Karl WP Beyer December 31, 2023 – After the corona pandemic has subsided, the cruise ship market is picking up speed again. The same applies to the shipyards, which are carefully increasing their existing capacities. The following new buildings can be expected in the coming year.
Cunard-Queen Anne
The trio of Cunard cruise ships will become a quartet in 2024. The new building, called “Queen Anne”, was originally planned to be put into service in 2022. The pandemic thwarted the shipping company's plans. The 249th ship in Cunard's history is named Queen Anne. The queen lived from 1665 to 1714. The Cunard team portrays the regent (1702 to 1714) as an inspiring woman popular with her people who stood for the unification of Great Britain. It matters little that “Wikipedia” paints a different picture.
Cunard - Queen Anne - Rendering © Cunard
The ship, measured at around 113.000 gross tons, offers almost 3.000 passengers a suitable home on the world's oceans. It is being built by the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard near Venice. Starts on May 3, 2024 Southampton the after Lisbon leading maiden voyage.
Disney Cruise Line – Disney Treasure
The Disney Wish set sail in 2022. The Disney Treasure is the next ship in the Triton class. The MEYER shipyard in Papenburg is responsible for its construction. The ship can accommodate up to 4.000 guests and offers a wide range of entertainment options.
Sister ship Disney Wish in Port Canaveral
Explora Journeys – Explora II
In August next year, the MSC subsidiary will enter the luxury sea travel segment with a second ship, the “Explora II”. The new brand plans to have a total of six ships by 2028. The first two, Explora I and II, use marine diesel. LNG propulsion is announced for the third ship. The 250-meter-long Explora II offers 461 suites, nine dining options and three outdoor pools and one indoor pool. More than 600 crew members ensure the well-being of the guests.
Explora II - Float Out - Photo © Explora Journeys
The new building undertakes according to its of Barcelona to Civitavecchia leading maiden voyage until November 2024 voyages in the western Mediterranean. The ship then cruises in the Caribbean.
Princess Cruises – Sun Princess
The “Sun Princess” will enter service in February 2024. Princess Cruises' new flagship is the first fleet member to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). From February 18, 2024, the ship will make its first voyages in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Sphere-class ship holds a maximum of 4.300 guests. It is measured at 175.000 GT. To date, it is the largest ship ever built by Fincantieri for Princess Cruises. The most striking attribute of the ship is the “dome” located in the front segment of the ship. Its main feature is a multi-story pool area. The Sun Princess will also have a multi-story plaza in the ship's center and a self-contained adults-only district.
Sun Princess - Rendering - Photo © Princess Cruises
Sun Princess - Rendering - The Dome - Photo © Princess Cruises
Royal Caribbean International – Two ships in 2024
With the 365 meter long “Icon of the Seas”, Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is having the MEYER TURKU shipyard build the largest cruise ship in the world. Not only is it the longest passenger ship of all time, it also woos its maximum of 7.600 guests with a variety of entertainment. It has the largest water park at sea, an ice rink and an inevitable surfing simulator. The ship is divided into eight “neighborhoods”. The purchase price of the giant is estimated at one billion euros.
But that's not all: In July 2024, a sixth ship of the Oasis class, the “Utopia of the Seas”, will enter service. Compared to the Icon of the Seas, the ship can accommodate 5.668 passengers.
Both new buildings have LNG drives and shore power connections.
Icon of the Seas leaves shipyard - Photo © RCI
TUI Cruises – My Ship 7
Four years after the completion of Mein Schiff 2, TUI Cruises will take over the “Mein Schiff 7” in the middle of next year. The new building can accommodate almost 2.900 passengers. Twelve restaurants and bistros satisfy the hunger of the ship's guests. Seventeen bars and lounges provide drinks. The energy is provided by marine diesel and shore power. The cruise ship spends its first season in Northern Europe and then sails My ship 7 to the Canary Islands.
Mein Schiff 7 - © Rendering TUI Cruises
At the end of the year or at the beginning of the following year, the eighth ship in the fleet shows its flag for the first time. It is the first LNG-powered TUI Cruises ship and is named “Relax”.