The news at Cruise360 that the upcoming Norwegian Bliss would debut the first-at-sea production of the Tony Award-winning Broadway show "Jersey Boys" is just the latest in a number of announcements regarding new cruise ships this week.
Also at the event Carnival Cruise Line announced that the new Carnival Horizon will be the first in the fleet to have Dr. Seuss WaterWorks, a water park inspired by the world of Dr. Seuss. The 3,934-passenger vessel is set to debut in Europe April 2, 2018. Dr. Seuss WaterWorks builds upon the line’s fleetwide Seuss at Sea program, an exclusive partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises that hosts onboard Dr. Seuss-themed youth, family, dining and entertainment experiences.
In other ocean news, this week Viking Ocean Cruises signed a new memorandum of agreement with Fincantieri for two new cruise ships, set to be delivered in 2021 and 2022. The new ships will be the same size as the current three ships in the line’s ocean fleet: Viking Sea, Viking Star and Viking Sky, which just made its debut in February. The new ships will have a capacity of 930 passengers in 465 all-balcony cabins, and will be the same design as the line’s current ocean ships.
In small ship news, Scenic released more details on its upcoming Discovery Yacht, the Scenic Eclipse. The 228 passenger vessel will sail with 10 dining venues, scuba equipment and an onboard helicopter and submarine to take guests on excursions to remote areas. Each of the ship's 114 suites will have a private veranda and lounge area.
In other luxury news, this week marked the official christening of Silversea's new flagship, the Silver Muse, in a ceremony in Monaco. The new luxury cruise ship launched earlier this month with a presentation ceremony at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Italy. After that Travel Agent sailed on a special preview cruise where Silversea executives filled us in on the line’s plans for the new ship. You can check out our in-depth tour of the Silver Muse here.
In river cruise news, this week American Cruise Lines released more details on its upcoming new fleet of modern riverboats. Billed as having the largest staterooms in the U.S., accommodations onboard the new vessels will have private balconies and hotel-sized bathrooms. Other notable features will include a four story atrium in the ship's center, a putting green on the top deck and a complimentary cocktail hour each evening. The first of the new 200-passenger boats is set to sail in fall 2018, with the remainder to launch in 2019.
New USTOA member CroisiEurope is also expanding its fleet, with two new ships setting sail in 2017 and three more set to debut through December. The new MS Symphonie II will sail the Danube and Rhine Rivers, while the MS Miguel Torga will ply the Douro.
Finally, Avalon Waterways has announced plans for a new Suite Ship on the Mekong River. The new Avalon Saigon will have 18 suites with open-air balconies, and will offer 13- through 18-day cruises in Vietnam and Cambodia.
Stay tuned to our cruise news page for the latest cruise travel news, trends and updates.