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The 26 best new cruise ships for 2024.

Check out these exciting new vessels before booking your next cruise.

The Best New Cruise Ships

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas will be the world's biggest new cruise ship.

Cruising is one of the fastest growing sectors of tourism, with passenger numbers projected to reach 37.2 million by 2025, according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Cruise lines are responding to this growth by building new (and often, larger) vessels with all the bells and whistles, including technological advancements that are more environmentally friendly and create the capability to use alternative fuels.

U.S. News has compiled this roundup of new cruise ships that have just set sail or are scheduled to launch later in 2023 and in 2024, plus a preview of new ships coming in 2025 and beyond. The list includes everything from expedition and luxury yacht-style vessels to reimagined ships and megaships – plus the debut of a brand-new cruise line.

• New ships for 2023
• New ships for 2024
• New ships for 2025 (and beyond)

Oceania Vista: May 2023

Courtesy of Oceania Cruises

Top feature: Luxurious, distinctive spaces

Fares begin around: $2,899 per person (double occupancy) for a 10-night Caribbean cruise

Sails to: Mediterranean, Caribbean

Debuted in May 2023, Oceania Vista is the first ship in Oceania Cruises ' new Allura class and the line's first new ship in 10 years. The 1,200-passenger, all-veranda vessel features a fresh interior design inspired by nature. The elegant new signature spaces include the dramatic Grand Staircase, the reimagined Martinis bar, the clubby Grand Lounge and 180-degree ocean views from the floor-to-ceiling windows at Horizons.

Another highlight of the new ship is the luxurious Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center. Elevated dining concepts on Oceania Vista include the new venue Ember, wellness-inspired cuisine at Aquamar Kitchen and The Bakery at Baristas, which specializes in French and Italian pastries.

Book an  Oceania  cruise on GoToSea, a service of U.S. News.

Carnival Venezia: May 2023

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Top feature: Italian-style ship

Fares begin around: $419 per person (double occupancy) for an eight-night cruise to the Bahamas

Sails to: Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada and New England, Panama Canal

Originally built for the Chinese cruise market in 2019, Carnival Venezia first sailed throughout Asia under the Costa Cruises brand. It headed to Europe in 2020, then was reintroduced as a Carnival Cruise Line vessel in 2023. The rebranded ship, now homeported in the U.S., features Carnival's "Fun Italian Style" concept, with Venetian-style artwork and the Piazza San Marco atrium – not to mention Italian-inspired beverages and dishes at venues like Frizzante, Amari, Marco Polo, the Canal Grande Restaurant and La Strada Grill.

The 4,090-passenger ship has classic Carnival favorites, too, like Bonsai Teppanyaki, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Piano Bar 88 and the Serenity Bar. Guests will also find Carnival's Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, three kids clubs, the outdoor SportSquare and onboard water park WaterWorks.

Find a  Carnival  cruise on GoToSea.

Resilient Lady: May 2023

Courtesy of Virgin Voyages

Top feature: New and exciting entertainment offerings

Fares begin around: $2,550 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night cruise to the Greek islands

Sails to: Europe, Middle East, Asia, Australia and South Pacific

Virgin Voyages' third adults-only ship , Resilient Lady , debuted with its MerMaiden voyage sailing the Greek islands in May 2023. The new 2,762-passenger ship offers the same features as its sister ships, including more than 20 dining venues with menus created by Michelin-starred chefs, an impressive fitness and wellness program, and superyacht-inspired cabins.

The immersive entertainment is one highlight on the new Virgin ship, with shows like rock 'n' roll "Persephone," a concept from the Brooklyn nightclub House of Yes produced by Kaleidoscope Immersive. The Supper Club Series featuring Another Rose is a new show by Randy Weiner of theatrical performance "Sleep No More." The evening with the Supper Club includes a dining experience with cabaret and acrobatic performances in a tale of ill-fated love.

Explore  Virgin Voyages  deals on GoToSea.

MSC Euribia: June 2023

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Top feature: Commitment to sustainable cruising and environmental stewardship

Fares begin around: $219 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night Northern Europe cruise

Sails to: Northern and Western Europe

The LNG-powered MSC Euribia has several features that exemplify the line's commitment to sustainable cruising , including an advanced onboard wastewater treatment system and energy-saving equipment like smart heating, air conditioning and ventilation. MSC Euribia's hull, decorated with the hashtag #SaveTheSea, was designed by artist Alex Flämig and is also a symbol of MSC Cruises ' dedication to preserving our fragile marine ecosystem.

One of the most striking features on MSC's fifth (and final) Meraviglia-class ship is the two-story Galleria Euribia. The 360-foot-long Mediterranean-style promenade – lined with shops, restaurants and bars – sits beneath the longest LED dome at sea. Another highlight is the Carousel Lounge at the aft of the ship. The new space features floor-to-ceiling windows, indoor and outdoor areas, and Big Band at Sea: a 19-piece in-house group of musicians and entertainers. MSC Euribia can accommodate up to 6,327 passengers.

Compare  MSC Cruises  on GoToSea.

Viking Saturn: June 2023

Courtesy of Viking

Top feature: "Residential design" (found on all Viking ocean vessels)

Fares begin around: $2,799 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night Mediterranean cruise

Sails to: Mainland Europe, British Isles, Iceland, Mediterranean and India

The 930-passenger Viking Saturn is the ninth ship in the Viking Ocean Cruises fleet and identical in design to its eight sister ships. The all-veranda vessel offers six categories of accommodations ranging from the 270-square-foot Veranda Stateroom to the spacious 1,448-square-foot Owner's Suite. On board, guests will enjoy the sleek, elegant Scandinavian-inspired public spaces and lounges. The line's enrichment program includes lectures with resident historians, TED Talks and sessions with world-renowned guest speakers. There are eight dining venues featuring destination-focused cuisine, the Nordic Spa with its snow grotto, two pools and hot tubs, and a sports deck.

Book a  Viking Ocean cruise on GoToSea.

Norwegian Viva: August 2023

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Top feature: Indulge Food Hall

Fares begin around: $629 per person (double occupancy) for an eight-night Greek islands cruise

The line's second Prima-class ship, Norwegian Viva mirrors the elevated design of sister ship Norwegian Prima . The new ship features six complimentary dining venues, including globally inspired dishes at Indulge Food Hall, pub fare at The Local Bar & Grill and 270-degree ocean views at the beautifully redesigned main restaurant, Hudson's.

The Haven on Viva is the most exclusive and spacious private enclave in Norwegian Cruise Line 's fleet; it was designed by one of Italy's leading designers, Piero Lissoni. Guests will also find updated styling at Mandara Spa. There's no shortage of entertainment on Viva; it's home to the first free-fall dry slide in the world, a three-story racetrack, high-tech mini-golf and the musical "Beetlejuice." Viva has the capacity to carry up to 3,099 guests.

Find a  Norwegian Cruise Line  itinerary on GoToSea.

Explora I: August 2023

Courtesy of Explora Journeys

Top feature: Luxury details and design, with a focus on sustainability

Fares begin around: $3,000 per person (double occupancy) for a six-night cruise to the Caribbean and Columbia

Sails to: Mediterranean and Western Europe, Caribbean and Central America, U.S. (including Hawaii) and Canada, Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula

Explora I is the first of six luxury vessels for new cruise line Explora Journeys. Owned by the Aponte family and MSC Group, the elegant 922-guest ship combines Swiss precision with modern European craftsmanship, offering suites and residences that are comfortable and spacious enough to be considered "homes at sea."

Guests can explore 14 decks offering nearly 27,000 square feet of outdoor space. Lounge at four pools (one with a retractable glass roof), book a rejuvenating body treatment at the spa, work out at the fitness center or browse the boutiques. There are also six dining venues, 12 bars and lounges, and a Chef's Kitchen for culinary classes and private dining. Regional wine pairings will accompany the onboard dining experience, which includes Pan-Asian, Mediterranean and French cuisine, as well as classic steakhouse offerings.

Compare  Explora Journeys  cruises on GoToSea.

Silver Nova: August 2023

Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Top feature: Ship's asymmetrical deck plan, which offers more open spaces and higher ceilings

Fares begin around: $3,850 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night cruise to Central and South America

Sails to: Caribbean, Central America, South America, U.S. West Coast, Alaska, Canada, Asia, Australia and New Zealand

Silversea Cruises' newest ship is the 728-guest Silver Nova . The 12th vessel in the fleet is ultra-luxurious and offers one of the highest space-to-guest ratios in the industry. Two highlights are the ship's asymmetrical design and aft suites, which have 270-degree views. Silver Nova's nine dining options include S.A.L.T. Kitchen's destination-inspired menus, Silversea 's classic dining experience at Atlantide and French cuisine at La Dame. Silver Nova is also Silversea's most environmentally friendly vessel yet.

Explore  Silversea  cruises on GoToSea.

Seven Seas Grandeur: November 2023

Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas

Top feature: "Journey in Jewels," the first Fabergé egg at sea

Fares begin around: $3,799 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night cruise to Mexico and Central America

Sails to: Mediterranean, Caribbean and Panama Canal

The 746-passenger Seven Seas Grandeur will be Regent Seven Seas Cruises' third Explorer-class vessel when it launches late this fall. While Grandeur is similar to its two sister ships, Explorer and Splendor , the new vessel features updated lounges, restaurants, spa spaces and suites. The line's signature Regent Suite – coming in at an impressive 4,443 square feet – has also been redesigned by Miami firm Studio DADO.

A few additional standout spaces include the art nouveau design of the Observation Lounge (located at the bow of the ship) and the reimagined Serene Spa. The stunning new Compass Rose is the ship's main dining room. Meanwhile, the onboard art collection is also notable: Seven Seas Grandeur will set sail with the first Fabergé egg at sea.

Compare  Regent Seven Seas  cruises on GoToSea.

Celebrity Ascent: November 2023

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Top feature: 32 restaurants, bars and lounges, including the redesigned Le Voyage by Chef Daniel Boulud

Fares begin around: $756 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night cruise to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean

Sails to: Europe, Caribbean

The fourth ship in Celebrity Cruises' Edge class, Celebrity Ascent , will accommodate up to 3,260 passengers and offer the same features as other ships in the series. There are 32 bars, lounges and restaurants, including the newly designed Le Voyage by Chef Daniel Boulud.

Other favorites from the Edge-class ships will return on Ascent, such as the multideck Sunset Bar and an open-air Rooftop Garden with floating pools that are cantilevered over the edge of the ship. It's also home to Celebrity's Magic Carpet, a multipurpose 90-ton deck that moves up and down the side of the ship between Decks 2, 5, 14 and 16; it's used for everything from tendering passengers to hosting happy hours and private functions and late-night parties. Guests will also find Celebrity 's innovative Infinite Veranda staterooms and the exclusive ship-within-a ship concept of The Retreat.

Book a  Celebrity Cruises  itinerary on GoToSea.

Carnival Jubilee: December 2023

Top feature: Two new ocean-themed zones, Currents and The Shores

Fares begin around: $669 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise

Sails to: Western Caribbean

Carnival's newest ship in the Excel class, Carnival Jubilee , will offer six zones (fun themed areas) for up to 6,631 passengers. The LNG-powered vessel features two new zones: Currents and The Shores. Currents is an immersive space with innovative technology such as LED windows and a wave-shaped LED Ceiling. Located on Decks 6 and 7, the space offers new venues for imbibing, dining and listening to live music, such as casual bar Inks, Ph.D and stylish lounge The Golden Mermaid. This is also where you'll find Emeril's Bistro 717.

