10 Cruise Ship New-Builds to Look Forward to in 2017

10 Cruise Ship New-Builds to Look Forward to in 2017

MSC Seaside, Photo courtesy of MSC Cruises, Credit: Ivan Sarfatti
 

Seabourn Encore

Technically, Seabourn‘s new Seabourn Encore has already launched, but its official inaugural sailing is scheduled for January 7, 2017, making it the first in the new year. The 600-guest ship will have all the luxuries of the preceding Odyssey-class and more thanks to a slightly larger design.

Viking Sky

Viking Cruises will continue its rapid expansion with the launch of its third oceangoing vessel, the Viking Sky. The award-winning ocean brand is already making waves with a stunning set of luxurious hardware features paired with excellent service software that will be reprised in February 2017.

Norwegian Joy

Also coming online in February 2017 is Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Norwegian Joy for the Chinese outbound market. While it is not slated for North American travelers, we’re hoping its unprecedented go-kart racetrack on deck will make its way to the next Breakaway Plus-class ship, the Norwegian Bliss, coming to Alaska in 2018.

Silver Muse

Plussing the current flagship Silver Spirit’s design will be Silversea Cruises new Silver Muse in April 2017. Hallmark features of the luxury line will return while several additional restaurant options are introduced such as dedicated Asian and seafood dining, as well as an expanded pizzeria.

MSC Meraviglia

One of two separate prototypes being constructed for MSC Cruises, the MSC Meraviglia will set sail in June 2017. The “ship for all seasons” will highlight a 262-foot synthetic LED sky above an interior promenade and showcase Cirque du Soleil performances in the Carousel Lounge.

National Geographic Quest

Not all the new ships are of the mega variety as Lindblad Expeditions will welcome the National Geographic Quest in June 2017 beginning expedition cruises in Alaska. The ship will cater to only 100 guests with 24 kayaks, paddle boards, snorkeling equipment and zodiacs for adventuring.

Viking Sun

Not slowing up at all, Viking Cruises will again launch the fourth of six planned ocean sister-ships, the Viking Sun, in October 2017. This one will almost immediately set out on the line’s first-ever 141-day world cruise from Miami, Florida to London, England starting on December 15, 2017.

MSC Seaside

MSC Cruises other new prototype ship, the MSC Seaside, is being specifically constructed for warm-weather cruising year-round from Miami, Florida. It will begin sailing from its homeport in December 2017 with an expansive water park and wraparound al fresco boardwalk.

Majestic Princess

The second ship next year dedicated to the Chinese outbound market will be Princess Cruises’ new Majestic Princess in late 2017. Already making changes from its earlier sisters, the ship will sport a French bistro in place of the Crooners lounge, a modification that might make its way to the fourth Royal-class ship as well.

Flying Clipper

When Star Clippers’ new Flying Clipper launches in late 2017, it will be one of the smallest vessels to come out next year, but it will also be the largest square-rigged sailing ship. It will carry 300 guests within its 8,770 tons.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE ANNOUNCES 2018 & 2019 DEPLOYMENT

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Norwegian Escape, Getaway and Breakaway.

Highlights include five ships in European waters, among them Norwegian Breakaway in the Baltic from Copenhagen and Warnemünde, Norwegian Escape sailing to the Caribbean and Bermuda from New York, Norwegian Bliss sailing to Alaska from Seattle and bucket list destinations including Cape Horn and the Panama Canal.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE ANNOUNCES 2018 & 2019 DEPLOYMENT

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE ANNOUNCES 2018 & 2019 DEPLOYMENT

Norwegian Cruise Line today announced its summer 2018 and autumn/winter 2018/19 itineraries, featuring exciting new opportunities for guests to set sail to their dream destinations, while unpacking just once and enjoying the most free and flexible cruising experience at sea. Norwegian’s 2018/2019 deployment spans across the globe, from a wide range of cruises in Europe from seven embarkation ports including round-trip cruises from Southampton and Hamburg to the warm waters of the Caribbean, the adventure-filled coasts of South America, the awe-inspiring glaciers of Alaska and beyond. The new itineraries are on sale now for all guests.

