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New Cruise Ships on Order

Keel laying for a new Holland America cruise ship at the STX shipyard  (Photo: Holland America Line)
Keel laying for a new Holland America cruise ship at the STX shipyard (Photo: Holland America Line)

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There's nothing we love more than snagging a peek at those first facts and figures about cruise ships that are on order. We just love learning about new cruise ships. The process, from design to keel laying to launch, generally takes two to three years. We keep track of the larger cruise ships under construction in our chart below. If you are interested in Expedition ships under construction check out our New Expedition and Adventure Cruise Ships on Order and if the luxury market piques your interest, you can see all of those under construction in our New Luxury Cruise Ships on Order article.

Want to learn more about what it takes to make an older ship feel like new? Peruse our comprehensive list of cruise ship refurbishments for information about upcoming overhauls.

New Cruise Ships in 2020

Scarlet Lady

Launch Date: March 2020

Tonnage: 110,000

Berths: 2,860

The first of three identical ships to debut for the Virgin Voyages brand, adults-only Scarlet Lady will feature the line's "Vitamin Sea" concept, which focuses on passenger wellness, relaxation and fun. A series of public spaces -- including a fitness center, spa, salon, bar and nightclub -- will be positioned so passengers can easily move between them to detox by working out or having a spa treatment and then, subsequently, "retox" with a drink or two and a night of dancing. Notable features include 10 private cabanas, dedicated spaces for blowouts and mani/pedi treatments, an outdoor boxing ring, a tattoo parlor and a test kitchen. The ship will offer 4-, 5- and 7-day Caribbean itineraries out of Miami.


Celebrity Apex (Photo: Celebrity Cruises)

Celebrity Apex

Launch Date: April 2020

Tonnage: 117,000

Berths: 2,900

Celebrity Apex is the sister ship to the game-changing Celebrity Edge and will feature a number of new-to-cruise features, including: The Magic Carpet, a movable deck cantilevered off the side of the ship which rises from decks 2 to 16 and transforms into a bar, a restaurant and an extension of the embarkation area; Infinite Veranda, a cabin designed to blend indoor and outdoor using bi-fold doors, adding almost a quarter again in size; a Resort Deck, which features a large pool flanked by sculptural trees and two "martini glass" Jacuzzis that overlook the deck below; a Rooftop Garden, borrowing from the hugely popular Lawn Club of the Solstice Class ships, but adding childhood whimsy; and The Retreat, a serene area that includes a private pool and sundeck, lounge and restaurant. The ship will also feature two stunning new suite classes: the 5,000-square foot Iconic Suite; and the Edge Villa, a two-level suite.


P&O Cruises Iona

Launch Date: Spring 2020

Tonnage: 180,000

Berths: 5,200

P&O Cruises' Iona will the biggest-ever ship built specifically for the U.K. market will also be the first powered entirely by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), making it the greenest ship in P&O Cruises' history. Stand-out features include a half-mile Lanai deck -- complete with al fresco dining and drinking; a giant glass dome, a massive Atrium with triple-deck glass windows; 17 eateries -- including seven speciality restaurants -- 12 bars, 13 entertainment venues, four pools and 16 whirlpools.


Spirit of Adventure

Launch Date: Summer 2020

Tonnage: 55,900

Berths: 1,000

Spirit of Adventure, the second new-build from Saga Cruises will be a sister to Spirit of Discovery, which launches in July 2019. The ship will retain the small ship cruise experience the line is known for, with just 540 cabins -- 100 of which will be specifically designed for solo travellers -- and capacity for 999 passengers. Little is known at this stage, but it is likely the ship will have the same features as Spirit of Discovery with single sitting dining in a range of restaurants as well as a number of bars, specialty restaurants, including a free Asian restaurant, and al fresco dining options. There will also be a well-stocked library, outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a spa, saunas, treatment rooms and beauty salon. It will replace Saga Sapphire.


Enchanted Princess (Image: Princess Cruises)

Enchanted Princess

Launch Date: June 2020

Tonnage: 145,000

Berths: 3,560

Enchanted Princess will debut in 2020 in Europe. It will include staples like the three-deck-high Piazza atrium, Movies Under the Stars and balconies in 80 percent of the cabins, as well as a number of "new to the line" features.