The Shores, located on Deck 8, features a three-deck-high art installation of a school of fish, a boardwalk, and vibrant colors throughout the indoor and outdoor spaces. Dining and bar venues include Rudi's Seagrill, Cucina del Capitano and Marina Bar. Enjoy other returning Carnival favorites on Jubilee such as the BOLT sea coaster, Waterworks, SportSquare, the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina.

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Icon of the Seas: January 2024

Top feature: Largest cruise ship in the world, carrying up to 7,600 passengers

Fares begin around: $1,930 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise

Sails to: Eastern and Western Caribbean

Icon of the Seas is the first Icon-class vessel in the Royal Caribbean International fleet – and the first new class of ship since 2014. When the massive vessel debuts in January 2024, it will replace Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas as the largest ship at sea (Icon of the Seas is 6% larger). The ship features eight distinct neighborhoods – including the new Surfside neighborhood, a colorful space geared toward family fun with kids clubs, Splashaway Bay, themed eateries and bars, adjacent staterooms and more.

There are four additional new neighborhoods as well. Thrill Island features Category 6, the largest water park at sea, while Chill Island boasts the line's first swim-up bar and The Hideaway features the first suspended infinity pool at sea. AquaDome, the impressive glass-enclosed space at the top of the ship, is home to the AquaTheater, panoramic ocean views, a waterfall, and bars and restaurants.

Read: The Newest Royal Caribbean Ships

Sun Princess: February 2024

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Top feature: Princess Cruises' largest ship and the first in the line's Sphere class

Fares begin around: $577 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise

Sails to: Caribbean, Mediterranean

Sun Princess will have many new attractions when it launches in early 2024. It has the most balconies on any Princess Cruises ' ship, and you'll find exciting new dining, activity and entertainment offerings. One notable highlight is Park19, a top-deck space with activities for kids of all ages, including the Sea Breeze Rollglider, the first ride of its kind on a cruise ship. This new attraction soars 19 decks high and offers unparalleled views of the ocean below.

Cruisers can enjoy additional spaces like a two-story dome that is a pool during the day and a stage for shows at night; the European-inspired Piazza, which offers ocean vistas from nearly every angle; the Princess Arena, a high-tech performance space; the elegant three-story Horizons Dining Room; and the new Wake View Terrace with an infinity pool. There are also new styles of accommodations and expanded offerings for young children, tweens and teens. Sun Princess can accommodate up to 4,300 passengers.

Queen Anne: May 2024

Courtesy of Cunard Line

Top feature: The Pavilion, a glass-enclosed pool area with a retractable roof

Fares begin around: $1,199 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise

Sails to: Canary Islands, Mediterranean, Northern and Western Europe, Iceland, British Isles, Australia, Asia, Africa and Indian Ocean

When Queen Anne launches in spring 2024, it will be Cunard Line's 249th ship since the company's inception in 1840, and the line's first new vessel in 14 years. The 3,000-passenger ship will feature a fresh, modern design, yet still give a nod to the Cunard's art deco past.

Once on board, guests will discover new entertainment venues like the Bright Lights Society show bar and more wide-open spaces throughout the ship, as well as Cunard 's first two-story theater. New international dining options include Japanese restaurant Aji Wa with sushi and omakase menus, plus Indian cuisine at Aranya. Queen Anne also offers an extensive health and wellness program in collaboration with health group Mareel that features a large thermal suite, a spa pool and a top-deck wellness studio.

Find a  Cunard  cruise on GoToSea.

Utopia of the Seas: July 2024

Top feature: Three- and four-night ultimate weekend getaways

Fares begin around: $471 per person (double occupancy) for a three-night Bahamas cruise

Sails to: Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay (Royal Caribbean's private island)

Utopia of the Seas will be Royal Caribbean's sixth (and final) Oasis-class ship when it debuts in summer 2024. With a capacity of 5,668 passengers, the vessel will join the line's other Oasis- and Icon-class ships as the largest cruise ships sailing on the high seas. The ship will have the same eight neighborhoods as other Oasis-class ships, including Central Park, The Boardwalk and the Pool & Sports Zone.

The 40-plus food and beverage options will include new additions like the Pesky Parrot bar and a themed "mixed reality" dining experience that takes place on a train. A reimagined playscape is another addition, with nets, games, puzzles, slides and climbing walls for junior cruisers. The line's Ultimate Abyss – a dry slide with 10 stories of thrilling twists and turns – will now stretch an additional 43 feet, making it the longest dry slide at sea.

Read: The Top Cruise Line Private Islands and What They Offer

Explora II: August 2024

Top feature: Luxurious cabins

Fares begin around: $4,500 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night Mediterranean cruise

Sails to: Caribbean and Central America, Mediterranean, Arabian Peninsula and Red Sea, India, Indian Ocean and Africa

As sister ship to Explora I, Explora II will offer the same transformative travel experience for 922 guests. The luxury vessel will feature 461 oceanfront suites with private terraces. Cruisers can take advantage of 11 culinary options across six dining venues, a dozen indoor and outdoor bars and lounges, and a Chef's Kitchen. Guests will also have access to four pools, 64 private cabanas and wellness facilities.

Silver Ray: Summer 2024

Top feature: One of the most spacious ships ever built; extraordinary space-to-guest ratio

Fares begin around: $4,000 per person (double occupancy) for a nine-night cruise to South America

Sails to: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, British Isles, South America, Caribbean and Central America

Silver Ray, Silversea's second Nova-class ship, is scheduled to set sail in summer 2024. The 728-passenger, low-emissions vessel will offer the same advanced hybrid fuel technologies as its sister ship, Silver Nova. It will also have Silver Nova's horizontal layout and asymmetrical design, creating more open public areas and providing suites with 270-degree views. In addition, guests on board the luxury vessel will have their choice of eight dining venues and a wide selection of bars and lounges, including The Marquee, a new alfresco restaurant.

Viking Vela: December 2024

Top feature: Larger than Viking's other ocean vessels, carrying up to 998 passengers

Fares begin around: $4,999 per person (double occupancy) for a 12-night northern lights cruise

Sails to: Scandinavia, British Isles, Iceland

Measuring 748 feet long and 101 feet wide, Viking Vela will be the line's largest ship when it debuts at the end of 2024. It will accommodate 68 more passengers than its sister ships, but feature Viking's signature veranda staterooms, public spaces, amenities and dining venues. Seasoned Viking cruisers can look forward to favorites like The Nordic Spa, the Wintergarden, Mamsen's, the Explorers' Lounge, the Sports Deck, Manfredi's Italian Restaurant and The Chef's Table.

Disney Treasure: December 2024

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Top feature: Debut of new Disney Parks-inspired onboard venues

Fares begin around: $4,028 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night Caribbean cruise

Sails to: Eastern and Western Caribbean, Castaway Cay (Disney Cruise Line's private island)

Fans of Disney Cruise Line will find many familiar venues, attractions and restaurants on the new Disney Treasure, sister ship of Disney Wish . However, there will also be plenty of new features, including the theme of the ship: adventure. The Grand Hall, inspired by the movie "Aladdin," is designed with dark shades of blue, turquoise and gold and features a golden statue of a magic carpet with Aladdin and Jasmine.

Plaza de Coco replaces Disney Wish's "Frozen" dining experience with a two-night Mexican, "Coco"-themed theatrical dinner show. Meanwhile, "Disney The Tale of Moana" – a Broadway-style production based on the film "Moana" – will be exclusive to Disney Treasure. Adults will also find new lounges, such as the Jungle Cruise-themed Skipper Society and the Periscope Pub, which is inspired by "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." Disney Treasure can carry up to 4,000 passengers.

Explore  Disney Cruise Line  deals on GoToSea.

MSC World America: Spring 2025

MSC's new futuristic ship – and sister ship to MSC World Europa – will be based in Miami and sail the Caribbean. The LNG-powered, 6,762-passenger ship will offer more than 420,000 square feet of public space and many of the attractions found on World Europa, such as the MSC Luna Park Arena and World Galleria. There will also be more than 30 dining venues, bars and lounges, as well as the line's private enclave, MSC Yacht Club.

Oceania Allura: June 2025

Oceania Allura will be the eighth ship in Oceania's fleet, the second vessel of the line's Allura class and the sister ship to Oceania Vista. The 1,200-passenger Allura will offer the same upscale amenities as Vista, as well as a new Chef's Studio and one of the highest space-to-guest and staff-to-guest ratios in the cruise industry. Allura is scheduled to debut in June 2025.

Read: Bucket List Cruises for Seniors and Retirees

Star Princess: August 2025

Star Princess is scheduled to set sail in 2025 as the sister ship to Sun Princess. The 4,300-passenger, LNG-powered ship will offer the same features as Sun Princess, including the Dome, the Piazza and the line's Signature Collection Suites. The vessel will also have 29-plus restaurants and bars.

Star of the Seas: Summer 2025

Royal Caribbean plans to introduce Star of the Seas – the second Icon-class vessel and sister to Icon of the Seas – in summer 2025.

Disney Cruise Line: 2025

Disney purchased the former Global Dream from Genting's Dream Cruises in 2022, when it was still being built at the German shipyard MV Werften. Disney plans to base the ship in Singapore for at least five years, offering Disney vacations to the Southeast Asian market. When it launches in 2025, the vessel will be the line's seventh ship and is expected to carry 6,000 passengers. Another newly built, currently unnamed Disney ship is planned to debut in 2025, as well.

Norwegian Cruise Line: 2025 and beyond

The third Prima-class ship is expected to be approximately 10% larger than the first ship in the class, Norwegian Prima (143,535 gross tons). The following ships for the line are anticipated to be even larger, with the fifth and sixth Prima-class vessels (debuting in 2027 and 2028) weighing as much as 171,000 gross tons.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity's fifth Edge-class ship will be more eco-friendly, thanks to the addition of a new tri-fueled engine model and the capacity to store three different kinds of fuel, including methanol. The effort toward net-zero emissions and more sustainable cruising is a partnership between Royal Caribbean, the French shipyard Chantiers de L'Atlantique and the technology firm Wärtsilä. A debut date for this ship has not yet been announced.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed to destinations around the globe on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, luxury yachts, expedition vessels and traditional masted sailing ships. She used her extensive experience with cruises to write this article. Pratesi covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Cruise Lines
• Cruise Packing List: Essentials for Your Cruise
• What to Wear on a Cruise
• The Best Gay Cruises
• The Best Transatlantic Cruises

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Travel + Leisure’s 2024 It List.

Since 1971, Travel + Leisure editors have followed one mission: to inform, inspire, and guide travelers to have deeper, more meaningful experiences. T+L's editors have traveled to countries all over the world, having flown, sailed, road tripped, and taken the train countless miles. They've visited small towns and big cities, hidden gems and popular destinations, beaches and mountains, and everything in between. With a breadth of knowledge about destinations around the globe, air travel, cruises, hotels, food and drinks, outdoor adventure, and more, they are able to take their real-world experience and provide readers with tried-and-tested trip ideas, in-depth intel, and inspiration at every point of a journey.

