Luxury Cruising Editorial

2024 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the cruise industry, with several cruise lines adding new ships to their fleet. This includes the largest cruise ship ever built, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. Here is a look at the seven hottest new cruise ships debuting in 2024.

Icon of the Seas

The first cruise ship on this list is the granddaddy of them all, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. Icon of the Seas is not only the largest cruise ship ever built, it’s also the first ship to be over 250,000 gross tons in size. The ship is divided into eight neighborhoods, including one just for families.

Royal Caribbean stated that they took the best parts of all Royal Caribbean cruise ships to create the ultimate ship for vacations. It will feature more than 20 dining options; with 12 of them being complimentary.

The cruise ship will have seven swimming pools and nine hot tubs. The waterpark on the top deck will have six record-breaking waterslides.

Royal Caribbean took the popular AquaTheater and moved it to the top front of the ship. This enclosed area will double as a lounge, offering incredible views as the ship sails around the Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean has already taken delivery of this new cruise ship, and they are spending the next month getting the crew and ship 100% ready to go for its debut on January 27, 2024.

Icon of the Seas will homeport in Miami and offer week-long cruises to the Caribbean. Every cruise will visit Royal Caribbean’s insanely popular private island, CocoCay. View Cruises Offered on Icon of the Seas

Sun Princess

Sun Princess is the first of two Sphere class ships from Princess Cruises. Sun Princess will be the largest ship in Princess’ fleet at 175,500 gross tons. The class is named after the glass spheres on both sides of the ship that give ocean views from the Piazza as well as unique balcony cabins.

The Dome, featured on the top of Sun Princess, is an indoor area inspired by the terraces of Santorini. It will transform at night into an entertainment venue with live shows. Entertainment will be all around the ship, from the Princess Arena (a newly designed theater) to the three-story Piazza.

The cruise line has also partnered with The Magic Castle for one of the most unique experiences at sea. Besides having a small intimate theater for slight of hand magic, it will also have a Victorian-style bar where magicians will perform for you.

Sun Princess is shaping up to be the most unique Princess cruise ship at sea. Between the high ceilings in public spaces and the three story dining room that overlooks the ship’s wake, it will feel more spacious than other ships in their fleet.

Sun Princess will debut in February 2024 and offer cruises in the Mediterranean through the fall. The ship will then reposition to Port Everglades and sail cruises to the Caribbean for the winter season. View Cruises on Sun Princess

Disney Treasure

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Disney Treasure will be the second Wish class ship from Disney Cruise Line and will debut in late 2024. Disney will bring the storytelling of Aladdin, Coco, and Zootopia on board. The ship is promising to offer one-of-a-kind experiences that only Disney can offer.

Disney Treasure will have theatrical dining experiences that bring the company’s favorite movies to life. The cruise line is also bringing the ice cream shop, Jumbeaux’s Sweets, in Zootopia onboard.

The Periscope Pub is themed after 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and will have submarine-style interiors that will make guests feel like Captain Nemo on the Nautilus.

AquaMouse, on the top deck of the ship, will be a 760-foot two-person ride that will offer breathtaking views of the ocean and cruise ship. It will also feature a storyline that follows Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse on a legendary adventure through an ancient temple.

Disney Treasure will sail her maiden voyage on December 21, 2024 from Port Canaveral. The ship will sail seven-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from the port.

Utopia of the Seas

Utopia of the Seas will be the sixth and final Oasis class ship from Royal Caribbean. The Oasis class ushered in a new era of mega-cruise ships when they first debuted 14 years ago.

The ship will have all of the Oasis class neighborhoods that Royal Caribbean guests have come to love over the past decade. It will also be the first cruise ship in its class to be powered by LNG.

The cruise ship will have more than 40 dining and drink venues, redesigned pool areas, a Caribbean tiki bar, and a sushi pick-up window in Central Park. One of the most unique dining experiences will be the first immersive train car experience at sea. Utopia of the Seas will also have the longest dry slide at sea, the 295 foot long Ultimate Abyss.

