biggest cruise ever 2024

The World's Largest Cruise Ship Is Coming in January—Here's What It's Like Inside

By Jessica Puckett

The biggest thing to ever hit cruising is coming in January 2024, when Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas —which will be the largest cruise ship in the world —will debut to passengers for the first time.

With capacity for nearly 10,000 passengers and crew, Icon of the Seas is billed as part all-inclusive resort, part theme park, and a massive destination unto itself . Clocking in at 250,380 gross tons and measuring nearly a quarter mile long (1,198 feet to be exact), the vast ship will sport a total of 20 decks, 18 of which will be accessible to guests.

The ship will be divided into eight different “neighborhoods,” each with their own distinct atmospheres, dining options, and activities. “ Icon of the Seas is truly what we call a white paper ship,” Anna Drescher, manager of architectural design, new building and innovation for Royal Caribbean group, said in a video statement . “The reason that we call it that is we start with a blank sheet of sketch paper, so it truly is starting fresh.”

In June 2023, the ship hit a major milestone when it completed its first sea trials outside the shipyard in Turku, Finland. Next up is the colossal new ship’s first voyage, slated to depart on January 27, 2024. It will sail roundtrip from Miami to the Caribbean islands of St. Kitts, St. Thomas, and the Bahamas.

The ship's typical seven-day itineraries include three at-sea days, so passengers have time to fully enjoy the endless choices of amenities on board. “We want guests to walk up to the ship and just have this moment of: I can’t believe that’s where I’m going ,” said Jennifer Goswami, the line’s senior manager of product development.

Here's a look at the enormous scale of the new ship and what to expect on board.

When it begins sailing, the Icon of the Seas will offer a total of 2,805 staterooms that can hold 5,610 passengers at double occupancy, or a maximum of 7,600 guests. Passengers can choose from a whopping 28 different room types, including Sunset Suites with wraparound balconies and Family Infinite Balcony staterooms with bunkbeds fit for a family of up to six.

The largest suite on board will be the three-story, 1,772-square-foot “Ultimate Family Townhouse,” which comes with its own movie theater, ping-pong table, karaoke, and a slide between floors. It can sleep up to eight people and costs approximately $75,000 per week.

Among the eight "neighborhoods," or sections of the ship with distinct ambiance, are Central Park, which offers greenery and sidewalk cafes, and The Hideaway, which aims for a European beach club aesthetic. There's also The Suite Neighborhood, Surfside, Thrill Island, Chill Island, The Royal Promenade, and the Aquadome.

The ship's 2,350 crew members will also get their own neighborhood, complete with amenities like a gaming room and hair salon.

Another superlative for Icon will be sporting the largest waterpark at sea. The park, called Category 6, features six different record-breaking waterslides, including the tallest onboard waterslide. There will also be a free-fall slide, plus a raft-style slide for four passengers to ride together.

CNT Editors

Steph Koyfman

Shannon McMahon

Seven pools and nine whirlpools will be located throughout the ship, including the first infinity pool on a cruise ship to be suspended in the air. The Royal Bay pool, located on the 15th deck, will break the record for largest pool at sea, holding an astounding 40,000 gallons of water.

Across the towering vessel, there'll be more than 20 food venues and 15 bars and nightlife experiences, including a sweeping three-level main dining room.

Among the options for grabbing a drink will be the line's first onboard swim-up bar, a walk-up Champagne bar, and a bar specializing in coffee cocktails like espresso martinis.

On the entertainment front, Royal Caribbean has hired 75 performers to titillate guests across three cavernous theaters. The Absolute Zero ice arena will feature shows with Olympic-level skaters, while the AquaTheater will combine the talents of divers, robots, and skateboarders.

In the Royal Theater, a 16-piece orchestra (the largest one at sea), will accompany shows like the Wizard of Oz.

In smaller venues throughout the ship, like the dueling piano bar, 50 live musicians and comedians will perform each night, making it possible for every type of passenger to find something that fits their style.

The World's Largest Cruise Ship Has 20 Decks, 7 Pools and Would Cover Almost 4 City Blocks

The world’s largest cruise ship is set to begin its maiden voyage from the Port of Miami

The World's Largest Cruise Ship Has 20 Decks, 7 Pools and Would Cover Almost 4 City Blocks

Rebecca Blackwell

FILE - The Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, sits docked after arriving to its home port in Miami, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is leaving South Florida on Saturday, Jan. 27, for its first seven-day island-hopping voyage through the tropics. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

MIAMI (AP) — The world's largest cruise ship — the size of almost four city blocks — is set to begin its maiden voyage Saturday as it leaves from the Port of Miami.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas runs nearly 1,200 feet (365 meters) from bow to stern.

The ship, which is leaving South Florida for its first seven-day island-hopping voyage through the tropics, was officially christened Tuesday with help from soccer legend Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates.

“Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of dreaming, innovating and living our mission – to deliver the world’s best vacation experiences responsibly," Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty said earlier this week. “She is the ultimate multigenerational family vacation, forever changing the status quo in family travel and fulfilling vacation dreams for all ages on board.”

The ship sets sail as Royal Caribbean’s cruises are having a moment online. Since December, the company’s 9-month “Ultimate World Cruise” has captivated — and confused — a following of avid watchers on social media.

Millions are following the journey through the eyes of the passengers, as they live and post their lives aboard a vessel they’ll be on for nearly a year. If it sounds like a reality show, that’s exactly what some watchers have turned it into.

Photos You Should See - April 2024

When the Icon of the Seas was first revealed in October 2022, the ship spurred the single largest booking day and the highest volume booking week in Royal Caribbean’s then 53-year history, according to the cruise line.

The Icon of the Seas is divided into eight neighborhoods across 20 decks. The ship includes six waterslides, seven swimming pools, an ice skating rink, a theater and more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges. The ship can carry up to 7,600 passengers at maximum capacity, along with 2,350 crew members.

It is powered by six dual-fuel engines, which can be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a fuel alternative that the Cruise Lines International Association says reduces sulfur and greenhouse gas emissions. However, some environmentalists worry LNG-powered ships increase methane emissions . Other say that vacationers generate eight times more carbon on a cruise than they do on land.

Royal Caribbean says every kilowatt used on the Icon of the Seas “is scrutinized for energy efficiencies and emission reductions.”

Copyright 2024 The  Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation

Tags: Associated Press , business , Florida

Related Articles

America 2024

Best States

Best States Rankings

• # 2 Washington
• # 4 Nebraska
• # 5 Minnesota

Health News Bulletin

Stay informed on the latest news on health and COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report.

Sign in to manage your newsletters »

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

You May Also Like

Why utah is the best state.

Elliott Davis Jr. May 2, 2023

The 10 Best States in America

Book Review: 'Crow Talk' Provides a Path for Healing in a Meditative and Hopeful Novel on Grief

Associated Press April 29, 2024

US Opens Investigation Into Ford Crashes Involving Blue Cruise Partially Automated Driving System

Activist Who Fought for Legal Rights for Europe's Largest Saltwater Lagoon Wins 'Green Nobel'

Pair of Giant Pandas Set to Travel From China to San Diego Zoo Under Conservation Partnership

Oklahoma Towns Hard Hit by Tornadoes Begin Long Cleanup After 4 Killed in Weekend Storms

7 Minnesotans Accused in Massive Scheme to Defraud Pandemic Food Program to Stand Trial

Trial Starts in Conspiracy-Fueled Case of Girlfriend Charged in Boston Police Officer's Death

This Congresswoman Was Born and Raised in Ukraine. She Just Voted Against Aid for Her Homeland

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

The world’s largest cruise ship has 20 decks, 7 pools and would cover almost 4 city blocks

The ship is the size of almost four city blocks and runs nearly 1,200 feet (365 meters) from bow to stern. AP Video by Daniel Kozin.

