carnival cruise ship new 2023

Carnival Announces Details of 2023 Ship Carnival Jubilee

Carnival Cruise Line has announced that the newest ship joining its fleet in 2023, will be named Carnival Jubilee. The new mega-ship will be based out of Galveston, Texas, and will be the cruise line’s third Excel-class LNG-based ship.

Carnival Jubilee Coming 2023

Carnival Cruise Lines’s newest ship will continue its Excel-class sister ships, being named after a former cruise vessel. The third ship in the new generation class will be named after the former Carnival Jubilee, which first entered service in 1986.

When completed, the new Jubilee will be four times larger than her predecessor.

“Carnival was the first cruise line to offer year-round cruising from Galveston in 2000, and we have continued to grow our presence and support of the Port of Galveston’s expansion, so we are thrilled to bring our brand-new Carnival Jubilee to Texas and the greater southwest region,” Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line

The third Excel-class ship will be identical to her sister ships Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration . At 182,800 gross tons, the vessel will have the capacity for more than 5,400 guests and have a crew of 1,700 members.

Jubilee will feature some beloved Carnival features including the BOLT roller coaster first introduced on sister ship Mari Gras in 2020. There will also be a stunning three-deck atrium on the starboard side of the ship which will host nightly entertainment for guests.

“This beautiful, innovative ship will bring an entirely new cruise experience to our guests, and we’ve got some great surprises to fun it up in ways we know they are going to love.” Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Jubilee will feature two brand new zones, which will be revealed in the coming months.

Carnival Jubilee Based in Galveston, Texas

Carnival was the first cruise line to offer year-round cruising when Celebration was positioned in Galveston in 2000, and followed by the original Jubilee in 2002.

“We love Texas, and Texas loves Carnival. Galveston is one of our most popular homeports, and we draw guests to Texas from across the Midwest, southwest and western U.S. Bringing a brand-new ship to a market is a big commitment, and it’s one we gladly make for the greater Galveston community and entire region.” Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Jubilee will be offing seven-day Western Caribean voyages from the port of Galveston. The bookings will open in early 2022 when the cruise line will reveal specific itinerary details.

Carnival, which is celebrating its 50th birthday in 2022, has resurrected some of the names of previous ships that were popular with guests at the company’s inception. Mardi Gras  was the first in the new LNG-powered Excel class in 2020 and is based in Port Canaveral. Carnival Celebration will be the second ship in the class and will debut from Miami in 2022 during the cruise line’s 50th-anniversary celebrations.

Guests can be the first to know more about Jubile by registering with Carnival.

Marcello De Lio

Marcello's been cruising since he was 12 years old. He loves the freedom that cruising provides, meeting new people, and exploring amazing new ships. Marcello created High Seas Cruising to share his passion for cruising and travel with readers and grow a community of passionate voyagers.

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Carnival Cruise Line currently has 24 cruise ships in service. Carnival Cruise Line is the largest cruise company in the world, based on passengers carried, and the flagship brand of Carnival Corporation & plc. Known as “America’s Cruise Line” for carrying more Americans and serving more U.S. homeports than any other  cruise line .

The Newest Carnival Ships On Order

Carnival has made things a little confusing for Cruise Addicts by completely renaming and refurbishing some of its older vessels. If that wasn’t confusing enough, they have recently moved and renamed several ships from the Costa brand to Carnival Cruise Line. Carnival also has plans to move more Costa ships to Carnival in the future. In brief, not every new ship is brand new.

This guide will give you some insight into what is actually Carnival’s newest Carnival cruise ships. This also includes also ships that are currently under construction as well as ships that have been refurbished and renamed.

Let’s explore the upcoming additions to the Carnival Cruise Line fleet.

Carnival Jubilee – 2023

Carnival Jubilee  is under construction at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany. Her delivery date is expected to be in early December 2023 .

She will be the newest ship in the  Excel class , Carnival Jubilee will share many of the same features guests love on  Mardi Gras  – including the award-winning  BOLT, The Ultimate Sea Coaster . She will also feature unique experiences and signature venues of her own.

Carnival Jubilee will begin sailing from  Galveston  in December of 2023 and will offer seven-day Western Caribbean cruise vacations with stops in Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, as well as Mahogany Bay (Isla Roatan), Honduras.

Carnival Firenze – 2024

The ship will feature the cruise line’s new  Carnival Fun Italian Style  experience, which debuts with the June 2023 arrival of  Carnival Venezia  in  New York . Carnival Fun Italian Style incorporates Carnival’s signature high-energy environment, friendly team members and many familiar venues, plus several new, creative concepts – from Italian-themed restaurants, bars and entertainment .

Carnival Firenze  will join the fleet in spring 2024 after being transferred from sister brand Costa Cruise Lines. She will sail from  Long Beach, Calif.  The ship will offer a variety of cruises year-round, with sailings set for popular destinations in  Baja , California and the  Mexican Riviera . This ship sailed under the name Costa Firenze with Costa and is also a Vista Class ship and sister to the Costa Venezia which has already joined the Carnival fleet.

Previously known as Costa Firenze, this is also a Vista-class ship , and a sister ship to Costa Venezia, which will have joined the Carnival fleet a year prior. Both of these ships are retaining their Costa funnels and a will have modified hull art as a nod to their Italian roots and unique style.

The Newest Carnival Ships Sailing in 2023

Discover the latest and greatest Carnival ships that are currently out at sea. Check out the list below, starting with the newest addition.

Carnival Venezia – 2023

Carnival Venezia  was initially launched in 2019 for Costa Cruises and is 133,500 GRTs and carries 4,977 passengers. She is considered part of the  Venice Class  and was the former  Costa Venezia .

Carnival Celebration – 2022

Carnival Celebration is the second ship in the popular  Excel Class  and sister to  Mardi Gra s. She carries 5,282 passengers (based on two per cabin). The Godmother of the ship is Cassidy Gifford.

The ship takes her name from a former Carnival cruise ship,  Celebration , that was part of the  Holiday class . The name also pays homage to the companies long history as the ship was delivered during  Carnival Cruise  Line’s 50th birthday year.

Carnival Luminosa – 2022

Carnival Luminosa  was originally launched in 2008 for Costa Cruises and is 92,600 GRT’s and carries 2,826 passengers. She is considered part of the  Spirit Class  and was the former  Costa Luminosa .

Mardi Gras – 2021

The Mardi Gras is a ship belonging to Carnival’s Excellence Class, also known as Excel Class, and is the sister ship of Carnival Celebration. With a capacity of 5,282 passengers based on double occupancy, it is named after a former Carnival cruise ship that sailed for two decades. The Miss Dominican Republic , Kimberly Jiménez, is the ship’s godmother.

