Despite a COVID-19 throwing a sledgehammer into the travel industry, ship-builders have been busier than ever, building and readying ships across the world for sailings in 2021.

Whether it be a mega-ship or a tiny expedition ship, cruise lines are gearing up for 2021 to be a year of new ships and new itineraries, some even experimenting with a new kind of sailing for their brand.

Carnival Cruise Line

Mardi Gras

The largest Carnival ship constructed, Mardi Gras will be delivered in February of 2021 and will be home ported in Port Canaveral, Florida. The ships name and dramatic new red, white and blue hull design are a nod to the first Carnival Cruise Line ship that entered service in 1972.

The 5282-passenger ship will be powered by liquefied natural gas as part of Carnival Corporation’s green cruising platform and is made up of 21 decks – a new layout for the family line.

The ship boasts Bolt, the first roller coaster at sea as well as re-designed Carnival WaterWorks, SportSquare and main pool deck. Favourites like BlueIguana Cantina, SeaFood Shack and more are on board, joined by new venues Shaq’s Big Chicken, Street Eats, RedFrog Tiki Bar and Emeril’s Bistro 1396.

Royal Caribbean

Odyssey of the Seas

April 2021 will see Odyssey of the Seas make her debut voyage from Civitavecchia, Italy as part of her seven to 12-night Europe and Mediterranean cruises through October.

Like her sister ship Spectrum of the Seas, Odyssey will include class-specific venues like the Music Hall, Royal Esplanade, Two70, North Star, the SeaPlex and RipCord by iFLY. Plus, popular features from around the fleet including SkyPad, Lime & Coconut Pool Bar, Playmaker Sports Bar & Arcade, Splashaway Bay, FlowRider and solarium with pool, the most popular included and specialty restaurants, kids and teen spaces and Vitality Spa & Fitness Center.

After October, she will reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where and will sail six to nine night Caribbean cruises through April 2022.

P&O Cruises Australia

Pacific Adventure

Sailing into Sydney Harbour in April 2021, Pacific Adventure will lead the P&O fleet refresh. While the waterslides will be added at a later date, the ship will be otherwise updated with a range of new offerings, including Byron Beach Club, and a dedicated family pool area with loads of activities and an all-weather retractable roof.

With capacity for 2636 guests, across 10 decks, there will be something for everyone. Pacific Adventure has all the P&O favourites and new range of features, including concepts from celebrity chef, Luke Mangan and Johnny di Francesco, Adventure Hotel, and Altitude, a nightclub.

Pacific Encounter

Pacific Encounter will join Pacific Adventure and flagship Pacific Explorer in Australian waters from May 2021 with sailings from Brisbane. Very similar to Pacific Adventure, the ship will feature exclusive Byron Bay Beach Club, Altitude nightclub, celebrity chef concepts from Luke Mangan and Johnny di Francesco as well as a family pool area.

Pacific Encounter has 12 guest decks and capacity for 2600 guests.

Viking Cruises

Viking Venus

The first delivery of 2021, Viking Venus will make her debut in January. Viking Venus will be almost identical to her seven sister ships and is part of Viking Ocean Cruises schedule to build 12 new ships in less than 10 years.

Sailing from several European ports, Viking Venus will offer accommodations for just 930 guests allowing for a smaller crew to guest ratio. The ship will feature many of the activities and services found on large cruise ships including multiple dining venues, bars, shops, a fitness centre and spa, pool with retractable roof, the aft infinity pool and several entertainment lounges.

Holland America Line

Ms Rotterdam

The ms Rotterdam will make her maiden voyage in August 2021. True to Holland America Line, the décor will be elegant and sophisticated and guests will enjoy several unique dining venues throughout the ship including the classic Pinnacle Grill and poolside eats at Dive-In and New York Pizza.