Europe

Guest sailing on Norwegian Cruise Line can again look forward to a wide variety in Europe in summer 2018 with two ships in Northern Europe and in the Baltic as well as three ships in the Mediterranean. Norwegian Breakaway will depart New York on April 15 for the first time since her inaugural season in 2013 for a 12-night transatlantic voyage to London (Southampton). Following her arrival in Europe, Norwegian Breakaway will undergo enhancements in dry dock and then journey to her new seasonal homeports of Copenhagen and Warnemünde, where she will sail nine-night Scandinavia & Russia cruises through the summer season. Norwegian Jade will return to Europe in summer 2018 and sail a series of Norway, Iceland and North Cape cruises from Southampton and Hamburg, showcasing the spectacular Norwegian fjords, along with British Isles cruises on select dates. Norwegian Spirit will return as well, sailing longer 10-night Western Mediterranean and 11-night Mediterranean & Adriatic cruises from Civitavecchia. Norwegian Star will reposition from the US West Coast to Venice, sailing a series of seven-night Greek Isles and Adriatic & Greece cruises from The Floating City. Norwegian Epic, which received ship wide enhancements earlier this year during an extensive dry dock will once again sail seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Civitavecchia, showcasing the best of Italy, France and Spain.

In winter 2018/2019, Norwegian Spirit will set sail from Barcelona to the Canary Island & Morocco, on a series of 10- and 11-night cruises that will bring guests looking to escape winter weather to the exotic bazaars of Northern Africa and Tenerife, which boasts the world’s third largest volcano and the highest elevation in all of Spain.

Alaska

Image result for norwegian blissIn summer 2018, Norwegian will once again offer guests the opportunity to sail through the glacier-filled waters and gaze upon the snowy mountaintops of Alaska on three unique ships, making up the youngest fleet sailing to the region. The brand-new Norwegian Bliss, arriving in June 2018, will lead Norwegian’s 2018 Alaska fleet with her inaugural season to the region, offering seven-night voyages departing each Saturday from Seattle. The largest and most innovative ship sailing in Alaska, Norwegian Bliss will be the first cruise ship custom-built with features and amenities for the ultimate Alaska cruise experience and the first Norwegian Cruise Line ship to make its debut in Seattle. Following an extensive renovation in 2017 as a part of the Norwegian Edge programme, Norwegian Pearl will sail seven-night Glacier Bay Alaska cruises from Seattle departing on Sundays. Rounding out the Alaska fleet, Norwegian Sun will return to Vancouver and Seward to offer her incredibly popular northbound and southbound seven-night Alaska highlights voyages, offering guests the opportunity to combine back-to-back sailings for an immersive 14-night roundtrip cruise.

Caribbean

Guests can set sail to the Caribbean on seven of Norwegian ships, sailing from convenient departure ports including New York, Port Canaveral, San Juan, Miami, New Orleans and Tampa.

From December 2018 to February 2019, Norwegian Escape will set sail from New York on extended 12- and 14-night Southern Caribbean cruises, as well as 14-night Western Caribbean cruises, which will include a call at Harvest Caye, Belize’s newest resort-style port of call featuring a cruise ship pier for easy access, seven acre white sand beach and 15,000 square foot pool, among other eco-friendly adventures. Norwegian Breakaway will also sail 10- and 11-night Eastern Caribbean cruises from New York, for a sunshine-filled extended getaway including calls in the Virgin Islands during the heart of winter. New for 2018, guests can set sail to the Caribbean from Boston on Norwegian Dawn for a 14-night Eastern Caribbean cruise in October 2018.

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Norwegian Gem will reposition to New Orleans, sailing to the Western Caribbean on seven-, 10- and 11-night cruises from the Crescent City. Guests sailing from Miami in winter 2018 can cruise to the Western Caribbean on Norwegian Getaway, which will sail seven-night cruises that will also include a call to Harvest Caye. Norwegian Pearl will homeport in Tampa during winter 2018, sailing seven-night cruises to the Western Caribbean.

Norwegian Dawn will seasonally homeport in San Juan, Puerto Rico during the winter 2018/2019 season, sailing to the heart of the Southern Caribbean on seven-, 10- and 11-night cruises, with calls in Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua and more. Guests can also sail to the Southern Caribbean from Miami on Norwegian Jade, on a 10-night cruise on select dates from November 2018 – April 2019.

Norwegian Epic will again return to Port Canaveral in autumn 2018, sailing alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises, along with select longer 10- and 11-night Western Caribbean cruises from November 2018 – January 2019 that will include a call at Harvest Caye. Guests who wish to visit Norwegian’s private island Great Stirrup Cay can do so from Port Canaveral in March 2019, as Norwegian Epic will also offer a four-night Bahamas cruise from Port Canaveral and a five-night Western Caribbean cruise that calls in Cozumel and Great Stirrup Cay.

