Ultimate Guide to the Top New Cruise Ships in 2018

2018 looks to be a stellar year for new cruise ship deliveries. For the first time in a long time, almost all of the major cruise lines have new ships set to debut in the same year. Our list includes the world’s largest cruise ship, the first cruise ship using liquefied natural gas and others with many technological advancements and breakthrough design elements to excite even the most hardcore cruise fanatic. Symphony of the Seas (March 2018) Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International 4 th Oasis-Class Ship Home-Port: Miami, Florida Size: 230,000 Gross Tons Guests: 5,535 (double) Crew: 2,100 Following in the tradition of other Oasis-Class ships, Symphony of the Seas will take WOW to a new level. As the holder of world’s largest cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas will offer favorites like the Ultimate Abyss slide, Zipline and the Perfect Storm Water Park, while introducing new dining concepts, all new ice skating and AquaTheater shows, expanded Boardwalk offerings and a new ultimate family suite complete with its own slide, floor-to-ceiling Lego wall and air hockey table. Guests can also look forward to glow-in-the-dark laser tag and a new mobile check-in system using facial recognition to make getting to all the excitement easier. Symphony of the Seas will start her inaugural season in the Mediterranean before re-positioning to Miami, Florida in November. A new stunning terminal called the Crown of Miami is under construction to accommodate the first Oasis-Class ship at PortMiami. Carnival Horizon (April 2018) Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line 2nd Vista-Class Ship Home-Port: Miami, Florida Size: 133,500 Gross Tons Guests: 3,960 (double) Crew: 1,450 Offering most of the exciting activities of her sister Carnival Vista like the SkyRide and the IMAX Theater, Carnival Horizon will strike her own identity with some unique offerings. Firsts within the Carnival fleet to debut on Carnival Horizon include Bonsai Teppanyaki, a Dr. Seuss themed WaterWorks and Guy Fieri’s Smokehouse and Brewhouse. After a few introductory cruises in the Mediterranean, Carnival Horizon will spend the Summer in New York with cruises to Bermuda and the Caribbean before heading to her homeport of Miami, Florida. From Miami, she’ll sail alternating 6 and 8 night Caribbean itineraries. Norwegian Bliss (April 2018) Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line 3rd Breakaway Plus-Class Ship Home-Port: Miami, Florida & Seattle, Washington Size: 167,800 Gross Tons Guests: 4,004 (double) Crew: 2,100 Ready for her bi-coastal debut in April 2018, Norwegian Bliss promises to deliver big views and big thrills. Imagine taking in the beauty of Alaska or the lush green hills of a Caribbean island from the comfort of a 180-degree observation lounge or feeling the exhilaration of the twists and turns on a racetrack onboard a cruise ship. You can experience both onboard Norwegian Bliss. Add to that laser tag, sensational entertainment, new dining venues and familiar favorites like the Aqua Park, Spice H20, The Waterfront and more and you’ll see that sailing on this ship will be truly Bliss. Norwegian Bliss will sail from Seattle to Alaska during the Summer months, from Miami to the Caribbean during the Winter and Panama Canal and Mexican Riviera cruises when the ship re-positions between the East and West coasts. MSC Seaview (June 2018) Cruise Line: MSC Cruises 2nd Seaside-Class Ship Home-Port: Barcelona, Spain, Genoa, Italy, Marseille, France, Messina, Italy, Naples, Italy Size: 154,000 Gross Tons Guests: 4,134 (double) Crew: 1,413 Continuing the revolutionary design elements of her sister MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview will offer guests an unparalleled connection with the sea. Virtually identical to her sister, MSC Seaview will feature an expansive Water Park, 360-degree outdoor promenade, the exclusive Yacht Club, interconnecting family accommodations, lively entertainment and much more. Starting in June 2018, MSC Seaview will spend her inaugural Summer and Fall in the Mediterranean before t