Cruises are becoming more and more popular with adults and families as they provide superior amenities, excellent dining choices and can cover a number of destinations in a short amount of time. Throw in awesome kid’s clubs, adult-only sanctuary’s, award-winning spas and incredible service and it’s no wonder why so many people have taken to cruising. What’s ahead for the year 2016 in terms of ships? Exquisite dining options, newly designed staterooms, even more activities for kids and never before seen experiences at sea. Read on to discover the 6 newest cruise ships to watch for in 2016.
6. Viking Sky, Viking Ocean Cruises
The Viking Sky is scheduled to hit the waters in the Spring of 2016 and features an all veranda stateroom design, designed to hold 930 guests in total. There are plenty of on-board amenities that will charm any guests. For those looking to escape to tranquility, head to the Wintergarden. This charming airy space around the main pool is designed to help you relax, while enjoying an afternoon tea service complete with teas, finger sandwiches and pastries. A glass-backed infinity pool is where you can spend most of your day, or head to the main pool with its retractable roof. Unique dining choices await visitors to this ship including the World Café with live cooking stations and the most refined venue, simply called The Restaurant. With itineraries that include Venice, Istanbul, Barcelona and Stockholm, this will be a beautiful ship that sails to many beautiful places around the world.
5. Harmony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean
If you are looking for a new family adventure, this big bold ship from Royal Caribbean should be one of your first choices. Offering 20 different dining options, 2,394 crew and 7 different neighborhoods, it would be hard pressed to find anyone saying they are bored on this ship It is hailed as the world’s biggest ship with the best features. Some of those features include an incredible waterpark featuring a 10-story plunge waterslide and two surf simulators. Kids will go crazy for the rock climbing walls, zip lines, ice-rink, 3D movie theater and teen lounge area. Parents on the other hand will indulge in state of the art spa, Central Park outdoor garden that features galleries, restaurants and shopping and two whirlpools overlooking the ocean. Don’t miss out on the Bionic Bar where robot bartenders serve you up cocktails. With incredible staterooms, award-winning chefs and a plethora of activities, one week won’t feel like long enough on this ship.
4. Seven Seas Explorer, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
It is one of the most luxurious ships to sail the seven seas, riddled with elegance and sophistication. Spacious designer suites are one of the big sells for this ship and feature complimentary personalized mini-bar, king size bed, personal butler and more. Exquisite dining is being offered on this ship, ranging from a new Pan-Asian specialty restaurant that features such items as Korean barbecue lamp chops and views of the ocean to candlelit dinners featuring fillet mignon as the main course. The lavish pool deck features two whirlpools, a beautiful pool and comfortable lounge chairs. Featuring a Monte-Carlo style casino, numerous elegant lounges and a beautiful theater, there is no shortage of nighttime activities aboard the Explorer ship. Relax in the world renowned spa, delight in gourmet food and simply sit back and relax as you wind your way through the seas.
3. ms Koningsdam, Holland America Line
Drawing inspiration from the world of music, this ship has been designed to cater to guests every sense. Suites have been completely redesigned based on guest feedback and include amenities such as bedside USB ports, frameless shower glass doors, luxury linens and mini-fridges. There is an abundance of dining choices on this ship ranging form the Culinary Arts Center will features farm-to-table cooking for dinner and acts as a show kitchen during the day to Sel de Mer, an intimate seafood brasserie. One of the best features on this ship has to be BLEND, where you can experience the art of wine-making. BLEND features a tasting table that accommodates 10 guests who can create their own blend from a selection of five barrels of single-vineyard red wine. Relax at the Greenhouse Spa and Salon featuring thermal pools, heated ceramic lounges and treatment rooms facing the sea.
2. Carnival Vista, Carnival Cruise Line
Hailed as being the world’s most colorful cruise ship this ship promises big fun for families and others. ‘Think’, the largest WaterWorks Park in the Carnival fleet that features a 455-ft long twist and turn ride down the Kaleid-O-Slide. Think the first IMAX at sea that will keep both kids and parents occupied. Think an authentic Cuban experience with the Havana Experience, that comes complete with yellow sand, palm trees, thatched patio huts and mojitos all around as well as Havana Plaza that transforms at night into a sizzling dance club. The Vista ships offers incredible family suites that feature bright colors and give kids access to the Family Harbor Lounge- loaded with games, snacks, TV’s and breakfast. Choose from many dining options and for the first time ever Carnival is offering the chance to dine al fresco. Whether you are hiding out in the adults-only sanctuary or challenging the kids to a game of mini-golf, this ship promises to be loads of fun.
1. Ovation of the Seas, Royal Caribbean
Making its debut in 2016 this ship is promising to take cruisers to new heights with its variety of activities, dining and entertainment options. A cruise ship that is catered both towards adults and kids featuring transformative venues such as the largest indoor active space at sea, featuring bumper cars, roller skating, basketball courts and circus school. Don’t miss the first skydiving experience at sea or the much anticipated North Star- a jewel-shaped capsule that gently ascends over 300 feet above sea level giving breathtaking views. Family-friendly modular staterooms that connect and give family members their own bathrooms and bedrooms are set to be a huge hit on this ship, as are the rooms that feature virtual balconies. Enjoy a plethora of dining options with total flexibility to shape your own dining journey, an adult-only Solarium pool, kids water zone and more on this awesome new ship.
