THREE OF THE BEST; UPCOMING NEWBUILDS FOR 2016

As 2015 goes full steam ahead into it’s second half, I thought now might be a good time to look forward to some of the new builds coming on line in 2016.

All three represent a pioneering new class of vessel for their respective owners. And, while two of these could well simply prove to be the lead ships of a new platform over time, one of them is almost certainly a total one off, a ship as individual as each of her three current fleet mates.

Firstly, Holland America Line has the superb new Koningsdam.  Coming on line in February, she is the first of a so-called new ‘Pinnacle class’ of vessels. Due to be delivered in March 2016, the 99,500 ton, 2,650 passenger Koningsdam will be the largest vessel ever delivered to Holland America.

Also being built in same Fincantieri yard as the Koningsdam is a larger, first of class vessel for parent company, Carnival Corporation. The brand new Carnival Vista is scheduled for an April delivery. Her maiden, thirteen night Mediterranean sailing on May 1st will mark not only the formal start of her career, but the first series of Carnival cruises anywhere in Europe for several years.

Carnival Vista is essentially an expanded and updated version of the very popular Dream class trio; she will have a gross tonnage of 133,500, and a passenger capacity of 3,936. After an inaugural season of Mediterranean cruises, the Carnival Vista will cross from Barcelona to New York in late October, prior to starting a season of winter cruises from the American east coast.

Definitely set to make a big splash- in every sense of the word- is the new, ultra deluxe Seven Seas Explorer, also fitting out at the ubiquitous, seemingly all conquering Fincantieri yard in Italy.

The first new build for Regent Seven Seas Cruises since 2003, this ultra luxury ship is setting its sights firmly on being, quite simply, the most luxurious ship in the world. Coming in at around 54,000 tons, the 700 guest ship will feature all balcony suites, making her one of the few ships in the world that can make such a claim.

These three ships offer a trio of very diverse products that largely cross the spectrum of the modern cruise industry. Each will be a trailblazer in it’s own way. And it is for certain that the progress and performance of each vessel will be very closely monitored by the competition.

Interesting times. As ever, stay tuned.

Regent’s new masterpiece, Seven Seas Explorer, is set to be unveiled in 2016

MAJESTY NOT ABDICATING; ROYAL CARIBBEAN HAS A CHANGE OF HEART AFTER ALL (Updated)

In something of a change of heart, Royal Caribbean International has reversed its decision to transfer the Miami based Majesty Of The Seas to Spanish offshoot, Pullmantur, in 2016.

Instead of being reunited with her two sister ships and former fleet mates, Sovereign and Monarch, the 74,000 ton, 1992 built Majesty Of The Seas will, instead, receive a substantial refit next year, prior to a move north to a new home port in Port Canaveral.

Substantial details on the proposed refit are thin on the ground, but it has been announced that the refurbished ship will have new, bow to stern rapid wi-fi availability.

At present, the Majesty Of The Seas sails on three night cruises to Nassau and Coco Cay each Friday. A four night, weekly Monday sailing adds Key West to the three day roster. It seems almost certain that the Majesty Of The Seas will simply continue to run the same itineraries from her new home port.

It is possible that the decision to retain the still popular ship after all is likely related to current difficult trading conditions for Pullmantur. Adding a third mega ship to the Spanish market might look like simply bad business at the moment.

Still, it beggars the question of which ship will replace the Majesty Of The Seas out of Miami on the popular, short Bahamas runs. As one of the acknowledged cruise industry leaders, it would be strange if Royal Caribbean were to give up on one of it’s most lucrative, high profile routes.

Stay tuned for updates as they become available.

Update:

Many thanks are due to blog reader, cruiseaholictim, for pointing out that RCCL have, in fact, announced that Enchantment Of The Seas will be taking over the short cruise run from Miami, effective 2016.

It seems that Majesty Of The Seas may not be going to Pullmantur after all