Andrea Zelinski
This year may bring fewer new cruise ships to the industry than 2023, but 2024's vessels won't be boring, and in most cases, they will be bigger.
The new ships include what will be the largest cruise ship on Earth and several first-of-its-class vessels, some showcasing new domes. This year will also bring several second-of-its-class ships, from luxury lines as well as a family-focused one.
Which new ship are you most excited about? Which features are you
eager to experience? What are your clients asking for? Send me your
thoughts at azelinski@travelweekly.com.
Here's a peek at what's expected to debut in 2024:
Icon of the Seas
Probably the most anticipated ship of 2024, the Icon of the Seas is the first of Royal Caribbean International's Icon class. At 250,800 gross tons, the vessel will claim the title of the largest cruise ship on the planet, edging out the line's Wonder of the Seas in the Oasis class. The Icon, which makes its inaugural sailing on Jan. 23 out of Miami, will accommodate 5,610 guests at double occupancy (with a total guest capacity of 7,500). It will introduce new concepts, including a candy-colored neighborhood for young families and the Thrill Island neighborhood, with six waterslides and new activities like an aerial obstacle course. The Icon will sail seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries out of Miami year-round.
Utopia of the Seas
Royal Caribbean will also debut its latest Oasis-class ship, the Utopia of the Seas. Although smaller than the Icon, the 236,860-gross-ton ship can carry more guests (5,668 of them) at double occupancy. The ship will include spaces not found on its sister ships, including a Caribbean tiki bar called the Pesky Parrot and an extended Ultimate Abyss slide with "zoom booster rollers" that Royal contends will be the longest dry slide at sea. The ship will also have an immersive new specialty dining experience to mimic the experience of dining in a train car. The Utopia will sail short cruises out of Port Canaveral when it launches on July 22.
Sun Princess
Cabana Rooms on the Sun Princess will open onto the Cabana Deck, seen here in a rendering, which will have its own Jacuzzi. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Princess Cruises
At 175,500 gross tons, the Sun Princess will be the largest ship in Princess Cruises' fleet. The vessel, the first of the Sphere class, will carry 4,300 guests at double occupancy and will feature lighter decor than its predecessors plus a new sphere atrium space, a geodesic dome, a new entertainment venue, a three-deck activity zone and eight new restaurant options. One will be a love-themed specialty restaurant serving food considered aphrodisiacs. The Sun will debut Feb. 8 with sailings in the Mediterranean and Europe before sailing from Port Everglades for the winter 2024-25 season.
Queen Anne
Cunard will release its first ship in more than a decade this year. Delayed during the pandemic, the 113,000-gross-ton Queen Anne will be larger than both Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, offering 14 passenger decks and carrying 2,996 guests at double occupancy. The ship is expected to blend the luxury line's 182-year history with modern design trends, such as a retractable dome over the pool deck, and will include more light, open spaces and outdoor options. Cunard expects the ship to set off on its maiden voyage on May 1 with a roundtrip from Southampton, England.
• A first look at the Queen Anne
• Queen Anne designed to move the Cunard fleet forward
Silver Ray
The second ship in Silversea Cruises' Nova class, the Silver Ray will enter service in June. The ship -- identical to its sister ship, the Silver Nova -- will come in at 54,700 gross tons and will feature an asymmetrical design, 40% more glass space than the line's Muse-Class ships and is expected to carry 728 guests.
Explora II
MSC's new luxury line, Explora Journeys, will release its second ship this year. The Explora II will be a mirror image of the Explora I that entered service last year, aside from some retail changes. The ship will have 461 oceanfront suites, nine culinary experiences, three outdoor pools and one indoor. The ship will debut on Aug. 11 sailing from Barcelona to Civitavecchia (Rome), then continue sailing in the Western Med until repositioning to the Caribbean in November.
Ilma
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, a newcomer to the cruise industry, will debut its second ship this year. The 448-guest Ilma will almost double the size of its sister, the 298-guest Evrima. The Ilma will measure 46,750 gross tons, nearly double that of the 25,400-gross-ton Evirma. The ship is expected to debut in September with sailings in the North and Baltic Sea.
Disney Treasure
One of the last new ships of the year is also one of the most anticipated. The Disney Treasure is the second ship in the line's Triton Class. Where its sister, the Disney Wish, focuses on enchantment, the Treasure will lean into adventure. The ship will showcase stories from films like "The Lion King," "Aladdin," "Coco," "Zootopia" and "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." Other spaces on the 144,000-gross-ton ship will include a Marvel dining experience, a Marvel Superhero Academy and a Star Wars Cargo Bay. The ship is expected to sail seven-night Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral.
A rendering of Plaza de Coco, Disney Cruise Line's first venue dedicated to the Disney and Pixar annimated film, Coco. It will debut on the Disney Treasure this year. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line
Viking Vela
Viking is about to push its fleet of oceangoing ships further into double digits. The cruise line plans to debut the Viking Vela in December, making it the 11th oceangoing, nonexpedition ship. The 998-guest Vela will accommodate about 60 more passengers than its sister ships. The 54,300-gross-ton vessel will sail its inaugural season in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
American Liberty and American Legend
After releasing a pair of catamarans in 2023, American Cruise Line will debut another pair in the second half of this year. The American Liberty will launch in August, sailing cruises in New England and chasing the fall foliage down into Georgia by year's end, followed by the American Legend, bound for the Florida Gulf Coast and Keys beginning in November. The ships hold 100 guests.
Correction: The Viking Vela will be Viking's 11th oceangoing, nonexpedition ship when it debuts in December. A previous version of this article listed an incorrect number.