FILE - The Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, sits docked after arriving to its home port in Miami, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is leaving South Florida on Saturday, Jan. 27, for its first seven-day island-hopping voyage through the tropics. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

• Copy Link copied

FILE - Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, sits at dock as it prepares for its inaugural public voyage later this month, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, at PortMiami in Miami. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is leaving South Florida on Saturday, Jan. 27, for its first seven-day island-hopping voyage through the tropics. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

FILE - Waterslides are seen atop a deck overlooking floors of rooms aboard Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, during a media day preview as it prepares for its inaugural public voyage later this month, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Miami. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is leaving South Florida on Saturday, Jan. 27, for its first seven-day island-hopping voyage through the tropics. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

FILE - Employees and visitors walk in the Royal Promenade area of Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, during a media day preview as it prepares for its inaugural public voyage later this month, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, at PortMiami in Miami. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is leaving South Florida on Saturday, Jan. 27, for its first seven-day island-hopping voyage through the tropics.(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

Inter Miami soccer player Lionel Messi, center, bumps fists with a member of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers bagpipe band, left, during a naming ceremony for Royal Caribbean International’s new cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in Miami. Inter Miami CF has formed a partnership with the cruise line Royal Caribbean International. At right is Jason Liberty, president and CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

MIAMI (AP) — The world’s largest cruise ship — the size of almost four city blocks — is set to begin its maiden voyage Saturday as it leaves from the Port of Miami.

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas runs nearly 1,200 feet (365 meters) from bow to stern.

The ship, which is leaving South Florida for its first seven-day island-hopping voyage through the tropics, was officially christened Tuesday with help from soccer legend Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates.

At a glance

The Icon of the Seas:

• can carry up to 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members

The ship has:

• six waterslides
• seven swimming pools
• an ice-skating rink
• more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges

“Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of dreaming, innovating and living our mission – to deliver the world’s best vacation experiences responsibly,” Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty said earlier this week. “She is the ultimate multigenerational family vacation, forever changing the status quo in family travel and fulfilling vacation dreams for all ages on board.”

The ship sets sail as Royal Caribbean’s cruises are having a moment online. Since December, the company’s 9-month “Ultimate World Cruise” has captivated — and confused — a following of avid watchers on social media.

Millions are following the journey through the eyes of the passengers, as they live and post their lives aboard a vessel they’ll be on for nearly a year. If it sounds like a reality show, that’s exactly what some watchers have turned it into.

When the Icon of the Seas was first revealed in October 2022, the ship spurred the single largest booking day and the highest volume booking week in Royal Caribbean’s then 53-year history, according to the cruise line.

A dancer performs in front of Inter Miami soccer player Lionel Messi, second from left, seated, during an event on the world’s largest cruise ship Icon of the Seas, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in Miami. The MLS soccer team Inter Miami CF has formed a partnership with the cruise line Royal Caribbean International. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

The Icon of the Seas is divided into eight neighborhoods across 20 decks. The ship includes six waterslides, seven swimming pools, an ice skating rink, a theater and more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges. The ship can carry up to 7,600 passengers at maximum capacity, along with 2,350 crew members.

It is powered by six dual-fuel engines, which can be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), a fuel alternative that the Cruise Lines International Association says reduces sulfur and greenhouse gas emissions. However, some environmentalists worry LNG-powered ships increase methane emissions . Other say that vacationers generate eight times more carbon on a cruise than they do on land.

Royal Caribbean says every kilowatt used on the Icon of the Seas “is scrutinized for energy efficiencies and emission reductions.”

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Picture Prompts

World’s Largest Cruise Ship

Have you ever wanted to go on a cruise?

By The Learning Network

Have you ever dreamed of going on a cruise vacation?

On Jan. 27, the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, set sail on its inaugural cruise. With the capacity to carry nearly 8,000 people, the 20-deck, 1,198-foot-long vessel is the size of a small city. There are eight “neighborhoods” packed with amenities that include a 55-foot waterfall, six water slides and more than 40 restaurants, bars and entertainment venues.

Does that sound enticing to you? What aspects of the Icon of the Seas sound most fun and appealing? Which, if any, sound less so?

Have you ever been on a cruise vacation with your family? Would you want to? What would your ideal cruise ship have on it, and why?

Tell us in the comments, then read the related article to learn more about the Icon of the Seas.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.

Find more Picture Prompts here.

Royal Caribbean Is Launching the World's Largest Cruise Ship in 2024—See Inside

Icon of the Seas will have five new neighborhood concepts

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean has just announced more details for its latest mega-ship, Icon of the Seas. Scheduled to set sail on her first voyage in January 2024, Icon of the Seas will usurp Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas as the largest cruise ship in the world. 

The 20-deck ship will feature 2,805 staterooms and have a maximum capacity of 7,600 guests—over 500 more passengers than Wonder of the Seas. It will also kick off the brand’s new Icon class of vessels and introduce passengers to five new "neighborhood" concepts, with eight neighborhoods in total.

Among the new neighborhoods is Chill Island, the ship’s new take on a pool deck. Chill Island will be located mid-ship across three decks and hold four of the ship’s seven pools, including the brand’s first-ever swim-up bar at sea. 

On the other end of the spectrum, the new Thrill Island neighborhood will be packed with adrenaline adventures, from the six waterslides within its Category 6 waterpark (the largest at-sea) to the FlowRider and rock wall. You can also walk along the edge of the ship’s Crown & Anchor logo, which hangs off the side on the top decks of the ship.

Icon will also introduce the AquaDome. A dynamic entertainment space featuring a 55-foot waterfall, it functions as a spot for 220-degree ocean views by day and a stage and nightlife venue at night. Meanwhile, the family-friendly Surfside is designed to keep kids of all ages entertained with water and dry activities, kids club areas, and an adjacent three-story family townhouse. 

The Hideaway neighborhood will boast an industry first with its fully-suspended infinity pool. There will also be plenty of deck space set up with sun loungers and a dedicated bar. It hasn’t been explicitly announced, but we’re guessing this will be for adults only. 

Returning neighborhoods such as Central Park, Suite Neighborhood, and Royal Promenade will also undergo some revamping. For one, Central Park will be spread out over five decks, displaying four living plant walls and containing about 20 percent more plants than in previous iterations. 

In addition to these new and expanded neighborhoods, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas will also introduce new stateroom features like suites with infinite balconies and redesigned family suites that can fit up to six and offer split bathrooms and dynamic spaces.

“With each new ship, we raise the bar in the travel industry while enhancing what our guests know and love,” Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, said in a statement. “From the moment they step on board, every experience is specifically designed to give them the best vacation anywhere on land and at sea. With Icon of the Seas,   we’ve taken this to a new level and made the ultimate family vacation.”

Icon of the Seas will be available for booking starting this month via the Royal Caribbean website .

Royal Caribbean International. "Introducing the Icon of Vacations: Royal Caribbean Reveals Icon of the Seas." October 20, 2022.

I Sailed on the World's Largest Cruise Ship. Here's What It Was Like

The Best Alaska Cruises

Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship: Oasis of the Seas

The Best Cruise Lines for Couples

Disney's New Cruise Ship Is Setting Sail In June 2022—See Inside

Carnival Dream - Cruise Ship Profile

Orient Express Is Launching the World's Largest Luxury Superyacht

13 New Ocean Cruise Ships in 2018

Carnival Vista for Families

Most Popular Family Cruise Lines

Disney Dream Virtual Tour

The 3 Best Bahamas Cruises of 2024

Why Cruising Solo Is Worth it

The Ritz-Carlton Officially Launches Its Luxury Yacht Collection

After Months of Silence, CDC Finally Releases Next Steps For Return Of U.S. Cruises

Princess Cruises Is Set to Debut Its Largest Ship Ever in 2024

The World's Largest Cruise Ship: Set Sail Aboard A Floating Wonder In 2024

Ready to embark on the trip of a lifetime? Book a 2024 cruise on the world's largest cruise ship.

