Bigger than ever: The new cruise ships launching in 2023
Odalisque III by Onboard Expeditions launched in January.
If life on an ocean wave is finally beckoning you back and you particularly appreciate the gloss of fresh paint, gleam of new brass work and the enthusiasm of a newly appointed crew, then this year is your moment.
A score of new cruise vessels is about to glide down the slipways and, whether you're after massive or modest, upmarket or mid-range, classic or expedition, there's sure to be a ship to suit. Here are 15 varied highlights.
ODALISQUE III, ONBOARD EXPEDITIONS
This catamaran from a boutique Tasmanian expedition company is just 24 metres long and carries 12 passengers, proving that cruise ships (if you can call it that) come in all sizes for all varieties of travellers. Think floating boutique hotel or millionaire's motor-yacht: Odalisque III has just six ensuites cabins, two lounges and some attractive deck space. Launched in January, it will sail the remote wilderness areas Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour in south-west Tasmania, and then Tasmania's east coast between Hobart and the Freycinet Peninsula. See onboardexpeditions.com.au
EMERALD SAKARA, EMERALD CRUISES
After the success of Emerald Azzurra, this Scenic-owned company launches sister ship Sakura in February 2023 for an inaugural season of interesting Black Sea, Middle East and Seychelles itineraries. The 100-passenger ship, while relatively small in size, is big on style and luxury, and provides the feel of a billionaire's yacht. The ship will feature an infinity-style pool, spa with gym and infra-red sauna, several dining venues, and a marina platform to facilitate water sports. See emeraldcruises.com.au
VISTA, OCEANIA CRUISES
Vista makes its maiden voyage from Barcelona in April 2023 for a season in Europe, with North America following. The 1200-passenger ship is Oceania's first for a decade and introduces its new Allura class of vessel. It will have a spa and vitality centre, eight bars and lounges and 12 dining options, with four restaurants new to Oceania, a company much admired for its culinary quality. Guests can take cooking classes and art workshops. The ship will also be notable for having a choice of solo staterooms. See oceaniacruises.com
VIKING SATURN, VIKING CRUISES
You know what you're getting with Viking, whose ocean ships all follow the same much-lauded template. Expect favourites such as Manfredi's Italian restaurant, Nordic Spa with its tingling snow grotto, an infinity pool off the ship's stern, the indoor-outdoor Wintergarden by the pool for afternoon teas, and soothing Scandinavian décor. Viking is enrichment-oriented and adults only. The 930-passenger Saturn launches in April 2023 for a maiden Mediterranean and Northern European season. See vikingcruises.com.au
SCENIC ECLIPSE II, SCENIC
Scenic's second ultra-luxury expedition yacht also arrives in April 2023 and, like its predecessor, will feature suites with butler service, top-notch dining, a spa and an expedition team to lead exploration ashore. The 228-passenger vessel will also have a helicopter and submarine. Subtle differences to its sister ship will include an expanded steam room area and infrared lounge, new salt therapy lounge, new indoor-outdoor bar on deck 10, and new oval-shaped pool. The ship will sail the Mediterranean, Arctic and Antarctic. See scenic.com.au
SEABOURN PURSUIT, SEABOURN
Seabourn's second luxury expedition ship, which carries 264 passengers in all-suite, all-balcony accommodation, is designed for polar exploration and will carry two submarines and 24 Zodiacs and kayaks, with cruises accompanied by a 26-person expedition team of expert naturalists, historians and scientists. Interior design is by Adam D. Tihany, who is noted for his modern romanticism and private-club atmosphere. Pursuit sails from Reykjavik in April 2023 to spend the summer in Iceland, Greenland and Norway, and will also tackle a transit of the Northwest Passage. See seabourn.com
RESILIENT LADY, VIRGIN VOYAGES
Virgin Voyages only debuted in 2021 but will launch its third and fourth 2770-passenger, adults-only ships next year. Each has a similar design, party atmosphere, spa, nightclubs and bars, and even a tattoo parlour. The delayed Resilient Lady should sail out from Athens in May 2023 on Greek island sailings before heading to Australia and New Zealand by year's end, when it will homeport in Melbourne over summer. Meanwhile Brilliant Lady launches in December 2023 to sail Caribbean and then European itineraries. See virginvoyages.com