Mardi Gras

Launch Date: November 2020

Tonnage: 180,000

Berths: 5,200

The first of two 5,200-passenger vessels to be built for Carnival Cruises, which will be able to accommodate 6,600 passengers at maximum capacity. It will feature several distinct areas and the first roller coaster at sea.


MSC Virtuosa

Launch Date: September 2020

Tonnage: 177,000

Berths: 4,900

At 331 meters long with 2,444 cabins, MSC Virtuosa will carry nearly 6,300 passengers and combine unique facilities and onboard entertainment including a fine art museum and onboard Cirque du Soleil show. Meraviglia Plus will also have a 111-meter-long indoor promenade with numerous restaurants, bars and shops. The promenade is covered by a "digital sky" LED screen showing events and vistas around-the-clock. Additional facilities include family group "cluster cabins," a double-deck indoor amusement park, double-deck entertainment space and aft lounge, and an outdoor water park.


Odyssey of the Seas

Launch Date: October 2020

Tonnage: 167,800

Berths: 4,180

Royal Caribbean's second Quantum Ultra Class vessel will debut in 2020. Like its Quantum-class fleetmates -- Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas -- Odyssey is expected to feature activities such as onboard bumper cars and a skydiving simulator. It should also feature the North Star, a pod that extends up and over the ship for 360-degree views. Inside cabins will likely feature "virtual balconies" -- essentially floor-to-ceiling LCD TV screens linked to a camera mounted on the outside of the ship. It is also expected to feature the innovative entertainment space, Two70, which integrates HD-digital technology with singing, dancing and acrobatics.


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New Cruise Ships in 2021

Disney Wish

Launch Date: January 2021

Tonnage: 140,000

Berths: 2,500

Disney Wish will be the first new build from Disney since 2012, when Disney Fantasy debuted. Details are still scant, but expect family-friendly features such as waterslides, cabins with dual bathrooms and expansive kids' clubs.


Valiant Lady

Launch Date: Early 2021

Tonnage: 110,000

Berths: 2,860

Valiant Lady will be the second of three identical ships to debut for the Virgin Voyages brand. Not much is known about the ship yet, but it is expected to be restricted to cruisers 18 years of age and older. Based in Barcelona, it will offer three Mediterranean itineraries, all with a Friday overnight in Ibiza. Other ports of call will include Monte Carlo, Olbia, Cagliari and Gibraltar.


The next Oasis-class ship will surpass Symphony of the Seas in size (Photo: Royal Caribbean International)

Wonder of the Seas

Launch Date: Early 2021

Tonnage: 110,000

Berths: 2,860

Royal Caribbean's fifth Oasis-class ship is scheduled for delivery in 2021. It will be built at Saint Nazaire's STX shipyard. Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley has said the ship will be slightly bigger than Symphony of the Seas, the current biggest ship in the cruise line's fleet. The ship will sail in China.


AIDA Cruises (Unnamed)

Launch Date: Spring 2021

Tonnage: 180,000

Berths: 5,186

The second ship in a brand new class for AIDA that will carry more than 6,000 passengers at full capacity and be capable of using the environmentally-friendly LNG variety of fuel to generate 100 percent of its power both in port and on the open sea.


Celebrity Cruises (Unnamed)

Launch Date: Fall 2021

Tonnage: 117,000

Berths: 2,900

Celebrity Cruises' third Edge-class ship is due for launch in the fall 2021. Like its sisters, it will feature a number of stand-out features, including: The Magic Carpet, a movable deck cantilevered off the side of the ship which rises from decks 2 to 16 and acts as a bar, restaurant and embarkation area; Infinite Veranda cabins, a cabin designed to blend indoor and outdoor thanks to bi-fold doors, adding almost a quarter again to the size of the cabin; Resort Deck, which features a large pool flanked by sculptural trees and two "martini glass" Jacuzzis that overlook the deck below; Rooftop Garden, borrowing from the popular Lawn Club of the Solstice Class ships, but adding childhood whimsy; and The Retreat, a serene area only for suite passengers, which includes a private pool and sundeck, lounge and restaurant. The ship will also feature two stunning new suite classes: the 5,000-square foot Iconic Suite; and the Edge Villa, a two-level suite.


