I keep an eye on the top new ship launches this year and next. I also lift the curtain and take a peek at the fascinating world behind the scenes of the cruise industry.
I chat with cruise line representatives to learn what innovations they are working on, and I visit shipyards to see the latest ships under construction.
Here you will also find articles about the shipbuilding process, and the dismantling process when vessels reach the end of their lives.
“Wonder” in Italian, MSC Meraviglia will be the first Vista-class ship to join the MSC Cruises fleet in mid-2017. The ship represents the beginning of MSC Cruises’ ambitious seven-ship, €5.1 billion investment plan that will...
Welcome to an exciting era in the cruise industry, where cruise lines are betting on brand new cruise ships to entice ever more people to try a sailing holiday. Order books at major shipyards around Europe, including Fincantieri, STX France, and...
In March 2015, Carnival Corporation signed two memorandums of agreement for nine cruise ships to be built by Fincantieri and Meyer Werft with launch dates between 2019 and 2022. The cruise ships were tipped to end up serving cruise markets in North...
Norwegian Cruise Line has named its latest China-bound ship Norwegian Joy 喜悦号 (Xǐ Yuè Hào). The German-built ship builds on the foundation of Norwegian Escape, a Breakaway Plus class ship, but adds twists to cater for the discerning tastes...
Papenburg is a little known small German city. Its biggest claim to fame is the large Meyer Werft shipyard. The order books are bursting at the seams as the shipyard constructs some of the largest and most innovative cruise ships available right now...
Disney, Star Wars, and Frozen fans rejoice! Family-favourite Disney Cruise Line has ordered two new cruise ships, expanding its fleet to six vessels by 2023! The 135,000 gross tonne ships will be slightly larger than Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy...
I headed to the STX Europe shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France to see the latest construction progress of Harmony of the Seas. This trip was my first time at a shipyard, and the experience was mind-blowing. The site was massive, with the shipyard...
Carnival Vista will be Carnival Cruise Line’s 25th ship when she launches in spring 2016. Under construction in Italy by Fincantieri, she promises to be the most fun cruise ship ever ordered by Carnival and the best cruise ship in the Carnival...
Princess Cruises has revealed that its latest ship, Majestic Princess, will be heading to China in 2017. It will sail year-round itineraries from Shanghai. The ship will be purpose-built for the Chinese market and will feature a blend of...
MSC Cruises will soon launch a new €700 million ship featuring an innovative design. Reminiscent in places of the curvy art deco buildings in Miami’s South Beach, the ship will be intended for hot climates. MSC Seaside will be the first ship...