• World cruises offer travelers the opportunity to visit multiple destinations on their bucket list all in one vacation, including the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
• The Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, offers a variety of holiday experiences in one location, including beach getaways, resort escapes, and theme park activities.
• The Icon of the Seas will be embarking on its first trip in January 2024, offering seven-night Caribbean getaways with visits to destinations such as Roatan, St. Maarten, and Cozumel.

World cruises are the simplest, most affordable , and most accessible method to practically round the earth. Many visitors consider them to be among the finest trips of the modern period. Travelers may see many of the places on their bucket list on a cruise , all in one long, once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

On a cruise, travelers can traverse the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Additionally, they can explore different seas like the Mediterranean, Red, Coral, and Caribbean Seas which are also included in a lot of itineraries. Cruises visit most of the continents and sail many of the world's big seas, taking passengers to some of the most amazing places on earth, including the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Reactions to the unveiling of the largest cruise ship in the world were mixed, with many people not knowing what to think of the enormous vessel. The Icon of the Seas cruise ship of Royal Caribbean International is scheduled to embark on its first trip in January 2024, having just wrapped up construction in Finland. Here is what to know about the largest cruise ship in the world.

Want The Best Service? Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Staff Appreciate This From Passengers

The world’s largest cruise ship is the icon of the seas.

Record breaking is nothing new for the Miami-based company, Royal Caribbean which has introduced a number of the world's largest ships to the market, most notably the Oasis of the Seas in 2009, which eclipsed all preceding models.

Currently, the Icon of the Seas will only be 10 feet (3 meters) longer than its nearest runner-up. Previous editions have been marginally larger than the original.

With the launch of its multi-leveled, multicolored Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean hopes to become the largest and join the list of the best cruise ships in the world .

The enormous cruise ship offers a variety of holiday experiences in one location, including beach getaways, resort escapes, and theme park activities. Constructed in Turku, Finland, the Icon of the Seas has 20 open decks, a capacity of 5,610 people, 6 world-record-breaking waterslides, 7 swimming pools, 9 whirlpools, 2,805 cabins, and a length of 1,198 feet (365 meters).

• Launching of the world’s largest cruise ship date: January 2024

Is It Safe To Travel On The Largest Ship In The World?

Before Icon of the Seas makes its planned premiere in January 2024, Royal Caribbean has already finished its first round of sea trials. The world’s largest ship set out on its first ocean cruise in June 2023 .

The ship returned to the Meyer Turku shipyard where it is now being built after four days of testing various technologies and equipment, such as the main engines, brake system, steering, hull, and noise and vibration levels.

According to Royal Caribbean, building the largest cruise ship in the world is a huge task that takes more than 2,000 experts, hundreds of kilometers, 4 tugboats weighing between 37 and 67 tons, and more than 350 hours of labor .

A second series of sea testing, slated for later in 2023, will be the next stage of the voyage before its grand opening in Miami in 2024.

Everything You Need To Know About Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise

What to expect during a cruise on icon of the seas.

Five of the eight cities that passengers will visit on Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas are geared toward aquatic activities. The largest cruise ship in the world provides visitors with a range of activities, the first of which is Thrill Island, a record-breaking waterpark with thrilling slides.

Visiting Chill Island offers visitors a swim-up bar and many pools with breathtaking views of the ocean.

As for the Hideaway, it provides a private haven with a suspended infinity pool, while Surfside is a family-friendly neighborhood with kid-friendly activities. Visitors at AquaDome may take advantage of lively entertainment choices, a waterfall, and views of the ocean.

With over 15 bar, dining, coffee, and lounge options, and floor-to-ceiling ocean panorama, the Royal Promenade is one of the iconic sections of Royal Caribbean that is still present on the Icon of the Seas . With more options for restaurants and entertainment, Central Park becomes even more colorful and exciting.

The largest cruise ship in the world has added more cabins to its Suite Neighborhood, which spans four decks and features a private sun terrace with a dining area, pool, and whirlpool.

Favorite attractions are back, including Absolute Zero, the largest ice arena in the Royal Caribbean fleet, Adrenaline Peak for rock climbers, and the redesigned mini golf course Lost Dunes.

• Prices: Ranging between $2,113 and $3,377 in 2024 and between $1,651 and $2,434 in 2025 for early birds

Where Will Icon Of The Seas Take You?

After making its debut in January 2024, Icon of the Seas will cruise all year round, providing visitors from Miami with seven-night Caribbean getaways. Every voyage will feature a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's unique island destination, where visitors may take advantage of additional waterpark slides, leisurely beach cabanas, and other adventure opportunities.

The largest cruise ship in the world is anticipated to make more calls along the route, including Roatan, Honduras; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Cozumel, Mexico.

• Main destinations: The U.S., Mexico, Honduras, St. Marteen, and the Bahamas

I stayed in a balcony cabin on Royal Caribbean's 2 newest and largest cruise ships. One was clearly better — and $900 cheaper.

• Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas are Royal Caribbean's newest and largest cruise ships.
• I stayed in both of their balcony staterooms — a $130-per-person-per-day difference.
• Icon's pricier cabin looked more modern but lacked the functionality and comfort of Wonder's.

Do you know what $900 could buy you? More than three years of Netflix's premium plan, a new Gucci purse, or 2,059 spicy chicken McNuggets.

Or, in the case of Royal Caribbean's two largest and newest cruise ships , the cash could mean the difference between a cheap but functional balcony cabin and, ironically, a more expensive but less comfortable one.

Staterooms with balconies are the most popular cruise cabin category. After all, if you're going on a vacation at sea, wouldn't you want to be able to feel its breeze from your room?

But not all cabins with private outdoor spaces are created equal, even on two new mega-ships owned by the same cruise line.

I sailed on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas in 2022 and its larger successor, Icon of the Seas, in January.

Royal Caribbean assigned me an ocean-view balcony cabin for both complimentary sailings, the longest of which was three nights on Icon.

Both ships are operating seven-night cruises around the Caribbean in 2024.

About 66% of Wonder's cabins fall under the 'balcony' category. On Icon, they make up half of the staterooms.

Wonder of the Seas' balcony cabins start shy of $1,110 per person in 2024.

Even with nearly identical itineraries, the ones on Icon are, at their cheapest, a little more than $2,000 per person this year — or double that for the a New Year's cruise.

Wonder and Icon are the most boisterous, flamboyant, and overwhelming vessels I've ever boarded.

The pool decks were intensely colorful, the crowds were inescapable, and the long lists of activities and dining options were paralyzing.

So imagine my surprise when I unlocked my doors to find surprisingly bland rooms.

The neutral tans, blues, and whites did not scream "we belong on the world's biggest and most colorful cruise ships."

The vessels have an almost two-year age difference, as evidenced by some of their decor (mainly Icon's recessed mood lights and the more chic, darker wood tones).

But besides the light fixtures, rugs, and — frankly negligible — wall art and pillows, both cabins were fairly underwhelming compared to everything outside their front doors .

Aesthetics aside, let’s talk functionality.

Both had furnished 50-square-foot balconies.

Regarding the interior space, my 204-square-foot cabin on Icon of the Seas was 22 square feet larger than mine on Wonder.

In retrospect, I would've thought Icon's was smaller. More on that in a bit.

Both king-sized beds faced a television and some wall storage.

And both were flanked by light fixtures with built-in USB outlets, as is expected on most modern cruise ships.

The cruise line says the ships' balcony cabins use two twin mattresses that have been "converted" to make a king bed. It's a common practice I've never had an issue with — until Icon.

On Wonder, the plush pillows enveloped me the moment I laid down. I slept great. No complaints.

Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the new ship.

I (my back pain) could feel the hard ridge where the two mattresses met, making for a pretty miserable and uncomfortable sleep.

So much for starfishing — I kept to one side of the bed to avoid rolling over the bony bump.

For the most part, the living “rooms” were the same.

Both had the same furniture I see on almost every mass-market ship: a couch that could convert into a bed and a desk that extended into a dresser.

