new aida cruise ship

• Wednesday, May 15, 2024

CruiseToTravel

First look at aida cruises new flagship aidacosma as she floats out.

AIDAcosma has left the Meyer Werft covered building dock II (Hall 6). The 337-meter-long ship is the sister ship of AIDAnova, which was completed in 2018 as the world’s first cruise ship to run entirely on liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Only a few days after workers from the Meyer Werft shipyard installed the propellers on AIDAcosma , the new flagship for AIDA Cruises has left the giant building dock and made her first big appearance. The new ship is now moored at the outfitting pier in the shipyard harbor. Here the masts and funnel are lifted onto the ship by crane and assembled.

The keel for AIDAcosma was laid at the Neptun Werft shipyard in Germany. back in October 2019. The sister ship of AIDAnova features 20 decks and space for 2,600 staterooms. A new feature on AIDAcosma is the Fun Park complete with children’s pool, a twin water chute and the Water Slide. For the first time, the outdoor Sport Deck will have a boulder wall. The crowning touch is the breathtaking infinity pool. The ship has more spaces in the sun on the three tiered Sun Decks above.

Guests will be pampered in culinary terms at 17 restaurants and 23 bars. The diverse range of gastronomic choices is being enhanced with a new restaurant: The Beach House Restaurant will be serving deliciously summery and light dishes. The interior, in soft cream and sand shades, conjures up a pure vacation feel. The specialty restaurant Mamma Mia is also new, offering home-made pasta and fresh Italian cuisine with table service. The many public amenities include the Theatrium, shops, a disco, a gym area, the lavish Body & Soul Organic Spa, and the clubs for tiny tots, kids and teens.

During the development and design of this class of ship, German cruise line AIDA Cruises and the shipyard focussed strongly on energy efficiency. Part from being equipped with low emission LNG engines, heat recovery, innovative electric motors, LED lighting, biocide-free underwater coatings for drag reduction and weight optimization in the selection of materials are just a few of the measures taken to make the ship as environmentally friendly as possible.

In the coming weeks the interior outfitting of AIDAcosma will be completed. The ship will then embark on the Ems passage to complete the technical and nautical sea trials.

Also read : Up close and personal with Iona

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Pearl of the Mediterranean: the new AIDA cruise ship

After a protracted construction period, AIDA Cruises’ new ship, AIDAperla, is finally on the water. Boasting a new dual-fuel engine room, slender hull and foil-covered domes, the vessel was worth the wait, as Christian Schönrock, the group’s director of new builds, tells Ross Davies.

“Size creates space, and space creates individuality,” says Christian Schönrock, director of new builds at AIDA Cruises. He’s speaking to World Cruise Industry Review over the phone from his office in Germany. It’s an epigram that neatly encapsulates the design and construction of the latest addition to AIDA’s growing fleet of vessels, AIDAperla.

Christened in June 2017, AIDAperla is the Costa-owned brand’s 12th ship, following the introduction of sister vessel AIDAprima last year. Its impressive measurements include 125,000 gross tonnage, a length of 300.0m and width of 37.6m. The ship’s total capacity encompasses 3,300 passengers and 900 crew members.

As is often the case with builds of such size, AIDAperla’s origins can be traced back some way – almost a decade, in fact. “It really goes back to 2009, when we were starting to think about the future of cruising, and what the future of AIDA would look like,” says Schönrock. “I know everyone always talks about design starting from a blank canvas but, in this instance, it really was the case. It’s taken a while, but we put everything underneath the microscope and developed a completely new concept.”

Efficient fuel

A fundamental feature of the ‘future of cruising’ was – and still is – efficient fuel consumption and minimising environmental impact. AIDAperla has dual fuel engines, including a liquefied natural gas (LNG) option that can be provided portside. On the vessel’s introductory tour through the Mediterranean in June 2017 ahead of its christening in Palma de Mallorca, AIDAperla was supplied with LNG in Barcelona, where AIDA has struck a deal with the port authority to use its fuel facilities. At the time of writing, the cruise line is said to be in discussions with other ports in the region for similar arrangements, as it looks to dial down its emissions.

