughts, I was particularly excited to try her signature, Capri-inspired lemon spaghetti, and lemon-cream sauce with grilled shrimp and capers didn’t disappoint. From $2,499 per person for a seven-night sailing. Accessible ship. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Grandeur

Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ sixth ship, the Seven Seas Grandeur , sailed its inaugural season in December, joining sibling ships Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor as the newest member of the luxury fleet. The cruise line is a favorite among T+L readers for its gorgeous ships and all-inclusive pricing that covers unlimited shore excursions, dining at specialty restaurants, and even round-trip airfare. Grandeur lives up to its name thanks to stunning, art-filled spaces designed by cruise ship interior experts Studio Dado: signature restaurant Compass Rose is enchanting with interiors inspired by a fairy-tale forest; the Observation Lounge sparkles with an undulating chandelier and swanky bar; and the $11,000-per-night Regent Suite has a private en suite spa and custom Treesse mini pool. As I boarded Grandeur for the ship’s inaugural sailing, I was mesmerized by the grand staircase and glittering chandelier. And with a maximum capacity of 744 guests, I found it easy to take time to myself in the myriad of quiet spots tucked throughout the ship, whether in the Serene Spa and Wellness area, in the Library, or on the Sports Deck overlooking the ocean. Seven restaurants include specialty steakhouse Prime 7, pan-Asian restaurant Pacific Rim, and breakfast and lunch buffet La Veranda, which refines the cruise buffet experience with daily specials like paella and sushi. Several bars and lounges, a pool and hot tubs, a casino, Broadway-style productions, and cooking classes at the Culinary Arts Kitchen make the ship a destination in itself, though guests will want to take advantage of those included excursions on Caribbean, Central American, North American, and European itineraries, ranging from seven to 16 nights, during the ship’s 2024 season. From $4,669 per person for a seven-night sailing. Accessible ship. — Elizabeth Rhodes

Silversea’s Silver Nova

Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Carrying 728 passengers, Silver Nova is big for the luxury sector, but boasts a hugely important metric: a capacious passenger space ratio — that is, the number of guests relative to the size of the ship. Simply put, this ship offers more elbow room per passenger than almost any other cruise vessel. Silver Nova is wrapped in glass, with an asymmetrical layout; the funnel is positioned off-center, so is the pool, offering an expansive, uncluttered pool deck. Many features of the brand-new ship recall previous Silversea successes, my favorite of which is the S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste) program, expanded for Silver Nova . S.A.L.T. perks include a gorgeous, sea-facing lab for hands-on culinary lessons (at no additional cost), plus a new concept, the Chef’s Table, where an 11-course menu is prepared for just 24 diners. All facets of the S.A.L.T. ecosystem, including ingredients, a bar, lectures, and shore excursions, are keyed to the region Nova is sailing. While food is a drawing card for Silver Nova , accommodations also received a revamp. Tied to the theme of bringing the outside in, there are brilliant new suites found in the aft starboard corner of the ship, with wraparound balconies revealing a 270-degree view.  This is where you can tuck me in when I win the lottery and head off on a world cruise. But until then, Silver Nova will summer in Alaska and spend northern hemisphere winters in Australia and New Zealand, places where top-deck views should prove ceaselessly rewarding. From $3,250 per person for a seven-night sailing. Accessible ship. — David Swanson

It List 2024

Protect Your Trip »

The 26 best new cruise ships for 2024.

Check out these exciting new vessels before booking your next cruise.

The Best New Cruise Ships

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas will be the world's biggest new cruise ship.

Cruising is one of the fastest growing sectors of tourism, with passenger numbers projected to reach 37.2 million by 2025, according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Cruise lines are responding to this growth by building new (and often, larger) vessels with all the bells and whistles, including technological advancements that are more environmentally friendly and create the capability to use alternative fuels.

U.S. News has compiled this roundup of new cruise ships that have just set sail or are scheduled to launch later in 2023 and in 2024, plus a preview of new ships coming in 2025 and beyond. The list includes everything from expedition and luxury yacht-style vessels to reimagined ships and megaships – plus the debut of a brand-new cruise line.

• New ships for 2023
• New ships for 2024
• New ships for 2025 (and beyond)

Oceania Vista: May 2023

Courtesy of Oceania Cruises

Top feature: Luxurious, distinctive spaces

Fares begin around: $2,899 per person (double occupancy) for a 10-night Caribbean cruise

Sails to: Mediterranean, Caribbean

Debuted in May 2023, Oceania Vista is the first ship in Oceania Cruises ' new Allura class and the line's first new ship in 10 years. The 1,200-passenger, all-veranda vessel features a fresh interior design inspired by nature. The elegant new signature spaces include the dramatic Grand Staircase, the reimagined Martinis bar, the clubby Grand Lounge and 180-degree ocean views from the floor-to-ceiling windows at Horizons.

Another highlight of the new ship is the luxurious Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center. Elevated dining concepts on Oceania Vista include the new venue Ember, wellness-inspired cuisine at Aquamar Kitchen and The Bakery at Baristas, which specializes in French and Italian pastries.

Book an  Oceania  cruise on GoToSea, a service of U.S. News.

Carnival Venezia: May 2023

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Top feature: Italian-style ship

Fares begin around: $419 per person (double occupancy) for an eight-night cruise to the Bahamas

Sails to: Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada and New England, Panama Canal

Originally built for the Chinese cruise market in 2019, Carnival Venezia first sailed throughout Asia under the Costa Cruises brand. It headed to Europe in 2020, then was reintroduced as a Carnival Cruise Line vessel in 2023. The rebranded ship, now homeported in the U.S., features Carnival's "Fun Italian Style" concept, with Venetian-style artwork and the Piazza San Marco atrium – not to mention Italian-inspired beverages and dishes at venues like Frizzante, Amari, Marco Polo, the Canal Grande Restaurant and La Strada Grill.

The 4,090-passenger ship has classic Carnival favorites, too, like Bonsai Teppanyaki, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Piano Bar 88 and the Serenity Bar. Guests will also find Carnival's Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, three kids clubs, the outdoor SportSquare and onboard water park WaterWorks.

Find a  Carnival  cruise on GoToSea.

Resilient Lady: May 2023

Courtesy of Virgin Voyages

Top feature: New and exciting entertainment offerings

Fares begin around: $2,550 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night cruise to the Greek islands

Sails to: Europe, Middle East, Asia, Australia and South Pacific

Virgin Voyages' third adults-only ship , Resilient Lady , debuted with its MerMaiden voyage sailing the Greek islands in May 2023. The new 2,762-passenger ship offers the same features as its sister ships, including more than 20 dining venues with menus created by Michelin-starred chefs, an impressive fitness and wellness program, and superyacht-inspired cabins.

The immersive entertainment is one highlight on the new Virgin ship, with shows like rock 'n' roll "Persephone," a concept from the Brooklyn nightclub House of Yes produced by Kaleidoscope Immersive. The Supper Club Series featuring Another Rose is a new show by Randy Weiner of theatrical performance "Sleep No More." The evening with the Supper Club includes a dining experience with cabaret and acrobatic performances in a tale of ill-fated love.

Explore  Virgin Voyages  deals on GoToSea.

MSC Euribia: June 2023

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Top feature: Commitment to sustainable cruising and environmental stewardship

Fares begin around: $219 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night Northern Europe cruise

Sails to: Northern and Western Europe

The LNG-powered MSC Euribia has several features that exemplify the line's commitment to sustainable cruising , including an advanced onboard wastewater treatment system and energy-saving equipment like smart heating, air conditioning and ventilation. MSC Euribia's hull, decorated with the hashtag #SaveTheSea, was designed by artist Alex Flämig and is also a symbol of MSC Cruises ' dedication to preserving our fragile marine ecosystem.

One of the most striking features on MSC's fifth (and final) Meraviglia-class ship is the two-story Galleria Euribia. The 360-foot-long Mediterranean-style promenade – lined with shops, restaurants and bars – sits beneath the longest LED dome at sea. Another highlight is the Carousel Lounge at the aft of the ship. The new space features floor-to-ceiling windows, indoor and outdoor areas, and Big Band at Sea: a 19-piece in-house group of musicians and entertainers. MSC Euribia can accommodate up to 6,327 passengers.

Compare  MSC Cruises  on GoToSea.

Viking Saturn: June 2023

Courtesy of Viking

Top feature: "Residential design" (found on all Viking ocean vessels)

Fares begin around: $2,799 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night Mediterranean cruise

Sails to: Mainland Europe, British Isles, Iceland, Mediterranean and India

The 930-passenger Viking Saturn is the ninth ship in the Viking Ocean Cruises fleet and identical in design to its eight sister ships. The all-veranda vessel offers six categories of accommodations ranging from the 270-square-foot Veranda Stateroom to the spacious 1,448-square-foot Owner's Suite. On board, guests will enjoy the sleek, elegant Scandinavian-inspired public spaces and lounges. The line's enrichment program includes lectures with resident historians, TED Talks and sessions with world-renowned guest speakers. There are eight dining venues featuring destination-focused cuisine, the Nordic Spa with its snow grotto, two pools and hot tubs, and a sports deck.