But storage, a high priority for cruisers, was organized differently.

Two thin wardrobes with drawers, hangars, and shelves surrounded either side of my bed on Wonder .

Icon, on the other hand, had one large wardrobe next to the living room.

Unfortunately, it had noticeably less shelving. And the metal bins let out ear-piercing screeches at every move — a lazy and annoying detail that the designers could've easily fixed with cheap felt pads.

So far, the differences have been small. But not for long.

I had two gripes with my Wonder bathroom: the lack of hair conditioner and the ill-positioned faucet that flooded the counter whenever I washed my hands.

I had the same issues on Icon. But that was the least of my concerns.

My bathroom on the older ship was well-sized for 1 person, but maybe too small for 2.

On Icon — the world's largest cruise ship — my bathroom was too compact for even one body.

Michael Bayley, the president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, told reporters in January that 80% of Icon's 2,805 cabins were designed for families, a sharp increase from previous vessels like Wonder.

I'm not sure a family of four could coexist in Icon's balcony cabin — solely because of the bathroom size. There's no way two people could fit in there simultaneously. A fight over who gets priority access to the toilet could ruin a peaceful family vacation! (Which is to say, I'm glad I was traveling alone.)

With the bathroom door closed, I accidentally elbowed the walls more times than I could count.

The spare towels had to be stored on a shelf inside the shower. Because the counter was so small, I had to keep most of my toiletries and products on the shelves or in the drawer.

Surprisingly, that's where Icon excelled. Its bathroom had more storage options than its older counterpart, which didn't even have a drawer.

However, the older ship's shower had a clothesline perfect for drying swimwear. It's a small but crucial amenity, especially on a vessel with so many pools and waterslides.

Unfortunately, both were stocked with two-in-one body wash and shampoo — and no hair conditioner

Let’s go through our checklist.

My balcony cabin on Wonder looked less modern than its successor (the TV on Icon had Chromecast, after all).

But it was significantly more functional and comfortable. The bed was incomparably more pleasant, the closets had more defined storage components, and the bathroom was considerably larger, even if it lacked additional shelving and drawers.

The question is: Which one is more worth its price?

Icon's cheapest balcony cabins are currently $900 more than the most affordable ones on Wonder — an almost $130 per person and day difference.

Based on the quality of the staterooms alone, if you prioritize functionality, comfort, and affordability over modern decor, consider saving money and going with the two-year-old ship .

But let’s not forget that cruise fares include unlimited food, on board activities, and nighttime entertainment.

Both ships have a fairly similar list of amenities. But only the newer one has a waterpark , an adult-only infinity pool club, and a swim-up bar, to name a few unique amenities.

So yes, Icon's balcony cabins are more costly. But the staggering price difference — and tiny bathroom — could be worth it if you think the its surplus of additional amenities is worth paying for.

• Main content

What’s New in Cruising in 2024

Months-long world cruises, better food, more remote destinations, and luxury sailings designed with families in mind—these are the top cruise trends of 2024..

• Copy Link copied

World cruises were further propelled into the spotlight when Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise went viral on TikTok.

Courtesy of Josiah Weiss/Unsplash

Cruise ship itineraries in 2024 will span the globe like never before, on ships that are more environmentally friendly and luxurious than ever.

Cruisers are looking beyond the one-week itinerary, sometimes a lot more. Blockbuster, months-long world cruises are attracting both increased interest and attention—as those who are following along on TikTok the adventures of Royal Caribbean’s 274-night Ultimate World Cruise well know. Cruisers are getting younger, too. Whether due to social media or other factors, more Millennials and Gen-X travelers are cruising in 2024 than in the past, even if they have never cruised before, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

With cruise lines putting a stronger emphasis on exploring more far-flung destinations, offering better, more sustainable food options, and courting families even on more upscale ships, it’s going to be an exciting year out on the high seas—regardless of your age. More than 300 ships will sail the world’s oceans in 2024, according to CLIA, and these include the first cruise ship ever to be outfitted with engines ready for green methanol, and the new largest cruise ship in the world, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas , able to carry more than 7,000 passengers.

Here are five cruise trends to watch in 2024.

World cruises become even more popular

Royal Caribbean’s current Ultimate World Cruise on the 2,490-passenger Serenade of the Seas may be the current star of TikTok, but it is hardly the only choice for cruisers looking to see the world on an epic, multimonth sailing. World cruises continue to sell out well in advance, so plan now for 2025, 2026, and beyond. Oceania Cruises offers popular 180-day itineraries ; Cunard’s traditional world cruises on real ocean liners are legendary for their posh British style; and ultra-luxury lines such as Seabourn , Silversea , and Regent Seven Seas Cruises deliver the world with a side of champagne and caviar. Or check out Viking’s world cruises , which include excursions in every port and are value priced from about $55,000 per person.

Kimberley in Western Australia is among the sought-after cruise destinations of 2024.

Photo by Shutterstock

Expeditions explore even farther

As travelers continue their post-COVID quest to embrace new experiences, the expedition cruise market is booming. Cruisers are getting more adventurous, and new destinations are emerging. HX Expeditions (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions), for instance, just finished its first season of sailings combining Senegal, the Cabo Verde islands, Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau’s rarely visited Bissagos islands, with additional sailings in West Africa planned for later this year and next. Beyond increasingly popular Arctic, Antarctica, and Greenland trips, destinations such as Madagascar, the Seychelles, and Indonesia’s Raja Ampat are also becoming more common stops on the cruise map. Kimberley in Western Australia is a 2024 hot spot, with more ships than ever bringing cruisers to the region’s red-rock cliffs, waterfalls, and crocodiles. In Antarctica, Lindblad Expeditions is the latest company with a seven-night fly-in and cruise option that lets you skip crossing the notoriously rough Drake Passage.

As part of Holland America Line’s Global Fresh Fish program, chef Masahuru Morimoto is hosting pop-up restaurants onboard HAL ships showcasing fresh, locally caught seafood.

Courtesy of Holland America Line

Food-driven experiences (on land and sea)

Cruise lines are more focused than ever on bringing sustainable products onboard from the places they are visiting. Holland America Line , for instance, recently launched a Global Fresh Fish program, with 100 percent fresh sustainable seafood being incorporated fleetwide. As part of the program, the line’s “fresh fish ambassador,” Masahuru Morimoto of Iron Chef fame, is hosting pop-up restaurants onboard, where guests can order a crispy fried whole fish with a side of wasabi mashed potatoes, among other featured menu items. For its West Africa cruises on the 280-passenger MS Spitsbergen , HX Expeditions has brought a chef from Togo on the vessel, where he’s preparing such local dishes as jollof rice. Food tours on shore have become increasingly popular, too. British line Cunard will launch its 3,000-passenger Queen Anne this spring with such exclusive shore excursions as a Norwegian “fjord safari” to visit a goat cheese farm.

Focus on the environment

As the cruise industry pursues net-zero emissions by 2050 , there’s a huge push to invest in and use more renewable fuel sources. More than three dozen trials with biofuels made from such items as manure and vegetable oil took place on ships in 2023. There will be more in 2024. With a focus on better energy efficiency, and using onboard desalinization plants for water, cruise ships and their operations are becoming more sustainable and efficient every year. Of the 11 major new oceangoing ships in 2024, six are powered by liquified natural gas (LNG), considered the cleanest fossil fuel. Most new ships can use shore power hookups without running engines in ports. Significantly, in 2024 the world will see the first cruise ship able to operate on green methanol when it becomes available at scale. For now, the Mein Schiff 7 , part of German line TUI, will operate on low sulfur fuel. Future methanol-ready ships are on order for companies such as Disney, Celebrity, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Explora I is designed to feel like a luxury land-based resort, complete with a kids club.