Mardi Gras made history by being the first ship in North America to run on Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). Additionally, it features BOLT, the Ultimate Speed Coaster, which is the first-ever roller coaster on a ship.

Mardi Gras is also the only ship name in the current Carnival Cruise Line fleet without including the word Carnival. This honors Carnival’s original  Mardi Gras  that first sailed for the brand on March 11, 1972.

Carnival Panorama – 2019

Carnival Panorama is the third ship in the  Vista Class . She carries 4,008 passengers (based on two per cabin). She was christened by  Godmother Vanna White . The ship debuted  Carnival  Kitchen, a first-in-fleet culinary center that offers more than 15 different interactive cooking, baking and decorating demonstrations.

Carnival Horizon – 2018

The Vista Class features the Carnival Horizon as its second ship, capable of accommodating 3,960 passengers in two-person cabins. The ship’s Godmother is the versatile Queen Latifah, who is renowned for her skills in rapping, acting, and singing.

Carnival Horizon stands out for its groundbreaking features, such as the Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse|Brewhouse, and the first-ever Dr. Seuss-themed water park .

Renamed Carnival Ships

Carnival Cruise Line has changed the names of three of its ships over the years. In order to enhance the ships, they have undergone a thorough dry dock renovation process where they are stripped down and updated with new features and décor.

Although the renovated ships are as good as new, they are not as large or have some of the newest features available on the Excel Class ships like Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration.

Carnival Sunshine

Carnival Sunshine is the first ship in the Sunshine Class and is a sister ship to Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Radiance. It has a passenger capacity of 2,984 based on double occupancy.

This vessel was first put into service in 1996 under the name Carnival Destiny, and was the inaugural ship of the Destiny Class. In 2013, the Carnival Destiny underwent a remarkable 49-day, $155-million dollar refurbishment and was renamed and reclassified as the first Sunshine Class ship. The ship’s Godmother is Lin Arison.

Carnival Sunrise

Carnival Sunrise is the second ship of the Sunshine Class, and it is a sister ship to Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Radiance. The ship has a capacity of 2,984 passengers based on two per cabin, and its Godmother is Kelly Arison.

This ship originally entered service in 1999 as the former  Destiny Class  ship named the  Carnival Triumph . In 2019 the  Carnival Triumph  received an incredible $200 million transformation that resulted in it being renamed and also reclassified as a  Sunshine Class  ship.

Carnival Radiance

Carnival Radiance is the third ship in the Sunshine Class, along with sister ships Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Sunrise. It has a capacity of 2,984 passengers based on double occupancy.

This ship entered service in 2000 as the former  Destiny Class  ship named the  Carnival Victory . In 2021, the  Carnival Victory  received a massive transformation that resulted in it being renamed and reclassified as a  Sunshine Class  ship. The Godmother of the ship is Dr. Lucille O’Neal.

Final Thoughts

Carnival Cruise Line has had a lot of dynamic changes. They scrapped many of their older ships in order to save money and focus on newer and more profitable ships after the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown.

As you can see Carnival Cruise Line builds new ships regularly with a new ship coming out almost one per year. However, Some of the newer ships are also moved from a sister brands or could even be a refurbished older vessel like we’ve seen with the Sunshine Class ships.

I hope you have enjoyed some of the history and tidbits about the Carnival Cruise Line fleet as we explored the newest carnival ships in the fleet.

Take a look at our full list of Carnival ships, listed from  Newest to Oldest .

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Carnival's new ship offers Italian-style cruising

You don’t have to go to Italy to get a taste of Venice. 

Carnival Cruise Line has added a new ship to its fleet, Carnival Venezia, which puts an Italian twist on the “fun ship.” The ship departed on its first sailing from the U.S. on Thursday, a four-day round-trip cruise from its New York City homeport to Bermuda.

The ship originally debuted as part of Costa Cruises – also part of Carnival Corp. – in 2019 to serve China, but with the country’s international cruise market dormant in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic , the vessel was rehomed.

Venezia is the first vessel in a new concept, Carnival Fun Italian Style, and marks a stylistic departure for the line, with interiors inspired by its namesake city.

“We're leaning into Italy and saying this is like our adopted daughter,” Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president, told USA TODAY.

A second former Costa ship, Carnival Firenze, will also begin sailing for the line in 2024.

Where will Carnival Venezia sail?

The ship, which can accommodate nearly 5,000 guests, will spend the summer sailing four-, five-, six- and eight-day cruises to Bermuda, the Caribbean, New England and Canada. In September, Venezia will start sailing between eight and 12-day itineraries to the Bahamas, Eastern Caribbean and Southern Caribbean, with select sailings also including a stop in Miami.

What can guests expect from Carnival Venezia?

The ship strikes a balance between its Italian theme and the brand’s signature features guests know. Venezia underwent renovations in the spring, keeping venues like the ship’s gelato bar – which became part of the line’s JavaBlue Cafe – in place while adding some entirely new elements and Carnival-specific touches.

The line introduced Il Viaggio, a new specialty restaurant serving cuisine from various regions of Italy, as well as Amari – a venue similar to Alchemy Bar on other Carnival ships – which serves drinks with a range of Italian liqueurs and bitters. The ship also hosts a new Italian street party with live music and street food at the ship’s Lido pool.

Even Guy Fieri’s Carnival mainstay, Guy’s Burger Joint, returned with a twist: on Venezia, the casual eatery features special menu items like a burger with toppings including fresh mozzarella, diced tomato, balsamic and fried basil. Other familiar venues include the steakhouse Fahrenheit 555, Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki.

The ship also has close to 2,000 staterooms, a bocce ball court (a first for the line), water park, gym, spa, and more, with details throughout that remind guests they are not on just any Carnival vessel: arches and faux-greenery covered columns abound at the Lido pool, for instance, and the Venetian gondola inside the Canal Grande restaurant is hard to miss. 

“I think people see this as a more elevated, elegant ship,” Duffy said.

Looking for cheap cruises?: Here's what to know know about finding deals

How much does Carnival Venezia cost?

A nine-day round-trip cruise from New York to the Bahamas departing on Feb. 2, 2024, starts at $449 per person based on double occupancy, according to Carnival's website , though prices vary by itinerary, stateroom, and other factors. The fare includes most food, drinks like iced tea and regular coffee and more.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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Carnival Announces Two New Ships by 2023

When the cruise suspension hit, Carnival Cruise Line took advantage to dispose of multiple older ships. The move reduced its fleet size, but made the rest of the fleet younger and more efficient overall.

Now with sailings returning soon, the cruise line is putting an emphasis on increasing the number of ships in its fleet once again. Today Carnival announced it will add two more ships by the end of 2023.

These new vessels are in addition to previously announced newbuilds Mardi Gras (which has joined the fleet, but has yet to sail with passengers) and Carnival Celebration, which is still under construction.