Book a  Viking Ocean cruise on GoToSea.

Norwegian Viva: August 2023

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Top feature: Indulge Food Hall

Fares begin around: $629 per person (double occupancy) for an eight-night Greek islands cruise

The line's second Prima-class ship, Norwegian Viva mirrors the elevated design of sister ship Norwegian Prima . The new ship features six complimentary dining venues, including globally inspired dishes at Indulge Food Hall, pub fare at The Local Bar & Grill and 270-degree ocean views at the beautifully redesigned main restaurant, Hudson's.

The Haven on Viva is the most exclusive and spacious private enclave in Norwegian Cruise Line 's fleet; it was designed by one of Italy's leading designers, Piero Lissoni. Guests will also find updated styling at Mandara Spa. There's no shortage of entertainment on Viva; it's home to the first free-fall dry slide in the world, a three-story racetrack, high-tech mini-golf and the musical "Beetlejuice." Viva has the capacity to carry up to 3,099 guests.

Find a  Norwegian Cruise Line  itinerary on GoToSea.

Explora I: August 2023

Courtesy of Explora Journeys

Top feature: Luxury details and design, with a focus on sustainability

Fares begin around: $3,000 per person (double occupancy) for a six-night cruise to the Caribbean and Columbia

Sails to: Mediterranean and Western Europe, Caribbean and Central America, U.S. (including Hawaii) and Canada, Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula

Explora I is the first of six luxury vessels for new cruise line Explora Journeys. Owned by the Aponte family and MSC Group, the elegant 922-guest ship combines Swiss precision with modern European craftsmanship, offering suites and residences that are comfortable and spacious enough to be considered "homes at sea."

Guests can explore 14 decks offering nearly 27,000 square feet of outdoor space. Lounge at four pools (one with a retractable glass roof), book a rejuvenating body treatment at the spa, work out at the fitness center or browse the boutiques. There are also six dining venues, 12 bars and lounges, and a Chef's Kitchen for culinary classes and private dining. Regional wine pairings will accompany the onboard dining experience, which includes Pan-Asian, Mediterranean and French cuisine, as well as classic steakhouse offerings.

Compare  Explora Journeys  cruises on GoToSea.

Silver Nova: August 2023

Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Top feature: Ship's asymmetrical deck plan, which offers more open spaces and higher ceilings

Fares begin around: $3,850 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night cruise to Central and South America

Sails to: Caribbean, Central America, South America, U.S. West Coast, Alaska, Canada, Asia, Australia and New Zealand

Silversea Cruises' newest ship is the 728-guest Silver Nova . The 12th vessel in the fleet is ultra-luxurious and offers one of the highest space-to-guest ratios in the industry. Two highlights are the ship's asymmetrical design and aft suites, which have 270-degree views. Silver Nova's nine dining options include S.A.L.T. Kitchen's destination-inspired menus, Silversea 's classic dining experience at Atlantide and French cuisine at La Dame. Silver Nova is also Silversea's most environmentally friendly vessel yet.

Explore  Silversea  cruises on GoToSea.

Seven Seas Grandeur: November 2023

Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas

Top feature: "Journey in Jewels," the first Fabergé egg at sea

Fares begin around: $3,799 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night cruise to Mexico and Central America

Sails to: Mediterranean, Caribbean and Panama Canal

The 746-passenger Seven Seas Grandeur will be Regent Seven Seas Cruises' third Explorer-class vessel when it launches late this fall. While Grandeur is similar to its two sister ships, Explorer and Splendor , the new vessel features updated lounges, restaurants, spa spaces and suites. The line's signature Regent Suite – coming in at an impressive 4,443 square feet – has also been redesigned by Miami firm Studio DADO.

A few additional standout spaces include the art nouveau design of the Observation Lounge (located at the bow of the ship) and the reimagined Serene Spa. The stunning new Compass Rose is the ship's main dining room. Meanwhile, the onboard art collection is also notable: Seven Seas Grandeur will set sail with the first Fabergé egg at sea.

Compare  Regent Seven Seas  cruises on GoToSea.

Celebrity Ascent: November 2023

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Top feature: 32 restaurants, bars and lounges, including the redesigned Le Voyage by Chef Daniel Boulud

Fares begin around: $756 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night cruise to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean

Sails to: Europe, Caribbean

The fourth ship in Celebrity Cruises' Edge class, Celebrity Ascent , will accommodate up to 3,260 passengers and offer the same features as other ships in the series. There are 32 bars, lounges and restaurants, including the newly designed Le Voyage by Chef Daniel Boulud.

Other favorites from the Edge-class ships will return on Ascent, such as the multideck Sunset Bar and an open-air Rooftop Garden with floating pools that are cantilevered over the edge of the ship. It's also home to Celebrity's Magic Carpet, a multipurpose 90-ton deck that moves up and down the side of the ship between Decks 2, 5, 14 and 16; it's used for everything from tendering passengers to hosting happy hours and private functions and late-night parties. Guests will also find Celebrity 's innovative Infinite Veranda staterooms and the exclusive ship-within-a ship concept of The Retreat.

Book a  Celebrity Cruises  itinerary on GoToSea.

Carnival Jubilee: December 2023

Top feature: Two new ocean-themed zones, Currents and The Shores

Fares begin around: $669 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise

Sails to: Western Caribbean

Carnival's newest ship in the Excel class, Carnival Jubilee , will offer six zones (fun themed areas) for up to 6,631 passengers. The LNG-powered vessel features two new zones: Currents and The Shores. Currents is an immersive space with innovative technology such as LED windows and a wave-shaped LED Ceiling. Located on Decks 6 and 7, the space offers new venues for imbibing, dining and listening to live music, such as casual bar Inks, Ph.D and stylish lounge The Golden Mermaid. This is also where you'll find Emeril's Bistro 717.

The Shores, located on Deck 8, features a three-deck-high art installation of a school of fish, a boardwalk, and vibrant colors throughout the indoor and outdoor spaces. Dining and bar venues include Rudi's Seagrill, Cucina del Capitano and Marina Bar. Enjoy other returning Carnival favorites on Jubilee such as the BOLT sea coaster, Waterworks, SportSquare, the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina.

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Icon of the Seas: January 2024

Top feature: Largest cruise ship in the world, carrying up to 7,600 passengers

Fares begin around: $1,930 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise

Sails to: Eastern and Western Caribbean

Icon of the Seas is the first Icon-class vessel in the Royal Caribbean International fleet – and the first new class of ship since 2014. When the massive vessel debuts in January 2024, it will replace Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas as the largest ship at sea (Icon of the Seas is 6% larger). The ship features eight distinct neighborhoods – including the new Surfside neighborhood, a colorful space geared toward family fun with kids clubs, Splashaway Bay, themed eateries and bars, adjacent staterooms and more.

There are four additional new neighborhoods as well. Thrill Island features Category 6, the largest water park at sea, while Chill Island boasts the line's first swim-up bar and The Hideaway features the first suspended infinity pool at sea. AquaDome, the impressive glass-enclosed space at the top of the ship, is home to the AquaTheater, panoramic ocean views, a waterfall, and bars and restaurants.

Read: The Newest Royal Caribbean Ships

Sun Princess: February 2024

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Top feature: Princess Cruises' largest ship and the first in the line's Sphere class

Fares begin around: $577 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise

Sails to: Caribbean, Mediterranean

Sun Princess will have many new attractions when it launches in early 2024. It has the most balconies on any Princess Cruises ' ship, and you'll find exciting new dining, activity and entertainment offerings. One notable highlight is Park19, a top-deck space with activities for kids of all ages, including the Sea Breeze Rollglider, the first ride of its kind on a cruise ship. This new attraction soars 19 decks high and offers unparalleled views of the ocean below.

Cruisers can enjoy additional spaces like a two-story dome that is a pool during the day and a stage for shows at night; the European-inspired Piazza, which offers ocean vistas from nearly every angle; the Princess Arena, a high-tech performance space; the elegant three-story Horizons Dining Room; and the new Wake View Terrace with an infinity pool. There are also new styles of accommodations and expanded offerings for young children, tweens and teens. Sun Princess can accommodate up to 4,300 passengers.

Queen Anne: May 2024

Courtesy of Cunard Line

Top feature: The Pavilion, a glass-enclosed pool area with a retractable roof

Fares begin around: $1,199 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise

Sails to: Canary Islands, Mediterranean, Northern and Western Europe, Iceland, British Isles, Australia, Asia, Africa and Indian Ocean

When Queen Anne launches in spring 2024, it will be Cunard Line's 249th ship since the company's inception in 1840, and the line's first new vessel in 14 years. The 3,000-passenger ship will feature a fresh, modern design, yet still give a nod to the Cunard's art deco past.