Courtesy of Ivan Sarfatti/Explora Journeys

Luxury with kids in mind

When it comes to cruising, family travel is getting more love, especially multigenerational family travel. Luxury line Explora Journeys , which will launch a second 922-passenger ship Explora II this year, has a staffed children’s program where activities include a focus on marine education, plus suites designed for families (and even amenities that include kid-size bathrobes and slippers). Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s second ship, the 456-passenger, LNG-operated Ilma , debuts in 2024 as well with features that include a Ritz Kids program (for a fee). And when Disney Cruise Line’s upcoming 4,000-passenger, LNG-fueled ship Disney Treasure launches this year, it will have a restaurant themed around the Disney movie Coco , a live show based on Moana , and a pair of extravagant, two-bedroom suites, one inspired by Aladdin and the other by the Jungle Book .

8 New Cruise Ships Launching in 2024 That You Need to Know About

E veryone loves the thrill of sailing on a brand new cruise ship. If you’re wondering what new cruise ship options you’ll have in 2024, there are eight ships set to launch. One of them, the Sun Princess from Princess Cruise Line, has already made its debut.

Sun Princess

• Launched February 2024

Princess Cruise just launched its biggest ship, the Sun Princess, with a 4300-passenger capacity. This new ship is designed to be more family-friendly, with the aim of attracting younger cruise-goers. On the top deck, they’ve introduced a hang-gliding ride, the first of its kind on a cruise ship. Additionally, there’s a ropes course, a splash zone, a wider range of restaurants, a high-tech theater, and a glass-covered dome entertainment venue.

Suburbs 101 participates in affiliate programs including Amazon Associates Program and may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

• Launching June 2024

Cunard’s latest addition to its fleet is the Queen Anne, the company’s first new ship in over a decade. This 2794-passenger cruise liner will embark on its maiden voyage in Europe, with sailings in the Mediterranean and Scandinavia. The ship’s design is a modern take on the classic “golden age” of cruising, featuring new restaurants and a two-deck Royal Court theater. Check the prices for Cunard cruises .

Utopia of the Seas

• Launching in July 2024

Royal Caribbean is introducing another massive cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas, which will soon become the second largest cruise ship worldwide, surpassed only by Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. Utopia of the Seas is an impressive ship, with a passenger capacity of 6,700, a total weight of 237,000 tons, and 2,830 cabins. 

It is part of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class of ships featuring an impressive array of amenities, such as an indoor ice skating rink, a zip line, a FlowRider surf simulator, a rock climbing wall, a water park, a 259 ft Ultimate Abyss waterslide, an aqua theater, and neighborhoods filled with shops, restaurants, and bars. Cruise passengers will be entertained with Broadway-caliber shows.

Utopia of the Seas will sail on short getaway itineraries from Port Canaveral (Orland), offering 3-night weekend and 4-night weekday itineraries to the Bahamas and Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Check the prices for Royal Caribbean cruises .

Disney Treasure

• Launching December 2024

Disney Treasure, the latest addition to the Disney Cruise Line, will launch in December this year, marking a significant milestone after a decade since the launch of the last Disney cruise ship. The ship has 1256 cabins and suites, each designed with a theme inspired by Disney movies like Aladdin, The Lion King, and Pocahontas. 

Passengers on the cruise are in for a treat, with exciting Broadway-style musicals and the Aqua Mouse, a thrilling Disney water ride. The themed restaurants on board are another highlight, featuring a Marvel-themed restaurant and a Mexican restaurant inspired by the movie Coco. And if that wasn’t enough, the ship also features a new Haunted Mansion-themed bar, resembling a classic ocean liner’s haunted drawing room, serving ghostly cocktails.

• Launching August 2024

Silversea Cruises is preparing to launch its newest ship, the Silver Ray, in the summer of 2024. The Silver Ray is the second Nova Class ship in the Silversea fleet, and it promises to bring ultra-luxury cruising to a new level. With a capacity of 728 passengers, the Silver Ray is a small ship that offers an all-balcony cabin experience, complete with walk-in closets and butler service. 

But that’s not all. The Silver Ray is also an eco-friendly cruise ship, making it the first hybrid, luxury cruise ship to be completely emission-free while in port. It does this by using fuel cells and batteries to power the ship. 

The Silver Ray will begin its maiden voyage season sailing in the Mediterranean, before repositioning to Fort Lauderdale, where it will offer South America cruise itineraries. Check the prices for Silversea cruises .

Brilliant Lady

• Launching TBA 2024 

Virgin Voyages, the popular adults-only cruise line, is launching its newest ship, the “Brilliant Lady,” sometime in 2024. The brand new ship will have a capacity of over 2700 passengers and will be an adults-only cruise—perfect for anyone seeking an indulgent cruising experience. 

Explora II is the latest ship of Explora Journeys, MSC Group’s newest addition to its luxury brand. With a capacity of slightly over 900 passengers, it’s a smaller cruise ship that promises a more personalized experience for its guests. 

Passengers on board the ship will be treated to a range of luxurious amenities that include oversized suites, welcome champagne bottles, an exclusive whiskey and cigar bar with rare whiskeys, an expansive spa, and plenty of bespoke experiences. The ship will sail in the Mediterranean, perfect for passengers looking for a luxurious and intimate cruising experience.

Mein Schiff 7

• Launching Summer 2024

Mein Schiff 7 is the latest addition to TUI Cruises’ fleet and is expected to launch in the summer of 2024. TUI Cruises, a German-based cruise line co-owned by Royal Caribbean, has designed Mein Schiff 7 as a mid-size ship with a passenger capacity of 2896. 

The brand new cruise ship has 12 restaurants and bistros, 17 bars and lounges, and cabins for solo travelers. The ship also features a reinvented casino concept that combines a lounge and casino. The ship will sail in the Baltic and British Isles.

Check out these free cruise printables

Mediterranean cruise packing list

Alaska cruise packing list

Caribbean cruise packing list

12 Things to Bring from Home to Save Money on Your Cruise

18 Worst Things that Can Ruin Your Cruise Vacation

8 Reasons Why Cruise Ship Beverage Packages are a Waste of Money

The Worst Months to Go on a Cruise

The post 8 New Cruise Ships Launching in 2024 That You Need to Know About appeared first on Suburbs 101 .

The 9 best new cruise ships launching in 2024

This year will be a big one for new cruise ships, with three major vessels on the way that promise to break new ground in cruising.

The most notable of the three, Icon of the Seas , is the first of a new series of megaships from Royal Caribbean that will be larger than any cruise vessels ever built. It'll be loaded with all sorts of gee-whiz attractions, restaurants, bars and entertainment.

Icon of the Seas is just one of two major new Royal Caribbean cruise ships arriving in 2024. Also on the way is Utopia of the Seas , the sixth and final vessel in the line's hugely successful Oasis Class of ships.

The year will also bring the first new ship in more than a decade from storied cruise line Cunard (Queen Anne) and the first of a new class of ship from cruise giant Princess Cruises (Sun Princess).

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

The new ships from Cunard and Princess Cruises will both feature notable updated designs for the brands, with an expanded lineup of restaurants, bars and entertainment areas.

All three vessels — Icon of the Seas, Queen Anne and Sun Princess — are the three new cruise ships for 2024 that have us the most excited here at TPG. But they're far from being the only major new cruise vessels arriving during the next 12 months.

To whet your appetite for cruising in the year ahead, take a look at our list of nine new cruise ships arriving in 2024.

Carnival Jubilee

Maiden voyage: Dec. 23, 2023

This newest ship for cruise giant Carnival technically arrived at the end of 2023, but its maiden voyage on Dec. 23 was so close to the start of 2024 that we're calling it a new vessel for 2024.

The 15-deck-high ship is a sister to the line's recently unveiled Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration , which have made waves in the past two years for their huge size and what might be the most unusual attraction ever on a cruise vessel: a deck-top roller coaster .

Like Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee measures 183,521 tons, putting it in a tie with the former ship for the position of biggest vessel ever to sail for Carnival (at 181,808 tons, sister ship Mardi Gras is slightly smaller). Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras, notably, are a whopping 35% bigger than the next-biggest Carnival ships currently afloat, and they are bigger than all but a dozen other cruise vessels in the world.

