Cruising an ocean liner is generally a great experience no matter the age of the ship. Some people even prefer older ships because they like the layout and features better. But just like a new car, itβs exciting to cruise on a new ship. You wonβt be short on choices as several major cruise lines have scheduled maiden voyages for their new cruise ships in 2021.
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Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, ships that were scheduled to launch in 2020 were delayed. So, included in this list are ships that were delayed as well as the planned 2021 launches.
Celebrity Apex
Sister to the Edge in Celebrity’s Edge class of ships, Apex is Celebrity’s newest offering to the cruising community. Apex also has a Magic Carpet and accommodations that will blur the line between indoor and outdoor living. You’ll also be able to relax on Apex’s rooftop garden. Suite guests will be able to take advantage of The Retreat which is an exclusive santuary that hosts beverages, gourmet bites and live entertainment available 24/7.
Celebrity Apex will sail out of Southhampton to the Mediterranean beginning in March.
VIDEO: Celebrity Apexβ
Book your Celebrity Apex cruise now!
Princess Cruises Enchanted Princessβ
Enchanted Princessβ is Princess Cruisesβ fifth Royal-class ship joining Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Majestic Princess, and Sky Princess. She was initially scheduled to sail Mediterranean itineraries through summer 2020. She is now scheduled to begin sailing in May 2021.
Of course, the Enchanted Princess is a MedallionClassβ’ ship which brings a more personalized and hassle-free experience to your cruise vacation. This new entry will boast the lineβs largest balcony suite in the fleet. The Sky Suite, a luxuriously furnished 1000 sq. ft. continuous balcony, invites you to relax in private or host your own gatherings.
The new Sky Suites includes all the amenities of a Full suite plus:
VIDEO: Sky Suites Reveal
With 2 swimming pools and 8 outdoor hot tubs, the new ship has the most pools and whirlpool hot tubs in the fleet.
Exclusive to the Enchanted Princessβ are signature dishes by Chef Curtis Stone. Order these βCrafted by Curtis Stoneβ dishes in the main dining room. The dishes feature delicious meats and seafood, fresh produce and vibrant, bold flavors.
VIDEO: Introducing Enchanted Princess
Book your Enchanted Princess cruise now!
Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady
Richard Branson strikes again with his own cruise line. This should definitely be an experience you don’t want to miss. Virgin Voyages promises the unique experience of being kid-free (except your inner child?) by including the following perks at no additional charge:
- Unlimited Wi-Fi (Premium plan additional)
- All food (including the premium restaurants)
- Tips
- Group Workouts
- Basic beverages (includes filtered still and sparkling water, non-pressed juices, sodas, teas, and drip coffee)
Other unique experiences on Scarlet Lady are a vinyl record shop, hammocks included on terrace staterooms and suites equipped with a music room that includes guitars and amps.
Scarlet Lady is currently scheduled to sail beginning May 2021.
VIDEO: Scarlet Lady | Virgin Voyages
Silversea Silver Moon
Silverseaβs new ship Silver Moon is the sister ship of Silver Muse with a few layout changes. Due to the launch of the S.A.L.T. culinary enrichment program, some venues had to be moved around. They have also expanded the spa to better accommodate the number of passengers onboard.
All cabins will be balcony suites with butler service. The ship will have 8 restaurants:
| Restaurant | Cuisine |
|---|---|
| Atlantide | European cuisine and seafood |
| Kaiseki* | Japanese |
| S.A.L.T. Restaurant | Regional cuisine |
| La Dame by Relais & Chateaux* | French |
| Silver Note | Tapas in a jazz club setting |
| La Terrazza | Tapas in a jazz club setting |
| The Grill/Hot Rocks | Alfresco grilled meat and seafood |
| Spaccanapoli | Pizza |
S.A.L.T. β’
Sea And Land Taste
Silver Moonβs immersive culinary program offers guests the richest gastronomic experience there is. The experience was curated with Saveur former editor-in-chief Adam Sachs to focus on experiencing your destination through taste by βsourcing authentic ingredients prepared with respect to tradition.β Experiences may include trips to local markets when in port, special dinners in the S.A.L.T.β restaurant, or cooking demos with local guest chefs in the cooking lab.
VIDEO: Introducing S.A.L.T.
Silversea Silver Origin
Silversea is calling Silver Origin βthe most elegant ship ever to sail the Galapagos.β This is Silverseaβs first destination specific ship. The ship will be host to a team of Ecuadorian national expert guides, the highest crew-to-guest ratio in the Galapagos, 8 Zodiacs and, all-suite accommodations featuring Horizon Balconies. Horizon Balconies will have drop-down floor-to-ceiling windows that creates an in-suite balcony.
