Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas will be world's biggest cruise ship, with room for nearly 10,000 people

Table Of Content

• New River Cruise Ships for 2024
• Why you should get your cruise cabin serviced in the evening instead of the morning
• The live jazz bar
• The 9 best new cruise ships launching in 2024
• The best new cruise ships coming in 2024 from Royal Caribbean, Viking, and more
• Icon of the Seas

These ships couldn’t be more different from the MSC Cruises fleet though – expect small ships with a focus on opulence, incredible service and stunning destinations. Explora II will be the second ship launching for the new Explora Journeys cruise line – a luxury line owned by the same company as MSC Cruises. When she launches she will offer primarily Mediterranean cruises, before crossing the Atlantic to explore South America. She’s also more environmentally friendly than past ships in the fleet, including a shore-power connection to reduce emissions while in port, and it is future-proofed for green methanol fuel in future. There are new dining options too, with an Asian restaurant and a Mediterranean restaurant serving global cuisine for an additional fee. Of course, the fleet is a lot smaller these days, and she will be the fourth still sailing.

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New River Cruise Ships for 2024

A previous feature on the cruise line’s ships, the Champagner Treff Champagne bar, gets a new look for better views. Other amenities include a running track, gym, spa, sports court, climbing wall, and one pool. In design and features, Utopia of the Seas will be nearly identical to Royal Caribbean's last new Oasis Class ship, Wonder of the Seas, which debuted in 2022.

Why you should get your cruise cabin serviced in the evening instead of the morning

We’d argue that no ship is as anticipated in cruising (not just for 2024 but in history) than Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. Anytime there’s a new largest cruise ship in the world, there’s reason for interest. When it arrives in January 2024, the ship will be the first to top the 250,000 gross ton mark.

The live jazz bar

Cruisetours range from nine to 18 days and include a one-, two- or three-day visit to Denali National Park. Select Cruisetours also include a journey into the wilds of Canada’s Yukon. Holland America Line remains the only cruise line that offers overland tours to the Yukon combined with an Alaska cruise and Denali experience. There's a reason Royal Caribbean's new mega-cruise ship is only operating seven-night sailings. MSC Cruises is set to introduce Explora 2, the second of its luxury Explora Journeys brand, allowing guests to explore the world in unparalleled comfort and style, further cementing MSC’s presence in the luxury cruise segment. Princess Cruises introduces Sun Princess, the first ship in its new Sphere class.

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Our most affordable option, these staterooms feature two twin beds or a queen-size bed and the basic amenities you expect, from flat-panel TV to in-room refrigerator. Sustainability is a key part of the Explora Journeys brand and, as such, future planned Explora ships will be LNG-powered, and even later ships will be hydrogen-powered. If you’ve yet to familiarize yourself with Explora Journeys, you wouldn’t be alone.

Disney Cruise Line will also be debuting an enhanced AquaMouse, which was first launched on sister-ship Disney Wish in 2022. The ship's theme is adventure, and this will be evident throughout the public venues. The Grand Hall, for instance, will feature statues and decor that are reminiscent of Agrabah from the Disney classic tale Aladdin.

Silversea is celebrating its 30th anniversary and introducing the second ship in its Nova class, Silver Ray. With sustainability at the forefront, these ships aim to be emission-free at sea and port, setting a new standard for environmentally conscious cruising. With 3,260 passengers, 2,331 staterooms, 14 restaurants and eateries, and (for a $9.95 fee), there’s a dining option for everyone. Le Voyage, the first restaurant at sea by renowned chef Daniel Boulud, serves Mediterranean cuisine and a plant-based tasting menu. Icon of the Seas isn’t the only Royal Caribbean ship slated to hit the waters in 2024. Another new cruise ship from the cruise line, Utopia of the Seas is in a different class than Icon of the Seas, and it’s not going to be as large — but it is still pretty amazing (and what else would you expect from Royal Caribbean?).

In July, Utopia of the Seas will join the fleet as their sixth Oasis Class vessel. Utopia will be the last Oasis Class ship unless additional orders are placed in the future. Offered once per cruise, all dishes on the Alaska Brunch menu in the Dining Room were created with the influence of fresh, local Alaskan and Pacific Northwest ingredients. Speaking of vibes, if you're looking for a secluded place to drink (as in, not the swim-up pool bar), few will top the Overlook Pods, perched just behind the AquaDome. The mega-ship's food hall wasn't nearly as diverse or exciting as the one on Norwegian Prima. The ship's riff on Broadway-approved "Wizard of Oz" — 16-piece live orchestra and flying bed included — delighted me, a hater of most musicals.