Like Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee has a roller coaster on its top deck. Dubbed Bolt: Ultimate Sea Coaster, it's similar to the roller coasters on its sister vessels, with an 800-foot-long track and vehicles that reach speeds of 40 mph — give or take.

Also, like its sisters, Carnival Jubilee was designed to hold up to 6,630 passengers. That's just a tad below the 7,600 passengers that will be able to fit aboard Royal Caribbean's soon-to-debut Icon of the Seas — the new world's largest cruise ship (more on that vessel below).

Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line

In addition to a roller coaster, Carnival Jubilee has a giant water park on its top deck. Like its sister, its interiors are filled with a far broader array of suites than you'd find on earlier Carnival ships. But the vessel isn't a carbon copy of the previous vessels. New features include two ocean-themed zones with new bar and dining options — including an underwater-themed bar adorned with octopus arms that will serve drinks.

The development of ships on the scale of Carnival Jubilee and its sisters has been a big deal for Carnival. Until recently, the line had resisted the trend among major brands to build even bigger vessels that offer a supersized megaresort-at-sea experience.

Carnival's last new vessel before the arrival of Mardi Gras in 2021, Carnival Panorama, didn't even crack the top 40 list of biggest ships when it debuted in 2019.

Carnival Jubilee is sailing seven-night voyages to the Western Caribbean out of Galveston. Fares start at $669 per person, not including taxes and fees.

Icon of the Seas

Maiden voyage: Jan. 27

Call it the new grande dame of the megaship world. At 250,800 tons, Icon of the Seas will be the biggest cruise ship ever built, and it'll be chock-full of more amusements, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues than any cruise vessel ever.

In other words, if you're a megaship fan, this is your new go-to ship — assuming you don't mind vacationing with a lot of other people.

In size, Icon of the Seas will be about 6% bigger than the biggest of the Oasis Class ships, the one-year-old Wonder of the Seas. But it'll be able to hold about 7% more people — 7,600 passengers as compared to Wonder of the Seas' total capacity of 7,084 passengers. That's a new all-time record for a passenger ship.

The bigger passenger capacity is in part due to the ship's greater focus on family travelers. Icon of the Seas is being built with more cabins offering extra bunks to accommodate families with children. It'll also have more amenities geared to families, including a new-for-the-line outdoor "neighborhood" called Surfside dedicated to families with young children.

Related: Icon of the Seas will cater to families

Surfside notably will feature splash areas for babies and kids, pools and lounge spaces for parents, family-friendly eateries and shops, and a bar with "mommy and me" matching mocktails for kids and cocktails for grownups.

Icon of the Seas will also feature the largest water park ever built on a cruise ship, with a record six waterslides. No other vessel comes close when it comes to water attractions on a cruise ship.

Other notable new attractions will include the AquaDome — a massive, glass dome-covered area at the front of the ship. A true engineering marvel (the 363-ton glass dome had to be built separately next to the ship and winched into place), the AquaDome will be home to the AquaTheater — a venue found in a different location on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships that hosts acrobatic and diving shows in a high-tech stage/pool.

The AquaTheater will be the marquee attraction within the AquaDome, which will also offer dining and drinking venues, as well as cozy seating areas for daytime and evening hangouts. One such spot, the Overlook, is an elevated lounge featuring special nooks (Overlook Pods) and wraparound windows providing fantastic ocean views and easy viewing of the aqua shows.

In addition, Icon of the Seas will have a record-for-a-ship seven pools, four of which will be at a main pool area called Chill Island. The latter area will be home to the line's first swim-up bar on a ship, Swim and Tonic.

Related: The ultimate Icon of the Seas guide: Pricing, itineraries, and what's on board

Ten new food outlets on the ship will include Surfside Eatery, a family-friendly buffet in the Surfside neighborhood, and Empire Supper Club, an upscale venue designed to evoke the atmosphere of New York City in the 1930s. The latter will serve an extravagant eight-course meal (think: caviar and wagyu), with each dish paired with a cocktail created by celebrity mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim.

Among lodging options, Icon of the Seas will boast 14 new cabin and suite types plus 14 categories of rooms that already exist on earlier Royal Caribbean ships. That's a whopping 28 types of accommodation in all.

Many of these cabin categories are family-friendly rooms that sleep four guests; some can accommodate six or eight guests. In total, 313 cabins and suites are listed specifically as family-focused accommodations, though many regular room types can sleep more than two people.

Note that Icon of the Seas is just the first of three sister ships Royal Caribbean has on order for delivery by 2026, all of similar dimensions. Together, they will make up what is known as the Icon Class.

Icon of the Seas will operate seven-night voyages to the Caribbean out of Miami. Fares start at $1,577 per person, not including taxes and fees.

Sun Princess

Like Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises is going bigger with its next new ship — a lot bigger.

Under development for more than six years and the first of an all-new series of vessels for the line, the 4,000-passenger Sun Princess is about 21% bigger than the biggest ships currently in the Princess fleet. And yet, while it's 21% bigger, it's designed to hold just 17% more passengers.

In other words, its space-to-passenger ratio will be greater, making the ship feel roomier — if only modestly.

Sun Princess will also be the first Princess ship with suites that come with exclusive access to a private restaurant, lounge and sun deck — a sign Princess is finally getting serious about pampering its best customers.

In addition, Sun Princess will boast an innovative new type of "cabana cabin" along the ship's extra-wide 10th deck, which will come with access to a private deck area (sort of a riff on the Havana-class cabins found on a handful of Carnival Cruise Line ships). Plus, the top deck of the ship is getting some unusual-for-Princess sizzle with the addition of a glass-dome-topped pool area that will transform into a nightspot after the sun goes down.

Related: A sneak peek inside Sun Princess under construction

Other notable differences between Sun Princess and earlier Princess ships include the lack of a buffet restaurant on its main pool deck. Don't worry, buffet lovers: There will still be a buffet-like venue on the ship. It will be eight decks below the pool deck, closer to the ship's central piazza and just off the ship's outside promenade.

The ship's main theater, to be called the Princess Arena, will also have a new look. Its new-for-Princess in-the-round shape can be converted into a more traditional proscenium-type theater or a keyhole-type theater to allow for different types of productions.

The ship's three-deck-high piazza, called the Sun Princess Piazza, is getting an upgrade, too, with a new circular shape, a stage that pops up from the center of the floor for performances and a giant, three-deck-high moveable LED screen that will play a role in evening productions in the space.

Among other standout venues, Sun Princess will feature a secret hideaway for magical performances designed in partnership with the Magic Castle performance venue in Los Angeles. Kids should love the new-for-Princess fun zone called Park19, featuring a ropes course and what's being billed as the first roll glider at sea, an electric ride that goes up to 11 mph.

Sun Princess initially will sail in Europe through the fall before repositioning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for voyages to the Caribbean. Fares start at $467 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a five-night Caribbean sailing.

Maiden voyage: May 10

It's been a long time coming, but storied cruise line Cunard is finally launching a new ship. Built to an all-new design for the 183-year-old brand, the 3,000-passenger Queen Anne will be Cunard's first new vessel in 14 years — an unusually long period for any line to go without a new ship.

Queen Anne, notably, will embrace the latest trends of travel and cruising in a way that Cunard ships haven't done before, including a new focus on choice in dining and entertainment, wellness and onboard celebrations.

The ship will offer 15 different places to grab a bite, more than double the number on the line's other ships. The options will include Aji Wa, a new restaurant concept for Cunard that will serve Japanese cuisine influenced by the seasons of the year. Also new for Cunard will be Aranya, an Indian eatery; Sir Samuel's, a high-end steakhouse; and Tramonto, which will serve Mediterranean dishes.

