BY THE end of this year, 167 new cruise ships will have been built since
2000, according to the Cruise Lines International Association.
Ranging in capacity from 32 to 5,400 passengers, these river and ocean
vessels have introduced an incredible array of designs, activities, dining and
accommodation at sea.
This year was one of the slowest for construction of ocean liners but one
of the fastest for newly built riverboats – a trend that looks set to continue
for the next couple of years.
Next year will see the launch of six newbuilds on the oceans, followed by
eight in 2015, while 2016 already has eight scheduled – including the newest
Seabourn yacht and, if you believe it, Clive Palmer’s Titanic II.
The following ships are gearing up to debut at sea next year and introduce
a lot more special features to cruisers.
NCL’s Norwegian Getaway
Launch: February 2014 in Miami
Passengers: 4,028
Shipyard: Meyer Werft, Germany
Best bits: Tropical themed outdoor bars and restaurants, Latin-inspired
food, the Grammy Museum, “Illusionarium” special-effects magic show, and
a Broadway show, “Legally Blonde.”
Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess
Launch: May 2014 in Europe
Passengers: 3,560
Shipyard: Fincantieri, Italy
Best bits: The SeaWalk, a glass-enclosed walkway extending beyond the
ship’s edge, poolside cabanas; Princess Live! television studio, and a larger
atrium known as the Piazza.
TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 3
Launch: May 2014 in Europe
Passengers: 2,506
Shipyard: STX Finland
Best bits: The most luxurious suites will have balconies located one level
above the 68 square-metre living area; 90% will be outside cabins and 82%
balcony cabins.
Pearl Cruises’ Pearl Mist
Launch: June 2014 in Canada
Passengers: 210
Shipyard: Irving, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Best bits: A small all-balcony ship, from a new cruise line, focusing on
activities such as hiking, fishing, music, art and food, with lectures and
excursions by naturalists, botanists and historians.
Costa Cruises’ Costa Diadema
Launch: October 2014 in Europe
Passengers: 3,700
Gross tonnage: 132,500
Shipyard: Fincantieri, Italy
Best bits: Italy’s biggest ship with a four-storey 7,800 m2 wellness area (day
spa, gym, 3 pools, 8 hot tubs), 7 restaurants, 15 bars, 4D cinema, threestorey
theatre, two-storey games area with laser shooting and video games.
Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas
Launch: November 2014 in New Jersey
Passengers: 4,180
Shipyard: Meyer Werft, Germany
Best bits: Bumper cars, skydiving simulator, the North Star pod that hangs
over the ship for panoramic views, and “virtual balconies” in inside cabins
(floor-to-ceiling TV screens linked to the ship’s external camera).
Other ships will be renamed and revamped early next year, such as
Windstar’s Star Pride (the former Seabourn Pride) and Orion becoming the
National Geographic Orion.
