Record Number of New Cruise Ships Debuting

January 23, 2015

Cruise lines are meeting consumer demand with a large number of new ships that will debut over the next several years, according to CruiseCompete.com. While more ships are likely to be added, there are already 52 new ships debuting through 2018, with 25 ships slated to appear in 2015 alone.

(More ships are on their way. To see a continually updated, ever-growing list of new ships as they are announced, 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.

Royal Caribbean’s 4,180-passenger Anthem of the Seas (April 2015) will be a tech lover’s dream, with a 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 also will 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 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.

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, 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. (3,250 passengers)
Blue Star Line will debut the Titanic II 2018. (2,435 passengers)
Carnival Cruise Lines will debut the Carnival Vista Spring 2016. (4,000 passengers)
Carnival Cruise Lines will debut a not-yet-named ship in March 2018. (3,954 passengers)
MSC Cruises will debut a new, not-yet-named ship in January 2017.
MSC Cruises will debut a new Seaside Class Vessel in November 2017. (5,300 passengers)
MSC Cruises will debut a new Seaside Class Vessel in May 2018. (5,300 passengers)
P & O Cruises will debut the Britannia Spring 2015. (3,600 passengers)
Star Cruises will debut the Super Star Sagittarius Fall 2016. (4,500 passengers)
Star Cruises will debut a new, not-yet-named ship Fall 2017. (4,500 passengers)

Upscale Contemporary Cruise Lines

Norwegian Cruise Line will debut the Norwegian Escape in October 2015. (4,200 passengers)
Norwegian Cruise Line will debut the Norwegian Bliss in Spring 2017. (4,200 passengers)
Norwegian Cruise Line will debut a new Breakaway-Plus class ship in the Q2 2018. (4,200 passengers)
Royal Caribbean International will debut the Anthem of the Seas 2015. (4,905 passengers)
Royal Caribbean International will debut a new Quantum Class ship, the Ovation of the Seas, in Fall 2016. (4,180 passengers)
Royal Caribbean International will debut a new Oasis Class ship in 2018. (5,400 passengers)

Premium Cruise Lines

Celebrity Cruises will debut a new Edge ship in Fall 2018. (2,900 passengers)
Holland America Line will debut a new Pinnacle Class ship, ms Koningsdam, in February 2016. (2,660 passengers)
Holland America Line will debut a second Pinnacle class ship in November 2016. (2,650 passengers)
Tui Cruises will debut the Mein Schiff 4 in 2015. (2,500 passengers)
Tui Cruises will debut the Mein Schiff 5 in 2016. (2,500 passengers)
Tui Cruises will debut the Mein Schiff 6 in 2017. (2,500 passengers)

Ultra-Premium Cruise Lines

Princess Cruises will debut a new Royal Princess Class vessel in 2017. (3,600 passengers)
Windstar Cruises will debut the Star Breeze April 2015. (212 passengers)
Windstar Cruises will debut the Star Legend May 2015. (212 passengers)

Ultra-Luxury Cruise Lines

Regent Seven Seas Cruises will debut the Seven Seas Explorer Summer 2016. (738 passengers)
Seabourn will debut a new as yet unnamed ship in June 2016. (604 passengers)

Small Ship Cruise Lines

Viking Oceans will debut the Viking Star in 2015. (930 passengers)
Viking Oceans will debut the Viking Sky in 2016. (930 passengers)

River Cruise Lines

AmaWaterways will debut the AmaDara August 2015. (124 passengers)
AmaWaterways will debut the AmaSerena April 2015. (164 passengers)
American Cruise Lines will debut the American Eagle in March 2015. (150 passengers)
American Cruise Lines will debut a new ship in Spring 2015 on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. (175 passengers)American Cruise Lines will debut two as yet unamed new ships, one in 2016 and one in 2017.
Avalon Waterways will debut the Avalon Myanmar September 2015. (36 passengers)
Avalon Waterways will debut the Avalon Siem Ream January 2015. (36 passengers)
Avalon Waterways will debut the Avalon Tapestry II March 2015. (128 passengers)
Avalon Waterways will debut the Avalon Tranquility II March 2015. (128 passengers)
Belmond Afloat in France will debut the Belmond Fleur de Lys in April 2015. (6 passengers)
Emerald Waterways will debut the Emerald Dawn April 2015. (182 passengers)
Emerald Waterways will debut the Emerald Sun April 2015. (182 passengers)
Haimark, Ltd will debut the Irrawaddy Explorer in September 2014. (156 passengers)
Haimark, Ltd will debut the Ganges Voyager in 2015. (156 passengers)
Scenic Cruises will debut the Scenic Jasper April 2015. (128 passengers)
Scenic Cruises will debut the Scenic Opal April 2015. (128 passengers)
Tauck River Cruising will debut the MS Esprit April 2015. (118 passengers)
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection will debut the S.S. Maria Theresa March 2015. (155 passengers)
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection will debut the Ganges Voyager II in 2016. (56 passengers)
Viking River Cruises will debut the Viking Astrid May 2015. (96 passengers)
Viking River Cruises will debut the Viking Beyla April 2015. (98 passengers)

Sailing Vessel/Yacht Cruise Lines

Ponant will debut the Le Lyrial 2015. (244 passengers)

To see reviews of ships that are currently sailing, click here.