Once on board, guests will discover new entertainment venues like the Bright Lights Society show bar and more wide-open spaces throughout the ship, as well as Cunard 's first two-story theater. New international dining options include Japanese restaurant Aji Wa with sushi and omakase menus, plus Indian cuisine at Aranya. Queen Anne also offers an extensive health and wellness program in collaboration with health group Mareel that features a large thermal suite, a spa pool and a top-deck wellness studio.

Find a  Cunard  cruise on GoToSea.

Utopia of the Seas: July 2024

Top feature: Three- and four-night ultimate weekend getaways

Fares begin around: $471 per person (double occupancy) for a three-night Bahamas cruise

Sails to: Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay (Royal Caribbean's private island)

Utopia of the Seas will be Royal Caribbean's sixth (and final) Oasis-class ship when it debuts in summer 2024. With a capacity of 5,668 passengers, the vessel will join the line's other Oasis- and Icon-class ships as the largest cruise ships sailing on the high seas. The ship will have the same eight neighborhoods as other Oasis-class ships, including Central Park, The Boardwalk and the Pool & Sports Zone.

The 40-plus food and beverage options will include new additions like the Pesky Parrot bar and a themed "mixed reality" dining experience that takes place on a train. A reimagined playscape is another addition, with nets, games, puzzles, slides and climbing walls for junior cruisers. The line's Ultimate Abyss – a dry slide with 10 stories of thrilling twists and turns – will now stretch an additional 43 feet, making it the longest dry slide at sea.

Read: The Top Cruise Line Private Islands and What They Offer

Explora II: August 2024

Top feature: Luxurious cabins

Fares begin around: $4,500 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night Mediterranean cruise

Sails to: Caribbean and Central America, Mediterranean, Arabian Peninsula and Red Sea, India, Indian Ocean and Africa

As sister ship to Explora I, Explora II will offer the same transformative travel experience for 922 guests. The luxury vessel will feature 461 oceanfront suites with private terraces. Cruisers can take advantage of 11 culinary options across six dining venues, a dozen indoor and outdoor bars and lounges, and a Chef's Kitchen. Guests will also have access to four pools, 64 private cabanas and wellness facilities.

Silver Ray: Summer 2024

Top feature: One of the most spacious ships ever built; extraordinary space-to-guest ratio

Fares begin around: $4,000 per person (double occupancy) for a nine-night cruise to South America

Sails to: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, British Isles, South America, Caribbean and Central America

Silver Ray, Silversea's second Nova-class ship, is scheduled to set sail in summer 2024. The 728-passenger, low-emissions vessel will offer the same advanced hybrid fuel technologies as its sister ship, Silver Nova. It will also have Silver Nova's horizontal layout and asymmetrical design, creating more open public areas and providing suites with 270-degree views. In addition, guests on board the luxury vessel will have their choice of eight dining venues and a wide selection of bars and lounges, including The Marquee, a new alfresco restaurant.

Viking Vela: December 2024

Top feature: Larger than Viking's other ocean vessels, carrying up to 998 passengers

Fares begin around: $4,999 per person (double occupancy) for a 12-night northern lights cruise

Sails to: Scandinavia, British Isles, Iceland

Measuring 748 feet long and 101 feet wide, Viking Vela will be the line's largest ship when it debuts at the end of 2024. It will accommodate 68 more passengers than its sister ships, but feature Viking's signature veranda staterooms, public spaces, amenities and dining venues. Seasoned Viking cruisers can look forward to favorites like The Nordic Spa, the Wintergarden, Mamsen's, the Explorers' Lounge, the Sports Deck, Manfredi's Italian Restaurant and The Chef's Table.

Disney Treasure: December 2024

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Top feature: Debut of new Disney Parks-inspired onboard venues

Fares begin around: $4,028 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night Caribbean cruise

Sails to: Eastern and Western Caribbean, Castaway Cay (Disney Cruise Line's private island)

Fans of Disney Cruise Line will find many familiar venues, attractions and restaurants on the new Disney Treasure, sister ship of Disney Wish . However, there will also be plenty of new features, including the theme of the ship: adventure. The Grand Hall, inspired by the movie "Aladdin," is designed with dark shades of blue, turquoise and gold and features a golden statue of a magic carpet with Aladdin and Jasmine.

Plaza de Coco replaces Disney Wish's "Frozen" dining experience with a two-night Mexican, "Coco"-themed theatrical dinner show. Meanwhile, "Disney The Tale of Moana" – a Broadway-style production based on the film "Moana" – will be exclusive to Disney Treasure. Adults will also find new lounges, such as the Jungle Cruise-themed Skipper Society and the Periscope Pub, which is inspired by "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." Disney Treasure can carry up to 4,000 passengers.

Explore  Disney Cruise Line  deals on GoToSea.

MSC World America: Spring 2025

MSC's new futuristic ship – and sister ship to MSC World Europa – will be based in Miami and sail the Caribbean. The LNG-powered, 6,762-passenger ship will offer more than 420,000 square feet of public space and many of the attractions found on World Europa, such as the MSC Luna Park Arena and World Galleria. There will also be more than 30 dining venues, bars and lounges, as well as the line's private enclave, MSC Yacht Club.

Oceania Allura: June 2025

Oceania Allura will be the eighth ship in Oceania's fleet, the second vessel of the line's Allura class and the sister ship to Oceania Vista. The 1,200-passenger Allura will offer the same upscale amenities as Vista, as well as a new Chef's Studio and one of the highest space-to-guest and staff-to-guest ratios in the cruise industry. Allura is scheduled to debut in June 2025.

Read: Bucket List Cruises for Seniors and Retirees

Star Princess: August 2025

Star Princess is scheduled to set sail in 2025 as the sister ship to Sun Princess. The 4,300-passenger, LNG-powered ship will offer the same features as Sun Princess, including the Dome, the Piazza and the line's Signature Collection Suites. The vessel will also have 29-plus restaurants and bars.

Star of the Seas: Summer 2025

Royal Caribbean plans to introduce Star of the Seas – the second Icon-class vessel and sister to Icon of the Seas – in summer 2025.

Disney Cruise Line: 2025

Disney purchased the former Global Dream from Genting's Dream Cruises in 2022, when it was still being built at the German shipyard MV Werften. Disney plans to base the ship in Singapore for at least five years, offering Disney vacations to the Southeast Asian market. When it launches in 2025, the vessel will be the line's seventh ship and is expected to carry 6,000 passengers. Another newly built, currently unnamed Disney ship is planned to debut in 2025, as well.

Norwegian Cruise Line: 2025 and beyond

The third Prima-class ship is expected to be approximately 10% larger than the first ship in the class, Norwegian Prima (143,535 gross tons). The following ships for the line are anticipated to be even larger, with the fifth and sixth Prima-class vessels (debuting in 2027 and 2028) weighing as much as 171,000 gross tons.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity's fifth Edge-class ship will be more eco-friendly, thanks to the addition of a new tri-fueled engine model and the capacity to store three different kinds of fuel, including methanol. The effort toward net-zero emissions and more sustainable cruising is a partnership between Royal Caribbean, the French shipyard Chantiers de L'Atlantique and the technology firm Wärtsilä. A debut date for this ship has not yet been announced.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed to destinations around the globe on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, luxury yachts, expedition vessels and traditional masted sailing ships. She used her extensive experience with cruises to write this article. Pratesi covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Cruise Lines
• Cruise Packing List: Essentials for Your Cruise
• What to Wear on a Cruise
• The Best Gay Cruises
• The Best Transatlantic Cruises

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The 22 New Cruise Ships We're Excited About For 2022

The line-up of new cruise ships for 2022 is one of the most exciting exciting and robust ones we've seen in a while, with the new Disney Wish and the world's largest cruise ship -- Wonder of the Seas -- among over two dozen debuts. That number is partially due to the COVID-19 pandemic: some new cruise ships that were meant to launch in 2021 have been moved back to 2022. But the new cruise ship roster for 2022 also has a number of first-in-class builds that are likely to push the envelope on new features and attractions, as well as welcoming back some signature venues people already love.

Here's a look at 2022's best new cruise ships -- and why we're excited about them:

On This Page

The big ships we're excited about in 2022, the luxury ships we're excited about in 2022, the expedition ships we're excited about in 2022, the american river cruise ships we're excited about in 2022, wonder of the seas will be the world's largest cruise ship.

At 6,988 passengers, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas will become the largest cruise ship in the world when it debuts in early March 2022. While Wonder of the Seas is technically an Oasis-class ship and not first in its class, (there are even some major design changes between Wonder of the Seas vs. Symphony of the Seas, for example), the vessel does have some extras, including the new Suite neighborhood, where high-spenders will have access to an enhanced Suite Sun Deck, with its own plunge pool, bar and loungers.

Families will be excited by the ship's new Wonder Playscape, an underwater-themed area for kids that will include slides, climbing walls, views and an interactive mural. Finally, a new cantilevered pool bar, called The Vue, will offer fantastic sunning opportunities during the day and turn into a colorful outdoor venue after sunset.