Utopia of the Seas will be unique in that it will offer three and four night cruises to The Bahamas from Port Canaveral. The three day cruises will leave on Friday, with the four day cruises will leave each Monday. All sailings will visit CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s award-winning private island. View Cruises on Utopia of the Seas

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Queen Anne

Cunard Line will celebrate their 184th anniversary in 2024 and welcome a fourth luxury ship to their fleet, Queen Anne. The 113,000 gross ton ship will carry 3,000 guests and have 15 dining venues. It will be the first new ship for Cunard in 14 years.

Queen Anne will bring West End Theatre to the high seas. The ship’s Royal Court Theatre will usher in a glamourous new act of live performance, echoing the elegance and grandeur of great art deco concert halls.

Queen Anne will sail her maiden cruise on May 10, 2024 and homeport in Southampton. The ship is scheduled to sail from the port through early 2026. However, the ship will offer a few cruises from other ports around Europe over the next few years. The cruise ship will visit more than 60 destinations in 16 countries.

Ilma

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will add a second yacht in 2024, Ilma. The 790 foot yacht will feature 224 suites, all with a private terrace. The ship will hold a maximum of 448 guests and will feature innovative luxury travel experiences from The Ritz-Carlton. It will feature a crew-to-guest ratio of 1 to 1.2.

The onboard experience on Ilma will reflect the unparalleled lifestyle and legendary service for which The Ritz-Carlton brand is recognized, including state-of-the-art technology and five dining venues.

Ilma will sail to some of the most coveted destinations in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Central America, and South America.

Silver Ray

Silversea, an ultra-luxury cruise line from Royal Caribbean Group, will debut their second Nova class cruise ship in 2024, Silver Ray.  The ship will carry 728 guests and will enter service in the summer of 2024.

The ship will have a space-to-guest ratio of 75 gross tons per passenger and will set new standards for the cruise line’s goal of net-zero emissions cruising.

The ship will incorporate an innovative asymmetrical design and a horizontal layout, with public spaces and suites spanning the entire length of each ship.

Most first-time cruisers pack too much for their cruise, not really knowing what to expect.

I used to be a serial over-packer myself.   And every cruise was an opportunity to jam pack a suitcase full of all the things I just might need.

In my mind it was easier to just bring anything I could think of “just in case”.

But that ended up leading to huge suitcases full of things that never even came out of my luggage during the cruise.

Fast forward 40+ cruises later and I only pack a carry-on for 90% of the cruises I take.  This includes everything from 3-day cruises to week-long cruises.  Even on a 14-day cruise I will contemplate if I can get everything I need in a carry-on and personal item.

However, the reason I’m able and willing to pack extra light depends on a few factors that I’ve listed below.

Length of the cruise

Starting with the most obvious, if the cruise is only half a week, you really shouldn’t need to pack anything bigger than a carry-on or duffel bag.

For some travelers it’s hard to even go on a 3-day cruise without full size luggage.  What’s helped me is consolidating what I really need.  Sure, I could bring 5 pairs of shoes, but if I can get by with just a couple, it’s ideal.

(If you really must bring multiple pairs of shoes, this post on cruise shoes from one of our writers will help.)

When you start by limiting your luggage size right from the start, it really helps to weed out the unnecessary items.  We talk about that in our article on 10 tips for packing light on your cruise.

Consider what you need for each day, but then also remember that some items can be reused or have a multi-purpose.

Flight considerations

One of the biggest reasons I like to cruise with only minimal baggage is due to flights.  If you’re close enough to drive to the cruise port then this will be a moot point.

When I fly, I like to skip the line for checking bags and head straight to the security checkpoint.  Call me crazy, but after losing a few bags at airports, I’d just rather have everything I need right next to me at all times.

This expedites the process at the airport and makes sure I don’t end up in my cabin with a bag still missing in transit.

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In most cases I use a large backpack as my carry-on, but a roller suitcase will work just as well.  The size of my carry-on will depend on which airline I’m using too.

Oh, and of course, having just a carry-on saves on those pesky baggage fees.

Read more: Drive or fly: 8 questions to ask before you head to the cruise port

Laundry on board

I recently wrote an article on which cruise ships still have self-service laundry rooms.  When a cruise ship has a launderette it makes it much easier to pack lighter.    After all, if you can wash and reuse a few outfits on your trip that frees up a lot of extra space in your limited-sized bag.