As far as entertainment, guest can participate in immersive activities like Microsoft Studio Workshops and BBC Earth Experiences. B.B King’s Blues Club, Lincoln Center Stage, Billboard Onboard, Rolling Stone Rock Room also offer entertainment.

Rotterdam will sail Northern Europe and the Mediterranean throughout the Summer and Fall before repositioning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for her Caribbean season.

Princess Cruises

Discovery Princess

The sixth and final cruise ship in Princess Cruises’ Royal-class of ship, Discovery Princess will be delivered in November 2021. The ship will have capacity for 3660 guests and will debut from Civitavecchia, Italy sailing a series of Mediterranean itineraries before repositioning for the Winter months in the Caribbean and South America.

The ship will offer more spas, than her sister ships as well as a newly designed main pool deck, retreat pool and infinity WakeView aft pool. They will also be new kids and teens spaces and two Sky Suites offering space for up to 5 guests with two bedrooms and bathrooms and a 700 square foot balcony.

Seabourn

Seabourn Venture

The tail end of 2021 will see the Seabourn Venture and her 132 guest suites, with private furnished verandas debut in the United Kingdom December. The first expedition model for Seabourn will pair luxury with adventure with guest areas including the Expedition Lounge, Discovery Center and Seabourn Square.

Explorations begin in the Landing Zone, offering direct access to one of the 24 Zodiacs or one of two custom-built submarines. The ship features eight dining experiences including The Colonnade with menus by Michelin-starred Chef Thomas Keller.

Seabourn Venture will sail Antarctica, the Amazon and the Arctic.

Crystal Cruises

Crystal Endeavour

Taking their excellence to expeditions ships, Crystal Endeavour will be the first of a kind for the line. With just 100 suites accommodating 200 guests and a one to one staff to guest ratio, the ship will meet Crystals standards of luxury, sailing from May 2021.

The ship will feature six dining venues, suite only accommodations, a glass enclosed solarium, The Marina fold out platform, high end shopping, wellness spa and several lounges providing incredible views, entertainment, learning experiences and social opportunities.

Crystal Endeavour will sail to destinations in Alaska, Europe, Antarctica, Asia & South America.

Silversea

Silver Moon

A mirror of her sister ship, Silver Muse, Silver Moon will set sail on her maiden voyage on April 1, 2021. Silver Moon will maintain the small ship intimacy and all-suite accommodation which are the hallmarks of the Silversea experience. Silver Moon will also feature the new Sea And Land Taste (S.A.L.T.) programme, a culinary concept that will enable guests to travel deeper through a range of destination based gastronomic experiences

Silver Dawn

Sailing from November 9, 2021, Silver Dawn has been created to offer large ship experiences on a small ship. The 596 passenger ship is large enough to offer eight dining options – including the superb Sea and Land Taste (S.A.L.T.) programme – yet small enough for the famed Silversea on board ambience.

MSC

Virtuosa

Featuring the first fine art gallery at Sea, MSC Virtuosa will be launching in April 2021. With Capacity for 4800 guests and 1700 crew MSC Virtuosa and Sistership MSC Grandiosa share the title of largest ships in the MSC fleet.

Like other Meraviglia-Class vessels, the ship will feature an LED domed Promenade, with more venues to drink and dine, two new Cirque du Soleil shows per sailing, large aqua park, more than a dozen dining venues, an F1 racing simulator and the exclusive MSC Yacht Club and Aurea Experience private areas.

MSC Virtuosa will be sailing three to 14-night Europe and Mediterranean itineraries.

Seashore

In what MSC is calling an evolution of MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview, MSC Seashore is 16 metres longer and has more, larger main restaurants, casinos, retail and entertainment area and providing even more connections to the sea.

MSC Seashore will debut in the Mediterranean in August 2021 with a series of four to seven night itineraries through October 2021. Following a repositioning voyage to Miami, she will then cruise the Bahamas and Caribbean through April 2022, featuring a stop to their private island of Ocean Cay, Bahamas on most itineraries.