Cruise lines are expanding their fleets with exciting new entries, including Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship ever built, and Queen Anne, a new ocean liner from Cunard. This year's lineup offers groups everything from Caribbean cruises to European expeditions.
Royal Caribbean
Icon of the Seas
The Icon of the Seas (above) made its inaugural sailing on Jan. 23 out of Miami, the first ship in Royal Carribean's Icon class. At 1,196 feet, it is the largest cruise ship in the world, able to host 7,600 passengers on its trips to Central America and the Caribbean. Amenities include six waterslides, an aerial obstacle course, seven outdoor pools, a spa and a casino.
Utopia of the Seas
The latest Oasis-class ship, Utopia of the Seas is expected to debut in July, sailing three-night trips to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral in Florida. A tiki bar, a comedy club and a zipline can be found among the vessel's 18 decks. Utopia, which holds up to 5,668 guests, will be powered by liquefied natural gas, the cleanest-burning marine fuel to date.
American Cruise Lines
American Legend and American Liberty
With a focus on small-ship cruising, American Cruise Lines is launching two Catamaran-style vessels this year, the American Legend and the American Liberty. Both will have 56 rooms and can hold up to 100 people. The inaugural sailing will be in August from Providence, R.I. In September and October, they will offer fall foliage cruises up the Hudson River, followed by one-way trips from Charleston, S.C. to Jacksonville, Fla.
Cunard
Queen Anne
The Queen Anne is finally debuting this spring after being delayed during the pandemic. Larger than both the Queen Victoria and the Queen Elizabeth, the ship will have 14 passenger decks and a capacity of 2,996 guests at double occupancy. Among the amenities are a dozen food-and-beverage outlets, afternoon tea service and a top-deck wellness studio. The maiden voyage is scheduled for May out of Southampton, England.
Disney Cruise
Disney Treasure
The second ship in the brand's Triton class, the Disney Treasure will feature experiences from the company's films, including Coco, Avengers and The Lion King. With 1,254 cabins, the vessel will carry a maximum of 4,000 passengers. The Treasure will offer live shows and a water coaster, as well as adults-only bars and lounges. Itineraries to the Caribbean will begin in December.
Explora Journeys
Explora II
Setting sail in August from Barcelona, Spain, the Explora II is the second ship from Explora Journeys, a new luxury brand owned by MSC Group. The cruise line debuted last year with the launch of the Explora I. Plans for the vessel include 461 oceanfront suites, nine culinary options, and one indoor and three outdoor pools.
Princess Cruises
.jpg?tr=w-920%2Cfo-auto "cruises-sun-princess")
Sun Princess
When the Sun Princess sets sail on its inaugural trip in February, it will be the largest ship in Princess Cruises' fleet. Accommodating up to 4,300 guests, the vessel will have eight restaurants, an entertainment venue, and a three-deck activity zone featuring a ropes course, a rock-climbing wall and more. The Sun is scheduled to begin sailing in the Mediterranean and Europe before making its way to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale next winter.
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Photo Credit: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht CollectionIlma
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is introducing a second vessel this September. The 224-suite Ilma is nearly double the size of Evrima, the new cruise line's first ship. Equipped with two outdoor pools and a spa, Ilma will sail European itineraries.
Silversea Cruises
Silver Ray
The newest vessel from Silversea Cruises will offer three restaurants, an outdoor pool and a spa. Sister ship to the Silver Nova, the Silver Ray is being constructed with 40 percent more glass than the brand's Muse class vessels for uninterrupted views of the sea and the sky. Accommodating 728 people, the maiden voyage is scheduled for June, sailing out of Lisbon, Portugal.
Viking
Viking Vela
The 11th liner in Viking's fleet, the Vela is scheduled to set sail in December. Among the ship's highlights are three restaurants, a theater, two pools and a spa. The 998-guest vessel will spend its inaugural season in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.