5 New Cruise Ships not to be missed in 2022

2022 is likely to be the year of the cruise industry relaunch. In fact, many companies are ready to introduce amazing new ships!

Here is a selection of 5 new cruise ships you must experience.

1. MSC WORLD EUROPA 

MSC World Europe is part of the new MSC World Class series, which is the new project of MSC Cruises. It involves the construction of four cruise ships, each one with a capacity for almost 7,000 passengers and 2,760 cabins.

One of the new features is that all these ships will be fuelled with LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), one of the cleanest marine fuels in the world!

Concretely, the benefits of LNG are:

• a 99% reduction of SOx1 emissions,
• a 85% reduction of  NOx1 emissions,
• a 25% reduction of greenhouse gases emissions (GHG),
• a higher elimination of exhaust's particulate matter.

Each ship cost 1 billion euros and has been commissioned to be built at the STX France shipyard in Saint Nazaire. The ships are expected to enter service in 2022 and 2024 respectively. In addition, two more ships will be delivered in 2025 and 2026.

Another special feature will be the shape, designed both to increase stability and hydrodynamics and to offer greater comfort to its passengers.

The first ship will sail in 2022 (MSC World Europe) and will be equipped with a new-generation wastewater treatment system and other advanced environmental technologies. It will also have a wonderful glass swimming pool.

In short, this is a super-technological option, but also with a great environmental commitment.

2. NORWEGIAN PRIMA

The second cruise ship not to be missed in 2022 is the Norwegian Prima, the latest Norwegian Cruise Line ship which will debut next summer. This beautiful ship was built in Italy, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera.

It will have a capacity for 3215 people. During the first year, it will call at Northern Europe and will also make a 12-day transatlantic voyage from Southampton to New York. Then, in 2023 and 2024, it will sail around the Western Caribbean, between the United States, Mexico and the Bahamas.

The most striking feature is without any doubt the go-kart track inside the ship. It is the first track built on three levels, with a section offering open ocean views. The track stretches about 420 meters and features 14 sharp turns. It can accommodate 15 racers simultaneously. The go-karts can hit speeds of 50 km/h.

Norwegian Cruise Line is not new to the go-kart tracks: the world's first one was installed on the Norwegian Joy (which debuted in 2017) followed by its Bliss (2018) and Encore (2019). However, the Prime’s track is the longest one.

The cruise will also offer "the Drop", the world's first free-fall dry slide. It's a 10-story plunge slide that takes passengers rushing down the side of the ship, at the speed of a Formula 1 car!

3. RESILIENT LADY DI VIRGIN

The Resilient Lady is the sister ship of the Valiant Lady and the Scarlet Lady and is scheduled to "debut" on 1 July 2022.

Built by Fincantieri at its Sestri Ponente shipyard, the cruise ship of Richard Branson's Virgin group is a real gem!

It has a gross tonnage of approximately 110,000 tons and has more than 1,400 cabins that can house more than 2,770 passengers, assisted by a crew of 1,160 people.

Comfort on board is guaranteed by the "comfort class" certification, which certifies the minimum perceived noise and vibration levels.

Home automation plays a key role: passengers can control their cabin (air conditioning, lighting, opening and closing of curtains, music and television) simply using an application installed on their smartphones.

The Resilient Lady cruise ship also pays special attention to energy recovery through the use of alternative and cutting-edge technologies that reduce environmental impact. In addition, it is equipped with a 1 MW electricity generation system that uses waste heat from diesel engines. At the same time, the hydrodynamic design of its hull ensures excellent performance, which saves fuel.

4. WONDER OF THE SEAS

The "Wonder of the Seas", departing from Fort Lauderdale on 4 March 2022, is the largest cruise ship in the world. A true "Covid free" floating city with 6,900 people on board, plus 2,300 crew members and 867 cabins.

If you don't want to miss it, there will be a Mediterranean voyage with a call at the port of Civitavecchia in October 2022.

The Royal Caribbean cruise ship was built at Chantiers del'Atlantique de Saint Nazaire and was scheduled to set sail as early as 2020, but the pandemic has delayed events. It is scheduled to depart from the port of Shanghai.

It is a real giant of the sea which has cost more than 1 billion euros.

5. CELEBRITY BEYOND

The Celebrity beyond, which is part of Celebrity Cruise's Edge series, will depart on its maiden voyage on 27 April 2022 from Southampton, in England, for a 10-night cruise in Western Europe. This will be followed by itineraries in the Mediterranean, including 9-nights voyages in Italy and France, also with a stop in Civitavecchia. In addition, until the beginning of October are planned 10-nights journeys in the Greek islands. The last destination will be the Caribbean.

This cruise ship has the same features and design as its sister ships Celebrity Edge (2018) and Celebrity Apex (2020), but is a more luxurious version.

In particular, famous architect Tom Wright has expanded the outdoor spaces with sea views. His design lengthens the 20-metre ship and raises it to 17 storeys, creating exteriors such as The Retreat (the resort area), the Resort Deck (the space with the pool) and the Rooftop Garden.

Wright has also designed the Magic Carpet, a floating platform as big as a tennis court, which, in addition to being a lounge-restaurant, is high above sea level. 

The distinctive element is without doubt the Grand Place, designed by Jouin Manku. Inspired by the piazzas of Italy, it spans three bridges. The Martini Bar is in the centre, covered by a chandelier with LED lights.

And it is not over yet: the collaboration with actress and businesswoman Gwyneth Paltrow, the wellness advisor, is also worth mentioning. In fact, all Aqua Class guests will have wellness offers on board, including Paltrow's Goop fitness kits.