New cruise ships sailing in 2015
The Anthem of the Seas will set sail for the first time in April 2015. Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean International.
As 2015 surges ahead, new and experienced cruisers will have a chance to break in new cruise ships from Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line.
Royal Caribbean has already made waves with its new Quantum-class ships, revealing the tech-savvy Quantum of the Seas in October 2014. This year, the line will introduce Quantum’s sister ship, the Anthem of the Seas, with a maiden voyage on April 22.
Anthem of the Seas weighs 168,666 gross tons and carries 4,180 passengers. Though not as big as the line’s Oasis-class ships, Anthem is nearly identical to the Quantum, including robot bar tenders, a skydiving simulator, virtual balconies and the North Star, a glass capsule ride that lifts passengers high above the ship.
Anthem will have homeports in Southampton, England and Cape Liberty, New Jersey, with stops in Europe, the Bahamas and transatlantic cruises.
Norwegian Cruise Line is rolling out its newest ship, the Norwegian Escape, on October 23 for its maiden voyage. The 4,200-passenger cruise ship features some firsts for the cruise line, such as a Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and a snow room in its spa.
The Norwegian Escape will have its maiden voyage in October 2015. Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line.
Escape is 164,600 gross tons, making it the line’s largest cruise ship. Aside the features listed above, the ship will house the largest rope courses at sea; Aqua Park, the largest water park at sea; and the line’s signature “ship-within-a-ship” luxury area.
Escape will call Miami its homeport with trips to Caribbean destinations.
Future ships
Other lines are slated to release new cruise ships within the next five years. Holland America Line is busy building the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam, set for delivery in March 2016. The line’s most recent ship, the Nieuw Amsterdam, was built in 2010 and carries 2,106 passengers.
Carnival Cruise Line is preparing to set sail with the 3,936-passenger Carnival Vista in April 2016, the line’s first new ship since 2012. The ship will boast the first IMAX Theatre at sea along with SkyRide, a suspended open-air cycling ride.
Also debuting in April 2016 is Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas, which is being touted as the world’s largest cruise ship (227,000 gross tons) that will have many features found on the Quantum-class ships as well as three-story water slides.
Princess Cruises will release its next ship in 2017. The vessel has yet to be named, but is expected to weigh 143,000 gross tons. This ship will be the sister to the Royal Princess and the Regal Princess, the latter of which was built in 2014 and carries 3,560 passengers.
Celebrity Cruises has ordered vessels for 2018 and 2020. The ships, dubbed Project EDGE 1 and Project EDGE 2, will each carry 2,900 passengers and weigh 117,000 gross tons. These will be the line’s newest ships since the 3,046-passenger Celebrity Reflection, built in 2012.
When enjoying a cruise this year, whether it’s on a new or favorite vessel, don’t forget to stop by and see us at our onboard art auctions!