Disney Wish Introduces AquaMouse, Star Wars and Avengers-themed Innovations

Disney Cruise Line's first new ship in a decade will usher in a number of firsts when Disney Wish debuts in June 2022. The 4,000-passenger ship -- designed primarily around the theme of "enchantment" -- will offer new dining experiences, reimagined kids clubs (always Disney's strong-suit), and the first-ever Disney attraction at sea: the 760-foot-long waterslide known as AquaMouse, which mixes storytelling and thrills. Disney Wish deck plans reveal a world of wonders for the young and young-at-heart.

But Disney has also mindfully designed Disney Wish for parents, too. The adults-only Quiet Cove will introduce the cruise line's first infinity pool, while grown-ups will be the only ones allowed to dine at Enchante, the line's new onboard restaurant designed by three-Michelin-starred chef Arnaud Lallement. Where will Disney Wish sail from? Like its earliest fleetmates, Disney Wish will debut in the Caribbean and Bahamas, sailing from the line's flagship terminal in Port Canaveral -- a view that will be best seen from the line's massive suite inset into one of the ship's funnels.

Discovery Princess Comes to The West Coast and Alaska

Princess Cruises has been adding to its fleet fast, and the next of its Royal Class ships -- the 3,660-passenger Discovery Princess -- has a March 2022 debut date. It's the latest ship to debut with the line's Medallion technology built right in, which allows passengers to do everything from check into the ship to open their cabin door to buy things in designated shops in some ports.

Discovery Princess will also have most of the onboard features that debuted on sister ships Majestic Princess and Enchanted Princess , including the Salty Dog Gastropub and Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria with specialty pastas. If you want a fabulous suite experience, check out the Sky Suites, which have one of the best balconies at sea, with a direct view of Movies Under the Stars .

Norwegian Prima is First-in-Class with New Slides, a Race Track and Vegas-Style Nightlife

With Norwegian Prima , Norwegian Cruise Line ushers in a new class of ship, with an array of accompanying new features. The Norwegian Prima deck plan includes something for everyone. Thrill seekers will love The Drop -- a dry, freefall slide that has a 10-story plunge -- as well as a new version of the popular top-deck race track. There's also The Rush, a pair of dueling dry racing slides, and the line's first Tidal Wave innertube waterslide.

Norwegian always leans into nightlife, and Norwegian Prima's theater will be able to convert into a giant Las Vegas-style nightclub. The marquee show onboard will be a version of "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical." The line is also bringing on Light Balance, a dance troupe winner from "America’s Got Talent," for a show that combines high-energy dance and aerobics with a multisensory light show.

Celebrity Beyond Brings High Design and Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop Onboard

Technically, Celebrity Beyond is the third Edge Class ship from Celebrity Cruises. In reality, the 3,260-passenger ship is offering enough new onboard features that it can almost qualify as a class of its own. Also exciting: TikTok and Instagram star Capt. Kate McCue will take command of Celebrity Beyond when it launches in April 2022.

Chief among the changes is a re-imaging of Celebrity's wellness program, led by actress and lifestyle maven Gwyneth Paltrow (who is now also the line’s Well-Being Advisor). New suites are being added in AquaClass and The Retreat -- Celebrity's resort for suite passengers -- is 40 percent larger than on other ships. Celebrity Beyond will also have the first fine-dining restaurant at sea from Michelin-star chef Daniel Boulud.

Adults-Only Cruise Options Expand with Valiant Lady

Virgin Voyages, which launched its first cruise ship Scarlet Lady for paying passengers in 2021, is coming out with a sister ship in 2022. Valiant Lady , which debuted in March 2022.

Carrying 2,770 passengers, the ship will be an adults-only cruise and have a similar design and attitude to Scarlet Lady (which won the Cruise Critic's Editors' Picks award for Best New Cruise Ship of 2021 ). Valiant Lady will sail in the Mediterranean, and we're excited to see how Virgin's hip and quirky approach to cruising works in Europe (nights in Ibiza, anyone?).

New Carnival Celebration Ship Marks Line's 50th Birthday

Carnival Cruise Line turns 50 in 2022, and the line is leaning into the festivities with its next Excel Class ship, Carnival Celebration. Set to debut with a 14-night transatlantic cruise departing Southampton on November 6, 2022, Carnival Celebration will homeport out of Miami when it arrives Stateside.

The Bolt roller coaster aboard sister-ship Mardi Gras is one of the line's biggest hits, and Carnival Celebration will also feature Bolt, the line's popular roller coaster at sea. Carnival's new neighborhood concept will also be continued aboard Carnival Celebration, although word is that it will be different from the French Quarter aboard Mardi Gras. As for what will replace it? Stay tuned.

MSC Cruises' New MSC Seascape Offers MSC Yacht Club, Expanded Public Areas

MSC Cruises' second Seaside EVO class ship, MSC Seascape will debut at PortMiami in November 2022 when it launches. Like sister-ship MSC Seashore, which made its U.S. debut in fall 2021, MSC Seascape will offer 2,270 individual cabins across 12 separate grades of accomodations, including balcony staterooms, suites and MSC's coveted Yacht Club luxury ship-within-a-ship concept.

An increased focus on public rooms that connect with the sea will be showcased aboard MSC Seashore, with some 70 percent of all public spaces being completely redesigned from the ship's predecessors, MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview . But, like its fleetmates, MSC Seascape will offer some of the most distinctive features of this class, including the massive Waterfront promenade and the spectacular glass-floored "Bridge of Sighs" perched 16 decks above the water.

MSC World Europa Will Be a New -- And Bigger -- Class of Cruise Ship for MSC

As if launching MSC Seascape in 2022 wasn’t enough, MSC Cruises is dreaming even bigger with an all-new class of ship. MSC World Europa will carry 5,079 passengers (at full occupancy) and will boast 22 decks, immediately becoming the longest, tallest and largest ship in the entire fleet. The ship launches in December 2022 and is earmarked to sail in the Arabian Gulf.

On a ship this size, you’d expect a ton of fun. MSC World Europa will have several onboard “districts” divided into separate areas. An 11-deck dry slide called The Spiral will be the longest at sea, and new dining venues include Chef’s Garden Kitchen, focusing on microgreens, and La Pescaderia, a traditional seafood grill with alfresco seating. The ship will also be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) technology.

Silversea's Silver Dawn Debuts New Roman-Inspired Otium Spa and Wellness Program

A sister ship to 2021's Silver Moon , the 596-passenger Silver Dawn will up the luxury cruise game even more with the line’s first Roman-inspired spa and wellness program. Called Otium, the program places luxury front and center, with special spa touches put throughout your cruise. Among the goodies: a new posh mattress; an indulgent room service menu with foie gras burgers, lobster and caviar on brioche and truffle fries; and multisensory bath soaks.

In addition, Silver Dawn will include the line’s culinary immersion program S.A.L.T. , which debuted in 2021 to rave reviews. If you’re a foodie, this deep dive into local food and drink, offered both onboard and ashore, is a can’t-miss.

Ritz-Carlton Evrima Will Appeal to Luxury Hotel Lovers -- And Offer Marriott Bonvoy Points

People have been talking with excitement about luxury hotel brand Ritz-Carlton’s entry into cruising for the past few years -- and in 2022, the launch of the 298-passenger yacht Evrima is poised to happen. The ship will have five restaurants -- that’s a lot for a ship this size -- and the personalized service that Ritz-Carlton is known for.

Another reason that Ritz-Carlton lovers are excited -- Evrima is part of the Marriott Bonvoy program , and members will be able to redeem points for the ship’s first sailings in October 2022. The Ritz-Carlton yacht will spend its first season in the Mediterranean before heading the Caribbean.

Renovated Ship Azamara Onward Will Be First Under Line's New Ownership

While Azamara isn’t a household name like some cruise lines, lovers of small ships have always been drawn the intimate size of their vessels -- about 702 passengers -- and the smaller ports they visit. The line left the Royal Caribbean Group in early 2021 to become an independent cruise company, and has started to introduce fun new programs while continuing the focus on great shoreside experiences.

Azamara Onward is not technically a new ship. Rather, the line has bought the former Pacific Princess -- a direct sister-ship to the line's existing fleet -- and is completely renovating it to look more like the rest of the Azamara fleet. We are excited to see what happens when you combine Azamara’s intimate service -- the crew learn the names of every single passenger and you’re greeted by name when you board -- with a fresh spin on its destinations.

Viking Mars and Viking Neptune Continue Viking Oceans' Expansion

Viking Ocean Cruises won’t call themselves luxury. But when you’re onboard one of the line's identical oceangoing vessels, you certainly feel like you’re on a luxury cruise, with fantastic food and dining options, itineraries that stop at interesting ports, and inclusions such as Wi-Fi, a shore excursion at each port of call, and one of the best spa thermal suites at sea.

Viking has two identical 930-passenger ocean ships coming in 2022. Viking Mars will debut in May 2022 and sail itineraries in the Mediterranean and northern Europe before moving to Asia. Viking Neptune , meanwile, will debut in fall 2022 and start Viking’s 2022-23 World Cruise in December from Fort Lauderdale.

