2015 Here We Come!

2014 was a busy year in the cruise world but will 2015 be even better with new ships, terminal revamps and ship refits?

Liverpool’s Cruise Terminal is set for its biggest year ever in 2015 as lines such as Cunard, Celebrity and Princess sail into the city, Liverpool truly is on the global cruise map. Its popularity can be seen in the 80,000+ passengers from around the world who will be coming ashore to explore Liverpool in 2015.

Southampton’s Mayflower cruise terminal is to be revamped in a £6 million renovation project including a redesign of the departure, check-in, security and passenger lounges as well as drop-off and pick-up areas and is due to be completed by April in time for the summer cruise season.

Celebrity Eclipse will be refitted and will be adding some incredible new features to Celebrity Eclipse throughout April 2015.

Celebrity Cruises has signed a letter of intent to build 2 new ships for delivery in 2018 and 2020 each carrying 2,900 guests.

Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas will go Head to Head with P&Os Brittania!

Spring 2015 will see the launch of Anthem of The Seas sailing exclusively from Southampton for the duration of summer 2015, Anthem of the Seas takes cruising to a whole new level. With stunning contemporary staterooms, innovative features and transformative venues,  whilst P&O claim with the launch of Btitannia there has never been a more stylish way to see the world!

Virgin confirms two-ship cruise line start-up, Virgin Cruises, which will be based in the Miami area in Florida, plans to design and build two cruise ships.

A former president of Disney Cruise Line is to take the helm of Virgin Group’s planned cruise venture.

Tom McAlpin will join Virgin Cruises as chief executive, having most recently worked for The World, Residences at Sea in the same position.

Bookings have opened for the first sailings by Holland America’s Line’s new ship Koningsdam in the Mediterranean in 2016.

The maiden voyage departs from Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, on February 20, 2016, to Dubrovnik, Corfu, Katakolon, and Naples.

Holland America Line president, Orlando Ashford, said: “Since Holland America Line announced this beautiful new ship, guests have been asking when they can book the Premiere voyages, so we anticipate they will sell out quickly.

Luxury line Seabourn has confirmed it has exercised an option for a second new 604-passenger ship for delivery in 2018.The 40,350-tonne vessel will be a sister ship to a new build announced earlier this year which is due for delivery in late 2016.

Norwegian Cruise Lines Norwegian Escape will first arrive at Southampton on 27 October 2015 and will set sail for a one-night cruise to return to the port for an inaugural event the following day. On 29 October it will then set sail for its homeport in Miami.

What will you be looking forward to in 2015??