Silver Origin will also offer Silverseaβs new S.A.L.T. culinary program and offer a blend of Ecuadorian, North American, and international dishes. Even at The Grill and Hot Rocks, youβll see your favorite dishes with an Ecuadorian twist.
Silver Origin will sail year-round itineraries in the Galapagos Islands with week-long voyages from Baltra to San Cristobal or reverse beginning 2021.
Carnival Mardi Gras
Carnival has gone all out with their latest ship. This ship is built differently. It has zones.
Grand Central is where you can take in the ocean view, have a cup of coffee, listen to live music or have a cocktail.
The French Quarter is lined with bars, eateries (Emeril’s Bistro 1396 to name one) and even a jazz club.
Summer Landing hosts βthe greatest chill spot at sea.β Here you’ll have Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse|Brewhouse, The Watering hole poolside bar and Swirls soft serve station.
La Piazza is the italian zone boasting Cucina del Capitano and a new Mediterranean spot that specializes in seafood.
Everybody knows about the Lido. On the Mardi Gras you’ll find some old favorites like Guys Burger Joint, Seafood Shack and BlueIguana Cantina. You’ll also find a few new spots like Street Eats (fast-good cuisine like empanadas, falafel and bao buns), and Big Chick (Shaq’s latest enterprise).
The Ultimate Playgroundincludes a roller coaster on the top deck where riders sit in motorcycle-like cars that allow them to control the speed (helpful when you’re high above the ocean LOL).
The Mardi Gras will have the same familiarity you get with other Carnival ships with a few new features thrown in to help you enjoy your cruise more.
The Mardi Gras sets sail in November out of Port Canaveral
VIDEO: Mardi Gras Summer Landing & Lido Virtual Tour | Carnival
Book your Carnival Mardi Gras cruise now!
Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas
Royal Caribbean is known for the motto βgo big or go home.β They take that motto to heart. The Odyssey of the Seas is the first Quantum Ultra Class cruise ship to sail in the United States and Europe. This ship is built to hold over 4,000 passengers. Think about how many towns don’t have that many people!
Activities you can experience onboard:
- Skydiving
- Glow-in-the-dark laser tag
- Skypad (virtual reality trampoline)
- Bumper Cars
- Flowrider
- North Star β observation capsule
Odyssey of the Seas starts sailing from Fort Lauderdale in April and will port in Rome for the summer of 2021.
VIDEO: Discover the new Odyssey of the Seas
Book your Odyssey of the Seas cruise now!
Crystal Endeavor
An expedition yacht? Yesss! Did you see my bucket list? I am about this life! Crystal Endeavor promises remote expeditions, cultural discovery and destination exploration itineraries.
SIX-STAR SERVICE
Indulge in Crystalβs legendary six-star service with one of the highest staff-to-guest ratios in the industry. An experienced crew, selected from the award-winning ranks of Crystal, is joined by a team of experts β explorers, scientists, and more.
Crystal Cruises
The Endeavor will include:
- two helicopters
- a submersible vehicle,
- a platform for viewing spectacular sites (maybe the Northern Lights?),
- a solarium to relax day or night
Because it’s an all-suite ship, you’ll have a butler in classic Crystal style. Endeavor will have a 1 to 1 staff to guest ratio which is what allows them to provide such stellar service.
Endeavor sets sail in May 2021.
VIDEO: Crystal Expedition Cruises | Crystal Endeavor
Viking Venus
Viking Venus is the seventh ship in Vikingβs oceangoing fleet. Like her sister ships, Viking Venus will offer free beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, complimentary WiFi and at least one free shore excursion in each port of call. Youβll also get access to the thermal suite which includes a hydrotherapy pool, thermal lounges, saunas, plunge pools and even a Snow Grotto at no additional charge.
What you wonβt see on Viking Venus is a casino, art auction, pushy photographers or hard sells for pool drinks.
Youβll have a number of complimentary dining options including The Restaurant, the World CafΓ©, the Pool Grill and Mamsenβs. Specialty dining includes Manfrediβs, Chefβs Table, and Kitchen Table. The Kitchen Table is the only dining venue that carries a surcharge.
The all-balcony Viking Venus offers a wide variety of staterooms from an entry-level Verandah with 270 square feet up to Suites with a spacious 1163 square feet.
Viking Venus will sail in Northern Europe for its maiden voyage season including βIn Search of the Northern Lightsβ voyages.
360β¦ TOUR: Viking Ocean 360β¦ Tour
Ritz-Carlton Evrima
Ritz-Carlton’s Yacht Collection will allow cruisers to visit ports the large ships can’t get to. Most voyages will range from seven to ten nights and offer overnight calls with curated activities ashore.
Each yacht will feature 149 suites, each with its own private terrace, and accommodate up to 298 guests in a relaxed, casually elegant atmosphere.