The announced ships include a new Excel-class vessel in late 2023 that was previously planned to go to AIDA Cruises (another cruise line under the Carnival Corporation umbrellas) and a transfer of the Costa Magica to Carnival in mid-2022.

As an Excel-class build, the new vessel from AIDA will be a sister ship to Mardi Gras and Celebration, giving the cruise line three versions of the new class of ship. These vessels represent a new direction for Carnival that offers a much bigger ship with more restaurants, entertainment options, and different design from the rest of the fleet.

The first Excel-class vessel, Mardi Gras, sets sail from Port Canaveral starting at the end of July. Celebration will sail from Miami in late 2022.

Costa Magica is the other ship announced and is not a new vessel. It was first launched in 2004. She is similar to Carnival’s Sunshine-class of ship, which includes Sunshine, Sunrise, and Radiance. Carnival plans to have Costa Magica go to drydock to undergo conversion before joining the fleet next year.

“We are excited about these additions to our fleet which reflect the strong position that Carnival has established in the U.S., the pent-up demand we continue to see for cruise vacations, and the overall plans by Carnival Corporation to optimize capacity and growth in key markets,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

What’s yet to be seen is which ports these ships will sail or what they will be named.

“While our immediate focus is on our restart of guest operations this summer, this is another cause for excitement at Carnival, and we will be announcing more detailed plans about homeports, itineraries and ship names very soon,” Duffy said.

After the additions, Carnival Cruise Line will have a fleet of 27 ships.

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The 9 most exciting new cruise ships of 2023

This year will be a big one for new cruise ships, though not as big as last year.

Perhaps the most notable new cruise ship of 2023 will be MSC World Europa , the first of a new series of megaships from MSC Cruises that is designed to go head-to-head with Royal Caribbean 's giant Oasis-class ships.

It's just one of two major new cruise ships arriving in 2023 that has a tie-in to MSC Cruises. Also on the way is Explora 1, the first vessel for an all-new luxury line that is being developed by MSC Group, the parent company of MSC Cruises.

The year will also bring the first new ship in nearly a decade from upscale line Oceania Cruises , to be called Vista, as well as the first of a new class of ship for luxury line Silversea Cruises , to be called Silver Nova.

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

Those four vessels — MSC World Europa, Explora 1, Vista and Silver Nova — are the four new cruise ships for 2023 that have us the most excited here at TPG. However, they're not the only major new cruise vessels arriving during the next 12 months.

Also on the way are several significant new ships from major lines that, while new, will look familiar. That's because they will be sister ships to existing vessels. That is, while they will be new builds, they'll feature designs we have seen before.

Among lines unveiling new ships that are sisters to vessels already in their fleets are Norwegian Cruise Line , Carnival Cruise Line , Regent Seven Seas Cruises , Virgin Voyages and Celebrity Cruises .

Because a large percentage of the new cruise ships arriving in 2023 belong to an existing class and therefore have a familiar look, cruise fans might not find this year's new arrivals to be as exciting as last year's debuts.

The past 12 months, notably, saw the arrival of entirely new classes of vessels for Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line , Viking , Seabourn and Emerald Cruises, as well as an entirely new cruise brand ( The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection ). It was the sort of year that gets hearts racing for fans of new cruise ships.

Note that in some cases, the new ships coming in 2023 will arrive months behind schedule due to ongoing pandemic-related construction delays at the shipyards that are building them. Thanks to these delays, the first sailings of a few ships that were expected to debut in 2023 — including Royal Caribbean's much-awaited Icon of the Seas — have been pushed to 2024.

Icon of the Seas, which will be the biggest cruise ship in the world when it debuts, is now scheduled to sail with paying passengers for the first time in January 2024.

In all cases, the new ships that are on the way for 2023 are already available for booking — and are indeed booking up fast. Cruise fans always love to be on the latest and greatest vessels.

To whet your appetite for cruising in the year ahead, take a look at our list of the nine new cruise ships arriving in 2023 that have us the most excited.

MSC World Europa

Maiden voyage: Dec. 20, 2022.

Unveiled in the final days of 2022 (so close to year's end that we consider it a new vessel for 2023), this massive new MSC Cruises ship is nearly as big as Royal Caribbean's giant Oasis-class vessels — and that's a big deal.

This is the first time in the 13-year history of the record-breaking Oasis-class series (the world's biggest cruise ships) that a vessel has come close to the Royal Caribbean ships in size. MSC World Europa offers a major new option for cruisers who love being on the biggest, most amenity-packed vessels.

Additionally, it's just the first of at least four sister vessels that MSC Cruises plans to unveil over the next few years, including one destined for deployment in Florida .

In short, it kicks off a major new battle of the megaships.

At around 215,863 tons, MSC World Europa is about 4% to 8% smaller than the five Oasis-class ships. But by one measure, it's even bigger. MSC World Europa is 21 decks high — three decks higher than the Oasis-class vessels.

Like the Oasis-class ships, it's able to hold nearly 7,000 passengers with all berths filled — 6,762, to be exact.

Related: The ultimate guide to picking the right cruise for you

As for its onboard offerings, MSC Cruises is taking a page from Royal Caribbean's playbook by breaking down the public areas of MSC World Europa into districts. They include an adults-only "Zen district" and a separate "family district" that houses as many as 10 new kids facilities. There also is a central interior promenade with entertainment, shops and bars.

Additionally, MSC World Europa has six pools and 14 hot tubs, making it one of the most pool-covered ships at sea. The watery offerings include an Aquapark with multiple waterslides that integrate virtual reality technology. There is also a family sun deck.

MSC World Europa has 13 dining venues, including the new-for-the-line Chef's Garden Kitchen (an outlet focused on microgreens) and La Pescaderia, a traditional seafood grill with alfresco seating. In a twist, the ship has three separate buffet restaurants as well, each with its own ambiance.

Drinking spots include a two-deck English-style pub dubbed Masters of the Sea Pub, which serves beer made on board. There's also a new gin bar, a first for MSC Cruises.

The line has a second new ship, the 4,810-passenger MSC Euribia, too, which will debut later in 2023 — in June, if all goes according to plan. At around 182,000 tons, it won't be quite as big as MSC World Europa but will still be one of the biggest cruise vessels in the world.

MSC World Europa is initially sailing in the Persian Gulf out of Dubai but will reposition to the Mediterranean for the summer of 2023. Fares for seven-night sailings start at $559 per person, not including taxes and fees.

Related: The ultimate guide to MSC Cruises

Maiden voyage: May 13.

Upscale line Oceania Cruises is getting back into growth mode in 2023 with the unveiling of Vista — its first new vessel in more than a decade.

At 67,000 tons, Vista will be a tad bigger than Oceania's last two new ships, Marina and Riviera. However, it'll carry fewer passengers (1,200 versus 1,250), meaning its "space ratio" of space per passenger will be higher.

