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Spectacular: Here’s a roundup of the hottest new ocean, river and expedition ships of 2023 (file photo)
This year more than 30 new sea, river and expedition ships are launched, almost all with sustainable fuels, hydrogen or electric batteries. Southampton’s Horizon and Mayflower cruise terminals now also offer shore power so ships can “plug in” and avoid emissions in port.
Meanwhile, on eco tours, guests will have the chance to meet locals to learn about sustainable agriculture and traditional customs. So sailing in 2023 offers a positive impact for everyone, and that comes on top of great music and crazy go-kart racing or days just lounging poolside on a fabulous new boat.
Here we offer a summary of the most interesting new of 2023.
JEWELRY JOURNEY
Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ new ship Grandeur, shown in the rendering above, is one of the most opulent ships ever built.
Grandeur will house a stunning one-of-a-kind Faberge egg as part of its multi-million pound floating art collection.
A seven-night Caribbean cruise aboard Grandeur leaves Miami on December 14, from £4,849pp
Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ new ship, Grandeur, is one of the most opulent ever built and will house a stunning one-of-a-kind Fabergé egg as part of its multi-million pound floating art collection. As a special event, Sarah Fabergé, great-granddaughter of Peter Carl Fabergé, will organize a sailboat in 2024, details to be announced.
Reserve: A seven-night Caribbean cruise leaves Miami on December 14, from £4,849pp (rssc.com023 8082 1390).
SUPERNOVA
Passengers traveling on Silversea Cruises’ new ship Silver Nova can enjoy a free tour in each port
While Silver Nova is tied up, its dual-fuel engines emit zero local emissions.
Every passenger on the new all-inclusive Silver Nova ship for 728 guests will enjoy 24-hour butler service, free Wi-Fi, and a courtesy tour in each port, and while moored, the ship’s dual-fuel engines will not They emit local broadcasts.
Reserve: Inaugural seven-night Venice round-trip cruise on 14th August, from £3,950pp or £5,600pp with door-to-door chauffeur service, flights and transfers (silversea.com0844 251 0837).
AMAZON ADVENTURE
Take a boat along the Guajara River, a tributary of the Amazon, to meet the local caboclos who work the riverside buffalo farms, during the debut of the Seabourn Pursuit expedition ship sailing from Barbados.
Reserve: 14-Day Wild Guianas to Amazon Basin Departs Oct 10, From £8,054pp (seabourn.com0344 338 8615).
set sail for greenland
Guests aboard the new ship Viking Saturn can enjoy exclusive Viking Cruises delights, from the elegant winter tea garden to a Nordic wellness spa.
Viking Saturn joins eight identical sister ships of 930 guests next month. During its inaugural season in the Nordic countries, guests can enjoy exclusive Viking delights, from the elegant winter tea garden to a Nordic wellness spa.
Reserve: The 29-day Greenland, Iceland, Norway and beyond cruise leaves Bergen for New York on May 23, from £10,490pp (vikingcruises.es0800 298 97 00).
POLE POSITION
Above is a rendering of a stunning infinity pool aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s new ship Norwegian Viva.
Norwegian Viva’s nine-night Italy, Greece and Croatia cruise from Rome departs in August from £2,429pp
Get ready to race friends and family on Norwegian Viva’s three-level go-kart track or downshift to cruise the ship’s 360-degree Ocean Boulevard for 3,219 guests.
Reserve: The nine-night Italy, Greece and Croatia cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome) departs August 26 from £2,429pp (cruisekings.es0800 197 8050).
MUSIC FOR YOUR EARS
MSC Cruises launches the luxury brand Europa Journeys this summer. The first of six ships, Explora I, powered by LNG, features a Steinway & Sons partnership with performances by rising stars and well-known pianists.
Reserve: The maiden 15-night voyage to the Epic Fjords departs Southampton for Copenhagen on July 17 from £9,100pp (explorajourneys.com0800 031 8935).
ONLY ON THE HIGH SEA
Oceania Cruises is launching its first new ship in a decade this year: the 1,200-guest Vista
Vista has cabins for solo travelers with private terrace, free laundry service and unlimited use of the spa
A 12-day Caribbean roundtrip aboard Vista leaves Miami on November 19, from £3,739pp
It’s been ten years since Oceania Cruises launched a new ship and Vista, accommodating 1,200 guests, features solo-voyage staterooms with private sundecks, free laundry service, and unlimited use of the spa.
Reserve: 12-day Caribbean roundtrip from Miami, departs Nov 19, from £3,739pp (oceaniacruises.com0345 505 1920).
GREEN DANUBE
Saga’s newest riverboat, the 190-passenger Amadeus Elegant, has a Green Award demonstrating the high environmental and safety standards on Europe’s rivers. Your first all-inclusive cruise sails down the Danube.
Reserve: The inaugural 12-night Hidden Treasures of Central Europe cruise to Bratislava and Vienna departs May 26. French balcony cabins reduced from £3,486 per person to £3,186 per person including chauffeur service (saga.es/cruises0808 239 7512).