Wellness-focused areas will include a new-for-the-line, glass-enclosed Wellness Studio at the top of the ship that will offer classes in yoga, pilates, Zumba and line dancing during the day and ballroom dancing classes at sunset.

A new juice bar and a cafe near the main pool will serve healthy dishes, and the ship's spa is being built as a temple to wellness. It'll offer a sprawling thermal pool complex that includes eight heated loungers, four experiential showers, a reflexology footpath with textured stones flowing with hot water, a cold room (a first for Cunard), a large steam room, a Himalayan salt sauna and a traditional sauna. A relaxation room and wellness suite will round out the offerings.

Related: A sneak peek inside Queen Anne under construction

On the celebrations front, Queen Anne will have a lounge specifically designed for weddings that spills into an indoor reception room and, just beyond, a new-for-the-line private rooftop terrace space for wedding and vow renewal receptions.

Other notable features of the ship will include an expanded Commodore Club observation lounge and a main pool area (The Pavilion) topped with a retractable glass roof designed to be as much a showpiece as a functional structure.

Not everything about Queen Anne will be different from previous Cunard ships. A lot will be familiar. As is always the case for Cunard vessels, Queen Anne will have a soaring Grand Lobby with a cascading staircase where you can take selfies in your formal night splendor. That staple of all Cunard ships, the ballroom known as the Queens Room, is also making a comeback.

Queen Anne initially will sail in Europe before setting off on an around-the-world cruise in January 2025. Fares start at $449 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a quick two-night cruise from Hamburg, Germany, to Southampton, England. Seven-night sailings in Europe start at $849 per person, not including taxes and fees.

Maiden voyage: June 27

The newest ship for the luxury line Silversea Cruises is a sister to the brand's recently unveiled Silver Nova — a groundbreaking vessel that has been turning heads since it debuted in August.

Like Silver Nova, Silver Ray will be bigger than Silversea's previous ships and feature an unusual, asymmetrical design for its public decks that reorients its key features toward the sides of the ship instead of the center. Whether you're floating in the ship's main pool or dining at its open-air Marquee restaurant, you'll be looking out at the sea (or whatever destination the ship is visiting) like you've never been able to before.

Silver Ray's pool area, in particular, will be striking, as is the pool area on Silver Nova. The long and narrow pool won't be in the middle of the deck but offset to its starboard side, and it'll be oriented to face outward to the sea. Nearly all the lounge chairs around the pool will face in the same direction toward the sea, too.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Silversea ship

As we wrote about in our recent first look at Silver Nova , part of what makes this new outward-facing orientation for these ships so magical is that they don't have any structures rising from the starboard sides of their pool decks. Passengers floating in the pools on these ships or lounging on nearby lounge chairs get an unobstructed view of the sea off the starboard side.

Silver Ray's asymmetrical design will also be evident at two food and beverage venues at the top of the vessel — both new-for-Silversea concepts that first debuted in August on Silver Nova.

The first, Marquee, will be an alfresco dining venue that is also off-center, with an orientation that offers commanding views of the sea from the ship's port side. It'll be home to The Grill, Silversea's signature outdoor "hot rocks" dining venue, and also double as the ship's Spaccanapoli pizza outlet. The second venue, The Dusk Bar, will be an open-air sky bar at the back of the vessel that, like Marquee, is positioned on the port side of the ship.

Additional dining venues on board will include versions of Silversea's main signature restaurant La Terrazza, French eatery La Dame, seafood eatery Atlantide and sushi outlet Kaiseki.

In addition to asymmetry in many areas, one thing that will be particularly noticeable about Silver Ray is its spaciousness — something it will share with Silver Nova. At 54,700 tons, the two ships are about 34% bigger than Silversea's last three new vessels — Silver Muse, Silver Moon and Silver Dawn — but they are designed to hold only about 22% more passengers. That gives them significantly more space per passenger.

With every berth filled, Silver Ray will sail with 728 passengers — the same as Silver Nova and just 132 more than the three earlier Silversea vessels.

The extra space on the two vessels has allowed Silversea to expand its lineup of cabin categories, with more large suites. As is always the case with Silversea ships, every cabin on the ship will be a suite. But Silver Ray and Silver Nova offer new premium aft suites, including a massive 1,324-square-foot complex called the Otium Suite.

Even the smallest cabins on Silver Ray will measure at least 357 square feet, which is unusually large for a cruise ship cabin.

Silver Ray will initially sail in Europe before repositioning to North America in December 2024 for winter sailings to South America and the Caribbean. Fares start at $4,600 per person, including transfers, for a nine-night South America sailing out of Panama City.

Utopia of the Seas

Maiden voyage: July 22

Royal Caribbean's second new ship of the year will be a giant, too, though not quite as big as Icon of the Seas. The sixth and final vessel in the line's groundbreaking Oasis Class of ships , Utopia of the Seas is expected to carry up to around 6,700 passengers and measure around 237,000 tons, which would place it just behind Icon of the Seas as the world's second-biggest cruise ship.

Like the five earlier Oasis Class ships (the newest of which, Wonder of the Seas , is the current size leader in the cruise world), Utopia of the Seas will be loaded with lots of family-focused attractions , including multiple main pool areas, a kiddie splash zone, surfing simulators, a miniature golf course, a basketball court and even a zip line. And that's just on its top deck.

Inside the vessel, you'll find more lounges, bars, restaurants and shops than you can imagine, plus a huge casino, spas and theaters with Broadway-style shows.

As with earlier Royal Caribbean ships, it'll even have an indoor ice-skating rink.

In design and features, Utopia of the Seas will be nearly identical to Royal Caribbean's last new Oasis Class ship, Wonder of the Seas, which debuted in 2022. Like that vessel, it'll have a dedicated suite area with a private lounge, restaurant and sun deck — something not found on the four earlier Oasis Class ships.

Utopia of the Seas will be based in Port Canaveral, Florida, for short three- and four-night sailings to the Bahamas. Fares start at $431 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a three-night sailing.

Related: Why Royal Caribbean is about to own the market for short cruises from Florida

The world's newest cruise line, three-month-old Explora Journeys, is doubling in size in 2024 with the addition of Explora 2.

Designed for 922 passengers, the high-end vessel will be an almost identical sister to Explora 1, the line's first ship, which debuted in August. It will similarly target the luxury market.

Like Explora 1, the new ship will offer oceanfront suites, penthouses and residences designed to be "homes at sea," and it'll be packed with upscale amenities. They will include 10 distinct culinary experiences, 10 indoor and outdoor bars and lounges, four swimming pools, outdoor deck areas with private cabanas, wellness facilities and entertainment.

A creation of the deep-pocketed MSC Group, which already owns MSC Cruises, Explora Journeys plans to launch at least six of the superluxurious vessels by 2028, with the first four being roughly the same size and the last two being even bigger .

In just a few years, that'll give Explora Journeys a bigger capacity than such well-known luxury cruise operators as Seabourn and the recently relaunched Crystal .

Explora Journeys is competing in the same upscale cruise space as Seabourn and Crystal, as well as luxury lines like Viking, Silversea and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. It's run completely separately from its sister brand, MSC Cruises, which caters to a mass-market audience.

Explora 2 will initially sail in the Mediterranean before repositioning to North America for the winter. Fares start at $4,275 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a seven-night Caribbean sailing.

Viking Vela

Maiden voyage: Dec. 19

Fast-growing Viking will continue its expansion into ocean cruising in 2024 with its 11th new seagoing vessel since 2015.

Like Viking's first 10 ocean ships (one of which has been transferred to a joint venture with a Chinese company), Vela will be a relatively small, elegant vessel designed to appeal to an older crowd looking to explore the world in style and comfort.

Slightly bigger than its sister ships, Viking Vela will hold 998 passengers at double occupancy — 68 more than its siblings. But it'll still be less than a third the size of the giant ships operated by such well-known cruise brands as Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Like Viking's other ocean ships, it'll sail itineraries that feature more time in ports than is common at many other lines. Like the earlier Viking ships, it'll also be adults-only, with no passengers under the age of 18 allowed.

