Press Release
For Immediate Release
Record Number of New River Ships and Ocean Cruise Ships On Tap for 2015 and Beyond
CruiseCompete Provides a Comprehensive Listing of New Ships from the Cruise Lines
DETROIT (Jan. 22, 2015) – Cruise lines are meeting consumer demand with an incredible number of new ships that will debut over the next several years. While more ships are likely to be added, there are already an astounding 52 new ships debuting through 2018, with 25 ships slated to appear in 2015 alone. This breaks down to 7 ocean ships and 18 river ships in 2015, 11 ocean ships and 2 river ships in 2016, 7 ocean ships and 1 river ship in 2017, and 6 ocean ships in 2018.
(More ships are on their way. To see a continually updated, ever-growing list of new ships as they are announced, please click here.)
As is customary, with each new ship the cruise lines are introducing new technology and the best in “wow” amenities that the cruise industry has to offer. Among the most talked about for 2015 are three groundbreaking ships: Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas, Viking Ocean’s Viking Star and Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Escape.
The 4,180-passenger Anthem of the Seas (April 2015) will be a tech lover’s dream, with RipCord by iFLY®’’s sky-diving simulator, a 220-foot outdoor, poolside movie screen and 373 “virtual balconies” (inside cabins that show real-time views of the ocean and the ship’s destinations). The ship will also feature the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea, a FlowRider® surf simulator, and an H2O Zone kids' water park.
Viking Star (May 2015) is the first ocean-going ship by river cruise industry leader Viking. This 930-passenger ship strives for understated elegance with its Nordic sanctuary, “The Spa,” a carefully curated library and a theater that replaces traditional seating with comfortable and roomy sofa seating. The ship also features the World Café, with live cooking stations and al fresco dining, and Wintergarden, where guests can enjoy afternoon tea and witness a formal tea ceremony.
NCL’s Norwegian Escape (November 2015) puts the focus on luxury and relaxation. This ship boasts the largest Thermal Suite at sea in the Mandara Spa, as well as the line’s first ever Snow Room, a cold environment said to stimulate circulation. The Norwegian Escape also features warm waterfalls in Spice H2O’s grotto, and an oversized hot tub, lavish chaise lounges and a full-service bar at the adults-only Vibe Beach Club. This 4,248-passenger ship also features The Haven, a “ship-within-a-ship” with private key-card access to the vessel’s most deluxe and spacious accommodations. Guest who stay within The Haven have full access to all the ship has to offer, as well as the personal service of a 24-hour butler and concierge.
This is just a sampling of what’s in store with the new ships – there are many more on their way. (To see a comprehensive list of ships that are currently sailing/booking, please click here.)
Below is a listing of all ships currently announced to debut through 2018:
Contemporary Cruise Lines
- Aida Cruises will debut the AIDAprima March 2015. It will carry 3,250 passengers.
- Aida Cruises will debut AIDAstella in March 2016. It will carry 3,250 passengers.
- Blue Star Line will debut the Titanic II 2018. It will carry 2,435 passengers.
- Carnival Cruise Lines will debut the Carnival Vista Spring 2016. It will carry 4,000 passengers.
- Carnival Cruise Lines will debut a not-yet-named ship in March 2018. The ship will carry 3,954 passengers.
- MSC Cruises will debut a new ship in January 2017, name to be determined.
- MSC Cruises will debut a new Seaside Class Vessel in November 2017. It will carry 5,300 passengers.
- MSC Cruises will debut a new Seaside Class Vessel in May 2018. It will carry 5,300 passengers.
- P & O Cruises will debut the Britannia Spring 2015. It will carry 3,600 passengers.
- Star Cruises will debut the Super Star Sagittarius Fall 2016. It will carry 4,500 passengers.
- Star Cruises will debut a new ship Fall 2017. It will carry 4,500 passengers. Name is to be determined.
- Norwegian Cruise Line will debut the Norwegian Escape in October 2015. It will carry 4,200 passengers.
- Norwegian Cruise Line will debut the Norwegian Bliss in Spring 2017. It will carry 4,200 passengers.