“We are one of the first groups to gravitate towards LNG, but there is no tank on board to store the fuel. So it has to be fed from the outside,” says Schönrock. In 2011, AIDA’s dual-fuel AIDAsol was the first vessel to use LNG, although only in port. Another notable green feature of the engine room is the incorporation of the Mitsubishi air lubrication system. The system covers the underside of the vessel with a carpet of fine air bubbles. These help to reduce the friction between the hull and water, saving energy and reducing fuel consumption by 7%, according to AIDA’s estimates. “We are the first commercial ship to have this air lubrication system installed,” says Schönrock. “It works very well.”

Difficult beginnings

Both AIDAperla and AIDAprima were built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries at its shipyard in Nagasaki, Japan. AIDA and Mitsubishi share a history dating back to the last decade, when the Japanese group took orders in 2004 from P&O Princess Cruises – AIDA’s previous owner before its acquisition by Carnival Group – for the Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess. When it came to tender responses for AIDAperla’s construction, Mitsubishi was first in line, says Schönrock, forking out $650 million in 2011 for the privilege.

“The team at Mitsubishi is not new to shipbuilding – or to us, for that matter – so the team took part in a lot of bidding processes to get the project,” he says. “It was a good fit for Mitsubishi, because, as an owner, we were able to give a clear idea of what we wanted. The company fought really hard to work with us.”

But the building process was not without its problems. Due to delays at the shipyard, completion of both AIDAprima and AIDAperla was a year overdue – taking three years in total from start to finish. Such was the holdup that in 2016, Mitsubishi CEO Shunichi Miyanaga was obliged to issue a galling public statement revealing the group had struggled with cost overruns and accrued losses exceeding $1.7 billion.

According to Schönrock, Mitsubishi drastically misjudged the job in hand: giving life to an entirely new prototype. This caused the planning process to overrun, and from there the group was forced to play catch-up.

“This ship was a real prototype with demanding specifications,” he says. “The shipyard underestimated the complexity of what was a super-modern project, and also underestimated the amount of time needed to develop the basic design for such a ship.

“Also, during construction, they realised that while they had done good jobs in the past, this was a real challenge. The experience of building a ship ten years ago doesn’t really compare to building a ship these days. It’s more complex. They weren’t ready.”

While the delay was “not ideal”, AIDA has ended up with “a really great product”, Schönrock says of the ship, which finally arrived in European waters in May 2017.

Under the hatch

In the engine room, AIDAperla makes use of a diesel-electric propulsion system, integrating three Caterpillar M 43 C diesel units and a Caterpillar M 46 DF dual-fuel marine engine. The ship can travel at speeds of up to 21.5kt.

Propulsion power is supplied by two Azipod thrusters from ABB, contributing to reduced noise, vibration and fuel consumption. Three funnel thrusters are also in place to allow easier manoeuvrability in port.

AIDAperla’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system was supplied by Danish group Novenco Marine & Offshore, which also worked on AIDAprima. This includes 71 air-handling units with frequency converter and enthalpy wheels; over 150 single fans; 130 electric motorpowered, ceiling-mounted fan coils; and 1,700 fan coils for passenger berths.

“For all the technical systems, the focus is on energy efficiency,” explains Schönrock. “So all systems are operated with frequency-controlled electric motors. We have analysis and support systems in order to better measure our consumption. For the air conditioning, we went through each and every system with Novenco, and discussed how we could improve them.”

AIDAperla is also conspicuous for its slender hull, which includes a perpendicular 261m-long bow. The hull was developed by Carnival, Mitsubishi and the Hamburg Shipbuilding Research Institute.

The ship’s design was undertaken by Partner Ship Design (PSD). Operating out of Hamburg, Germany, and run by senior partners Kai Bunge and Siegfried Schindler, PSD has worked with AIDA for over a decade on other vessels, so “instinctively knew exactly what we were after”, according to Schönrock.

Design inspiration

“I’d say the whole ship is an architectural innovation,” Schönrock says. “Right from the beginning, we’ve focused on having a close relationship with our architects, as we do with all our partners and clients. We developed ideas from scratch, really, directly together with Kai and Siegfried. So from the beginning, we were discussing with them the idea of optimising space. For this, we took inspiration from our current fleet, but we made a lot of changes.”

Schönrock cites the example of the public deck, situated amidships, and the introduction of more balcony cabins – AIDAperla has 1,643 cabins in total, spread over 18 decks. There’s an upper deck with several enclosed areas, as well as two pool areas covered by foil domes, allowing passengers the opportunity to take a dip in colder weather.

