2024's 10 new oceangoing cruise ship deliveries2024's 10 new oceangoing cruise ship deliveries

This is according to Seatrade's orderbook, which does not include coastal ships or river vessels. Potentially, there could be two more ship deliveries*. 

The 10 are Princess Cruises' Sun Princess, Cunard's Queen Anne, Explora Journeys' Explora II, Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady, Royal Caribbean International's Utopia of the Seas, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's Ilma, Silversea Cruises' Silver Ray, TUI Cruises' Mein Schiff 7, Disney Cruise Line's Disney Treasure and Viking's Viking Vela.

Three new designs

Among the newcomers, three — Sun Princess, Queen Anne, Ilma — have new designs.

For the first time in several years, none of the deliveries is an expedition ship.

Six are larger than 100,000gt (Sun Princess, Queen Anne, Brilliant Lady, Utopia of the Seas, Mein Schiff 7, Disney Treasure) and one is larger than 200,00gt (Utopia of the Seas). Three are luxury ships (Explora II, Ilma, Silver Ray).

Half are LNG-powered

Five will be LNG-powered (Sun Princess, Utopia of the Seas, Ilma, Silver Ray, Disney Treasure), while one will be methanol-ready (Mein Schiff 7).

Shipbuilders

The Fincantieri group leads with five of the scheduled newbuild deliveries from its Monfalcone, Marghera, Sestri Ponente and Ancona yards. Two each are from Chantiers de l'Atlantique and Meyer Werft, while one is from Meyer Turku.

A few highlights, as detailed in the December 2023 issue of Seatrade Cruise Review:

New designs

The multifunctional Dome on Sun Princess is home to entertainment like Cirque Éloize

Sun Princess — This 175,000gt ship, first of the LNG-powered Sphere class, is the largest vessel built in Italy. It showcases entertainment in three major venues — The Dome, The Piazza and the flexible Princess Arena with three configurations including theater in the round. The nine-deck sphere midships brings light in. Other novelties include the first-at-sea Rollglider high above Deck 19, Spellbound by Hollywood's Magic Castle and dining including a restaurant in partnership with artist Romero Britto.

Queen Anne's Grand Lobby

Queen Anne — Larger than the last two Queens, at 1,065 feet versus the 965 feet of Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, the 2,996-berth Queen Anne also carries about 900 more passengers. As the creative director, Adam D. Tihany went for 'a contemporary take on the spirit of Cunard.' New are a top-deck wellness studio; restaurants specialized in Italian, Japanese, Indian and steak/seafood, and an intimate entertainment venue, Bright Lights Society. 

Ilma offers a larger selection of top suites. Here, the owner's suite

Ilma — Ritz-Carlton's second yacht and the first of two LNG-powered newbuilds, Ilma measures 46,750gt, compared to Evrima's 24,000gt, and has 456 berths, up from 298. Ilma also offers a larger selection of top suites and more categories, all with terraces, and a whopping 102.5 space ratio. The marina is expanded with a new mezzanine feature.

Utopia of the Seas' Ultimate Abyss dry slide returns adds new zoom booster rollers and transparent racing windows

The biggest

Utopia of the Seas —This sixth Oasis-class ship, and the first to debut on three-/four-night cruises, will offer five pools, a poolside food truck and the new Pesky Parrot Caribbean tiki bar. The Ultimate Abyss dry slide returns with new zoom booster rollers and transparent racing windows. For dining, there's a new locomotive journey immersive experience, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar spans two levels with a cantilevered alfresco terrace, and Izumi in the Park provides a take-away window in the Central Park neighborhood.

Longest running series

Viking Vela is slightly larger than the 10 earlier ships in the series

Viking Vela — No. 11 in a series begun in 2015, this ship is slightly larger than the rest due to new IMO stability regulations. Viking Vela will stretch 784 feet with a beam of 101 feet and capacity for 998 passengers, compared to 930 for the earlier vessels. Gross tonnage is 48,900, up from 47,800gt.

Methanol-ready

New on Mein Schiff 7 are 26 cabins for solo travelers

Mein Schiff 7 — The sister of Mein Schiff 1 and 2, Mein Schiff 7 will initially run on low-sulfur fuel with the capability of using green methanol in future. New passenger features include 26 cabins for solo travelers, a Viennese café serving coffee and pastries, Asian/sushi and Italian restaurants and an expanded Abtanz Bar that adds several slot machines and a gaming table to this dance club venue.

Encores

One of Explora II's four pools has a retractable glass roof

Explora II — A twin of 2023's Explora I, it also measures 63,900gt, has three outdoor pools and a fourth with a retractable glass roof, 64 cabanas, nine restaurants and indoor-outdoor spa and wellness facilities.

The ocean-view S.A.L.T. Lab/Chef's Table is located on a high deck

Silver Ray — The sister of 2023's Silver Nova, the 54,700gt Silver Ray uses LNG and battery power at sea and is intended to harness hydrogen-based fuel cells to eliminate emissions in port. The asymmetric design and extensive use of glass return, as do The Marquee alfresco dining venue and an ocean-view S.A.L.T. Lab/Chef's Table on a high deck.

Disney Treasure's 'Aladdin-esque' Grand Hall

Disney Treasure —  The sister of 2022's Disney Wish, this 140,000gt, LNG-powered ship is themed on adventure. Treasure will have the first spots on a Disney ship cued by Disney parks attractions, for example, The Haunted Mansion Parlor, a bar. The 1,274-seat Walt Disney Theatre will stage a new, original Broadway-style production, 'The Tale of Moana,' and Plaza de Coco is a new family-themed Mexican restaurant based on the Pixar film 'Coco.'

Brilliant Lady wraps Virgin Voyages' lady ships

Brilliant Lady — Fourth and final in the 110,000gt 'lady ships' series, following Resilient Lady, Valiant Lady and Scarlet Lady. Originally set to debut in 2023, Brilliant Lady was delayed.

* Potential deliveries include Adora Cruises' second newbuild from Shanghai Waigaoquiao, sister of 2023's Adora Magic City, and Oceanwide Expeditions' Janssonius, sister of 2019's Hondius. Originally scheduled for October 2021 delivery from Brodosplit, Janssonius was delayed by pandemic issues and sanctions related to financing at the Croatian yard. Seatrade was unable to get updates from Adora Cruises and Oceanwide Expeditions.