You can also choose to use the full-service laundry service on board a cruise ship, but it might only make sense if you built up loyalty points and can get a discount on a laundry bag.

Some cruise lines like Holland America Line have some very reasonable prices on laundry bags.  With HAL you can get wash and fold service for around $20 for as much as you can fit into that bag.

Research your cruise line and ship and check out prices for laundry.  That’s one of the biggest tips for packing light, as long as you don’t fear judgement of wearing the same outfit twice.  But hey, it’s your cruise.  Do what makes the most sense for you.

Read more: 15 things people always forget to pack on a cruise

Climate of Destination

A cruise to Alaska in May and a cruise to the Caribbean in July are obviously going to experience very different temperatures.  The type of clothing you need to pack will make a big impact on the kind of luggage you need to think about.

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During a cruise around Iceland it was a lot more difficult to follow my “carry-on only” rule for the 7-day voyage.  But dressing in layers and having access to a laundry room on board did help a lot.

Also, having a good jacket, hoodie, or other type of outer layer that you can use throughout the cruise will help from every article of clothing having to be cold-proof.

Knowing the ship

I’m a bit of a cruise nerd, but I love to study the deck plans, layout, and cabin design of a ship before I set sail.  This helps me know how many outlets are in the cabin and what amenities are on the ship.

If I can leave a power strip at home because my cabin has extra outlets everywhere, that’s one less thing I need to pack.  Some people will pack things in their suitcases that the ship already provides.

You don’t need to pack a hairdryer, towels, or snacks.   And some will even provide umbrellas and binoculars in your cabin, so do your research before the cruise.

Also, you should know that there are some things you absolutely should pack because of a feature on the ship you want to try out.  For instance, if you’re going to play basketball on the sports court or try out a rope’s course on the ship you will need closed -toe shoes.

Read more: 10 things you CAN pack on a cruise but shouldn’t

Self-assist for disembarkation

I love having just a carry-on during the disembarkation process as well.  Cruise ships allow those who are carrying all of their luggage off themselves to get off the ship first.  This makes a big difference when you have an early flight.

I’ve seen some use the self-assist program who are carrying several large suitcases.  Not only is this a nightmare when trying to use the already cramped elevators, but it also slows down the whole process when trying to navigate those huge bags through the ship and terminal.

With just a carry-on I can quickly get first in line when getting off the ship and head to the airport or destination as quickly and efficiently as possible.

I will note that before the common use of facial recognition in cruise terminals, I was often asked about my limited bags by immigration officers.  I would just tell them, “I like to keep it simple and pack light.”

Read more: 9 things you should do right after your cruise is over

Final Thoughts

You might ask, “But what if you can’t fit everything you need into a carry-on?”.    I will admit there were times that I either forget to bring something I needed or simply didn’t have room for it.

But these were usually items I could easily buy on the ship, in a port of call, or even at the airport if I really had to get it.

I love to cruise with the freedom of knowing I have everything I need and what I don’t have can easily be obtained.

The great thing about modern cruise ships is that they have everything you could possibly need on a vacation including a few things you didn’t even know you needed in your life.

While just carry-on luggage might not fit the lifestyle of every cruise traveler, it certainly has made my cruising journey simpler and more enjoyable.

Read more: 25 cruise cabin hacks to make your stateroom more livable

Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, has arrived in the U.S. for the first time when the vessel docked in Galveston, Texas this morning. It will be the first cruise ship to sail from Texas with a roller coaster.

Carnival Jubilee is Carnival’s third and final Excel class ship. Carnival Cruise Line recently took delivery of the new ship, and after crossing the Atlantic and making a stop in Nassau, Bahamas, the ship is now in the U.S.

The Port of Galveston invited the public to welcome the ship with signs and banners this morning at Piers 20-21. Tugboats shot water cannons welcoming the new ship to the port.

Carnival Jubilee will sail her maiden cruise on December 23, 2023. This week long cruise to the Western Caribbean will stop in Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel. The cruise will also have three sea days.