“With the upper deck, we have really created an outer landscape, alternating between indoors and outdoors,” says Schönrock. “Using foil domes instead of glass for the pool areas is also a world first. The flexibility of foil is also fantastic – you can create completely different rooms.”

It might have taken a little longer than hoped for AIDAperla to get past the drawing board at Mitsubishi’s shipyard. But with the new build having taken its maiden tour of the western Mediterranean, it appears to have been worth the wait.

“It’s taken a lot to design and to develop this product,” says Schönrock. “But we are very proud that it is working as we expected. It’s one thing designing something but it’s another thing for it to operate and work well. And, best of all, the passengers appreciate it.”

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Watch: MHI Delivers “AIDAprima,” a New-Generation Cruise Ship

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) completed delivery of the AIDAprima, the first of two large cruise ships being built for AIDA Cruises at MHI’s Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works. A ceremony to mark the occasion was attended by Michael Thamm, CEO of the Costa Group, and Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises, representing the new owner, and Shunichi Miyanaga, President and CEO, and Yoichi Kujirai, Senior Executive Vice President and President/CEO of Commercial Aviation & Transportation Systems, representing MHI. The parties signed the formal delivery documents, and the national flag at the ship’s stern was changed from Japan’s Hinomaru to the Tricolore of Italy.

After the ceremony the AIDAprima set sail from the Nagasaki Shipyard heading to Hamburg, Germany. The AIDAprima is scheduled to commence its first regular cruise from Hamburg on April 30, including port stops in Rotterdam (Netherlands), Zeebrugge (Belgium), Le Havre (France) and Southampton (United Kingdom). Its official public presentation in Europe will take place at a christening ceremony to be held on May 7 as part of the 827th Hamburg Port Anniversary celebrations taking place from May 5 through 8.

Construction of the second of the two ships will now be streamlined leveraging the knowledge gained from building the AIDAprima.

“AIDAprima is the first ship of an entirely new AIDA product family. With creativity and great innovativeness, our team has managed to implement our high standards in terms of product quality and environmental friendliness in an exemplary and impressive way. We are extremely pleased with the successful design of the ship, and look forward to welcoming guests aboard her, who are going to be equally impressed,” said Michael Thamm, CEO Costa Group, on the occasion of the ship’s handover.

Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises, speaking at the AIDAprima’s delivery ceremony, stated: “20 years ago, AIDA launched its concept of modern cruising. With our new flagship and the three newbuilds to follow, the company will continue to provide important growth impulses for the German cruise market. We are once again charting new territory by being the first German cruise line to offer cruises starting from Germany the whole year round. I am convinced that we will reach new guest groups with our unique variety of offerings aboard AIDAprima.”

Shunichi Miyanaga, MHI President and CEO, commented: “We are proud to deliver AIDAprima, the first of a new generation of energy-efficient cruise ships superbly equipped to provide a fantastic cruising experience. Given the cutting-edge nature of the ship, construction was challenging but ultimately we built a cruise ship of the very highest quality, offering superior comfort and entertainment features for passengers. It provided us with many key learnings to enable a smoother construction process for future vessels – starting with AIDAprima’s sister ship.”

The AIDAprima has 18 decks, is 300 meters in overall length, and has a gross tonnage of 125,000 tons. Among its numerous indoor public amenities are a 3-story multi-purpose theater in the center of the ship’s atrium, 12 restaurants, 18 bars, shops, a 3,100 m2 “Body & Soul” area, discotheque, casino and micro-brewery. The uppermost deck has two swimming pools under large foil domes (one with a water slide) and an ice skating rink. The ship has a total of 1,643 staterooms, making it the most expansive ship in the AIDA Cruises fleet.

The AIDAprima is the world’s first cruise ship equipped with the “Mitsubishi Air Lubrication System” (MALS)1, MHI’s proprietary technology that enhances fuel efficiency. Other cutting-edge technologies that save energy, increase automation and reduce manpower needs include a pod propulsion system2, liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel supply system, the latest gas emissions treatment system, and a new air-conditioning system that saves on energy consumption by using waste heat. The AIDAprima is also equipped with state-of-the-art technologies to ensure safety onboard. Together these features make the AIDAprima a next-generation large cruise ship sure to make every AIDA cruise a unique and special experience.