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For the first time, we’re spotlighting new cruise ships on Travel + Leisure ’s It List, as these exceptional vessels become more and more like floating resorts — celebrity chefs, crystal chandeliers, and Rolex boutiques included.

Explora Journeys’ Explora I

Paul Brady/Travel + Leisure

It’s not every day a new cruise line arrives. The debut of the remarkable Explora I was a moment years in the making for Explora Journeys , the upstart luxury operator that aims to bring a European sensibility to the world of vacations at sea. So far, the project is a smashing success, thanks to the ship’s low-key vibe, standout food and beverage, and intriguing itineraries that visit in-demand ports in Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean. My own August 2023 trip on Explora I , from Copenhagen to Hamburg, Germany, included fulfilling visits to places such as Oslo and the town of Stavanger, Norway, a gateway to adventurous hiking with a postcard-perfect Old Town. The ship itself was also a destination, with its abundance of outdoor space — including an alfresco fitness center — and pools at seemingly every turn. The 461 suites, all of them with balconies, are filled with luxurious touches such as Frette linens and robes, heated marble floors, and Dyson hair dryers. But Explora I truly shines when it comes to food: During the week I was aboard, it was impossible to find a bad meal — and I was often astonished at the quality of, in particular, the pasta served in the Emporium Marketplace and the sushi on offer at Sakura, two of the nine restaurants aboard. The most ambitious of them all is Anthology, a rotating-chef concept that has seen a residency from seafood whiz Mario Ulaissi, known for his Michelin three-starred restaurant on Italy's Adriatic coast, and that recently welcomed Emma Bengtsson, from Aquavit , in New York City. Much has been made of Explora I ’s Rolex boutique — the first on any cruise ship — but for my money, the other shops on board were more interesting: The company has tapped family-owned businesses around the world to create capsule collections of resort wear, handbags, fragrances, sunglasses, and beautiful gifts that can’t be found elsewhere. From $2,050 per person for a six-day sailing. Accessible ship. — Paul Brady

Oceania Cruises’ Vista

Nick Tortajada/Courtesy of Oceania Cruises

The new Oceania Vista is in a class of its own; no really, it’s the first in Oceania Cruises ’ new Allura class. Of its 11 bars and restaurants, three are entirely new to the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings–owned brand — including a high-end cocktail spot called Founders’ Bar, serving 26 intricate drinks that use house-made syrups and top-shelf booze like Whistle Pig and parsley-infused Grey Goose. As Oceania levels up, the cruise line has produced a ship that feels more like a floating resort than the vessels that came before. There’s pickleball; a health-conscious restaurant, Aquamar, serving made-to-order salads and pressed juices; and a coffee shop that looks like one in walking distance of my home in L.A. (marble counters, gold accents, leather bar stools) and pulls an espresso shot of similar quality. Vista has more suites than others in the Oceania fleet, too: There are 14 Oceania Suites (up to 1,200 square feet); eight Vista Suites (up to 1,850 square feet); and three Owner’s Suites with Ralph Lauren Home decor and two massive terraces (2,400 square feet). But the most hotel-like touch? A celebrity chef–driven restaurant, Toscana, where Giada De Laurentiis — the ship’s godmother — supplied two recipes for the menu. As someone who watched a lot of Everyday Italian in the early aughts, I was particularly excited to try her signature, Capri-inspired lemon spaghetti, and lemon-cream sauce with grilled shrimp and capers didn’t disappoint. From $2,499 per person for a seven-night sailing. Accessible ship. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Grandeur

Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ sixth ship, the Seven Seas Grandeur , sailed its inaugural season in December, joining sibling ships Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor as the newest member of the luxury fleet. The cruise line is a favorite among T+L readers for its gorgeous ships and all-inclusive pricing that covers unlimited shore excursions, dining at specialty restaurants, and even round-trip airfare. Grandeur lives up to its name thanks to stunning, art-filled spaces designed by cruise ship interior experts Studio Dado: signature restaurant Compass Rose is enchanting with interiors inspired by a fairy-tale forest; the Observation Lounge sparkles with an undulating chandelier and swanky bar; and the $11,000-per-night Regent Suite has a private en suite spa and custom Treesse mini pool. As I boarded Grandeur for the ship’s inaugural sailing, I was mesmerized by the grand staircase and glittering chandelier. And with a maximum capacity of 744 guests, I found it easy to take time to myself in the myriad of quiet spots tucked throughout the ship, whether in the Serene Spa and Wellness area, in the Library, or on the Sports Deck overlooking the ocean. Seven restaurants include specialty steakhouse Prime 7, pan-Asian restaurant Pacific Rim, and breakfast and lunch buffet La Veranda, which refines the cruise buffet experience with daily specials like paella and sushi. Several bars and lounges, a pool and hot tubs, a casino, Broadway-style productions, and cooking classes at the Culinary Arts Kitchen make the ship a destination in itself, though guests will want to take advantage of those included excursions on Caribbean, Central American, North American, and European itineraries, ranging from seven to 16 nights, during the ship’s 2024 season. From $4,669 per person for a seven-night sailing. Accessible ship. — Elizabeth Rhodes

Silversea’s Silver Nova

Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Carrying 728 passengers, Silver Nova is big for the luxury sector, but boasts a hugely important metric: a capacious passenger space ratio — that is, the number of guests relative to the size of the ship. Simply put, this ship offers more elbow room per passenger than almost any other cruise vessel. Silver Nova is wrapped in glass, with an asymmetrical layout; the funnel is positioned off-center, so is the pool, offering an expansive, uncluttered pool deck. Many features of the brand-new ship recall previous Silversea successes, my favorite of which is the S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste) program, expanded for Silver Nova . S.A.L.T. perks include a gorgeous, sea-facing lab for hands-on culinary lessons (at no additional cost), plus a new concept, the Chef’s Table, where an 11-course menu is prepared for just 24 diners. All facets of the S.A.L.T. ecosystem, including ingredients, a bar, lectures, and shore excursions, are keyed to the region Nova is sailing. While food is a drawing card for Silver Nova , accommodations also received a revamp. Tied to the theme of bringing the outside in, there are brilliant new suites found in the aft starboard corner of the ship, with wraparound balconies revealing a 270-degree view.  This is where you can tuck me in when I win the lottery and head off on a world cruise. But until then, Silver Nova will summer in Alaska and spend northern hemisphere winters in Australia and New Zealand, places where top-deck views should prove ceaselessly rewarding. From $3,250 per person for a seven-night sailing. Accessible ship. — David Swanson

It List 2024

Related articles.

Here Are the 14 New Cruise Ships Entering Service in 2024

• January 2, 2024

A total of 14 new cruise ships are set to enter service in 2024. According to data from the Cruise Industry News’ Global Cruise Ship Orderbook Report , the lineup includes a diverse selection of vessels, including mega ships, premium and luxury vessels, and more.

Here’s the list of new vessels entering service through the end of the year:

I con of the Seas Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International Capacity:  5,610 guests Tonnage:  250,800 Shipyard: Meyer Turku (Finland) Inaugural Cruise: January 27, 2024

After being delivered to Royal Caribbean International in late 2023 , the new Icon of the Seas is set to enter service on January 27, 2024. Set to spend its inaugural season in the Caribbean, the 250,800-ton vessel will take over the title of biggest cruise ship in the world from its fleet mate Wonder of the Seas.

Sun Princess Cruise Line: Princess Cruises Capacity:  4,300 guests Tonnage:  175,000 Shipyard: Fincantieri (Italy) Delivery Date: February 8, 2024

Ushering a new era for Princess Cruises, the new Sun Princess is set to enter service in the Mediterranean in early February. The first in a new series of LNG-powered vessels, the 4,300-guest vessel will become Princess’ largest ever ship while introducing several new features, such as a family activity zone and a multi-use geodesic dome.

Queen Anne Cruise Line: Cunard Line Capacity:  3,000 guests Tonnage:  113,000 Shipyard: Fincantieri (Italy) Inaugural Cruise: May 3, 2024

The new Queen Anne is entering service for Cunard Line on May 3, 2024. As the first newbuild commissioned for the British brand in over ten years, the 3,000-guest vessel is scheduled to spend its maiden season offering itineraries to the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and more.

Silver Ray Cruise Line: Silversea Cruises Capacity:  728 guests Tonnage:  54,700 Shipyard: Meyer Werft (Germany) Inaugural Cruise: June 15, 2024

A sister to the 2023-built Silver Nova, the Silver Ray is set to enter service for Silversea Cruises in mid-2024. Considered one of the world’s greenest cruise ships , the LNG-powered vessel is set to spend its inaugural season in the Mediterranean.

Mein Schiff 7 Cruise Line: TUI Cruises Capacity:  2,900 guests Tonnage:  110,000 Shipyard: Meyer Turku (Finland) Inaugural Cruise: June 23, 2024

The Mein Schiff 7 is set to enter service for TUI Cruises on June 23, 2024. Under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland , the 2,900-guest vessel is set to spend its maiden season in Northern Europe before repositioning to the Canary Islands for the winter.

Utopia of the Seas Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International Capacity:  5,714 guests Tonnage:  231,000 Shipyard: Chantiers de l’Atlantique (France) Inaugural Cruise: July 22, 2024

Closing out Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class, the Utopia of the Seas is set to welcome guests for its inaugural cruise on July 22, 2024. In a first for the company, the LNG-powered newbuild will spend its maiden season offering short cruises to the Bahamas departing from Port Canaveral .

Brilliant Lady Cruise Line: Virgin Voyages Capacity:  2,770 guests Tonnage:  110 , 000 Shipyard: Fincantieri (Italy) Inaugural Cruise: TBD

After seeing its delivery postponed in 2023 , the Brilliant Lady is now expected to enter service for Virgin Voyages in the second quarter of 2024. Details about the vessel’s new inaugural season, however, haven’t been announced by the company yet.

Explora II Cruise Line: Explora Journeys Capacity:  922 guests Tonnage:  64 , 000 Shipyard: Fincantieri (Italy) Inaugural Cruise: August 11, 2024

Following the Explora I, the Explora II is set to become Explora Journey’s second ultra-luxury ship. Under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy , the 922-guest will kick off its inaugural season in the Mediterranean on August 11, 2024.

American Liberty Cruise Line: American Cruise Lines Capacity:  109 guests Tonnage:  4 , 100 Shipyard: Chesapeake (United States) Inaugural Cruise: August 15, 2024

Continuing American Cruise Line’s Coastal Cat series , the American Liberty is set to enter service on August 15, 2024. During its maiden season, the U.S.-built cruise ship is set to offer a series of itineraries in New England and the Hudson River. The ship is a sister to the 2023-launched American Glory.

Ilma Cruise Line: Ritz-Carton Yacht Collection Capacity:  456 guests Tonnage:  37,000 Shipyard: Chantiers de l’Atlantique (France) Delivery Date: September 19, 2024

Following the 2022-built Evrima, the Ilma is set to become Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s second luxury vessel. In final stages of construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France , the 456-guest cruise ship is set to welcome its first paying guests on September 19, 2024.