Popular Sun Princess Departure Ports

If you’ve already cruised on Silver Nova, you won’t notice much difference between the two sister ships, as Silver Ray is essentially the same — but that’s all the more reason to love the ship. Fans of the Cunard Line have been waiting a long while for the Queen Anne cruise ship, which will follow in the footsteps of the line’s iconic Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth ships. Throughout the rest of this flashy ship, expect more than 40 dining and entertainment venues, split across 20 decks and eight neighborhoods. New dining venues include Royal Caribbean’s first food hall and the ultra-fancy Empire Supper Club, with its eight-course menu.

It'll be loaded with all sorts of gee-whiz attractions, restaurants, bars and entertainment. This year will be a big one for new cruise ships, with three major vessels on the way that promise to break new ground in cruising. One of 15 restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges along the ships promenade, Coastal Kitchen will be a ...

Inside the vessel, you'll find more lounges, bars, restaurants and shops than you can imagine, plus a huge casino, spas and theaters with Broadway-style shows. With every berth filled, Silver Ray will sail with 728 passengers — the same as Silver Nova and just 132 more than the three earlier Silversea vessels. Additional dining venues on board will include versions of Silversea's main signature restaurant La Terrazza, French eatery La Dame, seafood eatery Atlantide and sushi outlet Kaiseki. As we wrote about in our recent first look at Silver Nova, part of what makes this new outward-facing orientation for these ships so magical is that they don't have any structures rising from the starboard sides of their pool decks. Passengers floating in the pools on these ships or lounging on nearby lounge chairs get an unobstructed view of the sea off the starboard side.

This fledgling cruise line, an off-shoot of MSC, is about to launch their second small luxury ship. Passengers aboard Explora II will be immersed in elegant design with 461 ocean-front suites offering private terraces, floor-to-ceiling windows, and butler services. From luxury cruise ships to mainstream and river ships, it’s a busy year for launching new cruise ships in 2024.

Considered one of the world’s greenest cruise ships, the LNG-powered vessel is set to spend its inaugural season in the Mediterranean. The entertainment and relaxation areas of the ships are generous too, with ten bars and lounges, curated shopping experiences, and a large indoor and outdoor spa area. Explora Journeys isn’t messing around with its new cruise ships – these will definitely rival the existing ultra-luxury lines sailing the oceans.

Technically this ship makes its debut in November 2023, but its first full year of sailing will be in 2024. For those who care more about luxury and the onboard experience instead of huge mega ships, this is the ship you want to pay attention to. With that in mind, here are the best new cruise ships for the coming year that you need to know about.

11 Best New Cruise Ships in 2024 Complete Rundown

Table Of Content

• Icon of the Seas (January
• Queen Anne (May
• The views revolve around you.
• Wheelhouse Bar
• Annoying Mistakes I've Made on Cruises
• Treat Yourself Every Time You Walk Into Your Stateroom

Disney Treasure will sail seven-night voyages to the Caribbean and the Bahamas out of Port Canaveral. Other new venues include Jumbeaux's Sweets, an ice cream parlor and candy shop inspired by Jumbeaux's Cafe in the movie "Zootopia," and Skipper Society, a new bar inspired by Disney's Jungle Cruise ride and its wisecracking skippers. At the latter, which will be where The Bayou is on Disney Wish, passengers will find a menu of themed cocktails and light snacks, such as waffles. In just a few years, that'll give Explora Journeys a bigger capacity than such well-known luxury cruise operators as Seabourn and the recently relaunched Crystal. Silver Ray will initially sail in Europe before repositioning to North America in December 2024 for winter sailings to South America and the Caribbean.

Icon of the Seas (January

There are nine different restaurants onboard, all of which focus on healthy and delicious menus which are crafted using locally-sourced food from the ship’s destinations. The ships are asymmetrical – unusual compared to most cruise ships – making the most of the available space and a lot of glass to open up the public areas and make the ship feel extremely spacious. The first Sphere-Class ship, she will instantly become the largest ship to have ever sailed for the cruise line, with a gross tonnage of 175,500 and a maximum guest capacity of 4,300. Category 6 will feature six different slides ranging from extreme drop slides to family raft slides. At the front you’ll find the Aquadome, complete with indoor area that features a waterfall and stage for the water-focused theater and lounge seating with wraparound views.

