It’s a New Year, and that means new additions to some of the most revered fleets in the entire cruise industry. 2013 has been a great year for innovations – new ships from Norwegian and Royal Caribbean have gone beyond our expectations in terms of sheer size, and many lines have embraced technological advances on their ships with aplomb.
2014, however, promises to be an even more fantastic year for some cruise ship firsts. With this in mind, we’ve assembled a rundown of what brand new ships to expect over the next year.
Norwegian Getaway
The Norwegian Breakaway was a big hit with cruisers last year, going on to garner numerous industry awards due in no small part to its contemporary edge. Now its sister ship, the Getaway, promises to be even grander in scale, while keeping up the futuristic aspects of its predecessor.
Standout features include a true ice bar, the first Grammy® Memorabilia at sea, and a brand-new restaurant inspired by the golden age of magic, the Illusionarium. The Getaway is launching this very week, adorned with the unmistakable artwork of famed Miami-based designer David LeBatard, and with not one, but a cadre of godmothers in the form of the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders.
Regal princess
Arriving in May 2014, the Regal Princess is designed to hold a gargantuan 3,560 passengers, and has an indomitable range of exciting new features that more than measure up to its imposing size.
A sister ship to the Royal Princess, the Regal Princess has expanded on its siblings design with an expanded atrium filled with entertainment and dining options, as well as the largest top deck pool area to ever grace the Princess cruises fleet. Another feature bound to excite Princess Cruises fans is the fact that all outside staterooms on the Regal Princess are outfitted with private balconies, no mean feat considering the colossal of this futuristic ship .
Quantum of the seas
The latest addition to the Royal Caribbean fleet is available for booking now, and with the amount of industry firsts on the Quantum, you’d be forgiven for getting ahead of the rush.
Highlights include a Ripcord by iFly® sky diving simulator built into the ship’s decks, and the North Star viewing platform, which is designed to lift passengers 300ft over the sea for panoramic views you won’t find on any other ship. Add this to the next generation interior designs of the connected staterooms and lounges, and you can’t help but get the impression the Quantum of the Seas will re-define cruising in 2014.
Star Pride
Formerly a member of the Seabourn fleet, the Star Pride has retained its intimate yachting aesthetic while adding in the luxury that Windstar cruises are revered for.
This all-suite cruiser only holds up to 212 passengers, so you can easily expect an intimate, while at the same time innovative cruise trip. Like the Quantum of the seas, its interior design is both contemporary and classic, and has all the hallmarks of a pioneering ship.
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