The space ratio of a ship is considered a measure of how upscale it is, with higher space ratios typically corresponding to more luxurious vessels.

As for decor and amenities, Oceania has promised an "evolution" of the intimate, residential-style interior venues for which its ships are known. Vista will retain such Oceania signatures as a Grand Staircase at its center and a Grand Lounge that serves as a central meeting point, as well as a martini bar, Aquamar Spa, Horizons observation lounge, a tranquil pool area and a casino with an accompanying bar.

Oceania also promises a wide range of cabin sizes for the ship, ranging from standard balcony cabins measuring 291 square feet (the largest standard balcony cabins in the industry, according to the line) to a range of super suites that measure from 1,000 square feet for an Oceania Suite to 2,400 square feet for an Owner's Suite.

Vista will also be the first Oceania vessel with built-from-scratch solo cabins — six in all. They'll measure 270 square feet and feature their own balconies, something that is relatively rare for solo cabins on ocean ships.

In fact, every cabin on Vista will be a balcony cabin, as every cabin has either a full balcony or a more limited French balcony. The ship will have no windowless inside cabins or balcony-less ocean-view cabins.

The solo cabins, notably, also are concierge-level cabins, which means they come with access to a private keycard-accessed concierge lounge and complimentary use of the ship's Spa Terrace.

Oceania long has been known as a foodie's line, and Vista won't disappoint, with 12 different culinary options for passengers — four of which will be new concepts for the brand.

The newcomers include Ember, serving "inventive American" cuisine, and wellness-focused Aquamar Kitchen (think: smoothies, organic "power bowls" and yellowfin tacos with white cabbage slaw). Also new will be the Culinary Center Dining Room, an ocean-view space offering food-and-wine pairing experiences that will tie to the ship's cooking classroom, and a new Bakery at Barista outlet that will serve fresh-baked pastries.

Classic Oceania eateries that will be on board the ship include the line's signature Polo Grill steakhouse, Italian-inspired Toscana and upscale Asian outlet Red Ginger.

Vista will be the first of two sister vessels in the line's new Allura class. The second ship in the series is scheduled to debut in 2025.

Vista will initially sail in Europe before repositioning to North America for the winter. Fares start at $1,699 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a seven-night Caribbean voyage out of Miami.

Resilient Lady

Maiden voyage: May 14.

Resilient Lady will be the third ship for Virgin Voyages, the startup line backed by Sir Richard Branson — and it'll look familiar to anyone who has sailed on the brand's first two vessels ( Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady ).

Originally scheduled to debut in 2022 but delayed by nearly a year , the 2,770-passenger ship will be a nearly identical sister to the two earlier vessels, which began sailing in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Like Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady has been designed to shake up the cruise industry with a new, hipper style of cruising. The ship will have everything from a tattoo parlor to a colorful karaoke lounge where you can get your Lizzo on. To ensure a proper party vibe, it also will be a kid-free travel zone , with a minimum age to sail of 18.

Related: Is Virgin Voyages right for you? Our thoughts

Virgin is going after travelers who might think themselves too cool to cruise. To that end, Resilient Lady will have no buffets, no dress codes and no big Broadway-style theater shows. For entertainment, expect interactive dance parties, DJ sets and "microplays," plus late-night games of dodgeball. Suites will have a rock star theme .

A fourth vessel in the series, Brilliant Lady, is scheduled to debut in 2024.

Resilient Lady will initially sail in the Mediterranean before repositioning to Australia for the winter (where it'll mostly cater to the Australian market). Fares start at $455 per person for a two-night voyage out of Melbourne, Australia.

Maiden voyage: July 17.

Call it the biggest new cruise ship of 2023 — not in size, but in significance. The unveiling of Explora 1 will mark the arrival of Explora Journeys, an entirely new luxury line that could quickly become one of the biggest in the world.

A creation of the deep-pocketed MSC Group, which already owns MSC Cruises, Explora Journeys plans to launch at least six superluxurious vessels by 2028, each of which is designed to hold at least 922 passengers.

In just a few years, that'll give the line a bigger capacity than such well-known luxury cruise operators as Seabourn and the soon-to-relaunch Crystal Cruises .

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

Related: 1st photos of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collections' new Evrima

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

MSC Group is the parent company of MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys, as well as the Mediterranean Shipping Company. The latter, also known simply as MSC, is the largest container shipping company in the world.

Explora 1 will initially sail in Northern Europe before repositioning to North America for the winter. Fares start at $3,600 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a three-night voyage from Hamburg, Germany, to Southampton, England.

Silver Nova

Maiden voyage: Aug. 14.

The latest ship for the luxury line Silversea Cruises will be bigger than its predecessors and feature an all-new design — one that, notably, will be asymmetrical in many areas. That is, some of the vessel's most prominent spaces, including its main pool area, will feature layouts that are off-center in a way that is unusual for cruise ships.

Silver Nova's main pool area, for instance, will have an unusual horseshoe shape with an orientation that runs from the port side of the ship to the starboard side. The pool itself will be off-center in the space, skewed far to the starboard side of the ship, with rows of lounge chairs and a grand entrance on its port side and unobstructed views through glass railings on its starboard side.

The idea is that the pool area will thus be much more orientated toward the destinations that the ship visits, or the open ocean when it is at sea, than the pool areas of other cruise vessels. Passengers will be able to float in the pool and look straight out over the water without the obstruction of more rows of lounge chairs.

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

Silver Nova's asymmetrical design will also be evident at two new food and beverage venues at the top of the vessel.

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

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

In addition to asymmetry in many areas, one thing that will be particularly noticeable about Silver Nova is its spaciousness. At 54,700 tons, the ship will be about 34% bigger than the line's last three new vessels — Silver Muse, Silver Moon and Silver Dawn. It'll only hold about 22% more passengers, though. That means the space available per passenger will increase significantly.

With every berth filled, Silver Nova will sail with 728 passengers — just 132 more than the earlier vessels.

The extra space has allowed Silversea to expand its lineup of cabin categories on the ship, with more large suites. As is always the case with Silversea ships, every cabin on the ship will be a suite. However, Silversea fans will find new premium aft suites that include a massive 1,324-square-foot complex called the Otium Suite. Inspired by Silversea's new wellness program, Otium , the Otium Suite is in a premium aft corner position of the ship (according to the cruise line) and features floor-to-ceiling windows in all living areas. It has a sprawling 431-square-foot balcony area that is the most spacious on board.

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

Silver Nova will initially sail in the Mediterranean before repositioning to the Caribbean for the winter of 2023. Fares start at $4,700 per person, including a flight credit, airport transfers and shore excursions, for a seven-night Caribbean sailing out of Miami.

