2020 didn’t go as planned in the cruise industry. Due to the cruise shutdown that took place on March 13, 2020, many of the new cruise ships that were scheduled to debut will now sail for the first time in 2021. In addition, two new cruise lines will also set sail for the first time this coming year.
With Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Viking, Virgin Voyages, MSC Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Princess Cruises all have new vessels coming out, here is a rundown of the hottest new cruise ships debuting in 2021.
Virgin’s Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady
Virgin Voyages, a new adults only cruise line, will have two cruise ships sailing for the first time in 2021. Scarlet Lady was scheduled to debut this spring but will now sail her first cruise out of Miami next year.
Gratuities, all restaurants on board, basic drinks, and WiFi will be included in cruise fares. Scarlet Lady will sail short cruises from the Cruise Capital of the World, PortMiami.
Valiant Lady will sail a season in the Mediterranean before heading to Miami for the 2021-2022 winter season.
All cruises out of Miami will visit the cruise line’s private port in the Bahamas, The Beach Club at Bimini.
View Prices on Cruises on Scarlet Lady
Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras
Carnival Cruise Line is entering the mega cruise ship market with their first 180,000 gross ton Mardi Gras.
A game changer for the cruise industry, Mardi Gras will introduce a number of groundbreaking innovations, including BOLT, the first rollercoaster at sea, a new restaurant by legendary chef Emeril Lagasse, and six themed zones offering a variety of food, beverage and entertainment choices. Mardi Gras will also offer a wide range of accommodation choices, including more than 180 suites across 11 different levels.
Mardi Gras will sail week long cruises to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral starting in 2021. The ship was originally scheduled to sail in 2020 but has been pushed back.
View Prices on Cruises on Mardi Gras
Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas
Royal Caribbean is finally sending a Quantum class ship to Florida. Odyssey of the Seas will sail a season in the Mediterranean starting on April 2 before heading to Port Everglades for cruises to the Caribbean. The vessel will be the second Quantum Ultra class ship from Royal Caribbean.
Odyssey of the Seas will tout game-changing, technological innovations like the next generation SeaPlex, the largest indoor space for recreational activities at sea, which will see the addition of this venue’s first Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade with club-level views of the competition below; a reimagined Adventure Ocean kids program and a maxed-out teen lounge with gaming consoles, music and movies. Guests onboard Odyssey can enjoy all-new dining, including Teppanyaki, serving East Asian flavors in a traditional Japanese style; and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar with rustic Italian dishes and a contemporary flair.
Odyssey’s vibrant, two-level pool deck will feature two open-air, resort-style pools and four whirlpools with shady casitas and hammocks. The ship will also feature guest favorites, including FlowRider surf simulator; skydiving with Ripcord by iFly; the iconic North Star glass capsule that boasts 360-degree views from 300 feet above sea level; and robot bartenders at Bionic Bar.
View Prices on Cruises on Odyssey of the Seas
Viking Venus
The seventh cruise ship from award winning Viking, Viking Venus is scheduled to begin sailing this spring. The vessel will be nearly identical to her six sister ships and offer guests a nearly all inclusive experience.
There will be no inside or oceanview cabins, every stateroom has its own private balcony.
All cruise fares will include WiFi, a shore excursion in every port, drinks during meals, access to the spa, room service, and both alternative restaurants on board.
View Prices on Cruises on Viking Ocean
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Cruises’ second Edge class vessel, Celebrity Apex will begin sailing for the first time after cruises start back up. The cruise ship was completed this summer and is ready to go.
From impeccable accommodations, including Edge Staterooms with Infinite Verandas and two-story Edge Villas with outdoor plunge pools, to 29 world-class culinary venues, Celebrity Apex has it all.
Celebrity Cruises will now have WiFi, drinks, and tips included in cruise fares making them the first cruise line to offer a true luxury experience on a large cruise ship.
View Prices on Cruises on Celebrity Apex
MSC Seashore
MSC Seashore will be the cruise line’s third Seaside class cruise ship. The ship will be the cruise line’s longest ship at 1,112 ft. and the largest and most innovative ever built in Italy.
MSC Seashore will offer a wider range of accommodation with more suites including 28 additional terraced suites, two suites with private whirlpools and, in the MSC Yacht Club, two new stateroom categories offering 41 Deluxe Grand Suites and two Owner’s Suites with whirlpools.
After an inaugural season in the Mediterranean, MSC Seashore will make her way to the U.S., arriving in Miami in November 2021. From there, she will sail 7-night Caribbean itineraries, including stops at MSC Cruises’ private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
View Prices on Cruises on MSC Seashore
Enchanted Princess
Enchanted Princess is the the fifth Royal class cruise ship from Princess Cruises and the cruise line’s second purpose built Princess MedallionClass vessel.
The 143,700-ton, 3,660-guest Enchanted Princess will offer an elevation of spectacular style and elegance that Princess is known for, in addition to new distinct features.
Enchanted Princess will make her debut when cruises start back up. The ship has been completed and was originally scheduled to debut in 2020.
View Prices on Cruises on Enchanted Princess
Ritz-Carlton’s Evrima
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is poised to become the most coveted experience at sea. They are the first luxury hotel company to bring the ambiance of their resorts to the world of cruising.
Evrima will feature 149 suites, each with its own private terrace, and accommodate up to 298 guests in a relaxed, casually elegant atmosphere. As with the Ritz-Carlton on land, each yacht will feature personalized service, elevated dining and luxury amenities. To provide the highest quality service, there will be nearly as many staff members as guests.
The onboard experience will reflect the sublime comfort and unparalleled level of individualized guest service for which the iconic Ritz-Carlton brand is recognized, with one of the highest staff to guest service ratios in the cruise industry. The vessel will debut in April, 2021.
View Prices on Ritz-Carlton’s Evrima
Holland America’s Rotterdam
Rotterdam will be the third Pinnacle class ship from Holland America Line and the seventh cruise ship to sail under the name Rotterdam.
Cruising aboard Rotterdam begins August 1, 2021 with the cruise ship’s seven-day Premiere Voyage departing from Trieste, Italy, to Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, with port calls throughout the Adriatic Sea and southern Italy. Rotterdam sails August 8 from Civitavecchia on a 14-day cruise through the western Mediterranean and on to Amsterdam.
From August 22 through October 10, Rotterdam will sail roundtrip from Amsterdam on three seven-day itineraries to Norway, one 14-day to the Baltic and one 14-day to Norway, Iceland and the British Isles. A trans-Atlantic completes the inaugural Europe season with a 14-day voyage from Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
