From the launch of Royal Caribbean's first Icon Class ship to the brand-new Disney Treasure, 2024 is going to be quite the year for the cruising industry.
Fans of the intimate experience that accompanies luxury cruising will rejoice with the launch of Silver Ray and Explora II, which will transport passengers to unique destinations like Hvar, Croatia; Praia da Vitoria, Azores; Nafplion, Greece; and Lipari, Aeolian Islands.
We cannot forget about Icon of the Seas. Stealing the title of largest cruise ship in the world from Wonder of the Seas, this mega-ship will be packed bow to stern with one-of-a-kind experiences that you can't find on any other Royal Caribbean ship, including a record-breaking water park, family-friendly Surfside Neighborhood, and more.
Here are the best new cruise ships launching in 2024 that you can look forward to.
Icon of the Seas
The first brand-new cruise ship setting sail in 2024 is also the most anticipated. Icon of the Seas, the first ship in Royal Caribbean's Icon Class, is set to embark on her maiden voyage on January 27, 2024. She was handed over to Royal Caribbean on November 27, 2024, officially becoming the world's largest cruise ship.
Icon of the Seas measures a whopping 250,800 gross registered tons and can carry nearly 10,000 people onboard at maximum capacity, including both passengers and crew members.
Similar to the ground-breaking Oasis Class, Icon of the Seas is divided into specific neighborhoods:
- AquaDome
- Central Park
- Chill Island
- Royal Promenade
- Surfside
- Thrill Island
- The Hideaway
- Suite Neighborhood
Within those neighborhoods are tons of brand-new experiences that cannot be found on any other cruise ship in the fleet, including the recording-breaking Category 6 Waterpark, as well as the AquaDome Market, where guests can choose from six different complimentary food vendors serving up cuisine ranging from fresh pitas to Asian favorites like Korean beef with broccoli and even sweet and savory crepes.
Icon's primary purpose is to provide the ultimate family vacation, so there's truly something for everyone onboard.
To appeal to larger families, more than 82% of all cabins will accommodate three or more guests. These staterooms range from simple interior rooms to Surfside Family Suites that overlook the neighborhood created entirely for families with younger children.
Icon of the Seas will sail from Miami, Florida to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, with all itineraries including a scheduled call at their private island in The Bahamas: Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Read more: The 15 big changes on Icon of the Seas that Royal Caribbean has planned
Utopia of the Seas
Icon of the Seas isn't Royal Caribbean's only new ship in 2024. In July, Utopia of the Seas will join the fleet as their sixth Oasis Class vessel. Utopia will be the last Oasis Class ship unless additional orders are placed in the future.
While she will feature tons of new experiences that cannot be found on her sister ships, what makes her the most unique is that she'll only offer 3- and 4-night cruises to The Bahamas during her inaugural season from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida.
Once the ship is completed, she will measure 236,860 gross registered tons and 1,188 feet in length, meaning that, though smaller than Icon of the Seas, she'll still be one of the largest ships in operation.
Here are some of the new experiences you can expect to find on Utopia of the Seas compared to other Oasis Class ships:
- Izumi will be relocated to Central Park and have a total of six teppanyaki tables, compared to three on older Oasis Class vessels. Additionally, there will be a grab-and-go window, so you can enjoy delicious sushi anywhere on the ship.
- Rather than closing around 5:00pm, Park Café will have a new evening terrace experience.
- The Caribbean-themed Pesky Parrot Bar will replace the Bionic Bar in the Royal Promenade.
- There will be a poolside food truck for those who want to grab a quick bite to eat without leaving the sun. This will increase the total number of dining options on the pool deck to three.
- At 259 feet long, the Ultimate Abyss onboard Utopia of the Seas will be the longest at sea.
Sun Princess
The first ship in Princess Cruises' Sphere Class will be launching in February 2024. Dubbed "Sun Princess," she will be the third ship in the cruise line's history to bear this name. She'll be unlike any of the previous vessels, though.
Historically, Princess Cruises has appealed to older adults without children. Sun Princess, however, has some thrills that will entice the most adventurous adults and kids. Park19 will have nine different engaging activities for all ages, including the Sea Breeze Rollglider.
Guests will be seated and harnessed to this electric ride, which was inspired by hang gliding, before embarking on a 60- to 90-second ride. It's even ADA-accessible!
Other attractions here include a splash zone, ropes course, jogging track, and hammocks for those who want to hone in on the relaxation aspect of a cruise.
Guests will also find 29 different bars and restaurants, 1,500 balcony staterooms, and the brand-new Wake View Terrace at the aft of the ship that will feature an infinity pool, South Beach-style resort deck, full bar, and continuous entertainment.
When Sun Princess is completed, she will measure 175,500 gross registered tons, making her the largest vessel in Princess' fleet.
Disney Treasure
For about ten years following the launch of Disney Fantasy, Disney Cruise Line didn't release any new ships. Disney Fantasy set sail in March 2012, with Disney Wish making her grand debut in mid-2022.
Disney Treasure, the second ship in the Triton Class, will launch at the end of 2024, just in time for the holidays!
The ship's theme is adventure, and this will be evident throughout the public venues. The Grand Hall, for instance, will feature statues and decor that are reminiscent of Agrabah from the Disney classic tale Aladdin.
Additionally, Disney Treasure will be the first ship in the fleet to feature "Skipper Society." This themed bar will bring to life the iconic Jungle Cruise ride found at various Disney theme parks through natural color schemes, camp-style furnishings, and other hidden details.