Queen Anne (May

It will feature the AquaMouse rollercoaster, interactive escapades inspired by the Jungle Cruise, and immersive spaces that showcase the charming world of Disney. Jumping up quite a bit in scale to a comparatively median-sized vessel is Cunard’s 113,000-ton, 3,000-guest Queen Anne, the first new ship from the historic company in over a decade. World Adventurer will be the second of the new ships for Mystic Cruises launching in 2025, although information on this and World Discoverer is harder to come by.

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The views revolve around you.

Spots like the Rooftop Garden where you can relax and take in the views figure prominently on Ascent. Eden also makes an appearance, the three-deck lounge and bar spot that features massive windows to bring in ocean views. A part of a completely new class of ships for Princess, Sun Princess is unlike anything else in the brand. When the ship debuts in February 2024, it will mark the largest in the fleet at 175,000 gross tons (roughly the size of Carnival Jubilee).

Wheelhouse Bar

But Carnival offers an amazing amount of free options including Big Chicken, Chibang! There are paid specialty restaurants also offered, but it’s hard to beat the included lineup. There will be eight different neighborhoods, three waterslides, five pools, and more than 20 places to eat. Adults will love the Solarium, a popular spot that features an indoor pool and hot tubs along with a glass roof to allow sun in while keeping things warm. Central Park will also be featured, offering a spot to enjoy lush greenery even while in the middle of the ocean.

Annoying Mistakes I've Made on Cruises

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It’s also the perfect setting for cocktails before dinner or a leisurely breakfast. A complimentary glass of bubbly isn't the only perk you enjoy when you choose a Mini-Suite. It's substantially larger than a balcony stateroom and includes a separate seating area with sofa bed as well as two flat-panel TVs. In addition to the great amenities found in all Mini-Suites, you will receive Reserve Collection upgrades, including access to the Reserve Collection Restaurant. After seeing its delivery postponed in 2023, the Brilliant Lady should enter service for Virgin Voyages in the second quarter of 2024. However, details about the vessel’s new inaugural season have yet to be announced by the company.

The Cabana stateroom boasts a private cabana and balcony, allowing you to relish the outdoors while preserving your privacy. Also without an added fee is Mistral, the most casual dining experience with an outdoor area. All four dining venues request casual to smart casual dress codes—no formal wear required. Enrichment & Entertainment Beyond ExpectationsEntertainment aboard Sun Princess reaches new heights.. Step into “Spellbound,” an exclusive collaboration with The Magic Castle ™.

Amenities like heated bathroom floors and full-size verandas in staterooms add comfort. At the same time, the ship’s smaller size allows access to ports that are inaccessible to more giant liners. Silver Ray accommodates up to 728 passengers and will sail along Italy’s coastline. Ports include stops in Croatia and Montenegro, before spending the rest of its inaugural season exploring the Mediterranean. Culinary Journeys Across the GlobePrepare to embark on a culinary voyage around the world!

Cruise Line Adds “Glacier Day” to Its Alaskan Cruise Itineraries

We now know that’s not true though – another has been ordered for 2028, in a surprise move. These ships are the biggest ever built for the cruise line, but remember that this is still Silversea – even these ‘large’ ships will only host a maximum of 728 passengers when at capacity. The Reserve Collection includes Mini-Suites and Cabanas in some of the best areas of the ship, while the Signature Collection is the finest level of Suites. Both collections have their own private restaurants, with the Signature Collection also enjoying a private Sun Deck and Lounge too. Eight neighborhoods are aboard Icon of the Seas, so there will be a spot for you to enjoy no matter what you’re looking for. This includes the all-new Surfside area that’s specifically built for those with smaller kids, including pool, splash area, and restaurants for families.

Continuing American Cruise Line’s Coastal Cat series, the American Liberty is set to enter service on August 15, 2024. During its maiden season, the U.S.-built cruise ship is set to offer a series of itineraries in New England and the Hudson River. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas will up the ante in January 2024 as the first in a new class of ships that will measure a staggering 250,800 tons. Compared to the Utopia, its double occupancy will be less at 5,610 guests, making for an improved passenger space ratio.

