Many of 2019’s class of cruise debutantes are sisters of ships we already know. But the new arrivals have their own personalities that raise their levels of innovation, entertainment and expand the range of exploration. Because of that, it’s going to be one of the most remarkable years ever in cruising.
They come with design, tech and ecological innovations that are harbingers of the future, and there’s also one notable newcomer that harkens back a century to the age of sail. Notable trends are dedicated zones within ships to appeal to younger generations and families. And three of the new ships are destined to home port in Asia.
The list of newcomers should also include Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Edge and Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam, which were officially launched in December, but just settled in to their regular Caribbean itineraries in January.
Here’s a look at ships people will be buzzing about in 2019:
1) Flying Clipper is a trip back in time
Flying Clipper, the long-awaited five-masted sailing ship that’s the first new sailing ship for Star Clippers in 15 years is finally due to set sail in June 2019.
What’s new: It’s about experiencing life under sail without the inconveniences of the sailing ships of a century ago. Originally scheduled to arrive in 2017, the ship is a near-replica of the largest square-rig sailing ship ever, the France II that was built in 1911 at La Gironde shipyard Bordeaux. The biggest and the most ambitious of the Star Clipper fleet to date, the ship will carry 300 guests, and is powered by an amazing 35 sails on five masts.
But of course she also packs the latest technology and has modern engines for when the winds become fickle. During the summer, Flying Clipper cruises in the Mediterranean. Following a trans-Atlantic repositioning crossing, the ship will sail a winter season in the Caribbean.
2) Costa Smeralda shows the future is a gas
Italian-flavored Costa Cruises debuts its newest flagship and largest vessel to date — the 5,200-passenger Costa Smeralda in October.
What’s new: It’s the first major cruise ship to be powered by clean-burning, eco-friendly liquefied natural gas, which will improve efficiency and produce significantly reduced emissions. It’s the first of two LNG-powered vessels slated for Costa, wth a still to-be-named LNG-powered sister ship due in 2021.
Among the new-for-Costa highlight are an onboard Italian design museum (dubbed CoDe, for Costa Design) and a glass-bottomed skywalk that’s more than 200 feet above sea level. There will also be more of the line’s signature features including waterslides, kids’ clubs, rock climbing, mini-golf and a design scheme inspired by Italian locales. It will offer 5- to 7-night Mediterranean sailings around France, Spain and Italy.
3) MSC Grandiosa really is grand
The first of a new Meraviglia-plus class of ships arriving in November will be MSC Cruises‘ biggest yet.
What’s new: MSC Grandiosa will have a larger Mediterranean-style promenade than on MSC Meraviglia and Belissima and will feature more shops, specialty restaurants and a new bar and lounge, L’Atelier Bistrot with lounge seating, a stage and dance floor, Impressionist art and terrace seating with Parisian bistro tables and chairs on the Promenade. MSC also promises surprises such as flash mobs, themed parties and projections on a 323-foot-long LED Sky screen.
The ship will feature two new Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows, which guests can watch in a high-tech lounge. Guests who choose the extra-cost Aurea Experience will have flexible dining and unlimited drinks in a dedicated restaurant.
4) Sky Princess reaches new heights
Princess Cruises’ 18th ship and the fourth Royal-class ship, Sky Princess will arrive in October.
What’s new: The ship will introduce the line’s new Sky Suites, the ship’s largest staterooms and the first suites to accommodate five guests. They’ll have 270-degree views from the top of the ship and exclusive views of the Movies Under the Stars screen. Other enhancements over previous Royal-class ships include upgrades to the adults-only Sanctuary that will double the number of cabanas; as well as the addition of two more Jacuzzis and a new pool at the aft of the ship.
After a few Mediterranean cruises and a trans-Atlantic, the 3,660 passenger ship will make Ft. Lauderdale her new home base starting in December. Voyages will offer late-night stays in St. Thomas and Cozumel.
5) Norwegian Encore will cheer Miami
The new 4,000-passenger Norwegian Encore, the fourth and final Breakaway-Plus class vessel from Norwegian Cruise Line, will launch in November.