Carnival Jubilee is a sister ship to Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. The ships share many of the same features, including a roller coaster on the top deck and they are all powered by LNG.

New Features on Carnival Jubilee

However, Carnival Jubilee is introducing two new zones, Currents and The Shores, that are not found on her sister ships.

Currents is located on Decks 6 and 7 and will transport guests into mesmerizing underwater worlds, both realistic and fantastical, in a space that changes from day to night and throughout the cruise. This area will have dining and drink venues that include Emeril’s Bistro 717, The Golden Mermaid, and Inks, Ph.D.

On Deck 8, The Shores is the place where the ocean meets land, a zone that’s inspired by the ways people enjoy the seaside including piers, boardwalks and beaches. It has a three-deck-high fish school art installation that rises from Deck 6 all the way to Deck 8 to bring guests up from the Currents below to the surface.

Other Features Found on Carnival Jubilee

Grand Central is the heart of the cruise ship with Piano Bar 88, The Punchliner Comedy Club, Cloud 9 Fitness Center, Cherry on Top, Bonsai Sushi and Teppanyaki, a variety of shopping venues.

The Ultimate Playground has BOLT, an 800-foot long roller coaster on the top deck. This area also has a waterpark, mini-golf course, a basketball court, and a ropes course.

Summer’s Landing in the aft of the ship has everything from a pool to Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse.

The main pool area on Carnival Jubilee, the Lido Deck, has a two-story RedFrog Tiki Bar along with a wide variety of dining options. They include Guy’s Burger Joint, Street Eats, the Lido Marketplace (buffet), and Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken.

Kids Clubs

Carnival Jubilee has an expanded Space Cruisers Program through the cruise line’s partnership with Kennedy Space Center. Young cruisers will be able to take the help of a space capsule through an LED screen that shows NASA space imagery.

Portholes will use LED technology to show virtual aquariums in areas for kids.

See the World, a program for teens, is expanded on the ship in Club O2 and Circle C.

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Dr. Seuss breakfast is getting a makeover with new menus and entertainment. This debuts on Carnival Jubilee before rolling out to the rest of the fleet.

Where will Carnival Jubilee sail to?

Carnival Jubilee will homeport in Galveston, Texas and sail seven night cruises to the Western Caribbean, departing every Saturday. The cruise ship is scheduled to remain in Texas through at least April 2026. View Prices on Cruises on Carnival Jubilee

Mediterranean itineraries have become increasingly popular among both seasoned cruisers and first-time cruise travelers.

Some even say that visiting the Mediterranean by cruise ship is the best way to see and experience the region.

So what are the best Mediterranean cruises for 2024?  Below I listed the best of the best for each type of traveler.

It’s no wonder, as the Mediterranean has plenty to offer – exquisite food, favorable weather, countless beaches and coastal towns, and a rich culture of historical landmarks worth visiting.

When deciding which major cruise line to sail with for your 2024 Mediterranean cruise, it is important to consider what is on your travel bucket list. Different cruise lines will offer a variety of different amenities, experiences, and excursions catered to your preferences.

Here is a complied list of some of the best Mediterranean Cruises for 2024 depending on your travel interests to unlock a memorable vacation experience.

Best Mediterranean Cruise for History Lovers

 If uncovering the ancient ruins of the past is on your agenda while on a Mediterranean cruise, Viking Cruises should be on your radar. For over 26 years, Viking has been dedicated to their mission that travel could be more culturally immersive and destination focused.

 Why Viking Cruises?

With a name like ‘Viking’ it should come as no surprise that Viking Cruises has dedicated their fleet to embracing the rich history of different landscapes and various cultures. Viking was founded in 1997 and in 2017, launched its Viking Resident Historian program. This historian, now onboard all Viking ships, provides guests with a professional level historical and cultural education specific to their journey.

This helps guests become immersed in their destination long before their ship arrives in port and is perfect for guests who want a rich, historical experience.

