Norwegian Epic, scheduled to enter service summer 2010

New Cruise Ships for 2010
Watch Throughout the Year for These New Cruise Ship Launches

It's nearly 2010 and the beginning of "Wave Season"—the time of year when winter doldrums set in and it's time to think of warm sea breezes and booking a cruise.

All New
2010 will see the introduction of ships that are first in their "classes" as well as some that follow a familiar profile. Cruise Diva is happy to preview the Class of 2010.

2010 New Ship Launches:

• Norwegian Epic—To take "Freestyle" cruising to the next level, NCL's single ship on order will also be the line's largest at 153,000 tons and 4,200 passengers in double occupancy. Norwegian Epic will also be the most innovative vessel launched in 2010, with such features as "wave" staterooms, an ice bar, 18 bars and lounges, an incredible 17 dining options, and a huge aqua park with the only tube slide and largest bowl slide at sea.
• Seabourn Sojourn—As the second of a new class of ultra luxurious ships to be introduced in nearly a decade, Seabourn Sojourn promise to continue the line’s tradition of understated elegance and signature features in a larger setting at 32,000 tons. With more space, there are more pools, more hot tubs, and a two-deck spa for the 450 passengers to enjoy.
• Nieuw Amsterdam—Holland America Line introduces their second Signature-class ship and a sister to Eurodam, weighing in at 86,700 tons and with double capacity of 2,106. Essentially identical, the details are contained in our Eurodam new ship preview.
• Allure of the Seas—After the big splash created in 2009 with Oasis of the Seas, will Royal Caribbean's next really BIG thing contain surprises? We do know that she'll launch as the second "world's largest cruise ship" at 220,000 tons and will accommodate 5,400-plus passengers.
• Queen Elizabeth—Cunard's newest queen will be a 90,400 ton, 2,092-passenger world traveler. While similar in size design to Queen Victoria and designated a "sister-ship," Queen Elizabeth will not be identical.
• MSC Magnifica—Fourth in MSC Cruises' Musica-class, she's weighing in at 93,300 tons and can carry 2,518 passengers (make that about 3,000 when all berths are filled) through the Mediterranean. Great for families are the eight "magnifica" family-sized suites with balcony. For a peek at previous Musica-class ships, we've reviewed MSC Orchestra and MSC Poesia.
• Celebrity Eclipse—The third sister in the Solstice-class, Celebrity Eclipse won't fit her 122,000 tons through the Panama Canal, but there will be a lot on board for her 2,850 passengers to enjoy when she launches cruises from the UK and then repositions for a Caribbean season. Get a glimpse of the other Solstice-class sisters at Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox.
• Azura—For our British cousins, the sister-ship to P&O Line's Ventura will be 116,000 tons and carry 3,076 passengers in double capacity.
• Costa Deliziosa—At 92,600 tons and with double occupancy at 2,260, this sister ship to Costa Luminosa will be deployed on 7-day itineraries from Dubai.

What's Really New & Innovative?
We'd like to share the insider details. While the cruise industry is generally secretive when it comes to the new features they plan on adding to wow passengers, Norwegian Cruise Line has been very generous and you can get the details we have here:

• Freestyle Cruising Accommodations to suit every type of guest are revealed for Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Epic, formerly known as F3.  
• Norwegian Cruise Line Reveals Epic Nightlife Options — NCL sailed into a sea of dreams to share a peek into the future of nightlife afloat.
• With Details About Norwegian Epic Ships, NCL throws us a curve. Catch the NEW WAVE in innovative ocean-going accommodations.

What we'd really like to know is... when is Oceania Cruises introducing their new ship Marina, now being built in Italy, and what itineraries will she sail. Instead of star-gazing for answers or predictions of what's to come, we'll continue to report the latest in Cruise News and Cruise Diva's Blog to keep you up to date.

Happy New Year!

---

More: Cruise Articles

Back: Home Page

Order My
Latest Book

Don't Miss!
at Fodors.com
All-New Cruises Guide & Cruise Forum