New Asia Cruise Ships Setting Sail in 2017

Do your New Year resolutions include traveling and seeing the world? Then join these two cruise lines as they prepare to launch new cruise ships in 2017.

While many cruise lines are looking to 2018 for the maiden voyages of their latest ships, two cruise lines – Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises – are gearing up for cruises in Asia with new vessels, and Park West Gallery is proud to be sailing with them.

Norwegian Joy

Norwegian Joy; China; Tan Ping; Phoenix; Hull Art (Photo courtesy of NCL.com)

Norwegian Cruise Line will set sail with its second Breakaway-Plus class, Norwegian Joy, in June 2017. Weighing in at 163,000 gross tons with a passenger capacity of 3,900, Norwegian Joy is the same size as Norwegian Escape, the line’s largest ship to date.

Norwegian Joy is designed specifically for the Chinese market, and will homeport in Shanghai and Beijing (Tianjin). The line promises the amenities will “cater to the unique vacation desires of Chinese guests.” The ship will also feature amenities found on Norwegian Escape, including the luxurious Haven accommodations and an upscale shopping venue.

Among the attractions found on the ship is a two-level go-kart racetrack, the first ever at sea. The ship also boasts the Galaxy Pavilion, where cruisers can immerse themselves in virtual reality experiences and interactive video walls.

Another Breakaway-Plus class ship, Norwegian Bliss, is scheduled to sail in 2018, and is designed for Alaska itineraries.

Majestic Princess

The Majestic Princess (photo courtesy of princess.com)

The newest vessel in Princess Cruises’ fleet, Majestic Princess, will homeport in Shanghai. The maiden voyage is scheduled for April 4, 2017. Majestic Princess is the third in the line’s Royal class of ships following Royal Princess and Regal Princess. The newest vessel weighs in at 143,700 gross tons and can carry 3,560 passengers.

This is the line’s first ship custom-built for the China market, and is also the first to debut a new livery design incorporating Princess’ logo. The cruise line’s website boasts that Majestic Princess will have new features and “unique Chinese-inspired touches.”

Like its sister ships, Majestic Princess will have many of the features seen in the Royal class, including a multi-story atrium, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending 28 feet beyond the ship and the Princess Live! Interactive studio.

Upcoming Ships in 2018

Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis-class ships, Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and the new Harmony of the Seas. (Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean International)

Multiple cruise lines are preparing to launch new ships in 2018. They include:

• Royal Caribbean International – A fourth, unnamed Oasis-class ship is scheduled to enter service in 2018 in Europe and journey to the United States. The fleet’s Oasis-class ships are the largest in the world, including Harmony of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.

• Holland America Line – In November 2018, Holland America Line will set sail with Nieuw Statendam, a Pinnacle-class ship that will weigh 99,500 tons and carry 2,650 passengers. The first Pinnacle-class ship is the Koningsdam, the largest in the fleet.

• Carnival Cruise Line – Set to launch in May 2018, Carnival Horizon will be Carnival’s newest ship and the sister ship to Carnival Vista. The 13,500-gross-ton ship has a passenger capacity of 3,934, making it one of the largest in the fleet.

• Celebrity Cruises – In Fall 2018, Celebrity Cruises is introducing the newest class of ships with the Celebrity Edge, the first in the Edge-class of ships. While not the biggest ships in the fleet, Edge class is said to offer features from the Solstice-class and Millennium-class ships.

Join Park West Gallery aboard these luxury ships to experience our unique art auctions at sea, featuring hundreds of works from classic and contemporary masters.