American Legend Cruise Line: American Cruise Lines Capacity:  109 guests Tonnage:  4 , 100 Shipyard: Chesapeake (United States) Inaugural Cruise: November 25, 2024

A second U.S.-built cruise ship is entering service in 2024 , the American Legend. Under construction at the Chesapeake shipyard in Maryland, the 109-guest ship will spend its inaugural season offering American Cruise Line’s Florida Gulf Coast & Keys Cruise. The ship is a sister to the 2023-launched American Glory.

Viking Vela Cruise Line: Viking  Capacity: 988 guests Tonnage:  4 7 , 000 Shipyard: Fincantieri (Italy) Inaugural Cruise: December 12, 2024

Viking is introducing the new Viking Vela in December 2024. Under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy , the luxury vessel is set to spend its inaugural season offering winter cruises in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

Disney Treasure Cruise Line: Disney Cruise Line Capacity:  2,500 guests Tonnage:  140,000 Shipyard: Meyer Werft (Germany) Inaugural Cruise: December 21, 2024

The new Disney Tresure is set to enter service for Disney Cruise Line on December 21, 2024. A sister to the 2022-built Disney Wish, the 140,000-ton vessel is offering a series of week-long cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas during its inaugural season .

Janssonius Cruise Line: Oceanwide Expeditions Capacity:  174 guests Tonnage:  6 , 300 Shipyard: Brodosplit (Croatia) Inaugural Cruise: TBD

After having its delivery postponed several times since 2021 due to problems at Brodosplit, the Janssonius is expected to enter service for Oceanwide Expeditions sometime in 2024. Once delivered, the expedition vessel is set to offer a series of exploration cruises in Antarctica and the Arctic. The ship is a sister to the 2019-launched Hondius.

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Top 10 Most Fun Cruises in 2024

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If you’re looking for the most fun cruise to plan this year, there are some truly amazing cruise ships to choose from. Top cruise lines have built some of the coolest features and fun attractions on their newest cruise ships.

As someone in my early twenties who loves to have fun and party on cruise ships, I’ve curated a great list of the 10 most fun cruises you can take this year.

With that being said, here are the top 10 most fun cruise ships you’re sure to love.

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10 Most Fun Cruises

1. royal caribbean wonder of the seas.

Royal Caribbean is one of the best cruise lines, because they have something for everyone. Whether if you’re cruising with kids, as a couple or on your own, a Royal Caribbean cruise will be extremely fun.

The Wonder of the Seas is an Oasis class ship and is currently the largest ship in the world. This cruise ship weighs over 236,000 tons and holds just under 7,000 passengers.

When it comes to fun activities on a cruise ship , it’s hard to beat what Wonder of the Seas has to offer. Additionally, the Wonder of the Seas has great entertainment, featuring live music, an ice skating show and the aqua show in the AquaTheatre.

One of the greatest parts about going on a Royal Caribbean ship, is that they have plenty of delicious dining options and bar areas. There’s never a dull moment on a Royal Caribbean cruise!

If you’re cruising with children under 17 and under, Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean kid’s club is a great place for your kids to participate in activities and make new friends.

Features & Activities:

• Water Slides
• Splash park
• Surf Simulators
• Basketball court
• 10 story dry slide
• Ice skating
• Fitness classes
• Rock climbing

Related: Best Royal Caribbean Ships For Families – Complete Guide

2. Carnival Mardi Gras

Carnival cruise line is known as “The Worlds Most Popular Cruise Line”, carrying millions of cruise passengers every year. Since getting their start in 1972, Carnival cruises are known for their fun ships, joyful vacations and affordable prices.

The Carnival Mardi Gras was launched in 2020 with some exciting new onboard attractions and dining options.

The casual food options on Carnival Mardi Gras are some of the best at sea.

Big Chicken, BlueIguanna Cantina and Guy’s Burgers are amazing choices. Of course, there’s the popular Maketplace Lido Buffet and the main dining room to choose from as well.

A key features on the Carnival Mardi Gras are Bolt Sea Coaster, the first roller coaster at sea, and the ropes course. These are two fun activities that you have to try when you go on the Carnival Mardi Gras.

Onboard the Carnival Mardi Gras, you can expect a fun and laid back atmosphere. While Carnival is family friendly, many Carnival cruise passengers also like to party, drink and have a good time.

If you’re cruising with young adults , teenagers or children, there is no shortage of activities for them to enjoy!

Carnival’s Kid’s Club, Camp Ocean is geared towards children ages 2-11. Circle C (ages 12-14) and Camp 02 (15-17) caters to the tweens and teens. The youth program on is a great way to make new friends and hang out in a supervised environment throughout the cruise.

• Bolt roller coaster
• Water slides
• Sports court

Related: What’s Included on a Carnival Cruise – Everything You Need to Know

3. Norwegian Prima

The Norwegian Prima is Norwegian Cruise Line ‘s newest cruise ship. This cruise ship weighs over 143,000 tons and holds up to 3,099 passengers.

NCL cruises are extremely fun and have a fantastic night life. Whether you like to watch sports, go to comedy shows, enjoy live music or go to the club, there is always something going on in the evenings.

Onboard the Norwegian Prima, there are plenty of fun activities. This includes a cool race track, two dry slides and even beer pong tables. If you’re looking to have a fun and action packed vacation, then the Norwegian Prima is a great option.

If you’re cruising with kids or teenagers, be sure to check out the kid’s club, Splash Academy (ages 3-12) and Club Entourage (13-17). The kid’s camp is a great place for your children to participate in activities and to make new friends.

• 3 story Go-Kart track
• Infinity pool
• Splash area
• Virtual reality
• Escape room

Related: Is Norwegian Cruise Line Worth It? Pros & Cons

4. MSC Meraviglia

MSC is an Italian cruise line, known for their beautiful and elegant ships. Onboard an MSC cruise ship, you can expect a unique culinary experience, good service and a fun atmosphere.

The MSC Meraviglia launched in 2016. This cruise ship is over 167,000 tons and holds 4,500 passengers. This ship is absolutely stunning and has amazing bar and restaurant areas.

One of the unique features on the MSC Meraviglia is the Galleria Meraviglia. This area has the longest LED dome ceiling at sea, restaurants, bars and shops.

When it comes to activities onboard the MSC Meraviglia, there are 3 water slides, a splash park and a ropes course. There is also a pool area with pools and hot tubs.

If you’re cruising with children, you’ll be happy to know the MSC cruise ship has a fun kid’s club . The kid’s camp has video games, areas to hang out and planned activities.

• Bowling alley

Related: Best MSC Cruises For Families & Kids – Complete Guide

5. Disney Wish

Disney Cruise Line is a family friendly cruise line, which is super popular for Disney lovers and families with younger children. Disney is the perfect cruise line for a fun family vacation.

The Disney Wish has a large pool deck that has multiple pools, hot tubs and lounge chairs. The food onboard the Disney Wish is very good and the staff are extremely friendly.

Since this is a Disney themed cruise, the cruise ship designed for younger crowds. However, the Disney Wish has an adult only area, which is perfect for relaxing without kids.

On the Disney Wish, you’ll find the Hero Zone, which is sports court. There are organized activities like the “Incredi-Games” and it can also be used as a basketball court.

If you’re cruising with young kids or teenagers, they will absolutely love Disney Cruise Line’s kid’s clubs. The kid’s club has couches to hang out, video games and fun organized activities.

• Splash zone
• Multiple Pool Areas
• Inflatable obstacle course
• Indoor sports court
• Complimentary table games

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6. Norwegian Joy

Norwegian Cruise Line is known for being fun and exciting casual cruise vacations. On a Norwegian cruise, you’ll find young people as well as those who are young at heart.

The Norwegian Joy has exciting activities, great dining options and amazing entertainment. The theatre onboard the Norwegian Joy, is spectacular and a great place to catch a Broadway style show and special guest entertainers.

If you’re someone who enjoys gambling, then you will love the casino onboard the Norwegian Joy. On the Norwegian Joy, the casino is massive and has slot machines, blackjack tables, poker tables and even a high rollers room.

The Norwegian Joy has a super fun kid’s and teen club. As someone who has cruised since I was a kid, I can say that Norwegian has one of the best kid’s clubs at sea.

If you’re cruising with kids, teenagers or young adults, they will love the kids club and enjoy the activities onboard the Norwegian Joy .

• Go-kart tracks

Related: 6 Best Norwegian Cruises for Families

7. Anthem of the Seas

Although the Anthem of the Seas isn’t as big as the Wonder of the Seas, it is still a large cruise ship. This cruise holds over 4,000 passengers and weighs 167,800 tons.

One of the unique features on the Anthem of the Seas is the North Star. The North Star is a gigantic robotic arm that goes 300 feet above the ocean and offers stunning views.

Some other activities on the Anthem of the Seas include indoor roller skating, bumper cars, water slides, rock climbing walls and a skydiving simulator.

If you love technology, then you will love this cruise. The Anthem of the Seas is one of the most technologically advanced cruises and it even has the Bionic Bar (robotic bartender).

The Anthem of the Seas is perfect for cruisers who want to have fun, try new attractions and enjoy a beautiful cruise ship.

• Skydiving simulator
• Surf simulator
• Bumper cars
• Roller skating
• Rock climbing wall

Related: Is a Royal Caribbean Cruise Worth It? 10 Things You Need to Know

8. MSC Seascape

The MSC Seascape is one of MSC Cruises newest cruise ships, officially named on December 7, 2022. Coming in at over 170,000 tons, the MSC Seascape holds nearly 6,000 passengers.

One of the cool things about the MSC Seascape is that it’s New York City themed. This means that venue names, decor and design features are New York City themed.

This is a stunning cruise ship, which mixes fun attractions with calm relaxation areas. The Jungle Pool Lounge is a jungle themed solarium area which has lounge chairs, a pool and hot tubs.

For kids, there is the Pirates Cove Aqua Park that has water canons, bridges and mini slides to play on. There are also water slides, a sports court and the kid’s club, where your children will have the time of their life.

One of the unique features onboard the MSC Seascape is ROBOTRON. ROBOTRON is a robotic arm which will lift you 53 metres above sea level and flip you upside down.

Overall, the MSC Seascape has the perfect mix of relaxing areas, good dining options and amazing attractions. If you’re looking to have a fun and enjoyable vacation, the MSC Seascape is a great choice.

• Racing simulator

9. Celebrity Beyond

The Celebrity Beyond may not have water slides, roller coasters or zip lines like some other cruise ships. However, the Celebrity Beyond is a stunning ship that has a super fun vibe for adults.

If you’re someone who likes to spend time in hot tubs, at bars or by the pool, then you will love the Celebrity Beyond. When you’re on the Celebrity Beyond, it feels as if you’re on a luxurious mega yacht.

Celebrity Cruises is known for having great service, fine dining and beautiful ship designs. The Celebrity Beyond is Celebrity’s newest ship. This Edge class ship is like no other.

The highlights on Celebrity Beyond, include the beautiful and fun bar areas. The Magic Carpet, Sunset Bar and Martini Bar are some of the most lively and fun bars at sea.

The Celebrity Beyond also has champagne glass designed hot tubs, a solarium pool and plunge pools , which look over the edge of the cruise ship.

If you’re cruising with a family, you’ll find a kid’s club onboard the Celebrity Beyond. However, the Celebrity Beyond isn’t as family friendly as other cruise ships, and is more geared towards adults.