Ryndam

Launch Date: May 2021

Tonnage: 99,500

Berths: 2,650

Ryndam will be Holland America's fourth ship to carry that name and the third ship in the Pinnacle Class, which also includes Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam, which debuted in November 2018. It will be built at Italy's Fincantieri shipyard. Ryndam will feature a music walk, which will include B.B. King's Blues Club, Lincoln Center Stage and Billboard Onboard, French brassiere Sel de Mer, and Blend, a wine-mixing Venue. It also will include a World Stage, a 360-degree entertainment venue that blends music and dance with a wraparound screen, which comes to life and integrates with the live action.


Princess Cruises (Unnamed)

Launch Date: November 2021

Tonnage: 143,700

Berths: 3,560

Princess' sixth Royal-class ship will debut in November 2021. It will include staples like the three-deck-high Piazza atrium, Movies Under the Stars and balconies in 80 percent of the cabins, as well as a number of "new to the line" features.


Costa Cruises (Unnamed)

Launch Date: 2021

Tonnage: 180,000

Berths: 5,776

The second ship in a brand new class for Costa Cruises that will have the largest passenger capacity at sea (6,600 cruisers at full capacity) and be capable of using LNG fuel to generate 100 percent of its power both in port and on the open sea.

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New Cruise Ships in 2022

Virgin Voyages is debuting their third ship in 2022 (Image: Virgin Voyages)

Virgin Voyages (Unnamed)

Launch Date: Early 2022

Tonnage: 110,000

Berths: 2,860

The last of three identical ships to debut for the Virgin Voyages brand. Using public input, the yet-unnamed mid-size ship will be built "around the needs and desires of the customer," with a heavy focus on millennial interests and activities.


Cunard (Unnamed)

Launch Date: Early 2022

Tonnage: 113,000

Berths: 3,000

Cunard's first new-build ship since the launch of Queen Elizabeth in 2010, the as-yet-unnamed next-generation vessel will become the largest in the fleet (by passenger capacity) when it debuts in 2022.


Celebrity Cruises (Unnamed)

Launch Date: Fall 2022

Tonnage: 117,000

Berths: 2,900

Celebrity Cruises' fourth Edge-class ship is due for launch in the fall 2022. Like its sisters it will include some stand out features, including: The Magic Carpet, a movable deck cantilevered off the side of the ship which rises from decks 2 to 16 and acts as a bar, restaurant and embarkation area; Infinite Veranda cabins, a cabin designed to blend indoor and outdoor thanks to bi-fold doors, adding almost a quarter again to the size of the cabin; Resort Deck, which features a large pool flanked by sculptural trees and two "martini glass" Jacuzzis that overlook the deck below; Rooftop Garden, borrowing from the popular Lawn Club of the Solstice Class ships, but adding childhood whimsy; and The Retreat, a serene area only for suite passengers, which includes a private pool and sundeck, lounge and restaurant. The ship will also feature two stunning new suite classes: the 5,000-square foot Iconic Suite; and the Edge Villa, a two-level suite.


Norwegian Cruise Line (Unnamed)

Launch Date: 2022

Tonnage: 140,000

Berths: 3,300

This is the first of six new ships from Norwegian Cruise Line that will be part of the Leonardo Class. At 140,000 gross tons and holding 3,300 passengers, the Leonardo ships are larger than the line's 2,500-passengger Jewel-class ships but smaller than the 4,000-plus-passenger Breakaway- and Breakaway-Plus ships. The ship will cost around $850 million to build. No details of the design or onboard features have been released, but the line says one of the key priorities will be energy efficiency.


Carnival Cruise Line (Unnamed)

Launch Date: 2022

Tonnage: 180,000

Berths: 5,200

The second of two 5,200-passenger vessels to be built for Carnival Cruises, which will be able to accommodate 6,600 passengers at maximum capacity. The ships will be largest in the world by passenger capacity. The vessels also will employ engines that run on liquefied natural gas.

MSC Cruises World Class

Launch Date: 2022

Tonnage: 200,000

Berths: 5,400

The first of up to four liquid nitrogen gas-powered ships to launch for MSC Cruises, MSC Cruises' yet-unnamed World-class ship will feature cutting-edge design that will maximize the space for passengers. It will have a host of features for families and the latest smart technology and advanced environmentally friendly technology available, MSC says.