Norwegian Viva

Maiden voyage: Aug. 26.

The rollout of Norwegian Cruise Line's much-awaited Prima class of ships continues in 2023 with the arrival of Norwegian Viva — the second vessel in the series after the recently unveiled Norwegian Prima .

Like Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva is notably smaller than other vessels the line has added in recent years, such as the 3-year-old, 169,116-ton Norwegian Encore — a factor that will allow it to access smaller ports around the world. But, also like Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva will still pack a lot of over-the-top amenities, including a go-kart track that occupies three decks .

Related: Why I love the new Prima class

Plus, Norwegian Viva will have The Drop, a 10-story dry slide that Norwegian says offers more G-force than an accelerating Formula One race car. The vessel also will be home to a three-deck theater that converts into a Las Vegas-style nightclub and will host interactive, real-life game shows, including at-sea versions of "The Price Is Right."

Still, like Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva will be about more than flashy activities and entertainment. It'll also mark the continuation of a more upscale turn for the line that began with Norwegian Prima. Norwegian Viva will offer a wide range of suite categories (13), as well as the largest three-bedroom suites of any new cruise vessel. Inside Norwegian Viva, ocean view and balcony cabins also will be larger than has been typical for Norwegian ships in the past.

Related: My strange night out at Prima's new 'zero-waste' bar

Additionally, Norwegian Viva will offer the most outdoor deck space of any new cruise ship, according to the line, including more total pool deck space than any other ship in the brand's fleet other than Norwegian Prima.

Norwegian Viva will initially sail in the Mediterranean before repositioning to the Caribbean for the winter of 2023. Fares start at $849 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a seven-night Caribbean sailing out of Miami.

Seven Seas Grandeur

Maiden voyage: Nov. 25.

Every few years, Regent Seven Seas Cruises comes out with a new ship so luxurious that it verges on the ridiculous — and that, in a nutshell, is what Seven Seas Grandeur will be.

A sister vessel to Regent's Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor (unveiled in 2015 and 2020, respectively), the 750-passenger ship will, like its sisters, be one of the most expensive cruise vessels ever built with all sorts of over-the-top luxuries.

Expect soaring ceilings, inlaid marble floors, crystal chandeliers and Picassos on the walls, for starters.

When it comes to cabins, Seven Seas Grandeur will basically offer two choices: fancy and really, really fancy. Every one of the ship's 375 rooms will be a suite. Even the smallest accommodations will measure 307 square feet, which is not too shabby for a cruise ship. Many cabins will be much bigger, though.

Related: Inside Regent's super luxurious new ship

The biggest accommodation on board, the Regent Suite , will measure an astounding 4,443 square feet — nearly twice the square footage of the average American home. It'll cost $11,000 a night.

Seven Seas Grandeur will also offer an array of elegant and high-end restaurants, all of which are included in the fare.

This is what you would expect from Regent, of course. Known for its luxury focus, the 30-year-old brand has long operated some of the world's most elegant ships. Regent is the cruising equivalent of the hotel world's Four Seasons chain — a brand promising beautiful accommodations, refined food and pampering service.

After an initial transatlantic voyage from Barcelona to Miami, Seven Seas Grandeur will operate Caribbean sailings out of Miami for the winter before returning to Europe for the summer of 2024. Fares start at $4,439 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a seven-night Caribbean sailing out of Miami.

Celebrity Ascent

Maiden voyage: Dec. 3.

Celebrity Cruises will continue the rollout of its new Edge class of ships in 2023 with the unveiling of Celebrity Ascent — the fourth of five vessels in the series.

Like the last new Edge-class ship, the 8-month-old Celebrity Beyond , it'll be a stretched version of the two initial ships in the series ( Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex ), being both 20 meters longer and a deck taller.

As was the case with Celebrity Beyond, the extra length and height will allow for new and bigger venues, including an expanded "resort-within-a-resort" area for suite passengers called The Retreat and a greatly expanded Sunset Bar at the back of the vessel.

Like Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Ascent also will offer a redesigned Rooftop Garden area with increased seating, new private nooks and two new floating pools cantilevered over the side of the ship.

Another area that will be bigger on Celebrity Ascent than on the first two Edge-class ships is the three-deck-high Grand Plaza.

Related: The ultimate guide to Celebrity ships and itineraries

As was the case with Celebrity Beyond, Ascent will have 179 more cabins than its sister vessels, each of which has 1,467 cabins. That's about a 12% increase. As a result, Celebrity Ascent, like Celebrity Beyond, will hold 3,260 passengers at double occupancy. That's up from a 2,910-passenger capacity at double occupancy for Celebrity Apex and a 2,918-passenger capacity at double occupancy for Celebrity Edge.

Celebrity Ascent initially will sail to the Caribbean out of Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades. Fares start at $1,056 per person for a seven-night sailing.

Carnival Jubilee

Maiden voyage: Dec. 23.

Carnival Cruise Line will continue its move toward bigger ships in 2023 with the unveiling of Carnival Jubilee — the third vessel in its new Excel-class series.

Under construction at a shipyard in Germany, the 15-deck-high ship is a sister to the line's recently unveiled Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration , which have made waves in the past 18 months for their huge size and what may be the most unusual attraction ever on a cruise vessel: a deck-top roller coaster .

Like Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee will measure 181,808 tons, putting it in a tie with the former ships for the position of biggest ship ever to sail for Carnival. The two earlier vessels in the series are a whopping 35% bigger than the next-biggest Carnival ships currently afloat, and they are also bigger than all but 11 other cruise vessels in the world.

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

Carnival Jubilee will also be designed to hold up to 6,630 passengers. That's just a tad below the 7,084 passengers that can fit aboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas — the world's largest cruise ship.

Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Jubilee will have a giant water park on its top deck and, like its sister, a far broader array of suites than earlier Carnival ships. However, the vessel won't be a carbon copy of the previous vessels. Carnival has said some new features are planned.

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

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

After an initial transatlantic voyage from Southampton, England, to Galveston, Texas, Carnival Jubilee will sail seven-night voyages to the Western Caribbean out of Galveston. Fares start at $549 per person, not including taxes and fees.

Other new ships

In addition to the above, newcomers for 2023 also include several small expedition ships and other small vessels from such cruise operators as Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Seabourn, Emerald Cruises, Vantage Travel and Atlas Ocean Voyages.

Viking also has a new ocean ship coming in 2023 that is a sister to earlier vessels.

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Carnival Introduces Enhanced Booking Experience for Travel Advisors

• April 15, 2024

Carnival Cruise Line announced a series of new features to its online booking tool for travel advisors, GoCCL Navigator.

According to a press release, the enhancements streamline the booking process, maximizing efficiency and improving their overall experience.

