With the economy starting to pick itself up again, it looks as though the cruise industry is taking advantage of heightened consumer demand for travel in 2015. Boasting a record number of new river and ocean cruise ships being debuted this year, the industry will be adding 25 new vessels to fleets across the world. By 2018, 52 new ships will come onto the scene according to CruiseCompete.
Within these next 12 months, 18 river vessels and seven ocean liners will make their way onto the water, and two river and 11 ocean ships will be unveiled in 2016. Among the most anticipated for 2015 are Viking Ocean’s Viking Star, Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas and NCL’s Norwegian Escape.
Being called a “tech lover’s dream,” the 4,180-passenger Anthem of the Seas is planned for April and will include 373 virtual balconies, RipCord by iFLY’s sky-diving simulator, and an indoor sports and entertainment complex featuring FlowRider, a surf simulator.
Coming in May, Viking Star will be river-cruise brand Viking’s first foray into ocean voyaging. The 930-passenger ship will include a spa, Wintergarden boasting a formal afternoon tea and the World Café where guests can enjoy live cooking stations and al fresco dining.
Projected to be completed by November, NCL’s 4,248-passenger Norwegian Escape will encompass a ship-within-a-ship, offering guests an even more exclusive access to its best accommodations. Called The Haven, the suites will feature the most spacious rooms and will include a concierge and 24-hour butler. At its spa, Mandara, guests can relax in a thermal suite or can work on stimulating circulation in the line’s first-ever Snow Room. For those hoping for a little more peace and quiet, the adults-only Vibe Beach Club will be a great place to grab a cocktail and soak up the sun.
Among the ultra-luxe cruise lines, in 2016 two brands will introduce their ships: Regent Seven Seas Explorer Summer and a to-be-named Seabourn vessel in June. With all these new options, it seems like the perfect time to start looking into booking your next cruise.