What’s new: Entertainment upgrades include a full-scale production of the Broadway musical Kinky Boots Norwegian is also expanding its go-kart race track attraction, creating a two-level track, extending over the side of the ship and featuring 10 turns and a covered viewing area in the center of the track where guests can provide passing go-karts with an additional turbo boost by tagging them with a laser beam. Encore will also feature the Galaxy Pavilion, a more than 10,000-square-foot indoor virtual reality complex.
The ship will inaugurate a purpose-built home port at a new PortMiami terminal and cruise out of Miami every Sunday on seven-day voyages to the eastern Caribbean, between November and April, 2020.
6) Carnival Panorama takes it West
Carnival Cruise Line’s third and final Vista-class ship launching in December will be its largest yet, at 3,954 passengers and will become the first new Carnival ship homeported on the West Coast in 20 years.
What’s new: As its name implies, Carnival Panorama is designed to offer as many al fresco experiences as possible, with outdoor seating for restaurants including the Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse and Bonsai Sushi, along with open-air attractions like the bike-ride-in-the-sky SkyRide, the line’s largest WaterWorks aqua park, and the SportSquare recreation area.
Also expanding will be the Cuban-inspired Havana zone, with tropics-inspired staterooms, bar and pool. Another ship-within-a-ship is Family Harbor featuring extra-berth accommodations and dedicated lounge.
.Carnival Panorama will homeport in Long Beach and sail week-long cruises to the Mexican Riviera with an itinerary including Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta.
7) Viking Jupiter sightings start in June
The latest in Viking Ocean Cruises’ popular series of 930-passenger oceangoing ships, Viking Jupiter will be christened in Oslo, Norway, in June by Sissel Kyrkjebø, a well-known Norwegian soprano.
What’s new: The sixth ocean cruise ship in the fast-growing Viking Cruises’ fleet will be nearly identical to the cruise line’s five previous ships featuring 465 staterooms with verandas. The all-balcony ship includes wi-fi, drinks during meals and one shore excursion in every port, and opportunities to dine at alternative restaurants.
8) MSC Bellissima more than a Meraviglia
The second ship in the new class of ships coming in March from MSC Cruises will have a capacity of 4,434 guests, slightly more than sister ship MSC Meraviglia.
What’s new: Bellissima will inaugurate several unique features, including the largest LED dome at sea, a 260-foot-long with an entire ceiling covered by a giant 5,100 square ft. pixel screen. Two Cirque du Soleil show, to be called SYMA – Sail Beyond Imagination and VARÉLIA – Love in Full Colour and will be performed exclusively in a partnership with the company.
The ship will also inaugurate MSC’s digital cruise personal assistant, Zoe, a new feature of the “MSC for Me” tech innovation program. Designed for use in staterooms, it will be available in English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Brazilian Portuguese and Mandarin. Guests can ask Zoe for information rather than having to ask at the Guest Relations desk.
The 4,500-guest ship will debut in Europe before sailing in the Middle East to Asia for the winter 2019-2020 to begin service in China.
9) Spectrum of the Seas is an Ultra Quantum
The 4,246-passenger, Spectrum is the first of Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Ultra class of ships.
What’s new: Catering primarily to the Chinese cruise market, it will include an innovative Suite Club with private dining rooms and lounges and an “Ultimate Family Suite” featuring a 3D Karaoke cinema. You can also count on their Szechuan restaurant to be authentic. The ship will offer 3- to 14-day itineraries from Shanghai and Hong Kong.
10) Costa Venezia takes Carnevale to China
Costa Cruises is advertising its new Costa Venezia as a Far East outpost of the spirit of Venice. The ship is similar in size to Carnival’s Vista-class and will be based in Shanghai.
What’s new: Entertainment features a masquerade ball that will re-create the atmosphere of the city’s famous Venice Carnevale. But a uniquely Chinese “golden party,” on offer is inspired by the color that symbolizes fortune in China, promising prizes to be won every 10 minutes.