“We deeply value our travel advisor community, whose expertise and passion are an integral part of our success,” said Adolfo Perez, senior vice president of global sales and trade marketing for Carnival Cruise Line. “The latest updates on GoCCL.com are based directly on advisors’ feedback and make it easier than ever to match clients’ needs with the perfect Carnival cruise to deliver exceptional service, all while saving valuable time by doing it quickly online.”

The platform’s enhancements also include:

• Enhanced Offer Details – Fares will be easier to review and compare to other offers.
• Special Offers Red Tag – Red tags will now be shown when clients have a special VIFP offer on a sailing.
• Accessible Staterooms – Booking accessible staterooms will now be available on GoCCL.com.
• Side-by-Side Offer Comparison – Including price and benefits.
• Desktop + Mobile Access – All updates are available across desktop and mobile devices.

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Subscriber only, travel | 8 new ships coming to norwegian cruise line, sister brands plus dock at great stirrup cay.

The parent company to Norwegian Cruise Line announced Monday a major order for eight new ships among its three brands as well as the construction of a pier to allow its cruise ships to dock instead of tender to its private Bahamas island for the first time.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said it was planning to bring on four new ships for NCL, two new ships for upper premium brand Oceania Cruises and two ships for luxury brand Regent Seven Seas, all to be built at Fincantieri shipyard in Italy and debut during a 10-year run from 2026-2036.

The NCL ships would be the largest ever built for the line at around 200,000 gross tons and capacity of about 5,000 guests. They won’t arrive until after the final delivery of its Prima-Plus class ships expected between 2025-2028, the larger sister ships to the Norwegian Prima and Viva that debuted in the last couple of years. The four ships from the unnamed class of vessel would arrive in 2030, 2032, 2034 and 2036.

The new class for Oceania Cruises, which in 2023 debuted its first new ship in more than a decade — the Oceania Allura — will also be the largest ever built for the line at 86,000 gross tons and a capacity of 1,450 guests. They’re expected in 2027 and 2029.

And the Regent Seven Seas fleet’s new vessels will also be larger coming in at 77,000 gross tons with a capacity of 850 guests. They’re expected in 2026 and 2029. Regent just debuted the third of its Explorer class ships in December 2023.

“This strategic new-ship order across all three of our award-winning brands provides for the steady introduction of cutting-edge vessels into our fleet and solidifies our long-term growth,” said NCLH president and CEO Harry Sommer in a press release. “It also allows us to significantly leverage our operating scale, strengthen our commitment to innovation and enhance our ability to offer our guests new products and experiences, all while providing opportunities to enhance the efficiency of our fleet.”

No other details about the ships were released. Financing is already in place to fund 80% of the cost for the four ships among the Oceania and Regent orders, but financing for the four NCL ships is not finalized.

The eight ships expects to add 25,000 more to the three cruise lines’ passenger capacity.

In addition, the line is set to construct a multi-ship pier at Great Stirrup Cay, the popular Bahamas private destination visited by all three brands. The move follows the introduction of a dock that can support two Oasis-class vessels at neighboring Perfect Day at Coco Cay for Royal Caribbean while other private Bahamas destinations including Disney’s Castaway Cay and its new Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point feature tenderless docks for easy access.

“We are likewise excited with the addition of a new pier at Great Stirrup Cay to support our increased capacity in the Caribbean and multiple ships to call on the island, enhancing our guest experience and bringing seamless and reliable access to our private island year-round,” Sommer said.

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Carnival cancels 2 planned cruises from Port Canaveral after ship catches fire

Passengers on a Carnival cruise ship that caught fire over the weekend disembarked at Port Canaveral on Monday.

▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

Videos sent to Ch. 9 show dark smoke and flames coming from the Carnival Freedom’s exhaust funnel on Saturday.

Carnival says lightning may be to blame.

In response to this fire, the next two cruises on the ship have been canceled.

Read: 2 crew members killed on Holland America cruise ship during incident onboard

The ship was scheduled to depart from Port Canaveral on Monday, and then again on Friday.

The fire was reported while the ship was near the Bahamas.

Passengers reported seeing lightning strike the boat, but the investigation is still underway.

Read: New cruise line coming to Port Canaveral this year

Carnival Cruise Lines released the following statement:

Carnival Freedom experienced a fire in the port side of the exhaust funnel on Saturday. Our onboard team acted quickly to contain and put out the fire. While we continue to investigate multiple eyewitness reports of a lightning strike, our technical team completed a thorough assessment during the ship’s visit to Freeport today. Regrettably, the damage is more than we first thought and will require an immediate repair to stabilize the funnel, resulting in the cancellation of the March 25 and March 29 cruises from Port Canaveral.

The funnel has been stabilized for the ship’s return to Port Canaveral overnight to disembark guests, and then it will go to the Freeport shipyard on Monday afternoon to begin the required repairs.

We sincerely regret the impact to our embarking guests, as we know they have been looking forward to their spring break vacation. We are providing all guests on both cancelled cruises a full refund and a 100% future cruise credit so they can come back and enjoy a future cruise with us. We also greatly appreciate the terrific guests who are currently sailing with us, for their outstanding cooperation and support.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

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• Carnival Horizon

Carnival Horizon ®

• Dining & Activities
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• Sails From:

The line that brings the sea and the sky together inspired us... to build a ship that unites you with great fun, comfort, dining and exotic destinations. And most importantly, unites you with one another. It's Carnival Horizon! This ship doesn't just do it a little bit, either. First, Carnival Horizon goes big with the two-screen Carnival Multiplex ® , which brings together one theater packed with huge IMAX ® action and one with 3D visuals, incredible motion effects and more! This ship keeps things flowing with an onboard waterpark that splashes you more than a little — Dr. Seuss WaterWorks ™ splashes you oodles, with a little help from the wacky characters everybody loves. Go for a bike ride way, way above it all at SkyRide ® . The Punchliner Comedy Club ™ and Playlist Productions ™ are just two of your top onboard entertainment picks, and they’re both focused on uniting you with unforgettable performances up on stage. For relaxation, get to Serenity Adult-Only Retreat ™ , or step up to max relaxation at Cloud 9 Spa ™ featuring great massages, thermal suites and more. Havana Bar ™ & Pool is a good one too — a spot that brings together stylish poolside lounging with authentically Cuban cocktails... adding hot nightlife into the mix once the sun goes down. And all day long, you know we've got stuff for the kids — Carnival Horizon has three age-specific youth spaces! This ship brings tons of flavor to every meal. It starts with a guy named Guy — Fieri — who created two awesome spots on the ship: one's the crowd-pleasing Guy's Burger Joint ™ , and the other happens to be Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse ™ , a spot that serves up BBQ classics paired with freshly-brewed-right-on-board beers. If you're looking for great seafood on Carnival Horizon, then Seafood Shack ™ 's the place to cast your net. Bonsai Teppanyaki ™ is an intimate meal and interactive performance, while Fahrenheit 555 ™ is a dining experience that stands toe-to-toe with some of the best steakhouses on land. Jiji Asian Kitchen ® and Cucina del Capitano ® each specialize in delighting certain taste buds: the ones craving pan-Asian favorites, and classic Italian dishes served family-style. (Check... and check!) Add all this together and you've got... a vacation on Carnival Horizon that truly brings it all together.

