Celebrity Beyond
Cruising is one of the only ways you can unpack once and see multiple destinations on one trip. Some may call them floating hotels, but in recent years, as they become bigger with more onboard activities, ships themselves have become destinations. With some ships boasting racing tracks, waterslides, and even a rollercoaster, it’s easy to see why there is a lot of fanfare when a new cruise ship is launched. Check out these 9 cruise ships that may just inspire you to wander.
Azamara – Onward
In May 2022, Azamara launched the Onward, the newest edition to Azamara’s fleet of premium, boutique-like ships. The vessel itself is not new, but Azamara purchased it in 2021 and gave it a major makeover. Azamara is known for its intimate ships that get you closer to charming villages and unique port cities that the larger vessels can’t visit – and they stay in port longer so you can you truly explore the destination on your own timeline. The Onward fits this bill quite nicely with itineraries that bring you to hidden gems like Portovenere, Italy; Sanary Sur Mer, France; and Argostoli, Greece. And just like Azamara’s other ships, the Onward features personalized service and luxe touches like 24-hour room service, five-star butler service, upscale lounges with sweeping ocean views, specialty dining, and a variety of entertainment from signature shows to comedy nights. They also offer specially curated cultural events and land tours exclusively for Azamara guests.
Carnival Cruise Line - Celebration
The newest ship in Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet is the Carnival Celebration. As the sister ship to Mardi Gras, it will also feature six zones that bring unique experiences and flavors to cruisers: Celebration Central, The Gateway, Summer Landing, 820 Biscayne, Lido, and The Ultimate Playground. Plus, Carnival partnered up with the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex to introduce cruisers age 2-11 to space exploration through experiments and activities. One of the most notable characteristics is that the ship will be powered by LNG, or liquid natural gas, which is a cleaner burning fuel that has lower emissions of sulfur, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. LNG does not emit soot, dust or particulates which makes it a better choice to fuel the ship.
Celebrity Cruises – Beyond Relax and recharge on Beyond, the newest ship in Celebrity Cruises Edge Series that is currently sailing to the Caribbean with upcoming Mediterranean itineraries. Many of Celebrity’s most cherished and iconic onboard spaces are featured, such as the Magic Carpet – a floating platform that can move up and down to different decks; The Retreat – an all-suite zone with exclusive areas to discover; and Eden – a space with stunning design and outward facing views that will have you in awe. Of course, Celebrity added some new delights – expanded open-air spaces and new dining options to help you savor your time at sea.
Disney Cruise Line – Wish
Disney’s newest ship, Wish, brings whimsical magic to the sea. Wish is the 5th ship in the Disney fleet and boasts multiple dining experiences from Frozen-themed dining at Arendelle, an old Hollywood art deco theme at 1923 (named after the year that Disney Studios was founded), and even a Marvel superhero dining venue. To delight guests of all ages, there are also interactive experiences with the worlds of Star Wars and The Little Mermaid, plus a Fantasia-inspired theater. Shop Disney Cruise Line deals
MSC Cruises – Seascape
Launching in December 2022, the MSC Seascape is the sister ship to the MSC Seashore and brings a New York City tribute to the sea. With a replica of the Statue of Liberty gracing the casino and an entertainment area named Times Square, it is easy to walk around asking “How you doin’?” while getting into an “Empire State” of mind. Plus, some new high-tech attractions will get your heart pounding such as VR experiences – a flight simulator and motorbike simulator, an XD Cinema, and a formula racer simulator. Shop MSC Cruises deals
Norwegian Cruise Line – Prima
This past summer, Norwegian Cruise Line introduced Prima, the first in a class of ships of the same name. On Prima you’ll find the thrills NCL is known for but with some oomph: an expanded go-kart racetrack to give you 3 levels of fun, a new tidal wave waterslide to keep you cool, and racing slides to give you a rush. Another delicious addition to the specialty dining venues is NCL’s first ever Mediterranean restaurant, Palomar. And as always, although there are many activities to keep you busy, there is the Mandara spa to help you relax and unwind. Shop Norwegian Cruise Line deals
Princess Cruises – Discovery Princess
In March, Princess Cruises introduced its final Royal-class ship, Discovery Princess. The ship features its newest dining program, Dine My Way, which allows guests to dine anywhere, at the times of their choosing, and even order food from an onboard app. It offers the Enclave, the largest thermal suite among the fleet, and after a visit there, you can make your way to The Sanctuary which has 8 private cabanas. Shop Princess Cruises deals
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line - Wonder of the Seas
Meet the largest ship in the world, the Wonder of the Seas. This Oasis-class ship measures a whopping 1,188 feet long, 215 feet wide, and weighs an astounding 236,857 gross tons - it could be considered a floating city by itself! Wonder of the Seas has an added eight new neighborhoods, the new Vue Bar, an interactive mini golf course called Wonder Dunes, and even a hangout spot just for teens called Social100 which boasts a secret entrance, juice bar with handcrafted mocktails and a whirlpool too. And of course, there are the favorites that are featured across the fleet including the FlowRider surf simulator, the AquaTheater, and the iconic rock walls for those who love to climb. Shop Royal Caribbean deals
Virgin Voyages - Valiant Lady
If an adults-only cruise is what you are after, Virgin Voyages has you covered. Its newest ship, Valiant Lady, launched in Miami on October 30 of this year and joined her sister ship, Scarlet Lady in cruises around the Caribbean before heading to the Mediterranean. This is the second ship in the soon-to-be 4-ship fleet with sister ships, Brilliant Lady and Resilient Lady, following close behind. Virgin ships are best described as superyachts with a sleek, modern feel to their décor and architecture. Over 20 eateries and city-style restaurants can be found onboard as well as a focus on wellness, and whether that focus is active or relaxation, there is something for everyone. Shop Virgin Voyages deals
We hope this article inspired you to book a cruise vacation on one of these new ships. If you have sailed on one of these amazing modern marvels, please email us at winniwanderer@winni.com and tell us all about it. Hearing from you will make our day!
By Staff Contributor
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