1. Mitsubishi Air Lubrication System (MALS): An innovative system in which air blown out from the vessel’s bottom produces small air bubbles that cover the vessel bottom like an “air-carpet,” reducing friction between the hull and seawater during navigation. MALS also enables a significant reduction in energy usage and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

2. Pod propulsion system: A propulsion system whereby a ship’s propellers are turned by cocoon-shaped attachments called “pods” that have built-in electric motors. The advantages of a pod propulsion system include its ability to reduce fuel consumption, outstanding steering performance because the pods rotate, low noise and vibration because there is no propeller shaft, and greater freedom in the system’s placement within the ship.

Main Specifications of the AIDAprima

Gross tonnage: Approx. 125,000 tons Length overall: 300 meters Width: 37.6 meters No. of decks: 18 No. of staterooms: 1,643 (accommodating up to 3,286 passengers)

Reference:  mhiglobal.com

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AIDA Cruises launches 2024 season from Warnemunde (ship AIDAmar)

On Sunday, April 14th, AIDAmar ship marked the start of 2024’s cruise season in Port Warnemunde serving as the homeport for AIDA Cruises .

Throughout 2024, AIDAmar and AIDAdiva are slated to make a total of 69 calls (April 14 through November 4), representing nearly half of all cruise ship visits to Warnemunde.

AIDAmar is scheduled to visit Warnemunde 40 times during the season, offering guests the opportunity to embark on voyages ranging from 3 to 12 days to destinations in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Poland, and other Baltic and Scandinavian countries.

Meanwhile, AIDAdiva will embark on 7-day journeys from Warnemunde to Norway, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Finland, and Estonia, with additional 4- and 5-day trips to Scandinavia in October. Noteworthy are the 12-day expeditions to the Baltic States, including Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, and Sweden. A highlight of the 2024 season is the simultaneous docking of both ships in Warnemunde on 5 occasions: June 8, July 6, August 24, September 21, and October 31.

AIDA Cruises will actively participate in various events in Warnemunde throughout 2024. During the Hanse Sail event from August 8-11, both AIDAmar (August 9) and AIDAdiva (August 10) will be present, with AIDA serving as a sponsor for the renowned maritime event. The Rostock Cruise Festival in September will witness the simultaneous presence of both AIDA ships on September 21, also supported by AIDA as a sponsor. Additionally, AIDAmar will host a children’s concert on October 17 as part of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival.

For AIDA Cruises, the implementation of shore power technology represents a vital step in reducing local emissions from ships. 9 out of 11 AIDA vessels are currently equipped with shore power capabilities, including all ships departing from German ports for cruises in the North and Baltic Seas this summer. In Warnemunde, shore power facilities are planned for all 69 visits by AIDAdiva and AIDAmar, even during overlapping port calls.

Celebrations for the season opening on April 14th, featured a festive event at the Rostock-Warnemunde cruise terminal, including the participation of the traditional 3-master ship Santa Barbara Anna alongside AIDAmar. Festivities commenced at 11:00 a.m. on the central pier, with the highlight being the departure of AIDAmar in the evening, accompanied by music, as she embarked on her journey to Gotland and Stockholm .

Carnival Corporation Completes Fleetwide Rollout of SpaceX’s Starlink

• May 14, 2024

Carnival Corporation has completed the rollout of Starlink internet connectivity across its fleet.

Guests and crew onboard Carnival ships can use the high-speed, low-latency connectivity to stay connected, stream content and work remotely. 

“Starlink has been a game-changer for the onboard connectivity experience our cruise lines deliver to their guests, and we’ve already seen a surge in guest satisfaction and positive feedback from the super-fast and reliable Wi-Fi service we provide onboard,” said Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation. 

“We see this technology as a win-win-win – it provides our guests with more flexibility to stay as connected as they’d like on vacation, it allows our crew to stay in touch with friends and loved ones, and it enhances our onboard operational systems.”

The company began its fleetwide rollout of Starlink in December 2022 with Carnival Cruise Line and AIDA Cruises ships, followed by Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises (Australia), Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and Cunard.

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14 Brand New Cruise Ships That Have It All

Posted: May 8, 2024 | Last updated: May 8, 2024

The shipping news

From vertigo-inducing slides and waterparks (including the largest waterpark at sea) and decadent afternoon teas to luxurious, marble-floored suites and hybrid, eco-focused ships – cruising is set to wow in 2024 and beyond. The newest ships offer something for all ages and every type of traveler, whether you’re after a quiet vacation or something seriously adrenaline-fueled.

