New ships for sail
Cruise holidays are back – and this year there are plenty of thrilling new ships to get excited about. They come complete with themed suites, luxurious spas, infinity pools, water parks and heaps more surprises.
Royal Caribbean will be welcoming Wonder of the Seas to its fleet – the world’s biggest cruise ship – while P&O Cruises’ highly anticipated Arvia will depart on a maiden voyage around the Canaries.
And fans will want to check out Disney Cruise Line’s brand-new ship Disney Wish, complete with a Frozen-themed restaurant, Star Wars cocktail lounge and secret slides for kids.
Here, we take a look at the cruise lines welcoming new ships for 2022...
P&O Cruises – Arvia
Boasting a gross tonnage of 184,700, Arvia will offer more than 20 restaurants, a huge pool and even a submarine-themed escape room.
Like her sister ship Iona, Arvia will feature a SkyDome area with a retractable roof. SkyDome will serve as a pool by day and double up as an entertainment venue at night, with aerial performances and theatre shows.
Other highlights will include a swim-up bar, infinity pool, Oasis spa, cinema, mini golf course and a high ropes experience.
Arvia’s maiden voyage will be around the Canary Islands in December. pocruises.com
Princess Cruises – Discovery Princess
The sixth and final Royal-class ship for Princess boasts 145,000-gross tonnage. Her highlights include two deep tank pools and infinity pools, sports facilities, a huge theatre, casino and a good helping of restaurants.
There will also be plenty of firm favourites for Princess passengers – from live music and theatre performances to fun events, such as Movies Under the Stars.
Discovery is set to make her debut in March from Los Angeles around the Mexican Riviera and Californian Coast. princess.com
Virgin Voyages – Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady
Virgin Voyages will be launching Valiant Lady in March, followed by Resilient Lady in the summer. Each will have a gross tonnage of 110,000.
Like their sister Scarlet Lady – the first cruise ship for Virgin which launched last year – they will feature vegan restaurants, themed brunches, a tattoo parlour, rock star-themed suites, a luxury spa and plenty of wellbeing activities, such as yoga classes.
Valiant will sail in March on an inaugural season from Portsmouth to the Canaries and Europe, while Resilient will debut in summer from Athens and Barcelona to the Greek Isles and Europe. virginvoyages.com
Disney Cruise Line – Disney Wish
Disney is pulling out all the stops for its fifth cruise ship, sailing in June 2022.
Expect a Frozen-themed restaurant, Marvel-inspired immersive dining, a Star Wars cocktail lounge, a kids’ club which children can enter using a secret slide, a Marvel Super Hero Academy, activities with Disney Princesses, and plenty of firm favourites, such as character appearances and fireworks at sea.
One highlight of the Disney Wish is sure to be The Aquamouse. Here, families join Mickey and Minnie on a fun water ride spanning 760ft of the upper deck.
There will also be a number of pools and even a Toy Story-themed splash zone, as well as adults-only areas including a spa and infinity pool.
Wish will sail on a maiden voyage from Florida to The Bahamas in June. disneycruise.disney. go.com
Royal Caribbean – Wonder of the Seas
At 1,188ft long, 210ft wide and with a gross tonnage of 236,857, Wonder will take the title of the world’s largest cruise ship from the brand’s sister Symphony.
But it’s not just her size that’s impressive. She will have loads of cool features, including a wave machine, the tallest slide at sea, rock climbing walls and a cantilevered bar.
She will make her debut in Florida in March, exploring the Caribbean. royalcaribbean.com
Norwegian Cruise Line – Norwegian Prima
The 142,500-gross tonnage Prima will make her debut from Southampton in the summer, with some of the line’s largest-ever cabins, infinity pools, an outdoor sculpture garden and an open-air food market.
Thrillseekers won’t want to miss out on a leisurely stroll along the
Oceanwalk, which consists of glass bridges over the ocean.
There will be 13 suite categories on board, including 107 Haven suites in the aft, where passengers can enjoy perks such as private lifts and access to a dedicated infinity pool. ncl.com
Ambassador Cruise Line – Ambience
Ambassador is a brand-new cruise line for 2022 – the first new British one to be launched since 2010. So it’s no surprise that the company is going all out with its sleek first ship, Ambience.
Boasting a gross tonnage of 70,285 and 789 cabins, Ambience will offer plenty of exciting features for passengers, including a casino, theatre, luxury spa, gym, shops and highlights such as Kapoor’s Crafters Studio and Bronte’s Library.
As for dining, expect everything from gala dinners to afternoon tea. Guests will also have a choice of
11 bars and lounges.
Ambience will sail on a maiden voyage to Hamburg from Tilbury, Essex, in April. ambassadorcruiseline.com
Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Beyond
This new 140,600-gross tonnage ship has cool highlights – from a Rooftop Garden with float pools which are cantilevered over the ocean to the Magic Carpet floating platform that reaches 13 storeys above sea level.
Then there are the impressive cabins which range from chic staterooms to two-storey suites; not to mention guests can book into The Retreat with luxury stays and perks, such as private dining and exclusive spaces.
Foodies can enjoy menus created by Michelinstarred chef Cornelius Gallagher, sunseekers can bask on the top-deck pools, and those in need of some R&R won’t be disappointed with the spa.
Beyond will sail on her maiden voyage from Southampton in April on a Western Europe itinerary. celebritycruises.com
MSC Cruises – MSC Seascape, MSC World Europa
The brand is welcoming two new ships.
MSC Seascape – sister to MSC Seashore – will make her debut in November.
The second 169,500-gross tonnage Seaside EVO class ship will boast 12 different cabin types, 11 dining venues, 19 bars and lounges, six swimming pools including an aft infinity pool, a waterfront promenade and a glass-floored bridge with ocean views.
Meanwhile, the first of MSC’s new World class ships is set to sail in December. MSC World Europa (153,516-gross tonnage) will sail on a maiden season around the Persian Gulf before heading to her homeport in Dubai.
The ship has 13 dining venues, 19 different types of cabins, a luxury spa, and various “districts”, including a family one. msccruises.co.uk
Carnival Cruise Line – Carnival Celebration
She is due to make her debut on a maiden voyage from Miami in November, sailing to the Caribbean.
The 1,130ft-long, 180,000-gross tonnage ship will have six themed areas, with a water park with slides, games such as Family Feud at Sea, a luxury spa, an adults-only retreat, a comedy club and family favourite Seuss at Sea.
White knucklers won’t want to miss out on BOLT, the world’s first rollercoaster at sea! carnival.com
Julie Delahaye looks at cruise lines and their 2022 launches