The Celebrity Beyond, will be a fun cruise for adults who are looking for a luxurious cruise experience.

• Magic Carpet
• Plunge pool
• Sunset Garden
• Martini bar

Related: Celebrity Beyond Infinite Veranda Honest Review

10. Virgin Valiant Lady

Virgin Voyages is an adult only cruise line , which has recently entered the cruise industry. The Virgin Valiant Lady was launched in 2020 and it can hold up to 2,700 “sailors”.

Virgin is fun for a few reasons, in part because they are doing things differently than many other competitor cruise lines. Virgin Voyages has an unconventional approach to cruising and is known for having great food and dining, amazing entertainment and crazy pool parties.

Since Virgin is an adult only cruise line (18+), their entertainment, activities and parties all cater towards an adult demographic. On Virgin Voyages, you’ll find a truly unique and fun cruise experience that is like no other.

• Balcony hammocks
• Included fitness classes
• Record shop
• Karaoke bar with individual booths
• Tattoo parlour

Honourable Mentions:

• Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas
• Norwegian Encore
• Carnival Celebration
• Carnival Panorama
• Carnival Glory
• Holland America Rotterdam
• Celebrity Summit

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Final Thoughts on Most Fun Cruises in 2024

Well there it is, the top 10 most fun cruises!

If you’re planning a cruise and like to have fun, it’s important to know which cruise has the best activities, entertainment and attractions.

Cruising is a fun way to travel. You get to enjoy time on the cruise ship as well as visit some beautiful destinations. Choosing the most fun cruise depends most on what you like to do and enjoy.

In this post, I shared the top 10 most fun cruises.

What cruise ship or cruise line do you think is the most fun? Please let me know in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself ;-). Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). Thanks so much!

Author Bio: Ethan Schattauer writes about fashion, travel and college advice on the website WhatToWearMen.com . As a frequent cruiser, Ethan shares his unique perspective on what cruising is like for teens and young adults.

Featured photo: Photo credit Royal Caribbean

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Monster growth! The cruise boom at Carnival continues with debut of another new ship

Make that five new ships for Carnival Cruise Line in just 18 months.

The world's second-biggest cruise brand on Thursday welcomed the first cruisers aboard yet another new vessel, the 4,126-passenger Carnival Firenze, in Long Beach, California.

The 135,156-ton ship is debuting just four months after Carnival unveiled the even bigger 5,374-passenger Carnival Jubilee and 11 months after the line began operating the 4,090-passenger Carnival Venezia .

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

The latter two ships operate out of Galveston, Texas, and New York City, respectively. Carnival Venezia also spends part of the year sailing out of Port Canaveral, Florida.

Over the past 18 months, Carnival has also added the Miami-based, 5,374-passenger Carnival Celebration and the Australia-based, 2,260-passenger Carnival Luminosa . Carnival Luminosa also spends part of the year sailing out of Seattle.

The addition of the five ships to the Carnival fleet over such a short time span marks one of the fastest expansions of any cruise brand in the history of cruising.

With the addition of the five ships, Carnival now has 27 vessels in its fleet — tying a record it set before the COVID-19 pandemic forced it to cut back its capacity .

A new ship with an asterisk

Scheduled to sail year-round out of Long Beach, California, Carnival Firenze is a new ship for Carnival, but it's new with an asterisk. The 15-deck-high vessel has sailed before for another cruise line, Italy-based Costa Cruises.

Originally called Costa Firenze, the vessel sailed its maiden voyage for Costa, a sister brand to Carnival, in July 2021, making it nearly three years old.

Carnival Firenze is just one of several Costa vessels that Carnival Corporation, the parent company of Costa and Carnival, has transferred from Costa to Carnival in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic and its aftermath hurt the Costa brand much more than the Carnival brand. This was in part because the Costa brand had big operations in China, where cruising shut down during the pandemic for far longer than it did in North America.

Carnival operates most of its ships out of U.S. ports and draws a lot of the customers for these ships from the states near these ports — a segment of close-to-home cruising that has been booming since cruising resumed in 2021.

The result has been a stronger demand for Carnival ships than Costa ships.

Carnival Firenze's first sailing for Carnival, starting Thursday, will be a seven-night voyage to the Mexican Riviera that includes stops at Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.

Carnival cruising with an Italian twist

Like Carnival Venezia, which also is a former Costa ship, Carnival Firenze is something of an outlier in the Carnival fleet as the vessel retains much of its Italian theming from when it sailed for Costa.

The ship also still has its original, distinctive gold-and-blue funnel that is a trademark of Costa's vessels.

That said, Carnival Firenze won't be devoid of Carnival's signature shipboard venues. In recent months, the ship has undergone a significant overhaul in a dry dock in Spain that included the re-theming of many interior eateries and bars, as well as top-deck attractions to make them more consistent with the Carnival brand.

For instance, the ship will have a Carnival Waterworks water play area and a Steakhouse — a signature Carnival venue.

Related: The 8 classes of Carnival Cruise Line ships, explained

Other venues now on the ship that will be familiar to Carnival fans include a Guy Fieri-inspired Guy's Burger Joint, a Bonsai Sushi eatery, a Chef's Table, Lido Marketplace, Seafood Shack, a Pizzeria del Capitano pizza outlet and a Heroes Tribute Bar.

The ship also will have a new crew made up of Carnival staffers.

In short, Carnival Firenze will combine elements of both Costa and Carnival ships.

Carnival originally planned to call the ship a "Costa by Carnival" product to differentiate it from the rest of the Carnival fleet, but it eventually switched to marketing Carnival Firenze as a vessel that offers "Carnival Fun Italian Style."

Carnival Firenze, notably, was originally purpose-built to sail out of China with Chinese travelers but with Italian theming that played up Costa's Italian roots. Its theming is specifically tied to Florence, Italy — Firenze is what Italians call Florence.

The Carnival and Costa brands have long had similarities that make a transfer of ships between the two lines less complex than one might think. Ships for both Costa and Carnival often are built on the same platforms — that is, they share the same basic structural design and rough interior spaces. In such cases, the main difference between the ships of the two brands is the theming of specific spaces.

As of this week, fares for Carnival Firenze sailings start at $214 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a four-night sailing from Long Beach to Mexico.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
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• What to pack for your first cruise

Travel | Travel: The craziest things I’ve seen on…

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Travel | travel: the craziest things i’ve seen on 45 cruises.

So, while this quasi-cruise addict can’t claim to have seen everything, at least not yet, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for this sea-legged scribe. We’re not talking about a cheeseburger that went MIA after ordering from the Discovery Princess onboard app, or Disney Wish guest relations telling me hours after sailaway that my suitcase didn’t make it on the ship and they wouldn’t reimburse me for even one day’s worth of clothes. These stories are far better than that, and, not surprisingly, many are from a Carnival “Fun Ship.”

Paring the most eyebrow-raising moments to a manageable few was as difficult as dragging myself to a ship’s fitness center — something to which my fellow cruisers can relate if we’re being honest. Speaking of truthfulness, while all cruisers have their own sail tales that may or may not be sprinkled with embellishment, these retellings contain no gilded lilies of the water kind.

Close quarters

Barely a minute after settling into my little cabin on the Nile Queen for a five-night cruise from Luxor to Aswan, the Egyptian purser paid a visit to deliver this perplexing news with a discomforting grin: “You’ll be sharing your cabin with Michael and he’s about an hour out.” Michael who? Sharing? Over my mummified body! What was explained to me after I angrily packed up, got off the boat and checked into a hotel was that a booking agent at Aggressor Adventures assumed I would be cool having a stranger share my stateroom for a handful of cramped and awkward nights with lord knows what sounds keeping me up. Oh, and during a pandemic. This pyramid scheme does have a happy ending: My trip changed from a river cruise to the land tour of a lifetime. And Michael, whoever and wherever you are, you’re welcome for the single cabin.

Kitchen nightmare

Jet-lagged on my first night in the Galapagos, I felt like taking up the captain’s open invitation and make a 1 a.m. visit to the wheelhouse of Ecoventura’s 20-passenger yacht, Theory. On the way to the bridge, I noticed that the outside galley door was open – a peculiar sight as both cooks had turned in for the night hours earlier. Peering into the kitchen, my bloodshot eyes saw gulls eating from an exposed rice bin, raw meat left out and unrefrigerated, uncovered bowls of oil and shortening, and a filthy floor. After shooing the birds away, I slammed the door shut. The purser got a lecture from me the next morning and in return I got an apology and assurance that she’d deal with the galley staff personally. So glad I packed lots of protein bars for the rest of the voyage. That I didn’t make a bigger issue of these presumed health violations earned me some privileges, like letting me perilously photograph a surprise shark frenzy mere inches from the carnage right off the stern.

A more appetizing food story is my personal record of 11 lobster tails conquered on a Panama Canal cruise aboard the Island Princess. Each succulent section was better than the last … until the seventh when I hit the wall but persevered out of respect to the sacrificial crustaceans.

Mortified magician

Little did I know that being candid with a ship’s officer would subject my family to one of the most humiliating moments of our lives. When asked by a Carnival Conquest higher-up if we enjoyed the magician who performed sleight of hand between courses at the exclusive Chef’s Table supper, I gave the “so-so” gesture of a teetering flat hand. If I had responded with, “Oh, just wonderful,” we wouldn’t have been visited by Máté the Not-So-Great the following night in the main dining room. Nearly in tears and speaking in a soft voice, the Hungarian begged my forgiveness for “ruining” our cruise. If Southwest Airline’s “Wanna Get Away?” ad campaign had been around back then, I would have swum to shore to take the next plane out. So I did what every embarrassed coward would do and hid my face in my hands until the magician made himself disappear. Someone else who conveniently vanished for the remainder of the cruise was the two-striped blabbermouth officer.

Indoor downpour

Labadee, Haiti, was sunny and blue for the Wonder of the Seas’ first-ever call on its news-making inaugural cruise. Unfortunately for the world’s largest cruise ship, the dry weather conditions outside didn’t also apply inside. While most passengers were in port, those onboard witnessed a man-made downpour on the retail-dotted Royal Promenade. The torrential rain caused by malfunctioning fire sprinklers led to the massive fire doors coming down and temporary closures. That the shops and bars were reopened in mere hours after such a deluge was a water-displacing miracle almost on the level of Moses parting the Red Sea.

No water was dripping from above my twin bed and yet upon returning to my Carnival Inspiration cabin, in the very spot that would make one question their bladder control, was a nasty stain. No way was that there before housekeeping came by, leading me and my cousin to wonder if the cabin steward was using soiled sheets and how he didn’t notice. As we vacated the room so that a different attendant could remake the bed, I felt compelled to leave a note on my pillow that read, “Wasn’t me!”

Lost in translation

The Croatian photographer aboard the Celebrity Solstice wanted my wife and me to pose in front of a plain green screen backdrop on elegant night. When asked what image will become the background, he said, “Sheep. Both of you will be in front of sheep.” He was surprised by my perplexed expression. “What a strange backdrop for an Alaskan cruise. A moose makes more sense than a sheep,” I told the heavily accented photographer. Fortunately, a man who was eavesdropping chimed in. “He’s saying ‘ship,’ not ‘sheep!’ The background will be our ship!” the passenger said. We all shared in the biggest laugh of the cruise.