Small Emerald Azzurra Yacht Will Sail Red Sea, Med, Croatia

With only 100 passengers, Emerald Azzurra promises an intimate yacht experience from a line that has already won accolades for its European river cruises. Emerald has always offered an inclusive type of sailing, and cruises on Emerald Azzurra include complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner; onboard gratuities; some shore excursions; transfers to and from the airport; port charges and taxes.

We’re also excited by the itineraries that Emerald Azzurra will sail, which include its debut in the Red Sea in January 2022. The yacht will then move to the Mediterranean and sail into small Croatian and Greek ports, as well as itineraries that focus on Italy and France.

Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris Will Be Viking's First Adventure Cruise Ships

Viking is jumping into expedition cruising in a big way in 2022 by adding a pair of 378-passenger ships aimed at polar adventure. Viking Octantis debuts first in January 2022, with cruises in Antarctica. It will then move to the Great Lakes for the summer, before heading back to the White Continent. Viking Polaris arrives in summer 2022 and will spend its season in Norway and the Far Arctic before heading south to Antarctica.

What makes these pair of ships so exciting is the design. Viking’s expedition ships will have an enclosed area known as The Hangar, where passengers can get on and off zodiac boats in comfort and without biting winds. The Aula panoramic auditorium is custom-designed for lectures, and we can’t wait to see the Finse Terrace, an outdoor lounge with comfy couches and warming lava rock faux fire pits.

Seabourn Venture Offers Submarines, Champagne For Luxury Adventure Cruises

With Seabourn Venture, the luxury cruise line Seabourn leaps into the high-end expedition trend. The 264-passenger ship will have two custom-built submarines as well as 24 zodiacs, kayaks– you also snorkel and scuba dive – and a full expedition team to explain all the natural wonders around you. Plus you get the sumptuous suites with a built-in heated jacket wardrobe, Swarovski binoculars and the Moulton Brown amenities, upscale dining and endless Champagne that Seabourn is known for.

Seabourn Venture debuted in August 2022 with cruises in the British Isles, Norway and the Arctic before transiting to South America and Antarctic for winter 2022. On all itineraries expect adventure along the way, with stops at small ports and remote areas.

American Queen Voyages Goes To Alaska With First Expedition Ship Ocean Victory

Previously known primarily for American river cruises, American Queen Voyages will be making its first foray into expedition cruising with the 186-passenger small ship, Ocean Victory. The ship will debut in Alaska in summer 2022, running an itinerary that includes big name marquee ports and smaller, out-of-the way locales.

Technically, Ocean Victory is a charter by SunStone, a ship management company that has focused on building small adventure ships. The ship will have a full array of expedition gear for outdoor adventure, including zodiacs, a fleet of kayaks and an onboard expedition team. The ship is small enough to dock in Alaskan ports that are off limits to larger cruise ships.

Viking Mississippi Will Bring Its Winning European-Style River Cruising to the U.S.

In one of the most anticipated domestic launches, Viking will expand its river cruising juggernaut into the U.S market for the first time with the 386-passenger Viking Mississippi . The ship will be one of the largest constructed for the Mississippi River, and all cabins will have either French or full step-out balconies; suites are also available.

What’s exciting about Viking Mississippi is that the ship will have many of the onboard features that people already love on other Viking vessels. There will be a two-story Explorers’ Lounge observation area; the Aquavit Terrace outdoor dining venue; an infinity pool and sun deck. There’s also a new outdoor seating area known as The Bow, which promises excellent views of the river. Plenty of inclusions are also on offer, such as beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; a complimentary shore excursion per day; lectures; Wi-Fi and free room service.

Modern American Symphony and American Serenade Continue American Cruise Lines' Expansion

In the past few years, American Cruise Lines has revamped the expectation of what riverboats on U.S. rivers should look like by introducing a more modern style of ship. These ships do not have paddlewheels; instead, the 175-passenger vessels look more like a hotel on land with a four-story glass atrium in the center of the ship. ACL ships are known for having some of the largest cabins in river cruising, with most ranging from 250 to 650 square feet.

River cruising in the United States has become more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, as people look for sailings that are closer to home. American Cruise Lines, which owns its own shipyard in Maryland, has turned down other boat-building work so it can concentrate on cruise ships. American Symphony will debut on the Mississippi River in summer 2022 and American Serenade will launch at the end of 2022.

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Bigger ship, better views: 3 takeaways from Princess Cruises' newest vessel

I was rushing to make my dinner reservation on Princess Cruises’ new ship. But when I arrived at the restaurant, the view made me stop.

From the windows at the sushi eatery Makoto Ocean – part of a sphere-shaped structure near the middle of the vessel – I saw the sun sinking below the horizon, a reddish-orange dot on the Mediterranean Sea. The Sun Princess facilitates scenes like that by design.

“We wanted to make sure that within how we designed the (venues) and placed the furniture, we gave maximum opportunity for our guests to be able to celebrate those outward views,” Denise Saviss, Princess’ vice president of entertainment experience, told USA TODAY. “It is really, really unique to have so much glass on the ship.”

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That was one of several striking features during a recent sailing (the ship is now cruising the Mediterranean before it moves to the Caribbean in October). Here are three takeaways from the first in the line’s aptly named Sphere Class.

1. The design showcases views at sea and in port

Makoto isn’t the only venue that offers that kind of view.

Other spaces inside the Sphere – which also houses lobby-slash-entertainment venue The Piazza – feature similarly sweeping vistas across decks 7, 8 and 9. I watched the light sparkle on the water while I sipped coffee one morning at International Café, and patrons dining at Alfredo’s Pizzeria can take in the scenery during their meal from many seats.

That’s also true elsewhere on the ship. At Horizons Dining Room, floor-to-ceiling windows face the ship’s wake. At the other end of the vessel, the Dome, a geodesic structure that Princess has said was inspired by the hills of Santorini, is like a massive solarium.

The space – which will also host shows including acrobatics – has multiple tiers of loungers, an indoor-outdoor pool and the Cascade Bar (which comes in handy for cooling off, as it felt a bit muggy in the Dome at one point on a sunny sea day).

The overall effect helped to bring the outside in.

2. The ship is bigger but still intimate

Sun Princess is the largest ship in the Princess fleet, and the 21-deck vessel can accommodate 4,300 guests. But that doesn’t mean everything is huge.

Given the scale of the offerings, a number of spaces on board feel notably intimate. One night, I walked to Good Spirits at Sea, a cocktail bar crafted in partnership with mixologist Rob Floyd that also hosts classes, and thought I was lost before stumbling upon it tucked around a corner on Deck 7. Inside, the 40-person venue offered a laid-back alternative to other more boisterous nightlife options.

On Deck 9, the ship’s buffet-like venue, The Eatery, gives way to narrower hallways toward the aft with backlit wood paneling and benches. At the end, they open back up to reveal specialty restaurants The Catch by Rudi and The Butcher’s Block by Dario (from Princess’ head of culinary arts, Rudi Sodamin, and in partnership with famed butcher Dario Cecchini, respectively).

Even the multi-configuration Princess Arena felt cozier than its near-1,000-guest capacity would suggest. I sat in the second-to-last row of my section for a performance by the vocal group ODY·C and was still close enough to see clearly.

3. The line leans into family-friendly activities

Part of Sun Princess’ expanded footprint has been used to broaden the line’s family offerings.

Park19, a new space on the ship’s top decks, features a variety of activities in an open-air setting. Saviss said the line worked to balance the interests of core customers and a growing family market “and make sure we're prioritizing spaces that everybody can enjoy.”

“There are some attractions that I think naturally, at first blush, people would say, ‘Oh, it's just for kids,’ but actually, the space is really comprehensive,” she said. “Our attractions are available for many different levels of ability and mobility.”

Those include Coastal Climb, an obstacle course that culminates in 360-degree views from The Lookout observation deck (the highest point accessible to guests on the ship, also reachable via elevator) and The Net ropes course.

On Sea Breeze, billed as the first Rollglider on a cruise ship, passengers will glide along the outer edges of the ship on an electric track (the ride will also be ADA-accessible, though Saviss said some mobility is required for maneuvering into the seat).

It’s as close as the ship gets to an amusement park (Princess’ version). “We're not running the rat race, if you will, of like, who can do it bigger, better,” Saviss said. “If you want to just have a really incredible bird's-eye view of Sun Princess, and in and around where the ship is sailing, you can do that. But there is an option to push a little lever while you're riding it and dial up the speed a bit faster, and then it does become a bit more thrilling.”

The ride was not yet available when I was on board, as the line moved through a testing, certification and training process, but is expected to open on April 27. Sun Princess’ original launch was delayed with the cruise line citing “additional technical work” needed at the shipyard, which pushed back the opening of some onboard amenities.

When is the best time to take a cruise?: We broke it down by region.

