The New Ocean Cruise Ships to Debut in 2023
Cruise Ships Set to Debut in 2023
This year promises a parade of new ocean-going cruise ships that range from small yachts to luxurious ice-class explorers to mammoth mega-ships with eye-popping features. Despite some lingering delays due to pandemic-inducted supply chain issues, many shiny new vessels are scheduled to enter service on 2023. Here’s an overview of what’s expected to debut over the next 12 months.
American Cruise Lines
This small-ship specialist will welcome two new “Coastal Cats” in 2023 – both are 100-passenger vessels sailing East Coast itineraries. American Eagle will enter service in August, followed in October by American Glory; those names were used by the first two ships in the company’s fleet, now retired.
These ships are the first of the 12-ship Project Blue series, designed as a hybrid of small luxury ship and expedition vessel. They will have catamaran hulls that allows for an activity platform at the stern, equipped with kayaks and a large tender for activities directly from the ship.
The ships will have 56 staterooms and suites, all with a private balcony.
Carnival Cruise Line
The 5,374-passenger Carnival Jubilee is scheduled to operate its first cruise, from Galveston, Texas, on Dec. 23, 2023.
The 182,800-gross-ton ship is the third in the Excel Class and follows the Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, making it the line’s third ship to be powered by liquified natural gas (LNG).
The ship will feature Carnival favorites like Cucina del Capitano, Seuss at Sea, Playlist Productions, BOLT roller coaster, RedFrog Tiki Bar, Family Feud Live and more.
Carnival Jubilee will offer seven-day Western Caribbean cruises with stops in Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, as well as Mahogany Bay (Isla Roatan), Honduras.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Ascent, the fourth in the line’s stunning Edge Series of ships, will debut in Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades on Dec. 3, 2023, for an inaugural Caribbean season of alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. The 3,260-passenger, 140,600-gross-ton ship will have the line’s innovative outward-facing design for views from throughout the ship. The 17-deck ship will be 65 feet longer than the first ship in the class, Celebrity Edge, so it has more space onboard.
Emerald Cruises
The 100-guest luxury yacht, Emerald Sakara, is scheduled to launch on Aug. 5 in Europe. The 360-foot-long vessel, a sister to Emerald Azzurra, will operate itineraries throughout the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas before crossing the Atlantic in November to offer Caribbean cruises.
Of the 50 staterooms and suites, 88 percent have a private balcony. The yacht offers indoor and outdoor dining, an infinity-style pool, and a wellness center with an infrared sauna.
Explora Journeys
The first ship from the new Explora Journeys luxury line is scheduled to enter service in July from Southampton, U.K., as the first in a series of six 922-passenger, 63,900-gross-ton newbuilds. The $2-billion-plus luxury cruise brand was started by Switzerland-based MSC Group, which also is the parent company of MSC Cruises.
Explora I will feature nine dining options, three outdoor pools and one indoor pool with retractable glass roof, 64 private cabanas, several indoor and outdoor whirlpools, and poolside dining and lounging.
The ship will have 461 oceanfront suites, many with large private terraces, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows and walk-in wardrobes with a seated vanity area.
The ship also will include green technologies, including hybrid-ready energy solutions, waste-management and energy-saving solutions, and no single-use plastic.
MSC Cruises
The 6,327-passenger, 183,500-gross-ton MSC Euribia is scheduled to debut in June in Europe. The name derives from the ancient goddess Eurybia, who was said to have harnessed the winds, weather, and constellations to master the seas.
The ship will feature 10 dining venues, five pools and a water park, a Balinese-designed spa, and the longest LED Dome at Sea, an indoor promenade that features the main and specialty restaurants and numerous shops.
MSC Euribia also will have the MSC Yacht Club, the luxury ship-within-a-ship, with a dedicated restaurant and lounges, a private pool area, 24-hour butler service, massage rooms and access to the thermal suite in the spa.
This ship will operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG), a cleaner-burning fuel said to reduce emissions, virtually eliminating sulfur oxides and particulates and reducing nitrogen oxides by 85 percent.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Second in the well-received Prima Class, the 3,100-guest Norwegian Viva will debut in August 2023.