Expect Vela excursions to Iceland, around the Mediterranean to Morocco, and more. We don’t know where Ilma will sail yet, but Evrima has been offering cruises around the Caribbean in the winter months and the Mediterranean in the summer. Ilma may do the same, or it may be a chance for Ritz-Carlton to expand their offering to more destinations instead. There’ll be varied dining options, including the Worlds of Marvel interactive experience.

With most cruise lines, a new ship is an exciting moment, but when Cunard launches a new ship it feels like an event. What’s really exciting is that she is launching a brand new class for Princess Cruises. In total, you’ll find seven pools (including Royal Caribbean’s first pool with swim-up bar), 22 different eateries, the popular Central Park, ice-skating rink, and more.

The cruises are all three- and four-night breaks – and the ship has been dubbed the ‘Ultimate Weekend Cruise‘. Silver Ray will be the second Nova-class ship for Silversea, following in the footsteps of Silver Nova which launched in 2023. She will offer the classic Cunard experience, but with comfortable modern decor and furnishings throughout, including spacious outdoor areas where you can relax and the sophisticated Bright Lights Society show bar. With 20 onboard eateries, ranging from Michelin-style formal dining to casual snack venues for those late-night cravings, and with plenty of choices for bars and nightclubs, you won’t be short of things to see and do.

Nearly all the lounge chairs around the pool will face in the same direction toward the sea, too. Not everything about Queen Anne will be different from previous Cunard ships. As is always the case for Cunard vessels, Queen Anne will have a soaring Grand Lobby with a cascading staircase where you can take selfies in your formal night splendor. That staple of all Cunard ships, the ballroom known as the Queens Room, is also making a comeback.

Both offer the same number of guest rooms (1,254) and both are LNG-powered. That said, there are still a few new features that give long-time Disney Cruise Line fans plenty to look forward to. As such, expect that same classic elegance and cruising tradition that you might experience on these three sister ships, just with a few modern updates. The ship’s Piazza is surrounded by domed glass and takes its inspiration from historic piazzas, offering access to a range of luxurious venues.

Cabins will be relatively spacious, with the smallest of five cabin categories having 270 square feet of space. After having its delivery postponed several times since 2021 due to problems at Brodosplit, the Janssonius is expected to enter service for Oceanwide Expeditions sometime in 2024. Once delivered, the expedition vessel is set to offer a series of exploration cruises in Antarctica and the Arctic. Closing out Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class, the Utopia of the Seas is set to welcome guests for its inaugural cruise on July 22, 2024.

Cruise to Nowhere, 2024, 2025 and 2026 Cruises to Nowhere

Table Of Content

• Cancellation an Option
• Cruise to nowhere rules for US based ships
• Latest price updates
• We Make Vacation Planning Easy

Better still, save a tree and download their cruise line app which will also give you updates on shipboard events, amenities, add-on services and weather conditions. A weekend cruise is a popular option for a special celebration on the high seas, such as a family milestone like a birthday and anniversary, or a bachelor party. Carnival Venezia is offering a compensation package to the impacted guests who missed Bermuda. One of the biggest markets for a short cruise without any port calls is Australia. Lines including Carnival and Celebrity Cruises operate cruise to nowhere programs, which are often marketed as ‘sampler cruises’ to entice new customers. These generally depart from Sydney and Brisbane with seasonal sailings also from Fremantle.

Cancellation an Option

Carnival Paradise will be sailing a shortened, no-port cruise, but is offering guests onboard significant compensation for the change. If you want to sample a dish at a specialty restaurant, book a spa treatment or bag a front row seat at one of the live shows, you’ll likely need to act fast. Again, some cruise lines allow you to make reservations via their official app. Needless to say, the sooner you arrive for embarkation the sooner you can start maximizing your enjoyment and exploring everything the ship has to offer.

Cruise to nowhere rules for US based ships

This visa gives the holder the right to work for the cruise line on international voyages out of the US but not on American soil. Although a ship may sail into international waters, it is deemed to be a ‘domestic’ trip because “they do not land in a foreign port or territory” according to U.S. This is a law which actually dates back more than 100 years (called the Jones Act) but has only recently been properly enforced.

Latest price updates

The concept is still very much alive with American cruisers, thanks to having the world’s largest cruising region right on their doorstep. The ease at which cruise ships can get to the Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico quickly means there are a plethora of short cruise vacation options. A cruise to nowhere is a short cruise that allows you to set sail for a few days in international waters, without visiting any ports of call. This gives you just enough time to enjoy the facilities on your favorite ship, cruise line, or cruise company. If this sounds perfect to you, there are a few things you may want to know.