Royal Caribbean (Unnamed)

Launch Date: 2022

Tonnage: NA

Berths: 5,000

The first ship in Royal Caribbean's next class of cruise ship, the so-called Icon Class. It will be powered by liquefied natural gas and use fuel cell technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.


Disney Cruises (Unnamed)

Launch Date: 2022

Tonnage: 140,000

Berths: 2,500

The yet-unnamed ship will be the sister ship to Disney Wish. Details are still scant, but expect family-friendly features such as waterslides, cabins with dual bathrooms and expansive kids clubs.

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New Cruise Ships in 2023 and Beyond

Norwegian Cruise Line (Unnamed)

Launch Date: 2023

Tonnage: 140,000

Berths: 3,300

The second of six new ships from Norwegian Cruise Line, which will be based on the line's popular "Breakaway-plus" class of ships. This ship will be significantly smaller, coming in at 23,000 tons less and carrying around 1,000 fewer passengers. Each ship will cost around $850 million. No details of the design or onboard features have yet been released, but one of the key priorities will be energy efficiency, according ton Norwegian.


Disney Cruises (Unnamed)

Launch Date: 2023

Tonnage: 135,000

Berths: 2,500

The yet-unnamed ship will be a sister ship to Disney Wish and its 2022 vessel. Details are scant, but expect family-friendly features such as waterslides, cabins with dual bathrooms and expansive kids clubs.


AIDA Cruises (Unnamed)

Launch Date: 2023

Tonnage: 180,000

Berths: 5,186

The third ship in a brand new class for AIDA that will carry more than 6,000 passengers at full capacity and be capable of using the environmentally-friendly LNG variety of fuel to generate 100 percent of its power both in port and on the open sea.


Princess Cruises (Unnamed)

Launch Date: 2023

Tonnage: 175,000

Berths: 4,300

The first in a new class of ship for Princess Cruises, this ship will be powered in part by LNG fuel.


MSC Cruises World Class

Launch Date: 2024

Tonnage: 200,000

Berths: 5,400

The second of up to four LNG-powered ships to launch for MSC Cruises. The ships will have a cutting-edge design that will maximize the space for passengers, a host of features for families and the latest smart technology and advanced environmentally friendly technology available, according to MSC.


Royal Caribbean (Unnamed)

Launch Date: 2024

Tonnage: NA

Berths: 5,000

The second ship in Royal Caribbean's next class of cruise ship, the so-called Icon Class. It will be powered by liquefied natural gas and use fuel cell technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.


TUI Cruises (Unnamed)

Launch Date: 2024

Tonnage: 161,000

Berths: 4,000

The first of two LNG-powered ships from TUI Cruises.


Norwegian Cruise Line's Project Leonardo (Image: Norwegian Cruise Line)

Norwegian Cruise Line (Unnamed)

Launch Date: 2024

Tonnage: 140,000

Berths: 3,300

The third of six Leonardo-class ships from Norwegian Cruise Line, which will be smaller than the line's popular "Breakaway-plus" class of ships, coming in at 23,000 tons smaller and carrying around 1,000 fewer passengers. No details of the design or onboard features have yet been released, but one of the key priorities will be energy efficiency, according to Norwegian.


Norwegian Cruise Line (Unnamed)

Launch Date: 2025

Tonnage: 140,000

Berths: 3,300

The fourth of six Leonardo-class ships from Norwegian Cruise Line.


Princess Cruises (Unnamed)

Launch Date: 2025

Tonnage: 175,000

Berths: 4,300

The second in a new class of ship for Princess Cruises that will be powered, in part, by LNG fuel.


Norwegian Cruise Line (Unnamed)

Launch Date: 2025

Tonnage: 140,000

Berths: 3,300

The fifth of six Leonardo-class ships from Norwegian Cruise Line.


TUI Cruises (Unnamed)

Launch Date: 2026

Tonnage: 161,000

Berths: 4,000

The second of two LNG-powered ships from TUI Cruises.


Norwegian Cruise Line (Unnamed)

Launch Date: 2027

Tonnage: 140,000

Berths: 3,300

The last of six Leonardo-class ships from Norwegian Cruise Line.


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