Disney Cruise Line will also be debuting an enhanced AquaMouse, which was first launched on sister-ship Disney Wish in 2022.
"AquaMouse: Curse of the Golden Egg" will take guests on a wild adventure through 760 feet of winding tubes. Throughout the ride, guests will follow Mickey and Minnie Mouse through an ancient temple to try and get a glimpse of the treasure that lies within.
And as with any Disney cruise, entertainment lies at the forefront of what they do best. Both "Beauty and the Beast" and "Disney Seas the Adventure" will be found onboard, as well as a brand-new show about Moana: "Disney: The Tale of Moana."
Read more: Disney Treasure: Everything we know so far about Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship
Queen Anne
When completed, Queen Anne will be the 249th ship to join Cunard's fleet. She'll also be the first new ship in their fleet to grace the seas since Queen Elizabeth launched in 2010.
Even though Queen Anne is technically a cruise ship, her luxurious venues and unique events will be reminiscent of the days in which ocean liners dominated sea travel.
For instance, both established venues like the Golden Lion, as well as brand-new exclusives like the Bright Lights Society Show Bar, will be present. Even within the new spaces, there will be references to Cunard's 183-year history.
For the first time in Cunard's history, there will be a two-story Royal Court Theater onboard. It will be able to seat over 800 passengers at a time!
There will also be fifteen different restaurants for guests to choose from, including a revamped Golden Lion Pub, a brand-new Japanese specialty restaurant with sushi and omakase tasting menus, and more.
Queen Anne is slated to sail throughout various regions, including the Canary Islands, British Isles, Western Mediterranean, Norwegian Fjords, Northern Europe, and Scandinavia.
Read more: Ocean Liner vs Cruise Ship: How are they different?
Silver Ray
Even though Cunard is designated as a luxury line, there are more upscale options that highlight the intimate cruising experience, such as SilverSea Cruises.
In 2024, they'll be launching the second ship in their Nova Class: Silver Ray. Measuring only 54,700 gross registered tons with a capacity of 728 guests, you won't find the thrills that mega-ships are known for.
While similar to her sister ship, she'll feature a new selection of spacious suites, many of which promise 270° views from the sky to the sea.
According to SilverSea, Silver Ray is one of the most spacious ships ever built and offers a high space-to-guest ratio.
Dining options onboard include La Dame, a classy restaurant that dishes up French cuisine; Kaiseki for those craving anything Asian; the brand-new outdoor restaurant Marquee, and more.
Despite the higher price tag, SilverSea Cruises' fares are all-inclusive. From a complimentary shore excursion in each port to premium spirits and even butler service, you won't have to worry about all the pesky add-ons that accompany sailing on a mainstream cruise line.
At the time of writing, the cheapest 2024 sailing onboard Silver Ray advertised on their website was for the December 4, 2024 transatlantic cruise from Lisbon to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Prices start at $6,600 per person for door-to-door services or $4,550 for port-to-port.
Explora II
Explora Journeys is a new luxury cruise line that just launched their first ship, Explora I, in August 2023. Their second, Explora II, is set to launch roughly one year later.
Explora Journeys is an upscale cruise line that's owned by the MSC Group and aspires to create a unique "Ocean State of Mind" by connecting guests not only with the sea but with themselves and other like-minded individuals on sailings to less common ports of call.
Like her sister ship, Explora II will measure only 64,000 gross registered tons and host fewer than 1,000 guests per cruise. She'll also feature a gorgeous lobby bar, pool deck, and numerous dining options.
Similar to SilverSea Cruises, Explora Journeys offers all-inclusive sailings, with the base fare including things like fine wines, premium spirits, specialty coffees, teas, and soft drinks; complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship; gratuities; access to the spa thermal area; and more.
Plus, Explora Journeys markets towards families, which is rather rare in the luxury cruise industry. While you won't find the extensive programming that's available on Royal Caribbean or MSC Cruises, they have what's called "Ocean Journeys," which are designed for multigenerational families and offer interconnecting suites, a Nautilus Club for young children and teenagers, and even special experiences in ports.
Her maiden voyage is slated to begin on August 11, 2024, when Explora II departs from Barcelona on an 8-night cruise to Rome.
Viking Vela
Viking Vela will launch in 2024, too, and you can expect her to visit unique destinations like Narvik, Norway; Montpellier (Sète), France; and Vigo, Spain.
Another luxury ship, she will be less than 800 feet long and hold around 1,000 passengers. This means that she'll be a little bit larger than other Viking Ocean ships, as she'll be about 39 feet longer and 7 feet wider than other ships in the fleet.
She will also boast all-verandah staterooms, meaning that you can sip a cup of coffee on your balcony even if you purchase the cheapest room available.
Honorable mention: Carnival Jubilee
While technically launching in 2023, Carnival Jubilee's maiden voyage isn't scheduled until December 23, 2023, meaning that she will be pretty much brand-new in 2024! Her second-ever voyage will take place over the new year.
Onboard the third Excel Class ship in Carnival's fleet, fans will find certain brand staples, including Cucina del Capitano; Guy's Burger Joint; Waterworks; the Alchemy Bar; Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken; Playlist Productions, and BOLT, the roller coaster at sea.
Carnival Jubilee, however, will be different in that there will be two brand-new zones onboard: Currents and The Shores. Both zones were inspired by the ocean and beach, with The Shores being reminiscent of a beach boardwalk where the ocean meets the land and Currents transporting guests to an underwater world.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