SILVER NOVA, SILVERSEA
Setting sail in June 2023 from Southampton, this will be Silversea's biggest ship (728 passengers) and the first to feature hybrid technology that will enable it to be emissions free by using fuel cells and batteries while in port. An asymmetrical design creates an outward-facing rather than enclosed pool deck and all-new outdoor spaces for Silversea, including a new ocean-gazing restaurant (one of eight), and a bar at the ship's stern. Silver Nova will sail its first season in the Mediterranean, followed by South America. See silversea.com
NORWEGIAN VIVA, NCL
Norwegian Cruise Line's second 3219-passenger Prima Class ship sails from Lisbon in June 2023 on Mediterranean and later Caribbean cruises. Like Norwegian Prima, it will have an expansive spa and wellness centre, exclusive The Haven area for guests in certain suite categories, and thrills such as a three-storey go-kart racetrack, water park and a 10-storey slide known as The Drop down the ship's exterior. You can also expect virtual simulators, swimming pools and abundant kids' activities. See ncl.com
EXPLORA I, EXPLORA JOURNEYS
The new 6327-passenger MSC Euribia sails northern European itineraries from June 2023, but more significant is the launch of MSC's expedition arm Explora Journeys. Its first ship will carry 922 passengers and aims at a more luxury market than MSC's large ocean vessels. Expect a spacious spa and wellness area, six restaurants, 12 bars and lounges, four pools and expansive suites. From its launch in Southampton in mid-2023, it will sail itineraries to 138 ports in northern Europe, the Americas and Hawaii. See explorajourneys.com
CARNIVAL JUBILEE, CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE
This 5374-passenger LNG-powered vessel will launch in Texas in October 2023 and mostly sail Caribbean itineraries. It bills itself as a party ship with six themed zones, a three-deck entertainment venue, many bars and a plethora of evening shows and live music. Passengers in search of quiet can however enjoy the Cloud 9 Spa and adults-only Serenity Retreat. Jubilee will also have an aqua park and the world's fastest rollercoaster at sea. See carnival.com
SEVEN SEAS GRANDEUR, RSSC
Regent's sixth ship sails out of Barcelona in November 2023 for inaugural Caribbean and then Mediterranean seasons. The 750-passenger vessel will doubtless have the cruise line's signature spaciousness, high staff-to-guest ratio, opulent suites and elegantly appointed public areas, adorned with eye-catching artworks. (Grandeur promises a custom-made Faberge egg among its exhibits.) The ship will also have a spa, infinity-edge plunge pool, art deco-inspired observation lounge, and several fine-dining venues serving French, Italian and Pacific Rim food. See rssc.com
CELEBRITY ASCENT, CELEBRITY CRUISES
Celebrity's fourth (and slightly larger) Edge Class ship sails out of Fort Lauderdale in December 2023 for an inaugural Caribbean season. The 3260-passenger Ascent will have all the Edge favourites, such as the two-storey Sunset Bar, adults-only Solarium, ship-within-a-ship The Retreat, and moving platform Magic Carpet, which is at times an embarkation area, bar or restaurant at various levels on the ship's exterior. Four main dining and eight specialty restaurants provide plenty of dining options. See celebritycruises.com
ICON OF THE SEAS, ROYAL CARIBBEAN
This will be RCI's first new vessel type (Icon Class) in almost a decade when delivered in late 2023 and, with 20 decks and 7600 passengers, it becomes the world's largest cruise ship, overtaking other Royal Caribbean ships for the crown. Few details have been released, but seven pools, six record-breaking waterslides and new dedicated family zones are promised. The supersize ship will be powered by LNG. Icon is due to sail from January 2024, initially on Caribbean itineraries from Miami. See royalcaribbean.com
CRYSTAL CRUISES
The bankruptcy of Crystal Cruises' parent company during the main COVID-related cruise shutdown looked like it would finish off one of luxury cruising's most-loved brands until, that is, its two ocean ships Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity were bought by Abercrombie & Kent and the former owner of Silversea. The ships, now being refitted with larger suites and undergoing changes to public areas, were at first slated to set sail in mid-2023. Now the company says cruises should be on sale by the end of 2023. See crystalcruises.com
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