Read more: Top 10 Mediterranean ports of call that are MUST-visits

Best Viking Mediterranean Itinerary:

Viking has dozens of itineraries sailing within their Mediterranean, but their most notable is their ‘Journey to Antiquities’ which includes 8 ports of call throughout Italy, Turkey and Greece. This 8-day sailing for 2 guests costs roughly $7,000, which includes all amenities – meals, drinks, Wi-Fi and even one shore excursion per port, per person.

This itinerary has been favored among guests for not only its onboard experiences, but the unique and iconic shore excursions.

With stops in Italy, guests can marvel at the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Sistine Chapel, Pompeii, and the culture of Naples. Neoclassical architecture is abundant in Greece, and ruins are left to be explored in Turkey.

Viking purposely included the fare of one excursion in the base price of all sailings to encourage each guest to explore their destinations and its rich culture.

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Best Mediterranean Cruise for Food and Wine Aficionados:

 When it comes to sampling new foods, or savoring tried and true flavors, the best place to do so is onboard a cruise ship. While dining is included in the base fare of most cruise packages, if you’re looking for the best food at sea it is important to know which cruise line to select.

The most seasoned cruisers will know that Oceania is arguably the best in the business when it comes to dining at sea.

Why Oceania?

Oceania has built up a solid reputation when it comes to cruise dining, earning themselves the title of ‘The Finest Cuisine at Sea’. Most notably being that they partnered with French chef Jacques Pepin to carefully curate meals for guests onboard at his restaurant, Jacques.

Guests also love the option of anytime dining, which allows for more flexibility within their vacation itinerary, and 24-hour room service.

To further immerse guests in the culture of their sailing, Oceania offers cooking classes onboard for guests for an additional fee. This allows guests to explore different foods of various cultures in an exciting and unique way.

Read more: Best all-inclusive cruise lines

Best Oceania Mediterranean Itinerary:

With so many itineraries, it can be overwhelming to decide which is best for yourself and your travel party. It is helpful to know that Oceania includes the following in the base fare of all sailings:

• Roundtrip Airfare
• Airport Transfers
• $1,600 worth of Shore Excursion Credit
• Free Champagne, Wine and More
• Free Gourmet Specialty Dining
• Free Unlimited Wi-Fi

Some cruise packages will also include free, or discounted hotel stays for before, and/or after your cruise as well.

All sailings with Oceania will feature their upscale, gourmet dining with special nods to the destination that your itinerary is focusing on. For a Mediterranean Cruise in 2024 departing from Venice to Rome for 2 people, you can expect to pay roughly $15,000 for a veranda stateroom. This base fare includes all amenities mentioned.

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With ports of call in Italy, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Malta, and a day spent sailing on the Mediterranean Sea, passengers are sure to experience all that the Mediterranean has to offer while indulging in some of the best foods at sea onboard.

Dining Experience on Oceania:

While onboard, guests have the option of dining in a more luxurious atmosphere at any of the several sit-down restaurants or, if a more casual option is preferred, Oceania offers this as well. Dining at any of Oceania’s restaurants, including the specialty locations, is included in the base fare of your cruise.

Alongside the main dining rooms, Oceania’s vessels boast several specialty restaurants ranging from Italian cuisine, to Pan-Asian, and even a signature steakhouse with wine-pairing options.

Passengers have especially appreciated how diverse each menu presentation has been, and how dedicated Oceania has remained to offering a range of cultural dishes specific to the particular sailing.

Best Mediterranean Cruise for Beach Destinations:

The Mediterranean is well known for their lush, white sand beaches and coastal beach towns. Hundreds of thousands of passengers set sail every year to visit the rugged shores of these coastlines where picturesque villages dangle over the Mediterranean Sea.

One of the most visited areas in the Mediterranean is Italy’s Amalfi Coast, which several cruise lines have now curated special itineraries specific to this coastal landscape.

Although most mainstream cruise lines have developed their own Amalfi Coast itinerary, it’s worth exploring which one offers the best experience for your next Mediterranean cruise.

With Celebrity Cruises, passengers can choose from several different itineraries depending on their travel preferences with an opportunity to experience the Amalfi Coast. With ports in Salerno, Positano and Ravello, guests will not run out of options when sailing with Celebrity.

Why Celebrity Cruises?