Ritz-carlton yacht club
The accommodations are Ritz-Carlton level:
- Luxury custom king bed
- Double vanity bathroom with modern soaking tub and separate shower
- Private, spacious terrace overlooking the ocean with private whirlpool
- 24-hour in-suite dining
- Complementary WiFi
- Choice of complimentary chilled bottle of Champagne upon arrival
- Espresso machine with complimentary coffee and teas
- Set of high-zoom binoculars
- And more!
You can start sailing in June 2021!
VIDEO: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection | Yacht Tour Video
Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady
You can expect all the same great features found on Valiant Ladyβs sister ship Scarlet Lady. Like her sister ship, guests will be restricted to cruisers 18 years of age and older. The itineraries are home to some of the worldβs best beach clubs, night clubs and yacht clubs usually only visited by super yachts. Visits to Marseille and Monte Carlo with an overnight stay in Ibiza makes these itineraries a delight.
With a home port in Barcelona and destinations throughout the Mediterranean, Valiant Lady will sail three 7-night itineraries beginning May of 2021.
MSC Seashore
The new MSC Seashore builds on the success of the MSC Seaside and the MSC Seaview. The Seashore will have more restaurants, retail, and entertainment areas. Sheβll have the same number of decks, but new spaces and more powerful engines. Seashore was designed to offer passengers more interaction with the sea: extra-wide promenades that jut over the side of the ship, outdoor eating areas, outdoor gym, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows in interior public areas. Also on board is an Aqua Park with four waterslides, a ropes course and zip lines on the top deck.
The Seashore will cruise the Mediterranean beginning in June 2021.
Book your MSC Seashore cruise now!
MSC Cruises official website – Book your cruise on our official website and find an incredible dealHolland America Rotterdam
Holland America changed the newbuild name from Ryndam to Rotterdam, a powerful and symbolic name honoring cruise ships of the cruise lineβs past. This ship is the third in the Pinnacle-class fleet. This is the seventh ship to bear this name. Sheβll be delivered at the end of July 2021 and spend the summer exploring Northern Europe and the Baltic on roundtrip cruises from Amsterdam.
Rotterdam will carry 2,668 guests and feature popular amenities and innovations introduced on her sister ships, including the 270-degree surround screen World Stage, Rudiβs Sel de Mer, and Grand Dutch CafΓ©. Rotterdam will celebrate live music with an exclusive collection of world-class performances each night from Lincoln Center Stage and B.B. Kingβs Blues Club to Rolling Stone Rock Room and Billboard Onboard.
Book your Rotterdam cruise now!
Princess Cruises’ Discovery Princess
Discovery Princessβ is the third vessel designed from the ground up with Princess MedallionClassβ’ and the final Royal-class ship. The ship will have many of the cruise lineβs signature features like the adults-only Sanctuary, three-deck-high Piazza atrium, Movies Under the Stars and the Sky Suites introduced on her sister ship Enchanted Princessβ .
Discovery Princess is scheduled to launch in November 2021. In her first year of operation, she will offer sailings in Europe, the Caribbean, South America, Mexico and along the California Coast.
VIDEO: Introducing Discovery Princess
Book your Discovery Princess cruise now!
Silversea Silver Dawn
Silver Dawn will be Silverseaβs 11th ship in the fleet scheduled to enter service in November 2021. The ship will be the sister to Silver Muse with many of the same features.
Large enough to offer eight dining options β including the superb Sea and Land Taste (S.A.L.T.) programme β yet small enough for the famed Silversea onboard ambiance, Silver Dawn inherits the best features of her sister ships Silver Muse and Silver Moon, but is in a class all of her own.
silversea.com
Silver Dawn will be an all-suite, all-balcony ship and every cabin will come with butler service as is standard on Silversea. Sheβll sail beginning November 2021 with her first season sailing the Mediterranean before transitioning to Fort Lauderdale.
Seabourn Venture
Seabourn Venture, scheduled to launch in December 2021, is designed and built for diverse environments to PC6 Polar Class standards and will include modern hardware and technology that will extend the shipβs global deployment capabilities.
New to Seabourn will be two custom-built submarines onboard that will provide guests unforgettable under-the-ocean views. Venture will also carry a complement of double sea kayaks, mountain bikes and ebikes as well as 24 Zodiacs that can accommodate all guests at once, providing a more immersive experience.
Venture will have 132 all veranda, all ocean-front suites. Her inaugural voyage begins in December 2021 with a Norway Winter expedition.
VIDEO: Ship Tour – Seabourn Venture
Phew! That was a lot! But guess what? You have a large variety of new ships to make your next cruise vacation memorable. 2020 may have been a difficult year for the cruise industry, but with all the new cruise ships of 2021, the new year promises to be full of adventure! Here’s to cruising the ocean blue!
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