Click or scroll through the gallery to discover a selection of the best new river and ocean vessels to get excited about, launching between now and the end of 2024, plus some 2025 inclusions too...

January 2024: Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean

Never one to do things by halves, Royal Caribbean has created the world's largest cruise ship – at a whopping 1,198 feet, with space for 7,600 passengers on board. Icon of the Seas, the first of the line's Icon-class ships, is scheduled to set sail in January 2024 – and people are excited about it. In fact, when the ship's first sailing went online in October 2022, the cabins sold out in hours. Icon features 20 decks and eight themed neighborhoods, including Thrill Island, home to the largest waterpark at sea and six record-breaking slides; and Chill Island, which boasts the line's first swim-up bar at sea.

With a pool for every day of the week, including the largest at sea and a suspended infinity pool, as well as more than 40 restaurants, bars and nightclubs, you'll never be bored on board. For more fun, head out on the line's largest ice rink or marvel at the ship's waterfall. For entertainment, visit the AquaDome (pictured), which is perched on top of Icon and hosts aqua shows and theater by night. 

Cabins span 28 categories and include Family Infinite Balcony suites, with a separate bunk alcove for kids, decked out with TVs, beds and chill-out areas (pictured), or to splash the cash, book the three-story family townhouses. Icon of the Seas will sail year-round, seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean trips from Miami. 

February 2024: Sun Princess, Princess Cruises

When Sun Princess launches this year she will be Princess Cruises’ largest (and 16th) ship, with room for 4,300 passengers. Currently under construction in Italy, Sea Princess will pay tribute to Europe’s ship-building heritage, with public spaces inspired by Santorini’s famous terraces and the beautiful Piazza found on Princess’s other ships. 

Sun Princess will have a staggering 29 restaurants, lounges and bars. We’re predicting the most popular spot will be the three-story Piazza, with its enormous LED screen and various eating and drinking spots – including the Coffee Currents cafe, a new concept for Princess. There’s also the Dome, a glass dome with an indoor-outdoor pool that transforms into a stage at night and will be the setting for adrenaline-fueled acrobatic performances. 

Sun Princess’s 2,157 total staterooms (including 50 suites and 100 connecting rooms) will include a new cabin category. Passengers who bag one of the new Signature Collection cabins will enjoy luxury amenities and access to the Signature restaurant, as well as the Signature Collection sundeck and lounge. Sun Princess’s inaugural season will focus on the western Mediterranean. 

March 2024: Ama Magdalena, AmaWaterways

Although AmaMagdalena will have just 30 staterooms, there’ll be no shortage of space – all will have a twin balcony design, and will measure between 237 and 516 square feet. Amenities include the whirlpool (located on the ship’s sundeck) and a large fitness room, while the main restaurant will specialize in Western and Latin American cuisine.

Wondering about the name? It’s a nod to her home turf – Colombia’s Magdalena River. AmaWaterways will become the first major cruise line to offer sailings along this particular river, and they’re expected to be especially popular with wildlife fans, including twitchers keen to see Colombia’s 1,900 bird species (bonus points if you spot a rare Cianeguo hummingbird).

March 2024: AmaLilia, AmaWaterways

AmaLilia's 41 staterooms will accommodate 82 guests, and the swankiest cabins include the 13 suites, which have marble bathrooms featuring bathtubs as well as showers, and twin balconies from which to admire the views of the Nile. Africa's longest river will be her home turf, more specifically the stretches which weave past Egypt's the Great Sphinx and the three Pyramids of Giza.

There will be just two restaurants – a main restaurant and Chef's Table, for fine dining. Both will regularly serve up Egyptian delicacies, although it's not the only way in which guests can gain an insight into this beautiful region. The ship's crew will include an Egyptologist, and passengers who don't fancy joining group tours of the archaeological sites lining the Nile can sign up for various exclusive excursions, including private tours of the tomb of Queen Nefertari.

April 2024: Avalon Alegria, Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways' newest ship will have 37 Panorama Suites and 14 staterooms, but don't worry if you don't bag a suite – Avalon Alegria's staterooms will be 30% larger than the ones on other Avalon ships. The vessel has been designed to make the most of the views, with panoramic windows throughout and a sky-deck which includes its very own premium lounges. It's easy to stay connected, too – the ship will use Starlink for lightning-fast wifi. The best bit? It's included in the price. 

