The 7 new cruise ships coming in 2016

Jan 02, 2016

Cruising is become more and more popular and it’s easy to see why: it’s a package holiday with lots of perks and most of all, you can simply relax as you look out to sea.

With that considered, there are 7 new cruise ships on their way this year that cruisers and non-cruisers alike can get excited about.

The more cruise ships, the more variety and value on offer, which is good news for passengers.

Here’s the list:

Viking Sea

Viking Cruises’ already have one award-winning ship, the Viking Star, and now they’re adding another vessel to their books.

Features:

Holds 930 passengers
Chic Scandinavian decor
Unique snow room facilities (think: the opposite of a sauna)
Al fresco dining around the infinity pool at the World Café

First sailing and where: April and the Mediterranean and Baltic.

Koningsdam

Holland America’s latest cruise ship has been six years in the making, so you know this cruisers’ favourite line will be doing something special: the Koningsdam, i.e. the biggest vessel in their fleet.

Features:

Holds 2,650 passengers
Music Walk, where guests can take their pick of live classics, blues or songs from the hit parade
A “culinary arts centre” with cookery demos and classes by day, transforming into a new restaurant, Dinner, in the evening
Seafood brasserie, Sel de Mer

Ovation of the Seas

Royal Caribbean already has an impressive fleet but it’s the new cruise liners that have everyone excited. Ovation of the Seas is an enormous state of the art ship with activities galore

Features:

Holds 4,000 passengers
Skydiving simulator
Dodgem cars
Roller skating
Super-fast internet
Wristbands to sign for drinks
A video wall and entertainment from dancing “Roboscreens” in Two70, which has been described as a “unique transformative venue”

First sailing and where: April in Southampton, then relocation to Tianjin, in China.

Carnival Vista

Carnival Cruise Line has come up with an amazing cruise ship to mark its return to Europe after three years away. Known as the family cruise line, this new beauty will be the funnest holiday you’ve ever had.

Features:

Holds 3,936 passengers
Pedal bikes suspended from an 800-foot track 150 feet above the ocean
The first IMAX theatre at sea
Kaleid-o-slide, a colourful water tube ride
Havana Cabanas with outdoor patios
Brewery of Carnival’s own Thirsty Frog Red beer

First sailing and where: The Mediterranean between May and October.

Harmony of the Seas

Yet another new offering by Royal Caribbean, this beast of a ship can hold a whopping 6,600 passengers. Harmony of the Seas is Royal Caribbean International’s third enormous ship and is packed full of sights, activities and fun.

Features:

Holds more than 6,600 passengers
The world’s biggest cruise ship
Ultimate Abyss, a 100-foot slide that speeds riders from the Sports Zone to the Boardwalk
A “Bionic Bar” with robotic barmen
Grease: The Musical Grease plays in the theatre

First sailing and where: May in Southampton before summer in the Mediterranean.

Seven Seas Explorer

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is known for its luxury and now has created the Seven Seas Explorer, an all-suite, all-balcony ship. They’re calling it the most luxurious ship ever built.

Features:

Luxury cruise at its finest
Holds 750 passengers
4,000 square feet
Sauna, steam room
Private car and driver at each port
Cookery lessons in the “Culinary Arts Kitchen”
French and Asian cuisine in the Pacific Rim and Chartreuse restaurants.

First sailing and where: July in Venice

Seabourn Encore

Seabourn’s first new ship for five years will be the last to arrive this year but offers relaxation and class without the huge crowds.

Features:

Room for 600 passengers
Michelin-starred US chef Thomas Keller’s restaurant
Adults-only sanctuary with hot tubs and cabanas
Redesigned Seabourn Square with a bigger café and open-plan passenger help desks.

First sailing: Piraeus (for Athens) to Singapore in December for an inaugural season in Asia.