This is similar to 2016, when 10 ocean-going newbuilds arrived, worth a total of nearly $7bn and adding 27,580 lower berths.
2017's newbuilds are TUI Cruises' Mein Schiff 6, Star Clippers' Flying Clipper, Viking Ocean Cruises' Viking Sky and Viking Sun, Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Joy, AIDA Cruises' AIDAperla, Silversea Cruises' Silver Muse, Princess Cruises' Majestic Princess, MSC Cruises' MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside, and Dream Cruises' World Dream.
This is an eclectic fleet. It ranges from a near replica of 1911's France II, the largest square-rigged sailing ship ever built (Flying Clipper) to two very large and different prototype vessels for one brand (MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaside). Three ships are tailored for Chinese passengers (Norwegian Joy, Majestic Princess, World Dream), and two are for Germans (Mein Schiff 6, AIDAperla). One, for a European owner, is entering service in the US market (MSC Seaside).
The year's ultra-luxury entrant (Silver Muse) is the first newbuild for Silversea since 2009's Silver Spirit (though the line subsequently built an expedition fleet with extensively renovated pre-owned tonnage). Star Flyer is the first newbuild for Star Clippers in 17 years (the last, Royal Clipper, came in 2000).
The ships range in size from 300 lower berths (Flying Clipper) to 4,500 lower berths (MSC Meraviglia), while gross tonnage swings from 8,770 (Flying Clipper) up to 167,600 (MSC Meraviglia).
MSC Meraviglia from STX France is the largest ship ever built for a European cruise line, and it will offer features like the first purpose-built venue for Cirque du Soleil. MSC Seaside is a new design, too. It's been called 'revolutionary,' with a 360-degree promenade on Deck 8 that's lined with indoor/outdoor shops and restaurants, a full buffet area and a pool—features typically located on upper levels, and high-rise hotel towers. It is Fincantieri's first newbuild for MSC Cruises.
Silver Muse kicks off a new class for Silversea, but at 40,700gt with all-suite accommodations for up to 596 passengers, it's not a huge leap size-wise from the 36,000gt, 540-passenger Silver Spirit of eight years ago. It features a wider array of dining venues (eight).
Norwegian Joy is second in the Breakaway Plus series (following 2015's Norwegian Escape) and is heavily customized for Chinese travelers, with novelties like the first race track at sea. Majestic Princess is third in the Royal class (after Royal Princess and Regal Princess) and its nods to the China market include a Chinese haute cuisine restaurant by a Michelin-star chef. World Dream is the twin of 2016's Genting Dream.
Viking Sky and Viking Sun are third and fourth in a series (after Viking Star and Viking Sea). Mein Schiff 6 is the fourth newbuild in its class, while AIDAperla is the twin of 2016's AIDAprima.
The costliest ship per berth is Silver Muse ($469,800, a Seatrade-estimated price), while the least expensive per berth is AIDAperla ($200,000).
Fincantieri remains the most prolific builder, with five ships (Viking Sky, Viking Sun, Silver Muse, Majestic Princess, MSC Seaside), followed by Meyer Werft with two ships (Norwegian Joy and World Dream). Four other yards will produce one ship each—STX France (MSC Meraviglia), Meyer Turku (Mein Schiff 6), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (AIDAperla) and Brodosplit (Flying Clipper).
(In addition to these ocean-going ships, new coastal vessels this year include Lindblad Expeditions' first newbuild, National Geographic Quest, from Nichols Brothers, and American Cruise Lines' American Constellation, from Chesapeake Shipbuilding.)
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