AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Seabourn will debut new ships in 2018
The new ships are part of Carnival Corporation's ongoing fleet enhancement strategy with 18 new ships scheduled for delivery between 2018 and 2022.
Carnival Corporation's four new cruise ship additions for 2018 include:
Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Horizon – Expected launch date in April 2018
As the 26th ship for Carnival Cruise Line, the largest and most popular individual cruise line in the world, Carnival Horizon will offer a number of innovations, including the first Dr. Seuss WaterWorks aqua park, the line's first teppanyaki dining venue and Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse | Brewhouse, a new restaurant that combines BBQ offerings created by Food Network star Guy Fieri along with four specifically designed craft beers brewed at an onboard brewery.
The 133,500-ton Carnival Horizon will debut with a 13-day Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona in April 2018 – the first of four round-trip departures from the port. Carnival Horizon will then reposition to the U.S. with a 14-day transatlantic crossing from Barcelona to New York May 9-23, 2018, positioning the vessel for a summer schedule of four-day Bermuda and eight-day Caribbean departures from the Big Apple. Carnival Horizon will shift to Miami to launch a year-round schedule of six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises beginning Sept. 22, 2018, and will also offer a special two-day cruise to Nassau from Miami Sept. 20-22, 2018.
Seabourn: Seabourn Ovation – Expected launch date in May 2018
The fifth all-suite ship in Seabourn's fleet, Seabourn Ovation will carry just 600 guests, based on double occupancy. The ship offers a number of in-suite amenities to provide guests with a "home away from home" onboard experience including a private veranda in each suite.
Following the ship's delivery, Seabourn Ovation will embark on an 11-day inaugural voyage departing May 5, 2018, from Venice, Italy, to Barcelona. The ship will spend the majority of her maiden season cruising the waters of Northern Europe, offering a variety of Baltic and Scandinavian cruises, which will include the line's signature three-day stay in St. Petersburg, Russia.
AIDA Cruises: AIDAnova – Expected launch date in December 2018
Arriving in late 2018, AIDAnova will be the first cruise ship fully powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the world's cleanest burning fossil fuel, with nearly zero emissions. This ship will be the first in the cruise industry to use LNG to generate 100 percent of its power both in port and on the open sea – an innovation that will reduce exhaust emissions.
In its debut season starting in December 2018, AIDAnova will offer seven-day trips around the Canary Islands. Prior to the Canary season, AIDAnova will make a stop in Hamburg, and will visit the Hanseatic City on the Elbe before setting off toward Gran Canaria.
Holland America Line: ms Nieuw Statendam – Expected launch date in December 2018
Nieuw Statendam is the second Pinnacle Class ship for Holland America Line, joining ms Koningsdam, which launched in April 2016.
The 99,500-ton ship is the ultimate expression of the brand's evolution, with grand light-filled spaces and sumptuous interiors inspired by the fluid curves of musical instruments created by hospitality designer Adam D. Tihany and designer and architect Bjorn Storbraaten.
The ship will carry 2,666 guests and feature fine-dining options at alternative restaurants Sel de Mer, a French seafood brasserie, and Tamarind, an Asian fusion concept, in addition to the Grand Dutch Café with traditional Dutch treats and European beer.
Nieuw Statendam is scheduled to depart Dec. 5, 2018, on its maiden voyage with guests – a 14-day transatlantic crossing to Fort Lauderdale. The ship will then spend the winter season cruising roundtrip from the South Florida port on seven-day Caribbean itineraries.