There is also a hammock area to chill when guests need a break, a recreational court that can host activities from pingpong to morning meditation, a jogging track and more. Elsewhere on board, guests will find the Firefly Park kids club and hangout spaces Neon Grove and The Underground for tweens and teens, respectively.

The reporter on this story received access to this sailing from Princess Cruises. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.  

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bigger ship, better views: 3 takeaways from Princess Cruises' newest vessel

The 9 most exciting new cruise ships of 2023

This year will be a big one for new cruise ships, though not as big as last year.

Perhaps the most notable new cruise ship of 2023 will be MSC World Europa , the first of a new series of megaships from MSC Cruises that is designed to go head-to-head with Royal Caribbean 's giant Oasis-class ships.

It's just one of two major new cruise ships arriving in 2023 that has a tie-in to MSC Cruises. Also on the way is Explora 1, the first vessel for an all-new luxury line that is being developed by MSC Group, the parent company of MSC Cruises.

The year will also bring the first new ship in nearly a decade from upscale line Oceania Cruises , to be called Vista, as well as the first of a new class of ship for luxury line Silversea Cruises , to be called Silver Nova.

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Those four vessels — MSC World Europa, Explora 1, Vista and Silver Nova — are the four new cruise ships for 2023 that have us the most excited here at TPG. However, they're not the only major new cruise vessels arriving during the next 12 months.

Also on the way are several significant new ships from major lines that, while new, will look familiar. That's because they will be sister ships to existing vessels. That is, while they will be new builds, they'll feature designs we have seen before.

Among lines unveiling new ships that are sisters to vessels already in their fleets are Norwegian Cruise Line , Carnival Cruise Line , Regent Seven Seas Cruises , Virgin Voyages and Celebrity Cruises .

Because a large percentage of the new cruise ships arriving in 2023 belong to an existing class and therefore have a familiar look, cruise fans might not find this year's new arrivals to be as exciting as last year's debuts.

The past 12 months, notably, saw the arrival of entirely new classes of vessels for Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line , Viking , Seabourn and Emerald Cruises, as well as an entirely new cruise brand ( The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection ). It was the sort of year that gets hearts racing for fans of new cruise ships.

Note that in some cases, the new ships coming in 2023 will arrive months behind schedule due to ongoing pandemic-related construction delays at the shipyards that are building them. Thanks to these delays, the first sailings of a few ships that were expected to debut in 2023 — including Royal Caribbean's much-awaited Icon of the Seas — have been pushed to 2024.

Icon of the Seas, which will be the biggest cruise ship in the world when it debuts, is now scheduled to sail with paying passengers for the first time in January 2024.

In all cases, the new ships that are on the way for 2023 are already available for booking — and are indeed booking up fast. Cruise fans always love to be on the latest and greatest vessels.

To whet your appetite for cruising in the year ahead, take a look at our list of the nine new cruise ships arriving in 2023 that have us the most excited.

MSC World Europa

Maiden voyage: Dec. 20, 2022.

Unveiled in the final days of 2022 (so close to year's end that we consider it a new vessel for 2023), this massive new MSC Cruises ship is nearly as big as Royal Caribbean's giant Oasis-class vessels — and that's a big deal.

This is the first time in the 13-year history of the record-breaking Oasis-class series (the world's biggest cruise ships) that a vessel has come close to the Royal Caribbean ships in size. MSC World Europa offers a major new option for cruisers who love being on the biggest, most amenity-packed vessels.

Additionally, it's just the first of at least four sister vessels that MSC Cruises plans to unveil over the next few years, including one destined for deployment in Florida .

In short, it kicks off a major new battle of the megaships.

At around 215,863 tons, MSC World Europa is about 4% to 8% smaller than the five Oasis-class ships. But by one measure, it's even bigger. MSC World Europa is 21 decks high — three decks higher than the Oasis-class vessels.

Like the Oasis-class ships, it's able to hold nearly 7,000 passengers with all berths filled — 6,762, to be exact.

Related: The ultimate guide to picking the right cruise for you

As for its onboard offerings, MSC Cruises is taking a page from Royal Caribbean's playbook by breaking down the public areas of MSC World Europa into districts. They include an adults-only "Zen district" and a separate "family district" that houses as many as 10 new kids facilities. There also is a central interior promenade with entertainment, shops and bars.

Additionally, MSC World Europa has six pools and 14 hot tubs, making it one of the most pool-covered ships at sea. The watery offerings include an Aquapark with multiple waterslides that integrate virtual reality technology. There is also a family sun deck.

MSC World Europa has 13 dining venues, including the new-for-the-line Chef's Garden Kitchen (an outlet focused on microgreens) and La Pescaderia, a traditional seafood grill with alfresco seating. In a twist, the ship has three separate buffet restaurants as well, each with its own ambiance.

Drinking spots include a two-deck English-style pub dubbed Masters of the Sea Pub, which serves beer made on board. There's also a new gin bar, a first for MSC Cruises.

The line has a second new ship, the 4,810-passenger MSC Euribia, too, which will debut later in 2023 — in June, if all goes according to plan. At around 182,000 tons, it won't be quite as big as MSC World Europa but will still be one of the biggest cruise vessels in the world.

MSC World Europa is initially sailing in the Persian Gulf out of Dubai but will reposition to the Mediterranean for the summer of 2023. Fares for seven-night sailings start at $559 per person, not including taxes and fees.

Related: The ultimate guide to MSC Cruises

Maiden voyage: May 13.

Upscale line Oceania Cruises is getting back into growth mode in 2023 with the unveiling of Vista — its first new vessel in more than a decade.

At 67,000 tons, Vista will be a tad bigger than Oceania's last two new ships, Marina and Riviera. However, it'll carry fewer passengers (1,200 versus 1,250), meaning its "space ratio" of space per passenger will be higher.

The space ratio of a ship is considered a measure of how upscale it is, with higher space ratios typically corresponding to more luxurious vessels.

As for decor and amenities, Oceania has promised an "evolution" of the intimate, residential-style interior venues for which its ships are known. Vista will retain such Oceania signatures as a Grand Staircase at its center and a Grand Lounge that serves as a central meeting point, as well as a martini bar, Aquamar Spa, Horizons observation lounge, a tranquil pool area and a casino with an accompanying bar.

Oceania also promises a wide range of cabin sizes for the ship, ranging from standard balcony cabins measuring 291 square feet (the largest standard balcony cabins in the industry, according to the line) to a range of super suites that measure from 1,000 square feet for an Oceania Suite to 2,400 square feet for an Owner's Suite.

Vista will also be the first Oceania vessel with built-from-scratch solo cabins — six in all. They'll measure 270 square feet and feature their own balconies, something that is relatively rare for solo cabins on ocean ships.

In fact, every cabin on Vista will be a balcony cabin, as every cabin has either a full balcony or a more limited French balcony. The ship will have no windowless inside cabins or balcony-less ocean-view cabins.

The solo cabins, notably, also are concierge-level cabins, which means they come with access to a private keycard-accessed concierge lounge and complimentary use of the ship's Spa Terrace.

Oceania long has been known as a foodie's line, and Vista won't disappoint, with 12 different culinary options for passengers — four of which will be new concepts for the brand.

The newcomers include Ember, serving "inventive American" cuisine, and wellness-focused Aquamar Kitchen (think: smoothies, organic "power bowls" and yellowfin tacos with white cabbage slaw). Also new will be the Culinary Center Dining Room, an ocean-view space offering food-and-wine pairing experiences that will tie to the ship's cooking classroom, and a new Bakery at Barista outlet that will serve fresh-baked pastries.

Classic Oceania eateries that will be on board the ship include the line's signature Polo Grill steakhouse, Italian-inspired Toscana and upscale Asian outlet Red Ginger.

Vista will be the first of two sister vessels in the line's new Allura class. The second ship in the series is scheduled to debut in 2025.

Vista will initially sail in Europe before repositioning to North America for the winter. Fares start at $1,699 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a seven-night Caribbean voyage out of Miami.

Resilient Lady

Maiden voyage: May 14.

Resilient Lady will be the third ship for Virgin Voyages, the startup line backed by Sir Richard Branson — and it'll look familiar to anyone who has sailed on the brand's first two vessels ( Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady ).

Originally scheduled to debut in 2022 but delayed by nearly a year , the 2,770-passenger ship will be a nearly identical sister to the two earlier vessels, which began sailing in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Like Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady has been designed to shake up the cruise industry with a new, hipper style of cruising. The ship will have everything from a tattoo parlor to a colorful karaoke lounge where you can get your Lizzo on. To ensure a proper party vibe, it also will be a kid-free travel zone , with a minimum age to sail of 18.

Related: Is Virgin Voyages right for you? Our thoughts

Virgin is going after travelers who might think themselves too cool to cruise. To that end, Resilient Lady will have no buffets, no dress codes and no big Broadway-style theater shows. For entertainment, expect interactive dance parties, DJ sets and "microplays," plus late-night games of dodgeball. Suites will have a rock star theme .

A fourth vessel in the series, Brilliant Lady, is scheduled to debut in 2024.

