Welcome to my annual preview of the most eye-catching cruise ships making their debut in the coming year. And 2024 sounds like a fairytale, with new entrants including an elegant Queen, a magical Princess, two green giants and a glittering Treasure. Plus a few baby sisters…
The green giants: Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas
Royal Caribbean just loves breaking records. In 2024 it is not only introducing the newest, and largest, ship in its Oasis class – Utopia of the Seas – but also the even bigger Icon of the Seas, the first in the Icon class. Both will use the cleanest-burning marine fuel, liquefied natural gas.
First up will be the 5,610-passenger Icon of the Seas in January. Built in Finland, the ship will boast eight ‘neighbourhoods’, seven pools, six waterslides, 40 ways to dine and drink and 28 categories of cabin – including a new three-storey Ultimate Family Townhouse. Though Icon will have some familiar features of Oasis class, such as Central Park, the spectacular water shows are coming inside in a new AquaDome. For a more detailed preview, click here.
The line’s second new ship, Utopia of the Seas, will make its debut in July, carrying 5,668 passengers. The sixth in the Oasis class will feature the longest version so far of the Ultimate Abyss dry slide at 295 feet, as well as a new immersive railway dining experience. Passengers will be delivered a train ticket to their cabins and then have to arrive at ‘the platform’ on time to take their seat in the dining car. Screens, sounds and authentic uniforms will add to the atmosphere.
I sailed on a preview voyage of Icon of the Seas on January 20 – here’s my review
The magical Princess: Sun Princess
The largest ship built so far by Princess Cruises is taking shape at a shipyard in Venice ready for its maiden voyage in February. The 4,300-passenger Sun Princess is based around a nine-deck glass-covered ‘sphere’ in its middle. More sunlight will pour in through a dome at the top of the ship. Other key areas include a three-storey Horizons main dining room, with different levels of formality on each deck, plus a piazza, circular theatre and a magic-and-mixology venue.
Having twice visited Sun Princess in the shipyard, I’m due to sail with her on March 14 – follow me on X and Instagram (both @shipmonk) for pictures and updates
The elegant but fun Queen: Queen Anne
With more than 180 years of history behind it, Cunard is steeped in tradition – and has a lot to live up to. The line’s first ship in more than a decade, Queen Anne, seeks to keep up the standard of elegance, with textiles and materials reflecting its cultural heritage, based on designs from the Cunard archives. But it will also have fun, new elements, such as The Bright Lights Society cabaret venue. The 3,000-passenger ship will set off on her maiden voyage from Southampton to Lisbon in May.
I will be spending a night on board Queen Anne on May 1 – follow me on X and Instagram (both @shipmonk) for pictures and updates
Treasure (and a new island): Disney Treasure
Disney Cruise Line is welcoming a new Treasure in 2024 – as well as a second island resort. The 4,000-passenger Disney Treasure, which will have an updated version of the AquaMouse water coaster introduced on sister ship Disney Wish, is heading off on its maiden voyage from Port Canaveral in December. Also on board is a new Haunted Mansion parlour, based on a first-class drawing room from a traditional ocean liner, which will serve craft cocktails (and plenty of spirits). There’s also a Periscope Pub based on the classic Disney film 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. The line’s new resort, Lighthouse Point, will also open in the Bahamas, adding to the existing destination of Castaway Cay.
The baby sisters – Explora II, Viking Vela, Silver Ray and Ilma
Also making their debut in 2024 are sisters of already launched ships – Explora II will be the second in the Explora Journeys fleet, while Silversea’s Silver Ray will be almost identical to Silver Nova. Viking Vela will have all the facilities of previous Viking Cruises ocean ships, while being slightly bigger – 938 passengers instead of 930. Similarly, new Ritz-Carlton ship Ilma, with 456 passengers, will be larger than the 298-guest debut ship, Evrima.
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