This particular ship is all about the added extras, whether it's the extra space in the staterooms, the window-facing beds (a rarity on river boats) or the way guests can hire fitness gear from the onboard gym. When it comes to dining, it's all about quality over quantity. Head to the main dining room for delicious buffets or to the Panorama Dining Room for decadent afternoon teas and four-course dinners.

April 2024: Amadeus Nova, Amadeus River Cruises

Amadeus Nova will have 12 suites with balconies and 67 exterior cabins with panoramic windows. The most sought-after spots look set to be the Lido Bar on the sun deck, along with the elegant Cafe Vienna for that all-important caffeine fix. She will sail along the Danube, offering cruises between Vienna and Bucharest and Passau and Budapest.

Amadeus Nova will be a seriously sustainable ship, relying on hybrid diesel-electric power and engines which significantly reduce emissions with the help of various hi-tech filters and catalysts. Heat recovery systems use excess heat from the engine room to heat public areas and highly insulated glass minimizes heat loss in winter.

May 2024: Queen Anne, Cunard Line

Love a fun fact? When the Queen Anne sets sail in 2024, she’ll be the 249th ship to sail under the Cunard flag, and her launch will mark the first time since 1999 that Cunard has had four ships sailing the seas simultaneously. Her 3,000 passengers will stay in cabins spread over 14 decks, and there will be a huge selection of restaurants (15 in total), ranging from Cunard staples such as the Princess Grill to dining concepts being rolled out by Cunard for the first time.  

There will be six categories of accommodation and cabins have been designed by Sybille de Margerie, whose portfolio includes Atlantis, The Royal Residences in Dubai. The ship’s piece de resistance will almost certainly be the three-story lobby, closely followed by the ornate 835-seat Royal Court Theater. Another reason to love this ship, which will initially sail the waters of Northern Europe? It will be helmed by Inger Klein Thorhauge – Cunard’s first female captain.

June 2024: Silver Ray. Silversea

Silver Ray will be a sister ship to (and a mirror image of) Silver Nova. Silver Ray will be similarly spacious, with one of the highest space-to-guest ratios of any ship in Silversea's fleet. She'll have a maximum capacity of 728 passengers, and with 544 crew passengers, you can expect to be waited on hand and foot – thanks in part to the cruise line's legendary butler service. The eight restaurants will include several which have become Silversea staples, including S.A.L.T for regional cuisine.

Public areas will include the pool deck, Dusk Bar and Arts Cafe, and further details about onboard amenities will be released prior to her first sailing in June 2024. She'll spend her first few months sailing around the Mediterranean, offering itineraries which take in Athens, Venice and Rome.

June 2024: Viking Vela, Viking Cruises

Bagging a room with a view won’t be an issue on Viking Vela – every stateroom will have its own veranda. The 499 cabins can accommodate a maximum of 998 guests, and the ship’s restaurants will include Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant, The Chef's Table and the World Cafe. Keep an eye out for the onboard art collection, which includes several paintings by Edvard Munch.

The amenity many passengers will love is the spa, more specifically the snow grotto and thermal area, inspired by Scandinavian bathing rituals. The idea is that passengers alternate between the snow grotto and the sauna (although we totally understand the temptation to stick to the latter!). The ship will specialize in Mediterranean cruises.

June 2024: American Liberty, American Cruise Lines

There will be just 100 guests on American Liberty, a compact vessel which American Cruise Lines says will offer expedition-style river sailing, thanks to its ability to slip into smaller ports. Every cabin will have a balcony, and it will have one particularly cool amenity – an activity platform at the stern of the boat designed for passengers who fancy a watersports session, or (if the weather allows) a dip in whichever river it's floating down.

American Liberty will spend her inaugural season sailing around New England's islands, a region which has inspired the decor – think homely color palettes, furnishings and artworks. Impressively, American Cruise Lines currently has five new ships under construction, some of which will offer sailings along the Mississippi and Columbia Rivers.

July 2024: Porto Mirante, Riviera Travel

Porto Mirante will accommodate 120 guests in 60 cabins. Highlights include the sun deck with its splash pool – perfect for those days when the mercury cranks up – and the spacious lounge, with its floor-to-ceiling windows.

The ship will initially stick to the Douro River, offering seven-night sailings which depart and finish in Porto. The sailings are ideal for cruise fans with a dislike of unexpected added extras – the price of every cruise includes transfers, all onboard meals, a superior drinks package, complimentary onboard tea and coffee, plus wifi.