The 142,500-gross-ton Viva will feature several complimentary restaurants, including two main dining rooms, the indoor/outdoor Surfside Café, The Local Bar & Grill, and Indulge Food Hall. Specialty restaurants include Palomar, a Mediterranean seafood venue, and Hasuki for teppanyaki.
The ship also promises the fastest free-fall drop dry slides at sea and three-level go-kart track.
The ship will operate in the Mediterranean this summer and fall, sailing from ports including Lisbon, Portugal; Venice (Trieste) and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; and Athens (Piraeus), Greece. The ship will move to San Juan, Puerto Rico for the winter season to offer Southern Caribbean cruises.
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Vista, the line’s first newbuild since 2012, will make its debut in May in Europe. The May 13 Founder’s Cruise will feature Frank J. Del Rio, who founded Oceania now serves as president and CEO Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. chairman of parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
The 1,200-guest, 67,000-gross-ton ship will have 12 dining options, spacious staterooms of at least 290 square feet, private lounges for Concierge-level accommodations, and new Concierge-level solo veranda staterooms, a first for the brand.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
This luxury line will launch its new 750-guest Seven Seas Grandeur with a 14-night maiden voyage departing Barcelona on Nov. 25. The 55,500-gross-ton ship will sail to Miami, where it will remain through the winter, operating a variety of Caribbean voyages.
The ship will have the signature Compass Rose dining room and specialty restaurants with refined menus, including Sette Mari for Italian, Chartreuse for French cuisine, Prime 7 steakhouse, and the Pan-Asian Pacific Rim.
One notable feature: Seven Seas Grandeur will sail with a Fabergé egg as a permanent part of its multimillion-dollar art collection. The seven-inch-tall objet d’art is inspired by the Fabergé Winter Egg of 1913, while also heavily representing the natural elements of the sea with ocean greens and blues, and a spray of pearls.
Seabourn
The luxury line will introduce its second expedition ship, Seabourn Pursuit, with a 14-day maiden voyage from Barbados to Manaus, Brazil, departing Oct. 10.
The 264-guest, 23,000-gross-ton ship was built for to PC6 Polar Class standards and will offer range of expedition activities led by a 26-person team of scientists, scholars, naturalists, and more.
The ship will offer complimentary Seabourn Expedition offerings such as Zodiac cruises, hikes, nature walks, scuba diving, and snorkeling, as well as additional complimentary excursions.
Optional shore excursions are available such as kayaking and rides in two six-passenger submersibles.
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises will welcome its 11th ship, and the first Nova-class ship, Silver Nova, this summer in Europe. The 728-guest ultra-luxury ship will depart on its inaugural voyage Aug. 14, 2023, on a round-trip from Fusina (Venice), Italy. It will remain in Europe until November, when it sails to New York and then to the Caribbean and South America over the winter.
Silver Nova will have an innovative asymmetrical design that allows for more ocean and destination views from restaurants and deck areas. The ship will be the industry’s first multi-hybrid cruise ship and the first to use fuel cells to provide 100 percent of power while in port, releasing zero harmful emissions.
The 54,700-gross-ton Silver Nova will include the line’s notable amenities, including the Otium spa and wellness concept and S.A.L.T., the culinary program that extends food and culture experiences from the ship’s restaurants to land excursions.
Virgin Voyages
This company plans on introducing two ships this year – Resilient Lady on May 14 and Brilliant Lady on Dec. 24.
The ships have the same features as Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady, including numerous on-trend restaurants, lively entertainment and a sassy attitude.
Like their sisters, each will be 110,000 gross tons and carry 2,770 passengers.
Viking
While the Viking Neptune was delivered in November 2022, it was scheduled to be christened Jan. 8 at the Los Angeles World Cruise Center. Ceremonial godmother is astronaut Nicole Stott.
The 930-passenger, 48,000-gross-ton Viking Neptune is identical to Viking’s other ocean ships but is the first to test hydrogen power for onboard operations. Viking is using the small system as a test to determine how hydrogen fuel could be used at a larger scale in future newbuilds.
Another ocean ship, Viking Saturn, will enter service this year, but an exact date has not been revealed.