In 2010, cruise lovers were treated to 13 new ocean-going ships and 3 river ships, but all except for 2 are almost identical sister ships of those already in service. This isn't bad news, since travelers saw 3 dozen exciting new vessels across all markets added to the cruise lines' inventories in 2009 and 2008.
The 2 ships with new designs are very diverse--the mega-ship Norwegian Epic and the French luxury small ship Le Boreal. The launch of a third new ship, the Sea Cloud Hussar, was delayed when the shipbuilder filed for bankrupcy. Here's the list of all the new ships launched in 2010.
Costa Deliziosa - Costa Cruises
Photo Courtesy of Costa Cruises
The 92,700-ton, 2,260-guest Costa Deliziosa is a sister ship to the beautiful Costa Luminosa launched in 2009. The Costa Deliziosa sailed on her maiden voyage from Savona, Italy on February 5, and was christened in a gala ceremony in Dubai on February 23.
The new ship is the first to be named in Dubai, and she will be based in Dubai and the Middle East until May, when she will reposition to northern Europe for her first summer season. To complete the ship's first year of service, the Costa Deliziosa will sail the Mediterranean in the fall of 2010.
- Costa Deliziosa Photo Gallery - 36 pictures of the Costa Deliziosa
- Costa Deliziosa Christening in Dubai
- Costa Deliziosa Christening Photo Gallery - 42 pictures from Dubai event
AIDAblu - AIDA Cruises
Photo Courtesy of AIDA Cruises
The 69,200-ton, 2,050-guest AIDAblu is the fourth ship in the AIDA Sphinx series. She is almost identical to the AIDAluna, AIDAdiva, and AIDAbella. Those who have cruised in Europe will know that AIDA's ships are the easiest in the world to recognize. Sexy red lips decorate their bows!
Note: AIDA Cruises is a German line owned by Costa Cruises (and Carnival Corp.). Unlike Costa, AIDA is marketed to only German-speaking cruisers. If you took German in school, this ship might be a good place to practice your language skills.
MSC Magnifica - MSC Cruises
MSC Magnifica Courtesy of MSC Cruises
The 92,400-ton, 2,518-guest MSC Magnifica joined the MSC Cruises' fleet in Hamburg, Germany on March 7, 2010. After the naming ceremony, the MSC Magnifica embarked on a 13-day inaugural voyage from Hamburg to Venice. The ship sailed 7-day cruises of the eastern Mediterranean between Venice and Bari the rest of 2010.
The MSC Magnifica is the fourth ship in the Musica class, joining the MSC Musica, MSC Poesia, and MSC Orchestra.
I haven't sailed on this class of MSC Cruises' ships, but loved sailing in the MSC Yacht Club on the MSC Splendida. The MSC Magnifica does not include the Yacht Club area found on the MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida, but it does have a retractable roof over one of its swimming pools.
Saga Pearl II - Saga Cruises
British travel group Saga Cruises has significantly refitted The Astoria, and the ship was renamed the Saga Pearl II on March 15 in Southampton. The 19,000-ton, 446-passenger ship is marketed to the over-50 age group and does not include a casino or late-night disco.
The Saga Pearl II's first year of service will cover Europe and include a variety of itineraries to northern Europe, the Canary Islands, Mediterranean, and the British Isles.
Avalon Felicity - Avalon Waterways
Courtesy of Avalon Waterways
The Avalon Felicity is a new European river ship that was launched by Avalon Waterways on March 28. The 138-guest ship sailed "tulip" cruises and on the Rhine River in its first year of service.
The Avalon Felicity is similar in size and layout to the Avalon Affinity, Avalon Creativity, Avalon Luminary, and Avalon Scenery. She is the smallest of the Avalon Waterways river ships.
Azura - P&O Cruises
Azura Courtesy of P&O Cruises
British cruise line P&O Cruises launched the 116,000-ton, 3,100-guest Azura from Southampton on April 12. The new ship sailed the Mediterranean and northern Europe in the spring, summer, and fall of 2010 before crossing the Atlantic in late October to spend her first winter in the Caribbean and sail out of Barbados.
The Azura is a sister ship to the Ventura, which was launched in 2009. However, the Azura will be marketed primarily to adults and couples rather than families with children as is the Ventura. Like the other P&O ships, the Azura has a British atmosphere, with comfortable furnishings and tea-making equipment in each cabin. The ship also has an Indian alternative restaurant, a cuisine favored by many British cruisers.
Celebrity Eclipse - Celebrity Cruises
Photo Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises
The 122.000-ton, 2,850-guest Celebrity Eclipse is the third ship in the Solstice Class. She joined the Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox on April 26, 2010. Like her two older sisters, the Celebrity Eclipse has many sophisticated and innovative features presented in a gorgeous, sophisticated large cruise ship environment.
The Celebrity Eclipse sailed to either northern Europe or the Mediterranean from Southampton in the spring, summer and fall of 2010 before moving to Miami in November and sailing to the Caribbean for her first winter season.
AMAbella - AMAWaterways
Courtesy of AMAWaterways
The AMAbella joined the AMAWaterways river fleet in May 2010. She is a sister ship to the MS Amadolce (2009), MS Amalyra (2009), MS Amadante (2008), MS Amacello (2008), MS Amalegro (2007) and the MS Amadagio (2006).
The AMAbella has been fully-chartered to the Australian market for 2010 and will sail 14-night cruises between Budapest and Amsterdam.
Le Boreal - Compagnie du Ponant
Le Boreal (c) