Four Carnival Brands to Launch Ships in 2018
Four Carnival Corporation brands - AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Seabourn - will debut new ships in 2018.
The new ships are part of Carnival Corporation's ongoing fleet enhancement strategy with 18 new ships scheduled for delivery between 2018 and 2022.
"On top of the three new ships we launched in 2017, we look forward to the delivery of four more spectacular ships that will help us continue providing extraordinary cruise vacations at an exceptional value for our guests," said Roger Frizzell, chief communications officer for Carnival Corporation. "The new ships also demonstrate our long-term strategy to build highly efficient, innovative and state-of-the-art ships"
Frizzell added: "Our fleet enhancement program enables us to manage the overall fleet by aligning new ship deliveries with our strategy for measured capacity growth over time, while also refurbishing existing ships and phasing out less-efficient vessels. It is a successful approach that helps us meets our number one priority – to consistently exceed our guests' expectations."
Carnival Corporation's four new cruise ship additions for 2018 include:
Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Horizon – Expected launch date in April 2018
As the 26th ship for Carnival Cruise Line, Carnival Horizon will offer a number of unique innovations, including the first Dr. Seuss WaterWorks aqua park, the line's first teppanyaki dining venue and Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse | Brewhouse, a new restaurant that combines BBQ offerings created by Food Network star Guy Fieri along with four specifically designed craft beers brewed at an onboard brewery.
Carnival Horizon will also offer many of the popular indoor and outdoor dining, bar, entertainment and activity options that debuted in 2016 on its sister-ship, Carnival Vista, such as the bike-ride-in-the-sky SkyRide attraction and an IMAX Theatre.
The 133,500-ton Carnival Horizon will debut with a 13-day Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona in April 2018 – the first of four round-trip departures from the port. Carnival Horizon will then reposition to the U.S. with a 14-day transatlantic crossing from Barcelona to New York May 9-23, 2018, positioning the vessel for a summer schedule of four-day Bermuda and eight-day Caribbean departures from the Big Apple.
Carnival Horizon will shift to Miami to launch a year-round schedule of six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises beginning September 22, 2018 and will also offer a special two-day cruise to Nassau from Miami September 20-22, 2018.
Seabourn: Seabourn Ovation – Expected launch date in May 2018
Following in the footsteps of its sister ship, Seabourn Encore, launched in early 2017, Seabourn Ovation is set to debut in May 2018. Designed by Adam D. Tihany, the ship will feature contemporary interiors and modern design elements that convey understated elegance.
The fifth all-suite ship in Seabourn's fleet, Seabourn Ovation will carry 600 guests, based on double occupancy. The suites will each include a private veranda. Guests will also find a number of new offerings including "An Evening with Tim Rice," the new theater-style experience created exclusively for the line in association with Belinda King Creative Productions, and through the brand's partnership with Sir Tim Rice, the acclaimed English musical theater lyricist of Broadway, West End and film. The experience highlights some of his most loved work – from "Jesus Christ Superstar" to "Aladdin" and "The Lion King."
Following the ship's delivery, Seabourn Ovation will embark on an 11-day inaugural voyage departing May 5, 2018, from Venice, Italy, to Barcelona. The ship will spend the majority of her maiden season cruising the waters of Northern Europe, offering a variety of Baltic and Scandinavian cruises, which will include the line's signature three-day stay in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Seabourn Ovation will also sail on longer 14-day voyages, visiting the Norwegian fjords and British Isles. Select sailings will also include the Ventures by Seabourn program, which are optional for-charge expedition-style excursions featuring a team of experts, Zodiacs and kayaks.
AIDA Cruises: AIDAnova – Expected launch date in December 2018
Arriving in late 2018, AIDAnova will be the first cruise ship fully powered by LNG. AIDAnova is an evolution from AIDAprima and AIDAperla, the first two cruise ships in the world to use LNG while in port. AIDAnova will be followed by six additional fully LNG-powered ships scheduled to be delivered across several Carnival Corporation brands by 2022.
AIDAnova has an onboard brewery featuring the first-ever beer garden, the beach club and Four Elements, complete with three water slides, in addition to a new escape room for puzzle lovers and 360-degree Theatrium and Studio X, a TV studio at sea.
Highlights include 20 different stateroom types, ranging from a two-deck penthouse suite to spacious family and patio cabins to comfortable single options with a balcony. The ship will also feature the Body & Soul Spa, spanning two decks and offering over 80 treatments from around the world. For the first time, the ship has two private outdoor sun islands for couples as well as the new Time Machine restaurant, blending experience and culinary art to take guests on a dinner trip through time.
In its debut season starting in December 2018, AIDAnova will offer seven-day trips around the Canary Islands.
Holland America Line: ms Nieuw Statendam – Expected launch date in December 2018
Nieuw Statendam is the second Pinnacle Class ship for Holland America Line, joining ms Koningsdam, which launched in April 2016.
The 99,500-ton ship features interiors inspired by the fluid curves of musical instruments created by hospitality designer Adam D. Tihany and designer and architect Bjorn Storbraaten.
The ship will carry 2,666 guests and feature fine-dining options at alternative restaurants Sel de Mer, a French seafood brasserie, and Tamarind, an Asian fusion concept, in addition to the Grand Dutch Café with traditional Dutch treats and European beer.
Onboard entertainment will include the popular Music Walk area featuring all genres of music showcased in venues including Lincoln Center Stage, Billboard Onboard and the dynamic B.B. King's Blues Club. The ship will also launch with the newly created Exploration Central's hub located in the Crow's Nest, now a comprehensive resource and engagement center with interactive screens and a Virtual Bridge.
Nieuw Statendam is scheduled to depart December 5, 2018, on its maiden voyage with guests – a 14-day transatlantic crossing to Fort Lauderdale. The ship will then spend the winter season cruising roundtrip from the South Florida port on seven-day Caribbean itineraries, with select three-, four- and 10-day options.