Resilient Lady will initially sail in the Mediterranean before repositioning to Australia for the winter (where it'll mostly cater to the Australian market). Fares start at $455 per person for a two-night voyage out of Melbourne, Australia.

Maiden voyage: July 17.

Call it the biggest new cruise ship of 2023 — not in size, but in significance. The unveiling of Explora 1 will mark the arrival of Explora Journeys, an entirely new luxury line that could quickly become one of the biggest in the world.

A creation of the deep-pocketed MSC Group, which already owns MSC Cruises, Explora Journeys plans to launch at least six superluxurious vessels by 2028, each of which is designed to hold at least 922 passengers.

In just a few years, that'll give the line a bigger capacity than such well-known luxury cruise operators as Seabourn and the soon-to-relaunch Crystal Cruises .

Explora Journeys will compete in the same upscale cruise space as Seabourn and Crystal, as well as luxury lines like Viking, Silversea Cruises and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. It'll be run completely separately from its sister brand, MSC Cruises, which caters to a mass-market audience.

Related: 1st photos of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collections' new Evrima

Like its five coming sisters, Explora 1 will offer oceanfront suites, penthouses and residences designed to be "homes at sea," and it'll be packed with upscale amenities. They will include 10 distinct culinary experiences, 10 indoor and outdoor bars and lounges, four swimming pools, outdoor deck areas with private cabanas, wellness facilities and entertainment.

MSC Group is the parent company of MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys, as well as the Mediterranean Shipping Company. The latter, also known simply as MSC, is the largest container shipping company in the world.

Explora 1 will initially sail in Northern Europe before repositioning to North America for the winter. Fares start at $3,600 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a three-night voyage from Hamburg, Germany, to Southampton, England.

Silver Nova

Maiden voyage: Aug. 14.

The latest ship for the luxury line Silversea Cruises will be bigger than its predecessors and feature an all-new design — one that, notably, will be asymmetrical in many areas. That is, some of the vessel's most prominent spaces, including its main pool area, will feature layouts that are off-center in a way that is unusual for cruise ships.

Silver Nova's main pool area, for instance, will have an unusual horseshoe shape with an orientation that runs from the port side of the ship to the starboard side. The pool itself will be off-center in the space, skewed far to the starboard side of the ship, with rows of lounge chairs and a grand entrance on its port side and unobstructed views through glass railings on its starboard side.

The idea is that the pool area will thus be much more orientated toward the destinations that the ship visits, or the open ocean when it is at sea, than the pool areas of other cruise vessels. Passengers will be able to float in the pool and look straight out over the water without the obstruction of more rows of lounge chairs.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Silversea ship

Silver Nova's asymmetrical design will also be evident at two new food and beverage venues at the top of the vessel.

The first, Marquee, will be an alfresco dining venue that is also off-center, with an orientation that offers commanding views of the sea from the port side of the ship. It'll be home to The Grill, Silversea's signature outdoor "hot rocks" dining venue, and also double as the ship's Spaccanapoli pizza outlet. The second new venue, The Dusk Bar, will be an open-air sky bar at the back of the vessel that, like Marquee, is positioned on the port side of the ship.

Additional dining venues on board will include versions of Silversea's main signature restaurant La Terrazza, French eatery La Dame, seafood eatery Atlantide and sushi outlet Kaiseki.

In addition to asymmetry in many areas, one thing that will be particularly noticeable about Silver Nova is its spaciousness. At 54,700 tons, the ship will be about 34% bigger than the line's last three new vessels — Silver Muse, Silver Moon and Silver Dawn. It'll only hold about 22% more passengers, though. That means the space available per passenger will increase significantly.

With every berth filled, Silver Nova will sail with 728 passengers — just 132 more than the earlier vessels.

The extra space has allowed Silversea to expand its lineup of cabin categories on the ship, with more large suites. As is always the case with Silversea ships, every cabin on the ship will be a suite. However, Silversea fans will find new premium aft suites that include a massive 1,324-square-foot complex called the Otium Suite. Inspired by Silversea's new wellness program, Otium , the Otium Suite is in a premium aft corner position of the ship (according to the cruise line) and features floor-to-ceiling windows in all living areas. It has a sprawling 431-square-foot balcony area that is the most spacious on board.

Even the smallest cabins on Silver Nova will measure at least 357 square feet, which is unusually large for a cruise ship cabin.

Silver Nova will initially sail in the Mediterranean before repositioning to the Caribbean for the winter of 2023. Fares start at $4,700 per person, including a flight credit, airport transfers and shore excursions, for a seven-night Caribbean sailing out of Miami.

Norwegian Viva

Maiden voyage: Aug. 26.

The rollout of Norwegian Cruise Line's much-awaited Prima class of ships continues in 2023 with the arrival of Norwegian Viva — the second vessel in the series after the recently unveiled Norwegian Prima .

Like Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva is notably smaller than other vessels the line has added in recent years, such as the 3-year-old, 169,116-ton Norwegian Encore — a factor that will allow it to access smaller ports around the world. But, also like Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva will still pack a lot of over-the-top amenities, including a go-kart track that occupies three decks .

Related: Why I love the new Prima class

Plus, Norwegian Viva will have The Drop, a 10-story dry slide that Norwegian says offers more G-force than an accelerating Formula One race car. The vessel also will be home to a three-deck theater that converts into a Las Vegas-style nightclub and will host interactive, real-life game shows, including at-sea versions of "The Price Is Right."

Still, like Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva will be about more than flashy activities and entertainment. It'll also mark the continuation of a more upscale turn for the line that began with Norwegian Prima. Norwegian Viva will offer a wide range of suite categories (13), as well as the largest three-bedroom suites of any new cruise vessel. Inside Norwegian Viva, ocean view and balcony cabins also will be larger than has been typical for Norwegian ships in the past.

Related: My strange night out at Prima's new 'zero-waste' bar

Additionally, Norwegian Viva will offer the most outdoor deck space of any new cruise ship, according to the line, including more total pool deck space than any other ship in the brand's fleet other than Norwegian Prima.

Norwegian Viva will initially sail in the Mediterranean before repositioning to the Caribbean for the winter of 2023. Fares start at $849 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a seven-night Caribbean sailing out of Miami.

Seven Seas Grandeur

Maiden voyage: Nov. 25.

Every few years, Regent Seven Seas Cruises comes out with a new ship so luxurious that it verges on the ridiculous — and that, in a nutshell, is what Seven Seas Grandeur will be.

A sister vessel to Regent's Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor (unveiled in 2015 and 2020, respectively), the 750-passenger ship will, like its sisters, be one of the most expensive cruise vessels ever built with all sorts of over-the-top luxuries.

Expect soaring ceilings, inlaid marble floors, crystal chandeliers and Picassos on the walls, for starters.

When it comes to cabins, Seven Seas Grandeur will basically offer two choices: fancy and really, really fancy. Every one of the ship's 375 rooms will be a suite. Even the smallest accommodations will measure 307 square feet, which is not too shabby for a cruise ship. Many cabins will be much bigger, though.

Related: Inside Regent's super luxurious new ship

The biggest accommodation on board, the Regent Suite , will measure an astounding 4,443 square feet — nearly twice the square footage of the average American home. It'll cost $11,000 a night.

Seven Seas Grandeur will also offer an array of elegant and high-end restaurants, all of which are included in the fare.

This is what you would expect from Regent, of course. Known for its luxury focus, the 30-year-old brand has long operated some of the world's most elegant ships. Regent is the cruising equivalent of the hotel world's Four Seasons chain — a brand promising beautiful accommodations, refined food and pampering service.

After an initial transatlantic voyage from Barcelona to Miami, Seven Seas Grandeur will operate Caribbean sailings out of Miami for the winter before returning to Europe for the summer of 2024. Fares start at $4,439 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a seven-night Caribbean sailing out of Miami.

Celebrity Ascent

Maiden voyage: Dec. 3.

Celebrity Cruises will continue the rollout of its new Edge class of ships in 2023 with the unveiling of Celebrity Ascent — the fourth of five vessels in the series.

Like the last new Edge-class ship, the 8-month-old Celebrity Beyond , it'll be a stretched version of the two initial ships in the series ( Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex ), being both 20 meters longer and a deck taller.

As was the case with Celebrity Beyond, the extra length and height will allow for new and bigger venues, including an expanded "resort-within-a-resort" area for suite passengers called The Retreat and a greatly expanded Sunset Bar at the back of the vessel.

Like Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Ascent also will offer a redesigned Rooftop Garden area with increased seating, new private nooks and two new floating pools cantilevered over the side of the ship.

Another area that will be bigger on Celebrity Ascent than on the first two Edge-class ships is the three-deck-high Grand Plaza.

Related: The ultimate guide to Celebrity ships and itineraries

As was the case with Celebrity Beyond, Ascent will have 179 more cabins than its sister vessels, each of which has 1,467 cabins. That's about a 12% increase. As a result, Celebrity Ascent, like Celebrity Beyond, will hold 3,260 passengers at double occupancy. That's up from a 2,910-passenger capacity at double occupancy for Celebrity Apex and a 2,918-passenger capacity at double occupancy for Celebrity Edge.

