New Cruise Ship Quantum of the Seas
By Alara Shannon, Marketing | July 01, 2013 ( Comments)
Multiple announcements in recent weeks of new cruise ships on order have reflected exciting growth within the cruise industry.
Continued innovation of onboard amenities and itineraries allow cruise lines to cater to a diverse and growing mix of demographics. New ship deliveries from 2014 -2018 will include everything from small, luxury vessels to larger, resort-style ships with multiple themed restaurants and entertainment venues.
The plans to build Carnival’s 25th ship were released this week. The Carnival Vista is scheduled for delivery in the winter of 2016 and at 135,000-tons she will accommodate 4,000 passengers. Carnival Vista was named to represent her projected overall design to maximize views of the ocean.
Back in February 2013, Royal Caribbean made the long-awaited announcement of the names of its newest ‘Quantum Class’ of ships. The Quantum of the Seas (November 2014) and the Anthem of the Seas (Spring 2015) will make family, adventure and entertainment a priority.
Quantum-class ‘firsts’ will include Virtual Balconies; Rip Cord, the first skydiving experience at sea; North Star, an exciting ride over the ocean inspired by the London Eye; and SeaPlex, a fun zone that will offer bumper cars and roller skating.
Royal Caribbean’s third Oasis-class vessel, not yet named, is scheduled to be delivered mid-2016. The cruise line also took an option for a second ship with a potential delivery of mid-2018. Oasis-class ships feature seven incredible neighborhoods, including the Boardwalk and Central Park, packed with first-at-sea experiences: the oceanside AquaTheater, Starbucks, Broadway hit musicals, 3D movie theater, zip line, designer shopping, and much more.
This week Norwegian Cruise Line announced that it has confirmed an order for a second Breakaway Plus ship for delivery in spring 2017. Along with the first Breakaway Plus ship, scheduled for delivery in October 2015, these two ships will be Norwegian’s largest at 163,000-tons and will reflect the innovative design and new features of the line’s current Breakaway class.
Norwegian Breakaway, the first of its class, launched in New York early May 2013, and her sister ship, the Norwegian Getaway will be delivered to sail year-round from Miami in mid-January 2014.
The Regal Princess will debut June 2014 with many of the exciting new venues and innovations of her sister ship, the Royal Princess, that just celebrated her inaugural sailing this past June.
Among the special features found on board will be a greatly expanded atrium, the social hub of the ship; an over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship; plush private poolside cabanas that appear to be floating on water; the new Princess Live! television studio; the largest pastry shop at sea; a special Chef’s Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; and balconies on all outside staterooms.
The first in Holland America’s Pinnacle-class is scheduled for delivery February 2016. The 99,000-ton, 2,660-passenger Koningsdam will feature exciting new public areas and dining venues, as well as a stunning onboard ambiance with details to be revealed at a later date.
Luxury line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, announced just two weeks ago that it has confirmed plans to build their first ship in nearly a decade. The Seven Seas Explorer will offer passengers the chance to experience Regent Seven Seas Cruises with fresh amenities and destinations. At 54,000-tons, she will be Regent’s largest and their third all-suite, all-balcony ship.
Guests will enjoy 369 suites ranging from 300 square feet to 1,500 square feet, six open-seating gourmet restaurants, Regent’s signature nine-deck atrium, the two-story Explorer Theater, three boutiques and an expansive Canyon Ranch SpaClub.
Seven Seas Explorer will also be a “green ship” employing the most advanced environmental systems and state-of-the-art technology.
In 2012, Viking River Cruises launched its Viking Longships, officially heralding a new era in river cruising. Six ships were delivered in 2012, ten in 2013 and another twelve are scheduled for 2014. Each vessel is named for a prominent figure in Norse mythology and features an environmentally friendly engine system, solar panels and an organic herb garden, balcony cabins with full-sized verandahs, and an indoor-outdoor casual eatery “Aquavit Terrace”.
Viking’s new venture, Viking Ocean Cruises, will make its debut in the spring of 2015 with the Viking Star, its first ocean going vessel. A second ship is currently on order for 2016. The Viking Star will carry 928 passengers to Scandinavia, the Baltic region and the Mediterranean. The ship will also have two pools, twelve dining experiences, a spa, and a variety of onboard entertainment.
Other New Cruise Ships on Order:
What upcoming ship are you most excited to sail? A smaller ship with new ports of call or larger cruise ship with new onboard amenities?