Bermuda

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Norwegian will continue its tradition of sailing from both New York City and Boston to the pink sand beaches of Bermuda between April and September 2018. Norwegian’s newest ship, Norwegian Escape, will reposition for the first time since she was christened in 2015, and will sail from New York City to Bermuda on seven-night cruises every Sunday, offering guests a new ship to enjoy, featuring Norwegian’s first brew pub at sea, the Tony-award winning After Midnight and critically-acclaimed For the Record: The Brat Pack, along with two restaurants from Iron Chef Jose Garces and The Cellars, a Michael Mondavi Family Wine bar. Norwegian Dawn, essentially a new ship after bow to stern enhancements this year, will sail seven-night cruises from Boston to Bermuda, departing every Friday.

Bahamas & Florida

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In summer 2018, Norwegian Gem will set sail for the Bahamas and Florida each Saturday from New York City, bringing guests the best of beaches, theme parks and sunshine. Norwegian Sky will continue to sail three- and four-night Bahamas cruises from Miami year-round, providing guests a private island escape to, Great Stirrup Cay, which is currently undergoing enhancements that include a luxury lagoon area for Haven guests, along with enhanced facilities, premium cabana furnishings and more family-friendly amenities.

In winter 2018/2019, Norwegian Escape will remain in New York, and bring guests to the tropical beaches of the Bahamas & Florida on seven-night cruises. Norwegian Breakaway will return to New York from Europe and will also sail seven-night Bahamas & Florida cruises from Manhattan during winter 2018/2019.

Canada & New England

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Norwegian will offer guests the opportunity for prime “leaf peeping” in Canada &New England on three vessels in autumn 2018. Norwegian Escape will be the company’s largest vessel to bring guests on spectacular autumn foliage cruises, sailing seven-night Canada & New England cruises from New York on select dates in September 2018. For those looking for a summer cruise to the Pinetree State and Great White North, Norwegian Gem will also sail north from the Big Apple in June 2018 on two seven-night cruises, calling in Maine, St. John and Halifax. For those guests looking to explore Canada & New England further, Norwegian Gem will sail extended 10-night cruises from New York that include an overnight in Québec City, while Norwegian Dawn will sail a series of northbound and southbound seven-night cruises between Boston and Quebec, offering the opportunity to combine for the ultimate autumn getaway with a 14-night roundtrip cruises.

Hawaii

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The recently refurbished Pride of America will continue to sail her very popular seven-night Hawaii itinerary departing from Honolulu every Saturday through May 2019. Offering more than 100 hours of in-port sight-seeing time, the only ship to sail the islands features an itinerary with calls that include an overnight in Kahului, Maui; Hilo, Hawai`i; Kona, Hawai`i; an overnight in Nãwiliwili, Kaua`i; and an afternoon cruise past the breath-taking Nãpali Coast.

Panama Canal and Mexican Riviera

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A true bucket-list experience, Norwegian will offer one-way and roundtrip Panama Canal cruises on three ships in 2018/2019. Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Pearl will sail 11-night and 14-night roundtrip canal cruises from Tampa and Miami in 2018/19, providing guests with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see one of the seven wonders of the modern world. For guests looking for an extended Panama Canal cruise, they can embark Norwegian Star from either Miami or Los Angeles during select dates in January – March 2019 for a 14-night one way cruise that includes a day-time transit of the canal. Norwegian Pearl will also sail a one-way 15-night Panama Canal cruise from LA to Tampa in October 2018.

Guests looking for a sun and fun cruise can embark on a seven-night Mexican Riviera sailing from Los Angeles on select dates in December 2018 and March 2019 that features calls in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas.

South America

Norwegian Sun will once again return to South America, sailing a series of alternating westbound and eastbound 14-night itineraries between Valparaiso, Chile and Buenos Aires, Argentina in Winter 2018/2019, featuring a sail around Cape Horn and Tierra del Fuego’s splendid fjords.

Information source: Norwegian Cruise Line

Humpback whales to adorn Norwegian Bliss hull

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Cruising with the Whales by Nature artist Wyland
 

Norwegian Cruise Line unveiled a hull design for the Norwegian Bliss that prominently features humpback whales on the bow.

The Bliss, scheduled for delivery in spring 2018, will sail Alaska cruises from Seattle.

Nature artist Wyland executed the project entitled “Cruising with the Whales.” The mural also will have manta rays, dolphins, seals and sea lions.

“As a marine artist who has painted the largest murals in the world, it is an honor to have the opportunity to collaborate with Norwegian and present my art on such a grand scale,” said Wyland.

Norwegian recently announced that Bliss will be themed to Alaska and based in Seattle for the summer months.

“Humpback whales are an iconic part of the Alaska landscape and one of the most compelling sights visitors can see while cruising the Last Frontier,” Norwegian Cruise Line president and CEO Andy Stuart said.

Wyland has painted more than 100 ocean murals worldwide. His design for the Bliss was revealed at the Wyland Galleries in Fort Lauderdale.