New Cruise Ships Setting Sail in 2017

By Thomas Faddegon

new cruise ships 2017 — 2017 has some great surprises in store. - *Photo by Norwegian, Viking, MSC and Silversea*

2017 will be a year of firsts: Norwegian Joy and Majestic Princess (the first ships from their respective lines to be built for Chinese cruisers) will set sail in Asia, MSC is making a splash in the Caribbean market by deploying MSC Seaside there year-round, and a slew of new small- to mid-size ships with fresh features and new amenities will cruise to destinations all over the world.

1. MSC Meraviglia

MSC Cruises

Photos by MSC Cruises

Launch Date: May 2017

Size: 167,600 gt, 4,500 passengers

Homeports: Genoa, Marseille, and Barcelona.

Itineraries: Mediterranean and Northern Europe

Highlights:

Cirque du Soleil at Sea performing in The Carousel Lounge.
Indoor promenade with LED “sky”.
Large main pool on Deck 15 with South Beach vibe.
Concentrated facilities for families, kids & teens.
Green technology: Scrubbers will neutralize CO2 emissions and ships will be water-emission free.

2. MSC Seaside

MSC Cruises

Photo by MSC Cruises

Launch Date: November 2017

Size: 154,000 gt, 4,140 passengers

Homeports: Miami

Itineraries: Eastern and Western Caribbean

Highlights:

First ship in the new Seaside Class.
Largest ratio of outdoor space of any ship at sea.
20 different bars and a Pan-Asian restaurant in partnership with Roy Yamaguchi.
Longest zip-line at sea, aqua park with five waterslides and ropes course.
Collaboration with TechnoGym with personal training, healthy food and in-stateroom exercise equipment.

3. Viking Sky & Viking Sun

Viking Ocean Cruises

Photos by Viking Ocean Cruises

Launch Date: February and October 2017

Size: 48,000 gt, 930 passengers

Itineraries: Sky offers a wide range of itineraries including Mediterranean, Western Europe Baltic, and Transatlantic, while Sun will sail the Caribbean and Baltic and make the line’s first world cruise later in the year.

Highlights:

Trademarks from Viking’s river fleet like Aquavit Terrace.
Explorer’s Lounge observation area.
Magrodome pool with glass roof that can be opened or closed depending on weather.
Nordic design influences and Finnish sauna.
Energy-efficient engines and a streamlined ship profile to cut back on emissions.

4. AMAKristina

AMA Waterways

princess cruises majestic new ships 2017

Photo by AMA

Launch Date: March 2017

Size: 1,500 gt, 158 passengers

Homeports: Amsterdam and Basel

Itineraries: Rhine River (includes Christmas Markets)

Highlights:

Heated pool with swim-up bar
Complimentary bicycles
Chef's Table dining experience
Massage and beauty salon
Twin Balconies (full balcony and french balcony) in most staterooms

5. National Geographic Quest

National Geographic / Lindblad Expeditions

new ships 2017 national geographic quest

Photos by National Geographic

Launch Date: June 2017

Size: 100 passengers

Itineraries: Alaska and Panama Canal/South America

Highlights:

High tech presentation facilities including video microscope and remotely operated vehicles for wildlife lectures and viewing.
Warm and cold water diving gear along with underwater cameras.
A specially designed landing craft and a small fleet of kayaks and paddleboards.

6. Norwegian Joy

Norwegian Cruise Line

Photo by Norwegian Cruise Line

Launch Date: Spring 2017

Size: 163,000 gt, 4,200 passengers.

Homeports: Shanghai and Tianjin (Beijing)

Highlights:

First Norwegian ship custom built for the Chinese market.
Concierge level accommodations fills out gap between standard and the luxurious Haven cabin categories.
Two level competitive go-kart race track and electronic playland Galax Pavilion.
Open-air serenity park on the top deck.
More family-friendly suites and connecting rooms for multi-generational families.
New Restaurant Sakura & Hibiscus serving hot pot and Korean BBQ.