While slightly bigger than earlier Viking ocean ships, Viking Vela's interior will have an almost identical look. Like Viking's 10 earlier ocean vessels, Vela will boast modern, Scandinavian-influenced decor that's soothing and upscale. Onboard activities will revolve around enrichment programs and classy entertainment, and there will be elegant meals in multiple restaurants. Cabins will be relatively spacious, with the smallest of five cabin categories having 270 square feet of space. Every cabin will have a balcony.

As is typical for Viking, the fare will include a shore excursion at every port that Vela visits. Also included will be Wi-Fi, and wine and beer with lunch and dinner — all part of Viking's "no-nickel-and-diming" philosophy.

Disney Treasure

Maiden voyage: Dec. 21

Disney Cruise Line is shifting into growth mode again with the unveiling of Disney Treasure , its second new ship in two years (after a 10-year period where Disney didn't unveil a single vessel). Due at the end of 2024, it's coming out in relatively quick succession to Disney Wish, a similarly designed ship that arrived in 2022.

Like Disney Wish, Disney Treasure is part of Disney's new Triton Class of vessels, and it'll share many of the same features and layout as its older sister. But it will be far from an exact copy. Disney has announced quite a few major changes for Disney Treasure, including the addition of an all-new Mexican restaurant called Plaza de Coco that is themed around the events of the "Coco" movie. It replaces the "Frozen-" themed eatery on Disney Wish.

Also, a new Haunted Mansion-themed bar will replace the "Star Wars-" themed Hyperspace Lounge on Disney Wish.

Other new venues include Jumbeaux's Sweets, an ice cream parlor and candy shop inspired by Jumbeaux's Cafe in the movie "Zootopia," and Skipper Society, a new bar inspired by Disney's Jungle Cruise ride and its wisecracking skippers. At the latter, which will be where The Bayou is on Disney Wish, passengers will find a menu of themed cocktails and light snacks, such as waffles.

Yet another new drinks venue is Periscope Pub, inspired by Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" (and Disney's 1954 movie version of the book and theme park attraction). It will replace Wish's Keg & Compass as Disney Treasure's sports bar. The bar is designed to look like the Nautilus submarine from the story, complete with a giant periscope, porthole windows and a ceiling designed to look like you're underwater.

Disney is also launching a new Broadway-style musical on Disney Treasure, "Disney The Tale of Moana." The show will feature popular songs and characters from the animated movie and marks the first time Disney has brought the story of Moana to the stage.

The ship's two other main shows, "Beauty and the Beast" and "Disney Seas the Adventure," are repeats from earlier Disney ships.

Like Disney Wish, Disney Treasure's big top-deck attraction will be AquaMouse, a water ride that swirls around the top of the vessel.

The ship will hold 2,500 passengers at double occupancy (two passengers per cabin) and up to 4,000 passengers with every berth filled.

Disney Treasure will sail seven-night voyages to the Caribbean and the Bahamas out of Port Canaveral. Fares start at $1,862 per person, not including taxes and fees.

Related: The ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line

Other new ships

In addition to the above, newcomers for 2024 include several small oceangoing cruise vessels from such small-ship cruise operators as The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and American Cruise Lines , as well as small river ships from river lines AmaWaterways , Avalon Waterways and Viking .

Among the most notable of these smaller vessels is the 60-passenger AmaMagdalena, which is being billed as the first major river ship designed to sail on the Magdalena River in Colombia. Avalon's new entry for 2024, the 102-passenger Avalon Alegria, will be that line's first vessel on the Douro River in Portugal.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

In Search of America on the Biggest Cruise Ship Ever

• Podcast Episode

Add a plot in your language

User reviews

• April 25, 2024 (United States)
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed

Funds lift short yen position to second largest ever

• Medium Text

$36 BILLION DOLLAR BET

Sign up here.

By Jamie McGeever; Editing by Jacqueline Wong

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

Thomson Reuters

Jamie McGeever has been a financial journalist since 1998, reporting from Brazil, Spain, New York, London, and now back in the U.S. again. Focus on economics, central banks, policymakers, and global markets - especially FX and fixed income. Follow me on Twitter: @ReutersJamie

Hong Kong-listed asset manager Value Partners Group has cut about one-third of its China staff as it looks to restructure the business to boost profit amid weaker markets, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

Markets Chevron

Toronto market subdued as broad gains countered by resource losses

Canada's main stock index trimmed gains after hitting its highest in over two weeks amid broader gains, while investors awaited a week of corporate earnings and the U.S. Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision.

• 2024 MASMC program
• Registration
• Hotels and lodging
• MASMC images

MASMC 2024 the best and biggest ever!!

This year’s meeting was special for many reasons, including a large contingent of former Duke students and postdocs who returned with fond memories of their glory days at Duke.  (Most of them came for Rytasfest, a separate event held the previous day celebrating 40 years of the Vilgalys mycology lab at Duke).  I was especially pleased to see so many new students come to this year’s meeting from smaller colleges and universities, as well as citizen scientists from area mushroom clubs.

Weather for Saturday’s talks was excellent, allowing participants to spread out over the French Science Center plaza.   Sunday’s morel foray in the Duke Forest was also big hit in spite of  advancing rain and cold front.  Thanks to Joe Heitman for building a fire which prevented some of us from getting hypothermia!  In spite of no morels being found (a serious problem in the Piedmont), we still managed to find over 20 species of interesting fungi growing around the forest.

Thanks to a generous donation from Dr. Jenny Lodge (VP of Research), this year’s meetings were also free to all who came.  Overall, a great success.   Long live MASMC!!

Below are some photo highlights of MASMC2024.  Thanks everyone for making these meetings so special!  Much love to you all, Rytas V

• Search for:

More From Forbes

Taylor swift scores the second-largest chart debut ever with ‘the tortured poets department’.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - AUGUST 24: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. Taylor Swift performs onstage during the ... [+] "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Foro Sol on August 24, 2023 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)

Taylor Swift is very familiar with debuting new albums at No. 1 in the U.S. She’s managed some pretty incredible feats with her full-lengths, which always open atop the Billboard 200. As time goes by, she’s only becoming more and more successful–and she’s never been bigger than she is right now on the albums chart.

The Tortured Poets Department , Swift’s new album, debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 this week. The title arrives with the largest start of the singer’s career–and the second-largest of all time since the Billboard 200 began using equivalent units and not just sales.

According to Billboard , The Tortured Poets Department opens atop the Billboard 200 with 2.61 million equivalent units shifted. That sum has only been seen once before in U.S. history.

In 2015, Adele’s 25 launched at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 3.48 million equivalent units shifted. That sum was almost entirely made up of pure sales, as the powerhouse vocalist’s third full-length sold 3.38 million copies in its first seven days.

The Tortured Poets Department ’s first-week sum is made up somewhat more evenly between sales and streaming equivalents. The lengthy project racked up 891.34 million plays of the 31 tunes featured on the deluxe edition. According to Billboard’s methodology, that equals 683,000 equivalent streaming albums.

Microsoft Warns Windows Users Of Ongoing Russian Hack Attack

New apple id password reset issue hitting iphone ipad and macbook users, new ios 18 ai security move changes the game for all iphone users.

At the same time, The Tortured Poets Department also sold better than any album has in a long, long time. Swift’s new set sold 1.914 million copies in the first full tracking week–and that number is specific to the U.S., as her global total was much greater.

The Tortured Poets Department marks Swift’s fourteenth No. 1 on the Billboard 200. She earns the biggest launch yet nearly two decades and more than a dozen rulers into her career. Swift has now ruled the Billboard 200 chart with all of the following albums: Fearless , Speak Now , Red , 1989 , R eputation , Lover , Folklore , Evermore , Fearless (Taylor’s Version) , Red (Taylor’s Version) , Midnights , Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) and 1989 (Taylor’s Version).

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions