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The Exclusive Guide To 2017’s New Cruise Ships (Double Loop Waterslides, Firsts At Sea And More)

So, Christmas day has been and gone, but it’s not quite New Year’s Eve yet. You’re finishing off the third tin of Quality Street and making your way through the only festive films you haven’t already fallen asleep to whilst watching yet, whilst the sparkly decorations are still on show to make the most of the cosy period.

The www.CRUISE.co.uk team, however, are already anticipating what the world of cruising in 2017 will entail. Surely there’ll be a series of new and exciting ships to launch? Will we have a new vessel on the cards to take Harmony’s crown as the world’s largest? How many more firsts-at-sea will next year bring to us?

As always, we have all the exclusive information you’ll need on the biggest and best ships launching in 2017: from promenades that encircle the whole ship to cruise lines that have re-connected with British etiquette, from the first kart track at sea to double loop waterslides…

MSC

MSC Meraviglia

This addition to MSC will be the first of eleven ships to launch from the line between 2017 and 2026, so it is only the beginning of the exciting future to MSC’s fast expanding fleet.

You can expect a whole lot more than this entertainment-wise from the Italian line with a multi-purpose karaoke bar, comedy club and TV studio, and a full sized two-lane bowling alley. All 4,500 passengers will be able to wander up and down an indoor promenade the length of a football pitch that’s also fitted with a 480 sq metre LED screen for a ceiling (prepare yourself to be dazzled by a blanket of stars as you shop and dine!)

Kids can go wild in the on-board amusement park and DOREMI tech lab where they can get their hands on the latest technology. Other passengers won’t be short of high tech features either with MSC’s exclusive partnership with electronics brand, Samsung. You’ll even have the chance to use an augmented reality device designed to show customers what they’ll look like in clothes before they purchase them in the onboard stores! Is 2017 the year MSC get more futuristic than ever?

MSC Seaside

Welcome to the ship that ‘follows the sun’. MSC’s next addition to the fleet will be later on in 2017 after Meraviglia. The first in the line’s Seaside class of ships will hold 5,179 guests and sit amongst the world’s largest mega ships!

Get ready to walk on water with Seaside’s glass skywalk and prepare to be more connected with the ocean than ever before with the ship’s rear lifts giving you continuous panoramic views of the sea. MSC have claimed to have built the ship around the outside, so every element of Seaside has been designed to enable passengers to enjoy the outside more.

2017 msc aqua park

Enjoy views of the sea on the world’s largest zip line to exist on a cruise ship as you whiz 130 metres high, or make the most of the lack in traditional layout so you don’t have to walk into the middle of the ship to move up and down- keep ahold of your connection with the sea.

There’s something for the kids too with what MSC have claimed to be the most interactive waterpark at sea with games to get involved in as you whiz down the five multi-storey slides! The ship will be visiting MSC’s brand new private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, where you can immerse yourselves in snorkelling, water sports, diving and beach games: the perfect destination for your cruise…

Princess

Majestic Princess

April 2017

A ship built specifically for the Chinese market yet still offers UK guests the unique chance to experience the ship on cruises departing from Rome, Barcelona or Athens! As a part of the Royal class, Majestic Princess will offer guests the same distinctive features as her sister ships: the Piazza atrium, unique over-the-ocean sea walk, the Princess Live! TV studio and special private dining experience, Chef’s Table Lumiere.

Majestic Princess won’t be short of features that distinguish her from the rest though with two new speciality restaurants: Harmony Cantonese restaurant and Le Bistrot. The first will feature chinese cuisine serving Chef Chen’s interpretation of classic Cantonese dishes, whilst the second will offer casual French home-style dining with a modern twist.

2017 majestic princess

Another addition includes the Sing On The Sea karaoke suites: private karaoke rooms with a modern design, fitted with sofas, large TV screens and a mini bar. Plus guests can expect almost 1,100 sq metres of luxury boutiques which include designer brand shoes from Cartier and Bulvgari, leather goods from Burberry and designer watches by high-end brands including Montblanc and Rado.

Princess have designed and created their newest ship with the intention to give their passengers an experience that allows them to completely relax, unwind and ultimately return home feeling brand new. We think we want a piece of this!

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Joy

Summer 2017

The ship that was originally called Norwegian Bliss will now be sent to China (hence the name change!) It’ll carry 3,900 passengers and be the fleet’s most innovative ship to date…

She has been styled exclusively for Chinese travellers so guests can expect an upscale, resort-style holiday with world-class entertainment, fine international dining and unrivaled duty-free luxury shopping.  And how about the first ever racetrack at sea? This two level kart track will be perched at the top of the ship and can hold up to ten guests at once, which means the competitive ones in your family can take part in a six minute race and even have a celebratory photo at the end!

2017 virtual reality

You’ll never have seen anything like the all-new Galaxy Pavillion onboard Norwegian Joy: an immersive virtual reality experience. This includes thrilling simulator rides and interactive video walls!