• 133,500 Gross Tonnage
• 3,960 Guest Capacity
• 1,055 Length In Feet
• 1,450 Onboard Crew

INSIDE THIS SHIP

Just like a delicious cake, your ship is made of layers. Find out which fun ingredients — staterooms, dining, activities — go into each deck.

YOUR STATEROOM

Havana interior.

Amenities exclusive to Havana staterooms and suites:

• Exclusive access to Havana Pool area

Plus, every room includes:

• Dedicated stateroom attendant
• Soft, cozy linens
• Plenty of closet and drawer space
• In-room safe for valuables
• Stateroom climate control

Cloud 9 Spa Interior

Amenities exclusive to Cloud 9 Spa ™ staterooms and suites:

• Unique welcome ritual
• Priority spa reservations
• Unlimited use of Thermal Suites, plus scrub kit
• Two complimentary fitness classes (per guest)
• Complimentary body composition analysis
• Exclusive discounts on treatments during port days
• Cloud 9 Spa bathrobes and slippers
• Upgraded ELEMIS in-stateroom toiletries

Family Harbor Interior

Amenities exclusive to Family Harbor staterooms and suites:

• Exclusive access to the Family Harbor Lounge
• Daily breakfast and snacks in the Family Harbor Lounge
• A selection of board games, family movies and video games in the Family Harbor Lounge
• Kids eat free at most onboard specialty restaurants
• Free evening of Night Owls ™ babysitting service at Camp Ocean ™

Interior with Picture Window (Walkway View)

Every room includes:

Interior Upper/Lower (Porthole)

Interior upper/lower, cloud 9 spa ocean view (walkway view).

The best way to enjoy the relaxing, invigorating Cloud 9 Spa while on a cruise is in a spa stateroom, and this one fits the bill, providing comfy accommodations and convenient, priority access to treatments and services at the Cloud 9 Spa. (Note that rooms of this type have obstructed views.)

Family Harbor Deluxe Ocean View

Let the whole family — especially the little ones — experience the wide-eyed wonder of a room with a view: a Family Harbor Deluxe Ocean View stateroom. Not only are the sky, the sea and the sights beautiful to behold from your window, but Family Harbor staterooms feature a unique nautical décor inspired by the craft of seafaring itself. And while you sail along, the whole family will enjoy not only exclusive access to the nearby Family Harbor Lounge and more great perks around the ship, but a convenient full bathroom… plus a separate washroom.

Deluxe Ocean View

On Carnival Horizon, Deluxe Ocean View staterooms are a great choice for families who want to let the sun shine in as they sail. Rooms of this type feature great views, a full bathroom — plus a separate washroom — and while stateroom configurations vary, certain Deluxe Ocean View rooms have space to sleep up to five cruisers.

Deluxe Ocean View (Obstructed View)

On Carnival Horizon, Deluxe Ocean View staterooms are great for families. These rooms feature a full bathroom — plus a separate washroom — and while stateroom configurations vary, certain Deluxe Ocean View rooms have space to sleep up to five. (Note that rooms of this type have obstructed views.)

Family Harbor Ocean View

Let the whole family — especially the little ones — experience the wide-eyed wonder of sailing in a room with a view: a Family Harbor Ocean View stateroom. Not only will a vacation with a view like this help cultivate a lifelong love of the ocean, but Family Harbor staterooms feature a unique nautical décor inspired by the craft of seafaring itself. And while you sail along, the whole family will enjoy exclusive access to the nearby Family Harbor Lounge, plus more great perks around the ship.

Family Harbor Ocean View (Obstructed View)

Cruising goes great with sunshine… and for a room where the family can expect a little extra of the sun’s gold streaming in through their window, check out a Family Harbor Ocean View stateroom with obstructed views. All Family Harbor staterooms feature a unique nautical décor inspired by the craft of seafaring itself. And while you sail along, the whole family will enjoy not only exclusive access to the nearby Family Harbor Lounge, but more great perks around the ship.

Ocean View (Obstructed View)

Havana premium vista balcony.

Since no other one will do, we'll go ahead and invent a Spanish word to describe the Havana Premium Balcony stateroom: balconissimo. In this 'balconiest' of Havana staterooms, you'll find classic old-time Cuban decor that's practically overflowing with flavor. And outside — oh, that balcony! — it wraps around for maximum coverage, and the most sea-breezed private lounging area. For a mid-day change of scenery, you'll also have exclusive access to the Havana Pool area. (All Havana stateroom guests must be 12 or older.)

Havana Premium Balcony

There's more to a Havana Premium Balcony stateroom than just the extra outdoor space for staring out at the ocean. A view like this is entertaining, and this balcony is designed for sharing it. Invite someone special to come along and share the comfy interior as well, featuring classic Havana decor and exclusive access to the Havana Pool area. (All Havana stateroom guests must be 12 or older.)

Havana Aft-View Extended Balcony

For a stateroom with that classic Havana decor larger balcony and a great view, just look back. A Havana Aft-View Extended Balcony puts you in the rear of the ship, prime location already for enjoying a view of the sea and the ship's wake as you sail along... but perhaps even more so thanks to the larger balcony. And let's not forget about all that Havana flavor — both in-room and out — with exclusive access to the Havana Pool area. (All Havana stateroom guests must be 12 or older.)

Havana Cabana

There are amenities by the handful in this Havana-flavored stateroom, but the one that'll excite you most of all is likely to be this: Havana Cabana staterooms come with an outdoor patio — complete with your own loungy deck chairs — right outside your room. They also feature Cuba-inspired decor, exclusive access to Havana Pool area and loads of sunlight with floor-to-ceiling window, but like we said... your very own deck chairs! (All Havana stateroom guests must be 12 or older.)

Premium Balcony

We designed Carnival Horizon balcony staterooms for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, and this stateroom features a balcony that's even wider than our standard balcony. Enjoy the extra outdoor space, along with all the standard Carnival stateroom amenities.

Cloud 9 Spa Balcony

Whether you're warming up for your spa appointment or winding down after your treatment, there's no better place to do it than on your Cloud 9 Spa Balcony. Breathing is important — take the ocean breeze in, then let it out — you're already getting the hang of the whole spa thing!