July 2024: Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean

This will be one of the largest ships to launch in 2024, with room for 5,668 passengers. But it’s not the size which sets Utopia apart – there will be several Royal Caribbean firsts, including a Caribbean tiki bar, an immersive dining experience (details of which are yet to be revealed) and the longest dry slide at sea.

Utopia, which will be an Oasis class ship, will initially offer Caribbean sailings, the departure point for which will be Florida. Guests certainly won’t be going hungry – there will be 11 complimentary dining options, including a poolside food truck; as well as 12 specialty restaurants; plus 13 bars where passengers can enjoy a sundowner.

August 2024: Explora II, Explora Journeys

Explora II’s 461 suites will include 371 Ocean Terrace and Ocean Grand Terrace Suites, 22 Ocean Residences and – for those with cash to splash – one truly spectacular Owner’s Residence. Passengers can soak up the views from some of the largest balconies at sea, and all suites will have floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious walk-in wardrobes with seated vanity areas.

Passengers who can drag themselves away from their suites can take a dip in four pools (three are outdoor and one is indoor with a retractable roof) or retreat to one of 64 poolside cabanas. Did we mention the spa, which will cover 27,000 square feet? In addition to nine treatment rooms there’ll be a beauty salon and thermal area. Explora II will initially offer Mediterranean itineraries before heading for the Arabian Gulf.

November 2024: Estrela, APT Travel-marvel

Bigger is definitely better on board when it comes to Estrela, which will have the largest pool of any ship sailing along Portugal’s Douro River, along with a putting green, supersized fitness center and various areas designed without outdoor exercise in mind. There will be 60 suites and staterooms and the ship will have a maximum capacity of 120 passengers.

Estrela’s sailings will focus on Portugal and APT was keen that its newest ship reflected the destination. They commissioned Portuguese ship builders to construct the vessel and paid homage to the destination in a variety of ways, including via the decor, cuisine and entertainment. 

December 2024: Disney Treasure, Disney Cruise Line

Now for something guaranteed to appeal to younger cruisers. Disney Treasure, the sister ship to Disney Wish, has been designed with explorers in mind, and pays tribute to Walt Disney’s love of travel with decor inspired by wanderlust-inducing Disney movies such as Aladdin and Zootopia . Highlights will include a Marvel-themed dining experience and 1923, a restaurant filled with artwork from Disney’s most famous animated films. The ship's inaugural season will be spent in the eastern and western Caribbean.

The vast majority of the ship’s 1,256 staterooms will offer an ocean view, while 70% will have a veranda. Other highlights will include the Grand Hall, where passengers can meet their favorite Disney characters; the Walt Disney Theater, which will be the setting for Broadway-quality shows; and the Hero Zone, a fun-filled area where passengers can take part in game show-style competitions and sign up for action-packed physical challenges.

Spring 2025: Alma, Tui Cruises

Finally a look ahead into 2025, more specifically at the first newbuild ship being launched by TUI River Cruises. When TUI Alma sets sail next year she’ll have 62 cabins spread over four decks. We’re predicting that the top deck, with its sun lounger-surrounded pool, will be the most popular spot, although we’re also excited about the cuisine – the ship’s restaurants will include one specializing in Portuguese delicacies.

The ship’s first sailings will take place in spring 2025, and Alma will initially be based on Portugal’s Douro River, offering seven-night sailings that start and finish in Porto. The sailings are designed to highlight five specific riverside locations, including Entre-os-Rios, Peso de Regua, Vega de Terron and Barca d’Alva.

June 2025: Allura, Oceania Cruises

Oceania, which will have 613 staterooms and will initially offer itineraries focusing on the eastern Mediterranean, says that Allura will have the most spacious standard staterooms at sea – they’ll cover 291 square feet. Space won't be the only thing in abundance – there'll be one chef for every 10 guests, a reminder that Oceania Cruises takes its food very seriously. Details of the restaurants are yet to be revealed, but there will be five in total and every venue will pay tribute to a specific type of cuisine.

Allura will spend her first summer sailing around the Mediterranean (her first sailing will be a seven-day voyage from Athens to Istanbul, departing in early June 2025), before heading to Canada and New England. Her first winter will be spent in the Caribbean, and her launch will bring the total number of ships in Oceania’s fleet to eight.

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