Top New Cruise Ships Launching in 2021

It's time for the annual TalkingCruise guide to The Top New Cruise Ships in 2021. This year we’re highlighting 12 of our top picks of the latest and greatest. After a year where we saw a worldwide pause in cruising, it’s time to look forward to the new cruise ships coming in 2021. It’s going to be an exciting year for new ship builds, with tons of variety in design, purpose and features. Our list highlights our tops picks, starting off with some highly anticipated vessels delayed from 2020. Delayed Cruise Ships from 2020 Mardi Gras Carnival Cruise Line Launching: February 2021 Ship Class: 1 st Excel-Class Ship Home-Port: Port Canaveral, Florida Size: 180,800 Gross Tons Guests/Crew: 5,282 Guests (double), 1,745 Crew Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras is not only their largest ship ever, it’s likely one of the most-anticipated new cruise ships for 2021. Powered by liquified natural gas, Mardi Gras will be a vast departure in design, amenities and style than what we’ve seen from Carnival before, highlighted by the world’s first roller coaster at sea. Named Bolt, the electric ride vehicles will reach speeds up to 40mph. There’s also a totally brand-new design of Carnival WaterWorks, SportSquare and the main pool deck. Carnival favorites like BlueIguana Cantina, Guy’s Burger Joint, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse|Brewhouse, SeaFood Shack and more are back, joined by new venues Shaq’s Big Chicken, Street Eats, RedFrog Tiki Bar and Emeril’s Bistro 1396. There’s the new multi-level Grand Central atrium, summer landing aft pool area, reimagined Havana Bar & Pool, Al fresco dining opportunities and all-new stateroom and suite designs. You’ll also find new Carnival entertainment and show venues, spa experiences and debut of Carnival’s Excel level suites, featuring a host of amenities and perks like access to the Loft 19 pool and sun deck. Mardi Gras will sail year-round from Port Canaveral, Florida, alternating 7 night Eastern & Western Caribbean itineraries through at least April 2023. MSC Virtuosa MSC Cruises Launching: April 2021 Ship Class: 2 nd Meraviglia Plus-Class Ship Home-Port: Barcelona, Spain; Civitavecchia, Italy; Genoa, Italy; Marseille, France; Palermo, Italy Size: 181,000 Gross Tons Guests/Crew: 4,800 Guests (double), 1,700 Crew MSC Virtuosa will share the title of largest ship in the MSC Cruises fleet along with her sister MSC Grandiosa. The ship will offer the most popular features found on other Meraviglia-Class vessels, including the LED domed Promenade, with more venues to drink and dine, two all new Cirque du Soleil shows available per sailing, massive aqua park, over a dozen dining venues, F1 racing simulator and the exclusive MSC Yacht Club and Aurea Experience private areas. Guests will also be able to utilize ZOE, MSC Cruises digital cruise assistant. MSC Virtuosa will offer varying 3 to 14-night Europe and Mediterranean itineraries. Odyssey of the Seas Royal Caribbean Launching: April 2021 Ship Class: 2 nd Quantum Ultra-Class Ship Home-Port: Civitvecchia (Rome), Italy; Fort Lauderdale, Florida Size: 169,379 Gross Tons Guests/Crew: 4,246 Guests (double), 1,551 Crew Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas will be the first of their popular Quantum-class vessels to homeport seasonally from Florida. The ship will feature the latest technology along with several interesting interactive elements. Like sister Quantum Ultra class 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, the best 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. Odyssey of the Seas will debut from Civitavecchia, Italy offering 7 to 12 night Europe and Mediterranean cruises through October before repositioning to Fort Lauderd