This year will bring 19 new vessels to the U.S. cruise market. Some of these new ships will be the first of their class. Five of the more notable ships are worth following:
Ocean Vista
The first new ship for Oceania Cruises since 2012 and the first in the Allura class. The 67,000-gross-ton ship will carry 1200 passengers and include 12 dining options, four of which are new. The debut for this ship is set for May 13 on a sailing to Venice and calling in Sorrento, Capri and Messina, Italy: Argostoli and Corfu, Greece; and Dubrovnik and Zadar, Croatia.
Explora I
The first of 4 ships for Explora Journeys, MSC Cruises luxury brand. The 922-passenger ship measures 64,000 gross tons and offers 6 restaurants ranging from Pan-Asian cuisine and a European steakhouse, along with a culinary stage for guest chefs. Entertainment includes piano performances on Steinway & Sons self-playing pianos using new technology to replay performances from acclaimed pianists. The ship will sail on July 17 from Southampton with a 15- night voyage that will stop in Zeebrugge, Belgium; eight towns in Norway and Denmark including Copenhagen.
Silver Nova
The first in a new class for Silversea. The Silver Nova will feature an asymmetrical design. The pool will be horseshoe-shaped, with the center facing the side of the ship overlooking the ocean. At 54,700 gross tons, she will sail with 728 passengers. Eight restaurants will be included with alfresco dining space. The maiden voyage will sail roundtrip from Venice on August 14 and calling at Dubrovnik and Split, Croatia and Kotor, Montenegro.
Seven Seas Grandeur
This is not Regent Seven Seas first new ship, but on the notable list because it appears to be the last ship on order for several years. The 750-passenger sister ship to the Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Explora will be the sixth in the fleet. The ship will include a 4,443-square-foot Regent Suite with a sky-lit and glass-enclosed parlor, chaise lounges overlooking the bow of the ship and a private i-suite spa. She is scheduled to set sail on November 25 from Barcelona to Miami, calling in Seville, Spain; Funchal, Portugal and Bermuda.
Icon of the Seas
This Royal Caribbean ship is not scheduled to sail in 2023, but will be delivered in Q4 and will have its inaugural Eastern Caribbean cruise from Miami in late January of 2024.The icon will not only be the largest built to date at 250,800 gross tons, but will also be the first of the Icon Class. The ship will introduce the first true waterpark at sea, with six waterslides. More than 80% of the cabins will be available in triples and quads. The 5,610-passsenger ship can accommodate up to 7500 guests.
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