If you’re one of the lucky ones you’ll have access to the ship’s gated community, The Haven, where 74 suites surround a private courtyard and pool. NCL’s ship-within-a-ship concept will have butler service, a dedicated concierge, priority access to speciality dining and an enclosed courtyard (talk about Celebrity treatment…)

Marella

Marella Discovery 2

A ship that will be new to Marella Cruises in 2017, but not entirely new in itself. She’ll be the sister ship to Marella Discovery and with the line’s plan to take all the American excesses out of the ship, guests will be faced with British tastes when it comes to food and entertainment (and yes, you’ll have the all-important kettle in your cabin!)

The vessel will hold 1,830 guests and will still offer the same as her sister ship: an outdoor cinema, rock climbing wall, mini golf course, indoor pool and glossy atrium. The more contemporary style of ship will offer an excellent dining scene and night-time shows that have been enhanced with up-to-the-minute technology.

2017 thomson

There won’t be even one moment where you don’t have that holiday feel with Marella’s attention to detail: the ship’s main eatery is a big and stylish venue finished in the colours of the sand and the sea. Its meals come with a side-order of sea views through the floor-to-ceiling windows and if you fancy more of a romantic setting, head to the gallery restaurant where its designer look features a colour scheme inspired by the sunset.

Choose from Broadway shows, Movies by Moonlight, bars with the best sea views, a live room that starts with a signature piano and ends with dancefloor classics, an interactive water show for the kids, and even a bar with LED screens especially for family game shows! You can never be bored with TUI Discovery 2, don’t miss out on this gem at sea…

Viking

Viking Sky

March

This 930-passenger vessel will be the third in the fleet for Viking and will join its near-identical fleetmates, Viking Star and Viking Sea. She will offer a destination-orientated cruise experience with features that include value-orientated extras such as a selection of free shore excursions, complimentary Wi-Fi, and beer and wine served without charge at lunch or dinner (now that’s what you want!)

Viking fans can rest assured that Viking Sky will incorporate the same popular elements from the rest of the fleet; these include an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace dining venue and a simple, casual ambiance around the ship. Look out for its extra night touches like the magradome pool with a glass roof that opens in warm weather, and a main restaurant that converts from an open-air venue to a cosy dining room.

2017 viking

One thing that will stand out about Viking Sky is that with cabins that all have balconies, the smallest (at 270 sq. ft) will still be larger than most other cruise lines’ standard rooms! And anyone who loves the traditional side to a ship will appreciate the ship’s walk-around promenade deck that fully encircles the ship.

Viking Sun

As you might have guessed, Viking Sun will be the fourth addition to the fleet and will be virtually identical to the remaining three ships. Although there is something distinct about  Viking Sun…its maiden season will be spent sailing the line’s first ever world cruise! It’ll be an 141-day itinerary that visits five different continents, so go on and be a part of history for Viking…

The line’s fourth ocean ship will be identical to Viking Sea so will feature all the same exciting, luxury features as her, including the LivNordic Spa that contains a jacuzzi and snow grotto where artificial flakes fall from the ceiling.

2017 snow flake

Viking Sun will be classed as a small cruise ship at a capacity of 930 passengers with 465 all-balcony cabins and a gross tonnage of 47,800 tonnes. The brand have stated this vessel’s upcoming world cruise as the most extensive and culturally immersive itinerary they have ever offered- will you choose to travel the world with Viking?

Silversea

Silver Muse

April

Silversea continue to raise the luxury game by enhancing the small ship intimacy and all-suite accommodation that the line are so well known for; the addition of Silver Muse in Spring will bring Silversea’s fleet to a total of nine ships and the new ultra-luxury ship will accommodate 596 guests for all of its sailings.

2017 silver muse

‘With enhanced design specifications and enriched content, the Silver Muse will continue to build on the sophistication, innovative style and ground-breaking concepts for which Silversea ships are renowned’,  said Silversea’s CEO. So, there seems to be a lot to expect from Silversea’s 2017 addition: from her small size guaranteeing the line’s intimacy to its spaciousness that means guests can enjoy comforts and elegances at their leisure.

Star Clippers

Flying Clipper

December

This isn’t just any old addition to the fleet…Flying Clipper will officially mark 25 years of sail ship cruising! It is being built as part of the cruise company’s anniversary celebrations and will even be its biggest with accommodation for 300 passengers.

2017 star clippers

She will have three pools, including one that funnels sunlight through the ship’s atrium into the elegant dining room, a restaurant big enough to accommodate all passengers at the same time, and even a small spa and water sports platform in the stern that will be available to guests to use when the ship is at anchor.

You can be sure to expect some signature features like the brand’s al fresco Tropical Bar, for evening drinks and entertainment, the cosy library and the bowspirit net for lying over the sea as the ship sails!

So, those are the ships to really look out for in 2017! Which is your favourite? Are you booked to sail with any of them yet? Tell us about your favourite line…

Bulletin Editor

Editor and Creative Copywriter of Cruise.co.uk's bulletin blog, bringing you cruise news, tips and guides daily! - Contact: [email protected]

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