Celebrity Ascent initially will sail to the Caribbean out of Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades. Fares start at $1,056 per person for a seven-night sailing.

Carnival Jubilee

Maiden voyage: Dec. 23.

Carnival Cruise Line will continue its move toward bigger ships in 2023 with the unveiling of Carnival Jubilee — the third vessel in its new Excel-class series.

Under construction at a shipyard in Germany, the 15-deck-high ship is a sister to the line's recently unveiled Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration , which have made waves in the past 18 months for their huge size and what may be the most unusual attraction ever on a cruise vessel: a deck-top roller coaster .

Like Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee will measure 181,808 tons, putting it in a tie with the former ships for the position of biggest ship ever to sail for Carnival. The two earlier vessels in the series are a whopping 35% bigger than the next-biggest Carnival ships currently afloat, and they are also bigger than all but 11 other cruise vessels in the world.

Also like Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee will have a roller coaster on its top deck. Dubbed Bolt: Ultimate Sea Coaster, it'll be similar to the roller coasters on its sister vessels, with an 800-foot-long track and vehicles that reach speeds of 40 mph — give or take.

Carnival Jubilee will also be designed to hold up to 6,630 passengers. That's just a tad below the 7,084 passengers that can fit aboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas — the world's largest cruise ship.

Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Jubilee will have a giant water park on its top deck and, like its sister, a far broader array of suites than earlier Carnival ships. However, the vessel won't be a carbon copy of the previous vessels. Carnival has said some new features are planned.

The development of ships on the scale of Carnival Jubilee and its sisters has been a big deal for Carnival. Until recently, the line had resisted the trend among major brands to build even-bigger vessels that offer a supersized megaresort-at-sea experience.

Carnival's last new vessel before the arrival of Mardi Gras in 2021, Carnival Panorama, didn't even crack the top 40 list of biggest ships when it debuted in 2019.

After an initial transatlantic voyage from Southampton, England, to Galveston, Texas, Carnival Jubilee will sail seven-night voyages to the Western Caribbean out of Galveston. Fares start at $549 per person, not including taxes and fees.

Other new ships

In addition to the above, newcomers for 2023 also include several small expedition ships and other small vessels from such cruise operators as Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Seabourn, Emerald Cruises, Vantage Travel and Atlas Ocean Voyages.

Viking also has a new ocean ship coming in 2023 that is a sister to earlier vessels.

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Royal Caribbean's newest ship is also its priciest. Here's what it's like spending as little as possible, with no lobster or other upgrades.

• Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas could be an expensive vacation compared to other cruise ships.
• Sailing on the mega-ship without paying for any of its upcharged amenities is possible.
• But it would mean spending at least $265 a day, staying sober, and repeating meals.

A budget vacation on Royal Caribbean's new wildly popular Icon of the Seas is possible. Just be prepared to stay sober, repeat meals, and pay at least $265 a day.

Right now, there's likely no better example of the mass-market cruise industry's shift toward the budget airline strategy — charge a cheap base fare and offer irresistible up-charged amenities — than Royal Caribbean's new world's largest cruise liner.

After all, what other ship comes with a $100,000-a-week cabin and a $200-per-person restaurant?

But it is possible to vacation on the mega-ship without giving into any of its upcharged restaurants and activities. If you're strong enough to do so, here's what your seven nights on Icon of the Seas could look like.

Be warned: It won't include lobsters or private lounges .

Less than half of Icon’s 28 eateries are complimentary, so you’ll likely repeat meals.

Picky eaters are sure to find at least one satisfactory option at the ship's three buffets, one of which is Mexican-themed.

If not, the complimentary pizza shop or sandwiches from the two on-board cafés might suffice.

In search of variety, grab a Mediterranean-style wrap or crepe at the five-stall food hall instead.

For a more formal dinner, budget cruisers can grub on a three-course meal at the complimentary dining room.

The three-floor restaurant has a rotating menu with classics like crab cakes, New York strip steak, and cheesecake.

Just don't expect lobster or filet mignon. Both cost extra.

For better or worse, guests snubbing upcharged options would also be snubbing booze.

Like most mass-market cruise ships, Icon of the Seas' 18 bars aren't free. If you want alcohol and sodas, be prepared to pay for a beverage package.

Thankfully, the ship’s complimentary amenities could distract you from your sobriety.

Icon's surf simulator and impressive six-slide waterpark won't run you a tab.

The same goes for its seven pools and nine hot tubs — save for one of each exclusive to guests who've booked a suite.

For drier activities, families could spend their afternoons scaling the rock climbing wall or testing their putt at the nine-hole mini-golf course.

Or they could work off their lunch buffet by sweating it out at the sports court — basketball and ping pong included — for no extra charges.

Fortunately, Icon of the Seas' nighttime entertainment is also a great equalizer. Its ice skating performance, rendition of the Broadway hit "Wizard of Oz," and multi-disciplinary dance, swim, and dive show are complimentary to all guests.

But if you want to test your fear of heights at the part-walking, part-agility, part-ziplining Crown's Edge , you'll have to cough up $49.

The arcade games aren't free, either.

Guests staying in suites have access to a shared outdoor lounge.

There's also the option to pay up to $700 for one day with a private cabana-like "casita."

But if you're on a budget, you'll have to fight "pool chair hogs" for the best poolside seating instead. (Consider bringing a sheet mask with you — a 25-minute facial at the ship's spa is almost $150.)

And hold off on your Instagram photo dumps until after your vacation.

Otherwise, you'll have to cough up $31 per day and device for streaming-enabled WiFi, totaling $217 for the duration of the cruise. (Icon of the Seas is exclusively operating seven-night sailings.)

But let’s face it: The base fare alone isn’t ultra-affordable compared to other cruise ships.

Patrick Scholes, a lodging and leisure research analyst at Truist Securities, told Business Insider in late 2023, three months before Icon's launch , that the vessel was priced at a premium of "at least 50%, if not more."

Steep, compared to the typical 20% to 50% new-ship premiums.

The cheapest interior stateroom for 2024 currently costs $265 per person per day.

But even the windowless cabin comes with its own list of upgrades.

Travelers who want to pick their own stateroom must pay an additional $128 per person. If they opt for one of the larger (by at least one square foot) interior cabins, it'll be an extra $100.

Which is to say, good luck avoiding any of the upcharged amenities on your Icon of the Seas vacation .

• Main content

Announcing the Hot List winners of 2024

By CNT Editors

It’s inevitable: every spring when we pull together the Hot List, our annual collection of the world’s best new hotels, restaurants, and cruise ships, a staffer remarks that this latest iteration has got to be the best one ever. After a year’s worth of traveling the globe—to stay the night at a converted farmhouse in the middle of an olive grove outside Marrakech, or sail aboard a beloved cruise line’s inaugural Antarctic voyage—it’s easy to see why we get attached. But this year’s Hot List, our 28th edition, might really be the best one ever. It’s certainly our most diverse, featuring not only a hotel suite that was once Winston Churchill’s office, but also the world’s largest cruise ship and restaurants from Cape Town to Bali. We were surprised and inspired by this year’s honorees, and we know you will be too. These are the Hot List hotel winners for 2024.

All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The best new hotels in the world: 2024 Hot List

Our editors pick the best new hotel openings across the world over the past 12 months – from London to New York via Bali, Dubai, Tokyo, Riyadh and beyond.

The best new hotels in Europe: 2024 Hot List

Our European edit features a hotel suite that was once Winston Churchill’s office and a much-anticipated slick addition to the buzzing Athens Riviera.

The best new hotels in Asia: 2024 Hot List

Asia’s hotel scene welcomed an array of notable openings in the last year, drawing our editor's attention to Sumba, Punakha, Jeju and more.

The best new hotels in North America and Mexico

Featuring a diverse mix of properties, from an intimate address on Fifth Avenue in New York, to a notable new addition for SHA Wellness.

The best new hotels in the Middle East and Africa: 2024 Hot List

Our editors discovered incredible new addresses in Saudi Arabia, Botswana, Morocco and more.

The best new hotels in Central and South America and The Caribbean

Beachside resorts and tented camps in Peru, Chile, Argentina and more.

The best new hotels in Australia and New Zealand

Our top picks from the year's openings in Australia and New Zealand.

The best new restaurants in the world: 2024 Hot List

It's not just the most charming new hotels our editors name in the annual Hot List – we also compile a list of the very best new restaurants, too. This year, the tables to book include a West African hotspot in London, a plant-focussed, women-led restaurant in Paris and a neighbourhood hangout in Lisbon.

The best new cruises in the world: 2024 Hot List

From superyachts to the world’s largest cruise ship.

See last year's winners in the Hot List 2023

• Announcing the 2023 Hot List winners
• The best new hotels in the world: 2023 Hot List
• The best new restaurants in the world: 2023 Hot List
• Best new cruises in the world: 2023 Hot List