Going old school

Apparently, the maitre d’ of the Carnival Valor didn’t get the memo that misogyny is frowned upon by the world’s largest cruise line and pretty much all of Western society. So, how shocking it was to hear him take the mic and welcome guests of the main dining room on the first night with, “All you women must be excited. No more cooking and no more cleaning!” Perhaps our dinner host was getting in the spirit of Carnival’s upcoming 50th anniversary, acting as if it was 1972 instead of a month shy of 2022.

Look out below!

Exploring the Majesty of the Seas before sailaway to Cuba, my boys and I discovered that a section of the ship’s ceiling had fallen onto the carpet and the panel from where it came was dangling dangerously above. So, naturally, we decided to prank passersby by having one of my sons appear knocked out with a head injury. Not a single crew member walked by in the 10 minutes my oldest son laid on the floor with a piece of ship on his skull, and the guests who did notice the lifeless body seemed more concerned about getting to the buffet.

No Danish for you

Was it too much to ask the German-based crew of the Viking Spirit for a table for two on the night of our 20th anniversary? Apparently so because we were told “no” despite five tables sitting unused in the dining room. “That section is closed,” the hostess said without an apology or best wishes on our marital milestone. The river cruise from Paris to Normandy was wrought with such rudeness. The Danish pastry that was hyped at the welcome reception was gone by 6 a.m. on the first morning. “All I see are crumbs,” I told guest services. “The crew ate them,” the purser smirked. “But they’re baking more, right?” I asked, to which she snapped back, “No — you have to get up really early!” Six in the morning isn’t early enough? And what’s with the crew eating our food?

Dressed to impress

Walking back to my cabin to turn in and get out of my suit and tie, I thought about how underdressed I felt being the only gentleman not wearing a tuxedo on “Gala Night” aboard Cunard’s swanky Queen Elizabeth. That is, until a lady wearing nothing but her birthday suit put out her “do not disturb” door hanger the very second I passed her stateroom. Her blasé reaction could have been because she probably had her first birthday about 75 years earlier, or that she was completely snockered. Whatever the case, this bloke in the Men’s Wearhouse suit no longer felt underdressed.

Gator sighting

After six nights of being greeted by a sunglasses-wearing dog, hanging monkey, googly-eyed snake and other cute critters in our cabin on the Carnival Conquest, the mother of all towel animals had my wife screaming bloody murder. Waiting for us in our stateroom was an 8-foot-long alligator made of dark blue pool towels that in dim lighting looked way too real. The stowaway snapper was the pièce de resistance by our linens-skilled steward, and earned him a tip almost as big as his gator.

Hirsute hijinks

The “Hairy Chest Contest” is all but gone from ships, but for decades this poolside pastime was often the biggest offender of any family-friendly cruise. Carnival put this crowd favorite on hiatus with the industry’s restart in 2021 and permanently manscaped these displays of debauchery in August. Of all the impromptu strippers, cross dressers and other guys-gone-wild who brought shock and awe to the Lido deck, the most tragic was this dude who jumped from the top steps to impress the female judges. To the horror of hundreds around the pool, he slipped on his landing and broke a leg. The poor guy not only came in third place, but was on crutches the rest of the cruise. Not sure what was worse between the physical pain or being the laughing stock of the ship for six days.

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New cruise company explora journeys is a potent luxury contender.

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The Explora I cruise ship, built in 2023 for just 922 passengers, sails past downtown Manhattan.

The arrival of enormous ships, like the 7,000 passenger/3000 crew member Icon of the Seas, is an effective way to promote the cruise industry. But cruise companies are also launching smaller vessels designed to give passengers more individual attention, like the new EXPLORA I from Explora Journeys.

The EXPLORA I, launched in 2023, is a sleek 63,000-ton ship designed for just 922 passengers, each housed in an oceanfront suite. Another important number is 1.32 to 1. This represents the crew to passenger ratio, showing the line’s commitment to passenger service.

Ship staterooms start with the Ocean Terrace suites, at 377 square feet. They feature amenities such as a king bed, a chaise lounge day bed, and big glass doors that make it true ocean front view. Bathrooms include European walk-in showers, heated marble floors, and Dyson hair dryers. The ship also has some 67 penthouses from 462 to 763 square feet, and the Ocean Residences, from 750 square feet up to 1600 square feet.

The EXPLORA I has 12 bars and lounges, and 64 cabanas on deck for guests, with multiple indoor and outdoor whirlpools. The spa has a dry sauna, a steam room, Himalayan salt treatments and more, for “the gift of ocean wellness,” which also includes workouts with free weights, 30-minute yoga classes, Pilates, and rowing machines.

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Explora Journeys, said to be the only major cruise line that’s privately owned, is part of the MSC Group. The Italian owners made their private yacht a model for the type of service they planned to deliver. EXPLORA Iis the first of a planned six ships, with EXPLORA II set to arrive in August 2024.

Along with many travel agents, a key market for Explora Journeys, I was invited on an introductory cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver, Canada. Destinations enroute included San Francisco, Astoria, Oregon, and Victoria, British Columbia.

Michelin-star awarded Chef Claude Le Tohic, and staff at Anthology Restaurant on Explorer I.

Focusing on luxury, Explora’s rates are all-inclusive, including gratuities, alcohol and its powerful Wi-Fi service. A handful of amenities, such as Anthology Restaurant, which features a rotating cast of Michelin-star chefs , have an additional price.

For the cruises themselves, the prices we found range from a ten-night journey from Barcelona to Barcelona for $3,835 (via Gibraltar, Seville, Madera, etc.) to a 44-night extravaganza “connecting continents” from Vancouver to Barcelona via the US West Coast, Mexico, the Panama Canal, and the Mediterranean for $18,450.

The Explora experience began at the Port of Los Angeles, a warehouse-sized building reminiscent of a bus terminal. However, Explora Journeys made check-in fast and almost fun, with friendly representatives using data tablets to check us in at small tableclothed tables, rather than at the clerk’s counter.

The commitment to meeting passenger needs shows up everywhere, such as in the availability of 24-hour room service. The restaurants were uniformly excellent, and the fast elevators quickly whisked you from deck to deck. Yet after a couple of days, I really enjoyed taking breakfast in my cabin, eggs, waffles, pancakes, and vats of coffee.

EXPLORA I was full of such experiences. I watched a chanteuse descending the staircase into the grand Lounge Bar singing jazz standards. Later, I smoked a Winston Churchill Petit in the fragrant cigar lounge at midnight.

The grand Lobby Bar on Explora Journeys new cruise ship Explora I.

Explora Journeys is based in Geneva, so when I laid a couple of hundred-dollar bills on the blackjack table I was politely told to use my room card or change money at the cashier’s booth—euros only.

The friendly casino kept drawing me back. Of course, I ended up losing all my cash, but made $200 last the entire six -day cruise. The dealers seemed much more concerned if I was having a good time than those in Las Vegas.

The service was excellent, with barmen opening “closed” bars to pour drinks. Even when the crew didn’t fully understand a request, they gave it their all. In one lounge, I asked for a martini with blue cheese olives, aka ‘Maytag olives.” The server apparently rustled about the ship and returned with a small plate containing 4 ounces of blue cheese. I did not have the heart to tell him and instead, ate the evidence.

The ship has a well-equipped gym, but I also ran the marked jogging track on Deck 12 in my gray sweats in the wind, feeling like I was in CHARIOTS OF FIRE. I practiced hitting a pickleball over the net on the sports court and shot some 3-pointers.

Later, I sat in one of the EXPLORA I’s warm whirlpools directly overlooking the sea. The ship is said to have more water on board than any other.

The ship was so relaxing, in fact, that many passengers chose to stay on board during port days, taking advantage of massages and other services. Understood, as with cruising, the journey is really the destination.

A view of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge as seen from Marin Headlands in Sausalito, California, ... [+] United States on January 27, 2023. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

But they missed out on Explora Journeys well-organized excursions. In San Francisco, I took a coach tour into Marin County over the Golden Gate Bridge. The intrepid bus driver drove us safely over a zig-zagging road full of bicyclists to Muir Woods.

The guide told us about the history of the redwoods, how 95% of the old giants were cut down, and how they were saved at national parks like Muir Woods. Once we got there, he left us alone with our thoughts, to walk the easy trail and admire the trees.

The intrepid bus driver found a parking spot at the Marin Headlands overlooking San Francisco Bay for selfies of the Golden Gate Bridge. Memorably, we had sailed under the bridge on EXPLORA I’s journey into the city.

I particularly enjoyed the day we spent in Astoria, Oregon, a port city on the Columbia River where it flows into the Pacific. Founded in 1811, Astoria is a destination I might never have encountered if it were not for the cruise. Astoria got its name from wealthy New York entrepreneur John Jacob Astor, who monopolized the booming fur trade.

Our excursion brought us majestic views of the river dividing Oregon and Washington. We investigated the less-than-luxurious dwellings at the Lewis and Clark Fort where that expedition lived. At the Maritime Museum, we learned about the treacherous currents of the Columbia and the salmon cannery industry that once dominated the town.

Lunch at the Mediterranean Yacht Club with its fish, humus and other Mediterranean food was a treat. I enjoyed a great ribeye in Marble, the amazing steak restaurant on board. The fresh pizza on board was also great. Late at night, I thanked the servers who stayed open just for me, pouring a shot of Macallan before bed.

An Ocean Terrace Suite on the cruise ship Explora I. The entry-level suite is 374 square feet and ... [+] includes a terrace with a chaise lounge and a bathroom with heated floors.

The EXPLORA I makes a strong effort to keep the passengers entertained, with Broadway hits in the Journey Lounge, and individual performers in others. (I loved “Better Shape Up” from GREASE performed with just a guitar accompaniment). There are three Steinway pianos in different lounges. Explora also has alternate entertainment like silent discos, a tough trivia game, a cooking experience and “luminaries” on board to talk about various topics.

Cruise expert Chris Gray Faust, Executive Editor at Cruise Critic , says, “Explora Journeys is an entry into the luxury cruise world. Backed by the private shipping company MSC, the line has the money and ambition to fine tune its product to attract those guests who might normally choose a high-end resort or hotel, as opposed to a cruise.”

Before launching Explora Journeys, the founders interviewed 20,000 luxury travelers and 250 travel advisors. Chris Austin, Chief Sales Officer, said the idea was to “build a ship that’s like a private yacht. An intimate ship, with many, many spaces.”

What resulted, said Austin, is something “that doesn’t feel like a cruise ship, it feels like a luxury boutique hotel.” In terms of onboard shopping, “We have Piaget, Cartier, Panerai and the only Rolex watch store at sea.”

According to Austin, just 4% of luxury travelers cruise. But “after 8 months of operating, we are seeing cruisers on second and third cruise.” He added, “There is no more stunning view than when you sail into a port, as opposed to catching a taxi from the airport. Ultimately, having 6 ships will allow us to discover the world together. We call it the Ocean State of Mind.”

The new cruise ship EXPLORA in the Mediterranean.

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Princess Cruises is taking a page out of the ultra-luxury cruise industry with new all-inclusive, $3,000 cabins

• Princess Cruises says its new Sun Princess and upcoming Star Princess will have all-inclusive cabins.
• Guests who've booked the new Sanctuary Collection category would get an inclusive package and private lounge.
• It's a move that could appeal to ultra-luxury cruisers .