The first step to a rewarding life of cruising

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Fortunately, no further delays or changes to the cruise are expected, and Carnival Sunshine should arrive back in Charleston as expected on Monday, January 16. These conditions created unstable conditions on the dock, making it unsafe for guests to cross the gangway to get on or off the ship, or to walk down the dock into the downtown area. If you like being spontaneous or want to surprise a significant other, then a cruise to nowhere may be the perfect option. "U.S. Customs and Border Protection consistently enforces immigration laws and regulations in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)," according to a representative for CBP. "As explained in a 2014 federal court opinion (Bimini Superfast v. Winkowksi), it has been the longstanding position of CBP that D-1 visa holders are not eligible to serve as crew members on cruises to nowhere. The last seven-day Western Caribbean cruise travels to Mahogany Bay, Belize and Cozumel on July 14-21, August and August 25 to September 1.

The only large-sized ocean cruise ship flagged in the US with an entirely American crew is Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America which sails exclusively in US waters around the Hawaiian Islands. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Cruises to nowhere are perfectly legal in many regions around the world and is an interesting option to combine a long haul vacation with a few days at sea. Cruise itineraries in Europe do include regularly scheduled short cruises with no port calls, and you can easily search and find a cruise to book online.

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As mentioned, sailing out of a US port has its own unique limitations but the huge variety of conventional short cruise options lasting from 2 – 4 days is unmatched. Florida and the Gulf Coast are the main gateways to your next quick getaway to the sunshine, serving the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Mexico, while the SoCal ports of Long Beach and San Diego unlock weekend cruises to Baja. Last minute changes, be it an operational or weather-related issue, could also free up dates for an extra short sailing.

Cruise lines invariably offer eye catching deals for spa treatments on port days to entice people to skip the shore excursions. That is not the only compensation guests on this cruise are receiving, however. They depart from several different ports–although not from the United States–and sail on international waters.

We Make Vacation Planning Easy

Onboard, crew members will work to provide extra activities, more live music, and unique entertainment opportunities so everyone can still have a great time, even without visiting a port of call. If the ship is rocking too much, the gangways will not be stable and safe for guests or crew members to cross, or the ship’s mooring lines might snap and the vessel could begin to drift. “In partnership with our Fleet Operations Center, we continue to monitor the weather.

Depending on the exact destination, wind direction, wave height, tidal conditions, and other factors, ports may not be safe for cruise ships to visit. Narrow harbor entrances or tight turning basins may be impossible to navigate if high winds push a ship, and using tender boats to ferry cruise guests ashore at some destinations is likewise impossible. Instead, the ship will offer a cruise to nowhere, giving guests onboard several compensation benefits and offering a future cruise credit refund for travelers who opt to cancel their getaway. While being spontaneous and a little impulsive is all part of the travel experience, you’ll need to be focused with a pre-cruise game-plan to make the absolute most of the limited time. You’ll be boarding a floating mini-city so acquaint yourself as much as possible with the ship layout beforehand. All cruise lines display detailed maps online for all their ships so arm yourself with a print-out before arriving at the port.

The only way that American ships can do a cruise to nowhere is if they have an all-American crew. The only cruise lines that can circumvent this rule are UnCruise Adventures, American Cruise Lines, Alaskan Dream Cruises, Select Lindblad Expeditions, and American Queen Steamboat Company. In 2015, people in the United States were able to book cruises to nowhere. They tended to go from ports in New York on lines like Norwegian or Carnival.

GPS markers indicate the ship’s next destination is Port Canaveral, scheduled to arrive Monday morning in line with the original itinerary. This interpretation is based on the idea that the moment passengers board a foreign-flagged vessel, they are considered to have departed the US. When they disembark, even at the same port, they are considered to have arrived back in the US, technically making it a cruise to nowhere, a voyage between two US ports. Cruise lines continue to offer daytime activities during port days, which again will be less crowded than usual, and all the more rewarding for it. Art and crafts, game shows, lectures and cooking demonstrations are just some of the varied options. Carnival Sunshine is currently sailing a 4-night cruise from Charleston, South Carolina, with just one planned port of call – Nassau in The Bahamas.