Family Harbor Aft-View Extended Balcony

This special room type features a unique nautical décor, full bathroom, generous amenities and exclusive perks that families love. But we’ve gotta talk about that balcony! First of all, “aft-view” means that your room faces backwards — the best way to watch the flow of the ship’s calm, gentle wake as we sail along. Oh, and the balcony you’ll enjoy it from is even bigger than in a standard balcony room! What we’re saying is that with this room you’ll have great choices about how to spend your time: curling up to comfort indoors, really stretching out outdoors… or enjoying the nearby exclusive Family Harbor Lounge!

Family Harbor Cove Balcony

If your group likes to sail a little closer to the waves — or just in a calm location at the aft of the ship — choose a Family Harbor Cove Balcony stateroom. You’ll find your outpost a wave-watcher’s paradise… and while we can’t promise, you just might catch a living, swimming marine biology lesson from your railing! This stateroom features a unique nautical décor inspired by the craft of seafaring itself. The whole family will also enjoy exclusive access to the nearby Family Harbor Lounge, plus more great perks around the ship.

Balcony staterooms were designed for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, so look to a balcony if you're looking to cruise aboard Carnival Horizon. Any time you're in your room, you're just steps away from your own personal outdoor oasis, featuring the sort of sea view you can also feel.

Cove Balcony

Love the sea? Carnival Horizon Cove Balcony staterooms are the best way to see the sea — these rooms get you close to the waterline, and feature balconies that let you make the most of your location. Enjoy things from a whole new perspective: one amazing up-close view of the wake and sea foam as the ship cruises along.

Grand Suite

A Grand Suite aboard Carnival Horizon features even more space than the standard suite — there’s plenty of room in your room! This stateroom is loaded for an unparalleled experience: VIP check-in, a huge balcony, and a convenient dressing area with vanity. And outside your room, you’ll even enjoy access to the Havana Pool.

(Guests 12 and up for this pool, please.)

Amenities exclusive to Grand Suites:

Plus, amenities exclusive to suites:

• Priority check-in and boarding
• Priority Main Dining Room time assignment
• Priority debarkation at homeport, and ports of call requiring a water shuttle or with arrival times later than 9:30 Am
• Two large bottles of water
• Pillow-top mattress

Havana Cabana Suite

You could call the Havana Cabana Suite the crème de la crème… but that's French. So here's your Spanish lesson for today: la habitación mejor. In "the best room" you'll find all the luxury of a suite, all decked out in Cuba-inspired decor. Outside your Havana Cabana Suite lies a private lounging area with your own deck chairs and hammock, plus exclusive access to Havana Pool area... not to mention amenities like VIP check-in, a walk-in closet, and a bathroom with one luxurious rain shower. (All Havana stateroom guests must be 12 or older.)

Plus, all suites include:

Cloud 9 Spa Suite

A Cloud 9 Spa Suite is the ultimate in both stateroom and spa accommodations. There's room for you and your things — with a large room and balcony — and a walk-in closet. The soothing in-room whirlpool tub will help you stay relaxed after your relaxing spa treatment. And like all suites, a Cloud 9 Spa Suite features VIP check-in, which lets you easily get right up to your amazing stateroom.

Cloud 9 Spa Suite (Obstructed View)

Family harbor suite.

Family life is the sweet life, whether on land or at sea… and especially when in a Family Harbor Suite. Your whole crew will enjoy not only the stretch-out space, huge balcony and other perks a suite offers, but a nautical décor specially-designed for Family Harbor staterooms. And while you sail along, the kids and the adults can make use of exclusive access to the nearby Family Harbor Lounge, plus other exclusive perks around the ship. In-room, there’s a full bathroom… plus the convenience of a separate washroom. A private yacht it’s not… but leave the sailing to us — you’d rather be relaxing anyway.

Ocean Suite

A Carnival Horizon suite is the ultimate way to cruise. With more space for stretching out indoors, plus a large balcony for kicking back outdoors, try an Ocean Suite to experience private, luxurious relaxation. Ocean Suites also include VIP check-in, walk-in closet and bathroom with whirlpool tub.

Amenities exclusive to suites:

Junior Suite (Obstructed View)

As you step into a Junior Suite aboard Carnival Horizon, you can't help but feel that you're stepping into full-size luxury in a smaller package. Featuring a standard-size balcony, in a Carnival Horizon Junior Suite you'll find everything else there is to love about a suite, including VIP check-in, a walk-in closet; and even a whirlpool tub for relaxing. (Note that rooms of this type have obstructed views.)

ONBOARD ACTIVITIES

Onboard dining, where to for you.

This ship is always visiting great vacation spots. Where will your next vacation take you?

* Taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional per person.

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This Small-ship Cruise Line Just Announced 2 New All-suite Vessels Will Join Its Fleet

Windstar Cruises is scheduled to launch Star Seeker in 2025 and Star Explorer in 2026.

Courtesy of Windstar Cruises

Boutique small-ship cruise line Windstar Cruises is growing its fleet, adding two 224-passenger vessels — both acquisitions from Mystic Cruises —  in the next two years. Star Seeker is slated to make its debut in December 2025 and Star Explorer is scheduled to follow a year later in December 2026. 

Star Seeker is under construction, while Star Explorer is currently sailing as Quark Expeditions' World Explorer. B oth ships will be reworked to include signature features of Windstar ships, from a watersports platform to Owners Suites with wraparound balconies to a whirlpool on the bow. 

Dining, in particular, will be a main focus on the ships, as Windstar has a partnership with the James Beard Foundation. The ships' dining options spaces will be expanded to include the on-deck Star Grill, the casual Yacht Club café and lounge, and a re-imagined Amphora main dining room, which will now have outdoor seating.

“Our goal was to ensure these ships are unmistakably Windstar, and a significant amount of effort has gone into achieving this,” Christopher Prelog, Windstar Cruises’ president, said in a statement provided to Travel + Leisure . “We are thrilled for this expansion, building on the success of our game-changing Star Class in small-ship cruising with guests and travel partners, while offering new experiences. This growth reflects the dedication of our incredible crew and team, allowing us to broaden our destination portfolio and even bring one of our Wind Class sail ships back to Tahiti.”

Though both ships have ice-strengthened hulls capable of sailing in the polar regions, Windstar doesn't currently operate such itineraries, focusing primarily on the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific Islands. But these new ships may open doors to adventures in the years to come.

“As part of our company’s expanding portfolio, Windstar Cruises is poised for remarkable growth and an exciting future ahead," Andrew N. Todd, president and CEO of parent company Xanterra Travel Collection, said in a statement. "We’re excited about the possibilities of where Windstar will sail and the opportunities it brings our officers, crew and staff, and our guests.”

Itineraries and booking information for Star Seeker will be announced in June 2024. You can sign up for updates at windstarcruises.com/newships .