If you want to go on an all-inclusive vacation at sea, you no longer need to book an ultra-luxury, ultra-expensive cruise line .

Just sail on Princess Cruises' new ship instead.

In October, Princess says its two-month-old Sun Princess will debut in the US with the company's first-ever Sanctuary Collection, an adult-only lounge exclusive to guests who've booked one of the collection's high-end cabins. These luxurious accommodations comprise 10% of the ship's 2,157 staterooms, including all its suites.

But the Sanctuary's biggest perk arguably isn't the lounge's private pool and restaurant — it's the all-inclusiveness , a rarity among mass-market cruise lines.

It's the Carnival Corp. brand's latest appeal to ultra-luxury cruisers

Mass-market cruise lines like Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian typically follow the " budget airline " strategy: charge a cheap base fare and offer plenty of irresistible up-charged amenities (like specialty restaurants, as is the case of Sun Princess).

It's a stark contrast to the high-end cruise industry, where all-inclusivity is often considered the standard.

For example, luxury cruise line Explora Journey's fare includes alcoholic beverages, WiFi, and access to the spa — amenities that would typically cost extra on ships like Sun Princess. On Regent Seven Seas , all this, plus excursions, pre-cruise hotels, and roundtrip flights are also included in the cost to sail.

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Over the last few years, Princess has begun following in these high-end cruise lines' foosteps.

In 2022, it launched Princess Premier, an optional inclusive package covering amenities like WiFi, drinks, some upcharged restaurants, and workout classes. It's the same package Sanctuary Collection guests would get, along with the private restaurant and adult-only lounge with cabanas, a pool, and private events.

The exclusive lounge concept is nothing new. Royal Caribbean's two largest cruise liners have a "neighborhood" exclusive to suite guests. The same applies to Norwegian, Celebrity, and MSC Cruises' vessels.

However, while these competing retreats offer perks like drink packages, WiFi, or private restaurants, none are as "inclusive" as Princess'.

In 2024, Sun Princess' Sanctuary cabins start at more than $3,000 per person for a weeklong Caribbean cruise in mid-December. To compare, the cheapest interior cabin for the same itinerary starts shy of $700 per person.

The cruise line says its next ship, Star Princess, which will debut in late September 2025, will also carry the Sanctuary Collection.

Following in the footsteps of high-end, all-inclusive cruise lines could be a wise decision for Princess. These luxury vacations at sea have become increasingly popular as travelers continue to spend big on their trips.

Like Princess, expedition cruise company HX recently shifted to an all-inclusive model as well.

Back on dry land, hotel giants like Hyatt and Marriott have also seen a boom in these "everything free" resorts .

Apparently, every vacationer — whether on water or solid ground — just wants one thing: stress-free poolside lounging with bottomless drinks.

Watch: Inside the world's biggest cruise ship that just set sail

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11 Wild Cruise Ship Facts Most People Don’t Know

There’s no arguing, cruising is pretty crazy when you think about it.

Where else do you take five thousand people, take them hundreds of miles around in the water on a ship with go-karts, waterslides, and fine dining? And then at the end of the week, pick up a new five thousand people to do it all over again?

The logistics and dynamics of all of that are mind-boggling, and it leads to some very interesting things that you may not realize about cruising, even if you’ve sailed plenty of times before.

That’s not to mention some other interesting things about cruise ships and the industry that most people don’t know. With that in mind, here are nearly a dozen insane facts about sailing on a modern ship…

Most Cruise Ships Sail Above 100% Occupancy

Let’s begin with something most people don’t realize about the occupancy of cruise ships. You likely have seen Internet ads touting unsold last-minute cruise cabins selling for pennies on the dollar. In reality, during normal times (before the health crisis) cruise ships sail full. In fact, they sail above 100% occupancy.

For a ship’s occupancy, it’s calculated as each cabin times two people. So if there are 2,000 cabins and 4,000 passengers, that’s 100% occupancy. But before the pandemic at least, ships sailed well above that level. For instance, Royal Caribbean Group saw a yearly occupancy of 108.1% in 2019. And that’s not uncommon. All the major cruise companies have similar figures.

That means at least some cabins had more than two people in them, such as families sailing with kids. In other words, those ships can sail with even more people than you realized.

A New Ship Can Cost More Than $1 Billion

When you get on a new ship, it’s no exaggeration that it can feel like a five-star resort that just happens to float. That’s because it is. Everything from high-end dining to massive suites are included on a modern ship, not to mention the activities and entertainment on board.

All of that comes with a hefty price tag. Essentially the floor for a new modern cruise ship is $1 billion. Price tags for some of the largest ships are said to be closer to $1.5 billion.

In fact, the cost to even refurbish an older ship to where it’s updated and more in line with the newer-built ships can easily run $100-$150 million for a large ship.

The good news is that the lifetime of a ship is measured in decades, meaning that with constant sailing there is plenty of time to recoup that cost, so passengers don’t have to pay a fortune to sail.

The Biggest Ships Can Go Through 5,300 Pounds of Bacon in a Single Cruise

The logistics and scale of operating a cruise ship can be mind-boggling. For instance, feeding more than 6,000 passengers for a week on the biggest ships is no small task. It’s not just how many meals have to be made, but how much food is consumed.

Royal Caribbean released some statistics about dining for one of its largest ships , Symphony of the Seas. Over the course of a 7-day cruise, passengers on the ship eat 5,300 pounds of bacon . That’s more than 750 pounds per day.

It’s also in addition to 2,300 pounds of lobster tails, 5,000 dozen eggs, and 20,000 pounds of baked potatoes. The amounts are almost too large to comprehend.

Maybe that’s why Symphony of the Seas also has nearly 1,100 members on its culinary staff? That is a small army, all there to feed a small city.

Cruise Ships Continue to Get Larger

Gone are the days where a cruise ship was designed simply to be the vessel to get you from port to port. Today, the cruise ship is the destination.

For years there has been an arms race when it comes to ships. The major cruise lines — including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian — have competed to create ships that not only push their own fleets bigger, but also put them on par with their rivals.

That’s led to the largest cruise ships the world has ever seen… and a steady increase in average size over time.

Consider that from 1990 until 2000, most cruise new ships built were in the 70,000-80,000 gross ton range. But since then the size of ships has soared.

From 2015 until 2021, the average gross tonnage of a new cruise ship from the major cruise lines is 164,000 gross tons — more than twice the size of a ship built during the 1990s.

The Size of the Biggest Ships Peaked in 2009

Given the current trend, you might think that the biggest cruise ships will continue to increase in size in the future. That’s likely not the case. There does come a point where size becomes a negative instead of a benefit.

Consider that the Oasis of the Seas — the first of the largest Oasis-class vessels built by Royal Caribbean — was built in 2009, more than a decade ago. Since then, it’s had several sister ships built that have been marginally larger at most. However, there hasn’t been a significantly larger cruise ship built.

Instead, at least for now, this seems to be the upper limit for how large cruise ships will become. As ships get larger, so too do the logistical issues that come with them. Namely, not every port of call can handle the size and scale of the largest vessels.

In fact, Norwegian’s new Prima class ships are actually smaller than its last Breakaway-Plus class.

Most Cruise Lines Are Actually Owned by One of Three Companies

There are tons of cruise lines out there — Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Disney, Norwegian, Princess, and more.

But what most people don’t realize is that three large companies dominate the space .

Carnival Corporation is the parent of Carnival Cruise Line, Princess, Holland America Line, AIDA, Costa, Cunard, and more.

Royal Caribbean Group is parent of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity, and Silversea Cruises.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is owner of Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas, and Oceania.

Just like how many car brands are actually owned by larger companies, it’s the same for cruise lines. There are some independent lines out there, but if you are sailing a major line, chances are it’s owned by one of these few companies.

Despite Sailing From the U.S., Almost All Cruise Ships Are Foreign-Flagged

It’s easy to think of cruise lines as being American. For many, they are led by American executives, they have large shoreside operations in the United States, sail from U.S. ports, and their shares trade on American stock exchanges.

In fact, nearly every major cruise ship is “flagged” in a foreign country . Since ships are international in nature, it makes sense to register them in areas that are most friendly to their needs. This practice is what’s known as using a “flag of convenience.” It’s similar to the way that many corporations in the United States are located in Delaware, despite possibly having limited operations there.

Foreign-flagged vessels from certain countries can hire from less expensive foreign labor pools. According to a report from the U.S. Department of Transportation that explored the costs of operating a foreign-flagged merchant ship versus U.S. merchant ships, the average daily crew cost for U.S.-flagged ships was approximately 5.3 times that of foreign-flagged vessels.

One ship that is U.S. flagged? Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America. It sails the Hawaiian islands.

Cruise Ships Can Actually Move Pretty Fast (For Their Size)

Ok, no one would confuse travel by cruise ship with the speed of traveling by plane or jet. But considering that a ship is roughly as long as the Empire State Building is tall and has about as many rooms as The Mirage in Las Vegas, the fact they can move at all is impressive.

But when you add in the top speed, it’s mind-blowing. While speeds will vary from ship to ship, the top cruising speed of many ships is around 25 miles per hour . That may not seem like much, but many neighborhoods have speed limits of 25 mph. Next time you see a car drive by, imagine that a cruise ship was gliding by your house instead. Usain Bolt — the fastest man on the planet — reaches a top speed around 27 mph.

And at 25 miles per hour, if a ship were able to sail directly around the equator, it would take just about 40 days to go around the entire planet. That’s not bad for being able to carry an entire resort with guests and crew.

There’s an Entire World on the Ship You Don’t See

On the biggest ships it can take you a couple of days just to explore the areas that are for passengers. But beyond the places that passengers see is an entire other part of the ship that most people will never visit.

While passengers do get to enjoy the biggest and most luxurious spaces, facilities for the crew and ship operations are off-limits. Places like the engine room, navigation bridge, and crew quarters are closed off to guests.

Remember, there are “back of house” operations like the kitchens and laundry rooms, but also cabins, lounges, cafeterias for the thousands of crew members on board, medical facilities, and more. It’s an entire world that you just won’t get to see, unless you go on one of the behind-the-scenes tours offered on some ships.

Smile! You’re Likely on Camera

While they aren’t always easy to notice, if you are in any sort of public area, then you can expect that you are on camera.

Cameras are located all around the ship, from hallways to pools decks and more. You don’t have to worry about them being in private spots like your balcony, but if you are out and about on the ship, then it’s likely you’re being recorded.

This isn’t just for safety purposes, but it also helps in the health crisis. With the video surveillance, it’s much easier to do contact tracing should there be virus cases on the ship. The cruise line can see who someone was around and where they went to be able to test potential close contacts.

There Are Often Hidden Hints That Point Forward

Our last thing that many people don’t know isn’t a crazy fact about cruise ships, but something that could help you tremendously the next time you sail.

Cruise cabins are situated in long hallways that make it easy to forget which direction you are walking. There are no windows, and it is door after door that all look the same. It is not unusual to walk one way and then realize it is the opposite direction of where you wanted to head.

But many ships put in hidden clues to help you, if you know what to look for.

Norwegian Cruise Line has carpet with little fish in its cabin hallways. The fish are always swimming forward. And on Royal Caribbean, there are door signs with the ship that face forward, or a small arrow pointing forward. And if there is a “wave” sign on the cabin door, like with some older ships, then the peak of the wave is on the forward side.