 Celebrity is known for being the cruise line to sail with when visiting multiple ports of call in one sailing. This can be a unique opportunity when embarking on a Mediterranean cruise to a coastal town such as the Amalfi Coast, as it will allow you to visit several destinations.

The Mediterranean encompasses a vast area and is inclusive of several countries. Visiting this destination by cruise ship is especially helpful if you want to gain the most out of your experience.

With Celebrity Cruises offering sailings with the most port of calls, you’ll have the best opportunity to do so on one of their vessels.

Best Celebrity Cruises Itinerary:

For example, on an 11-night sailing, you will visit 10 ports of call throughout the Mediterranean including Rome, Florence, Portofino (Amalfi Coast), Naples, Sicily, Brindisi (Italy), Croatia, Montenegro, and Ravenna (Italy). Celebrity also typically includes sea days in their itineraries to allow guests to enjoy the vessel as part of their destination.

On this sailing, guests can expect to pay roughly $7,500 for two guests in a veranda stateroom. This is inclusive of amenities such as all meals, drinks (including alcohol), Wi-Fi, gratuities, and all taxes, fees and port expenses.

Guests have the option to visit Italy’s coastline at two ports of call: Portofino, which is the Amalfi Coast, and at Ravenna, which has nine (9) seaside resorts to visit. Both Croatia and Montenegro also have several beaches situated near Celebrity’s cruise ship port that are worth visiting if seeing the world’s best beaches is on your bucket list.

Final Thoughts

When planning your visit to the Mediterranean it’s worth considering taking a cruise to ensure you can experience all that it has to offer. The Mediterranean is a region packed full of rich experiences, differing cultures, historical architecture, beautiful beaches, and endless food and drink.

Regardless of what experience you’re looking to get out of your Mediterranean vacation, there is sure to be a cruise line such as Viking, Oceania, or Celebrity with an itinerary fit for your preferences. Both cruises and the Mediterranean alike are ideal travel destinations for adults, children and families with something for everyone to enjoy.

* This guest post was written by C. Ingram

Read more: Top 10 Mediterranean cruise destinations

Viking, an award winning adults-only cruise line, is offering several new itineraries in 2024 and 2025 on both their ocean and river cruise ships.

New Ocean Itineraries

One of the most interesting new itineraries being offered by Viking is a 180 day cruise called Viking World Voyage I. This six month cruise in 2025 will visit 37 countries on six different continents.

Also in 2025, Viking will offer a 32 day cruise around Australia and the surrounding region. This Grand Australia Circumnavigation cruise will visit many ports including Perth, Adelaide, and Melbourne. The itinerary also includes exploration of Indonesian treasures Komodo and Bali.

In 2024, Viking will offer a new 15 day Iconic Iceland, Greenland, & Canada cruise that dives into the history of Viking exploration.

In the Mediterranean, a new 16 day roundtrip cruise from Barcelona will visit seven countries in 2024. This Malta, Morocco & the Mediterranean itinerary will visit UNESCO sites, North African cities, the Alhambra palace, and more.

Viking Vela, the newest ocean ship from Viking, will debut in late 2024.

New River Itineraries

Due to increased demand for longer cruises, Viking has added a new 15 day river cruise Lyon, Provence & the Rhineland, that combines a cruise on the Rhine River with one in Southern France beginning March 2024.

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of Operation Overland and the battles of Normandy, Viking offers a new Paris & D-Day 80th Anniversary voyage from London to Paris. This 12 day cruise will now also be available in 2025.

Viking is adding several new river ships over the next few years. This includes a new ship for the Mekong River (2025), two new ships for the Nile River (2024 and 2025), and a new ship for the Seine River (2025) that docks close to the Eiffel Tower.

New Expedition Itineraries

In 2024 and 2025, Longitudinal World Cruise IV and Longitudinal World Cruise V will offer new world expedition cruises that range from 62 to 69 days in length.

Viking will sail new summer expedition cruises to the Arctic in 2025. The cruises will range in length from 13 to 27 days and explore the polar north in Greenland and Canada.

An 87 day cruise in 2025, From the Arctic to Antarctica, will sail from Greenland to Argentina.