- Norwegian Cruise Line will debut a new Breakaway-Plus class ship in the second quarter of 2018. It will carry 4,200 passengers.
- Royal Caribbean International will debut the Anthem of the Seas 2015. It will carry 4,905 passengers.
- Royal Caribbean International will debut a new Quantum Class ship, the Ovation of the Seas, in Fall 2016. It will carry 4,180 passengers.
- Royal Caribbean International will debut a new Oasis Class ship in 2018. It will carry 5,400 passengers.
- Celebrity Cruises will debut a new EDGE ship in autumn 2018. It will carry 2,900 passengers.
- Holland America Line will debut a new Pinnacle Class ship, ms Koningsdam, in February 2016. It will carry 2,660 passengers.
- Holland America Line will debut a second Pinnacle class ship in November 2016. It will carry 2,650 passengers.
- Tui Cruises will debut the Mein Schiff 4 in 2015. It will carry 2,500 passengers.
- Tui Cruises will debut the Mein Schiff 5 in 2016. It will carry 2,500 passengers.
- Tui Cruises will debut the Mein Schiff 6 in 2017. It will carry 2,500 passengers.
- Princess Cruises will debut a new Royal Princess Class vessel to be delivered in 2017. It will carry 3,600 passengers.
- Windstar Cruises will debut the Star Breeze April 2015. It will carry 212 passengers.
- Windstar Cruises will debut the Star Legend May 2015. It will carry 212 passengers.
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises will debut the Seven Seas Explorer Summer 2016. It will carry 738 passengers.
- Seabourn will debut a new ship in June 2016. It will carry 604 passengers. The name is to be determined.
- Viking Oceans will debut the Viking Star in 2015. It will carry 930 passengers.
- Viking Oceans will debut the Viking Sky in 2016. It will carry 930 passengers..
- AmaWaterways will debut the AmaDara August 2015. It will carry 124 passengers.
- AmaWaterways will debut the AmaSerena April 2015. It will carry 164 passengers.
- American Cruise Lines will debut the American Eagle in March 2015. It will carry 150 passengers.
- American Cruise Lines will debut a new ship in Spring 2015 on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. It will carry 175 passengers.
- American Cruise Lines will debut a two new ships, one in 2016 and one in 2017. Names are to be determined.
- Avalon Waterways will debut the Avalon Myanmar September 2015. It will carry 36 passengers.
- Avalon Waterways will debut the Avalon Siem Ream January 2015. It will carry 36 passengers.
- Avalon Waterways will debut the Avalon Tapestry II March 2015. It will carry 128 passengers.
- Avalon Waterways will debut the Avalon Tranquility II March 2015. It will carry 128 passengers.
- Belmond Afloat in France will debut the Belmond Fleur de Lys in April 2015. It will carry 6 passengers.
- Emerald Waterways will debut the Emerald Dawn April 2015. It will carry 182 passengers.
- Emerald Waterways will debut the Emerald Sun April 2015. It will carry 182 passengers.
- Haimark, Ltd will debut the Irrawaddy Explorer in September 2014. It will carry 56 passengers.
- Haimark, Ltd will debut the Ganges Voyager in 2015. It will carry 56 passengers.
- Scenic Cruises will debut the Scenic Jasper April 2015. It will carry 128 passengers.
- Scenic Cruises will debut the Scenic Opal April 2015. It will carry 128 passengers.
- Tauck River Cruising will debut the MS Esprit April 2015. It will carry 118 passengers.
- Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection will debut the S.S. Maria Theresa March 2015. It will carry 155 passengers.
- Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection will debut the Ganges Voyager II in 2016. It will carry 56 passengers.
- Viking River Cruises will debut the Viking Astrid May 2015. It will carry 96 passengers
- Viking River Cruises will debut the Viking Beyla April 2015. It will carry 98 passengers
- Ponant will debut the Le Lyrial 2015. It will carry 244 passengers
CruiseCompete has the most well educated, forward thinking and trusted cruise specialists in the industry. If you’d like more information on any of these ships or assistance planning a cruise vacation, please visit CruiseCompete.com.
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