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

Read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies, related articles more from author, cruising with a baby: what to know from someone who’s done it, 12 cruise tips that feel wrong (but are 100% right), how much cruise lines spend on food (less than you think), 11 tips cruise lines don’t want you to know (but they aren’t against the rules), 61 questions about cruising answered (everything you wanted to know), 107 best cruise tips, tricks, secrets, and freebies, leave a reply cancel reply.

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Carnival Cruise Live Blog (Day 3): Blow Holes & Golden Trophies

Carnival cruise live blog (day 2): the most beautiful port i’ve visited, carnival cruise live blog (day 1): first impressions sailing radiance from long beach, hotels with cruise shuttles for every major port in america, 39 useful things to pack for your cruise (including 17 you’d never think of).

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"Big Nude Boat" offers a trip to "bare-adise" on a naked cruise from Florida

By Li Cohen

Updated on: May 2, 2024 / 8:20 AM EDT / CBS News

Like to travel light? One cruise ship soon to set sail from Florida is making sure all you need is the bare necessities – no shoes, no clothes but plenty of service. 

" The Big Nude Boat " will take travelers from Miami to the Caribbean on "an 11-day adventure back to Bare-adise," the website says. Setting sail from Feb. 3 through Valentine's Day 2025, the trip offers a "stress-free, clothes-free experience" during which up to 2,300 passengers can roam the ship in the nude while out at sea. 

"It's our pleasure to provide you with the luxury of deciding what NOT to wear," Bare Necessities Tour and Travel says. 

@cbsmornings Would you dare to set sail on a nude cruise? 🚢 Cruisebare's upcoming full-ship nude cruise, departing from Miami in February next year, is making waves. Even #TonyDokoupil is down to go. 🌊 #cruises #vacation #experience #miami #sail ♬ original sound - CBS Mornings

Passengers won't be allowed to be naked when the ship is docked, but can ditch their usual attire once they are anchored or out on the water. And when clothing is optional, standard nudist etiquette must be abided by, the website says. When sitting, nude passengers must either wear a thong or sit on a towel or some kind of fabric. And while the self-serve buffet on the pool deck is a clothes-free area, passengers must be dressed for all dining room meals – and no, bathrobes don't count. 

Photos and videos will also not be permitted unless all individuals being documented give consent. 

"The Big Nude Boat" is just one of the cruises offered by Bare Necessities, which says on its website that the company has been "working to break down the barriers against social nudity and make clothing-optional vacationing a viable and acceptable option for all." 

"Social nudity is not a sexual activity, and we strive to dispel the misconception that it is anything but natural and beautiful," the company says. "We have made strides in the acceptance of nude vacationing and our wide range of cruise charters are a testament to our success."

• Cruise Ship

Li Cohen is a social media producer and trending content writer for CBS News.

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Disney Cruise Line names its newest cruise ship

I t was bound to happen sometime, but Disney Cruise Line waited until its last of three new sister ships to name one Disney Destiny.

The sister ship to Disney Wish, which debuted out of Port Canaveral in 2022 and the soon-to-debut Disney Treasure arriving in Central Florida this December, the third ship in what was originally called the Trident class had its keel laying ceremony Wednesday at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

It won’t start sailing until 2025, and its home port has yet to be named, but among the details revealed for what will be the eighth ship in the cruise line’s fleet was the theme of the vessel, “Heroes & Villains.”

As such, the filigree artwork for the bow will be of Minnie Mouse wearing a superhero-style outfit complete with a cape.

The cruise line said among the characters from which it will mine features on board will be classic Disney animation films, “The Lion King,” “Hercules” and “One Hundred and One Dalmatians.”

Disney of course owns plenty of good vs. evil intellectual property including Star Wars and Marvel.

“The Disney Destiny will celebrate our most legendary Disney stories and characters, bringing them to life in new and exciting ways exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager for the cruise line, in a press release. “As we continue to expand our fleet, the Disney Destiny will further strengthen our position as a leader in family cruising.”

Just like Disney Wish and Treasure, Disney Destiny will be powered by liquefied natural gas, a cleaner burning fuel that’s part of the cruise industry’s efforts to reduce emissions.

All three are the 144,000 gross-ton, 1,254-stateroom vessels but still targeting the 4,000-passenger capacity of its older ships, 2011’s Disney Dream and 2012’s Fantasy. The line’s first ships are the smaller Disney Magic that debuted in 1998 and Disney Wonder in 1999. They come in at 84,000 gross tons with 875 staterooms.

The line also is finishing construction for an Asia-bound cruise ship named Disney Adventure that will be the largest in the fleet at 208,000 gross tons.

Disney Wish became the line’s first new ship in more than a decade. It continues to do short three- and four-night Bahamas sailings while Disney Treasure will pick up seven-night trips to the Caribbean.

©2024 Orlando Sentinel. Visit orlandosentinel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Nude cruise to set sail from Florida next year: Here are the starting costs, itinerary

The "Big Nude Boat" cruise, which allows passengers to bare all − yes, even at the buffet − is set to sail from Florida next year.

The "11-day adventure" to the Caribbean is set for the first two weeks of February on the Norwegian Pearl, according to the Bare Necessities Tour & Travel website.

"Bare Necessities’ newest nude cruise is a private island double-dip with a brand new travel partner!" the company wrote on its website.

The trip which embarks from Miami, includes "an exclusive visit to an idyllic private island" in The Bahamas as well a another exclusive stop on the way back to the Port of Miami.

"Two opportunities to enjoy a new slice of Bare-adise, coupled with a beautiful selection of Eastern Caribbean island stops, will make this a can’t miss Big Nude Boat experience," the travel company posted.

Why cruises are popular with swingers: 'What happens on the ship ... stays on the ship'

A cruise to nowhere: Royal Caribbean sailing canceled after guests boarded

Big Nude Boat cruise sailing dates and destinations:

The ship departs from the Port of Miami on Feb. 3 and returns to the same port on Feb. 14.

The itinerary includes stops at the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Dominica, Martinique and St. Lucia.

How much does the Big Nude Boat cruise cost?

Rates for an inside cabin start at $2,000 per person.

They stretch as high as $33,155 for the top room on the ship: a Haven three-bedroom garden villa.

Laws of the land (and sea)

Guests are encouraged to park their bare behinds on towels provided on board in areas including the pool deck and the buffet area, according to the website.

"Passengers can easily follow our rule on nudist etiquette by always placing a towel down before sitting," it reads. "Remember to pack a swimsuit; not all excursions are clothing optional."

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.

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An ultra-luxury cruise line wants to attract wealthy Americans with its all-inclusive 'yachts' — see what the new 128-guest ship will be like

Ultra-luxury cruise line  Emerald Cruises says its third ocean ship will debut in 2026.

The all-inclusive vessel, which Emerald calls a "yacht," would accommodate up to 128 people.

Emerald, known for river cruises, has been investing more in its ocean-based business.

Over the last few years, the mass-market cruise industry's larger-than-life mega-ships — outfitted with loud waterparks and more dining options than you could eat in a week — have dominated the spotlight.

But in the ultra-luxury cruise market, it's been the opposite. The smaller and more exclusive the vessel, the better. So much so that Emerald Cruises' next ocean-based ship, launching in 2026, plans to accommodate no more than 128 travelers.

It's a far cry from Royal Caribbean's new 7,600-guest cruise liner . And the price difference is just as steep: almost $250 per night on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas versus more than $720 per night on the upcoming ultra-luxury Emerald Kaia.

"When people think of cruising now, they automatically think of these large ships ," Robert Castro, the vice president of marketing for Scenic Group, Emerald's parent company, told Business Insider. "There's a market for that, but we're in a unique position."

If you’re familiar with river cruises, Emerald might ring a bell.

The cruise line, owned by Scenic Group, only offered river cruises for its first nine years.

But lately, its biggest growth and investments have been in oceans, not rivers.

In 2022 and 2023, the Switzerland-based company launched its first two ocean cruise ships, which it calls "yachts." Each accommodates a maximum of 100 guests . And so far, they've been hits, with the cruise line experiencing record-high bookings in 2023.

Yes, the ships look like yachts. And yes, they're marketed as such.

But because Emerald's vessels operate group itineraries, they still technically count as cruise ships, albeit really nice ones.

So instead of paying hundreds of thousands of dollars a week to charter a yacht, as is traditional with these high-end vessels , travelers can spend less than $800 a day for a traditional cruise on said yacht-like ship.

While it's not nearly as exclusive, it sure is a hell of a lot cheaper, "bringing the charter yacht experience to reach for people who would never even imagine," Castro said.

Emerald’s upcoming 393-foot-long, 128-guest Kaia would be perfect for fans of small, high-end ships.

The 64-cabin Emerald Kaia would have a larger guest capacity than its two predecessors but would still be tiny compared to most cruise ships, including some of the most luxurious ones.

Regent Seven Seas' new Grandeur can accommodate 746 guests, while Ritz-Carlton says its next ship will sail up to 448 travelers.

Even Four Season's upcoming vessel — with fares up to $350,000 a week — would have a larger guest capacity of up to 222 people. However, it would be almost 290 feet longer than Emerald Kaia.

Like traditional cruise ships, Kaia would have amenities like a spa, two lounges, and three dining options.

The top deck would also have a cabana and bar-lined pool, one of three swimming holes on the ship.

But unlike its mass-market competitors, Kaia would have an open-air marina that would give travelers direct access to the water.

Water platforms are typically only common on yacht-marketed ships, such as Emerald's, Ritz-Carlton's, and, someday, Four Seasons'.

This means guests on the upcoming Kaia could dip in the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Aegean seas — as is included in its 2026 and 2027 itineraries — without disembarking the ship.

According to the cruise line, Emerald Kaia's future itineraries include an 11-day sailing from Cyprus to Greece and a 20-day one from Seychelles to Kenya.

Its cheapest itinerary is currently an eight-day roundtrip Seychelles vacation in 2027, starting at $5,055 per person.

As an all-inclusive cruise line, amenities like alcohol, WiFi, and excursions would be included in the base fare. However, unlike all-inclusive competitor Regent Seven Seas , guests must pay for their flights to and from the ship.

To compare, itineraries of the same length on Regent's Seven Seas Grandeur and Ritz-Carlton's Ilma would be $36 cheaper and $120 more expensive, respectively, per day.

But the fares aren't stopping travelers from gravitating toward Emerald. Before it unveiled Kaia, its parent company announced a record number of bookings in January — up 67% compared to its previous record in January 2020.

Castro said about 20% to 35% of its guests are American, typically well-acquainted with luxury travel.

The company's goal has been to increase its number of American customers. So far, it's working and is now "on track to be Emerald's No. 1 market," Castro told BI.

The new vessel is being built at a great time for the cruise line.

Strong demand, compounded by a small fleet of small ships, has led to fewer available cabins for its upcoming summer Mediterranean cruises.

Several of these sailings are now fully reserved. The cheapest remaining fares start at $4,570 per person for an eight-day November sailing from Athens, Greece, to Dubrovnik, Croatia.

It's great news for Emerald as it considers a future with more ocean "yachts." "The sooner we fill the ships, the sooner we start building new ones," Castro said.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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