If you thought there were a lot of new cruise ships this year, prepare to be amazed in 2010, when 15 new vessels are due to come out of the shipyards.
Many are sisters to ships launched this year, but there are several ‘new’ vessels as well, including Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Epic, with its wavy cabins and ice bar, and cruise yacht Le Bóreal, from Compagnie du Ponant, a French cruiseline that has just launched in the UK.
The spotlight is on Europe when it comes to inaugural itineraries next year, with all but two of the new UK-focused ships cruising there next summer.
Celebrity Cruises’ itineraries from Southampton are all new. The cruiseline has never had a ship dedicated to the UK before, but expect tried-and-tested itineraries visiting popular ports that appeal to regular cruisers keen to try a new vessel, and first-timers who want to see top destinations.
The new ship count includes four either sold exclusively in Germany or the US, or direct to the public, none of which is included here.
Costa Cruises
Ship:Costa Deliziosa
Launches: February 2010
Tell me more: It’s a sister to Costa Luminosa, so expect more of the same, including a 4-D cinema, Grand Prix simulator, and roller-skating track.
Itineraries: Deliziosa sets off on a 20-night maiden voyage from Savona to Dubai on February 5 2010. It will cruise the Arabian Gulf until May, and then relocate to the Norwegian fjords for summer.
MSC Cruises
Ship:MSC Magnifica
Launches: March 2010
Tell me more: Magnifica is the fourth Musica-class ship, and will have the same features including two speciality restaurants, two pools and children’s clubs, but also a new category of deluxe suites with balconies.
Itineraries: Magnifica will spend its maiden summer season in the Eastern Mediterranean, sailing from Venice, before relocating to the US, for cruises between New York and Quebec.
P&O Cruises
Ship:Azura
Launches: April 2010
Tell me more: Azura will have the first Indian restaurant at sea and P&O’s first wine bar and restaurant. The emphasis is on tradition, with a big library and formal and semi-formal dress codes. There are 18 single cabins.
Itineraries: Azura will cruise from Southampton to the Mediterranean, Baltic, Norwegian fjords and the Canary Islands in summer. In winter, it will move to Barbados for Caribbean sailings.
Celebrity Cruises
Ship:Celebrity Eclipse
Launches: April 2010
Tell me more: The third of the Solstice-class ships features the trademark half-acre lawn on the top deck. As it is sailing from the UK, there will be some tweaks to the food to appeal to the British market.
Itineraries: Eclipse is cruising from Southampton to the Mediterranean, Baltic, Norwegian fjords and Canary Islands in summer 2010. It will move to the Caribbean in October.
Compagnie du Ponant
Ship:Le Boréal
Launches: May 2010
Tell me more: This is a luxurious, small yacht-like vessel with a capacity for 264 passengers. The ship will have all outside cabins and suites – most with a private balcony – two restaurants, and a spa.
Itineraries: The seven-night inaugural cruise from Marseilles to Nice departs May 6 2010. It will stay in the Mediterranean and northern Europe for the rest of the summer, and relocate to Antarctica in December.
Yachts of Seabourn
Ship:Seabourn Sojourn
Launches: June 2010
Tell me more: This is a sister to Seabourn Odyssey, which launched this year, and features all-suite accommodation, 90% of which have balconies. There are four places to eat, and six bars and lounges. Drinks are included in the price.
Itineraries: The maiden voyage is a 14-night cruise from England to Iceland and the Norwegian fjords, ending in Dover. It will cruise in northern Europe and the Mediterranean until November, when it moves to the Caribbean.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Ship:Norwegian Epic
Launches: June 2010
Tell me more: Epic is Norwegian Cruise Line’s biggest ship and different from the norm, with lots of dining options, a small theatre and new-style bathrooms. There is an ice bar, abseiling wall and private villa complex.
Itineraries: The inaugural cruise is a transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York. Epic’s final homeport is Miami, from where it will sail year-round eastern and western Caribbean cruises.
Holland America Line
Ship:Nieuw Amsterdam
Launches: July 2010
Tell me more: This is a sister ship to Eurodam, launched in 2007, so expect more of the same including a pan-Asian restaurant, a family-style Italian diner, and a Culinary Arts Centre for cookery demonstrations.
Itineraries: The inaugural cruise is a 22-day trip from Venice departing July 4. It is also available as a one-week or 19-day voyage from Venice departing on July 7. The ship stays in the Mediterranean until October 2010, when it relocates to Fort Lauderdale.
Cunard
Ship:Queen Elizabeth
Launches: October 2010
Tell me more: The ship promises to take a step back to the 1930s, with swing dance classes and art deco ‘flourishes’. The theatre will have private boxes, and there is a new Britannia Club restaurant for AA category passengers.
Itineraries: The vessel’s inaugural voyage is a 13-night cruise from Southampton to the Canary Islands. The ship stays in Southampton until January 2011, when it sets off on its maiden world cruise.
Royal Caribbean International
Ship:Allure of the Seas
Launches: December 2010
Tell me more: This is a sister to Oasis of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world. Expect more of the same attractions, including a Central Park with real shrubs, inside balcony cabins, an AquaTheatre, zipline and two-storey cabins.
Itineraries: Allure of the Seas will be sailing alternating seven-night eastern and western Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale.
Oceania Cruises
Ship:Marina
Launches: End of 2010 (date to be confirmed)
Tell me more: Oceania’s first new ship has a capacity for 1,258 passengers. It will have two new dining outlets: Jacques for French cuisine; Red Ginger for pan-Asian.
Itineraries: Not yet announced.
Sample product
Celebrity Eclipse: A 14-night Spanish Mediterranean cruise from Southampton, including visits to Vigo, Barcelona, Palma, and Cadiz, starts at £1,529 per person cruise only in August. cruisingpower.co.uk, 0844 493 2029
Norwegian Epic: A 14-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruise, including visits to St Maarten, St Thomas, Cozumel and Nassau, starts at £1,499 per person including flights, transfers and one night in Miami. ncl.co.uk, 0845 201 8900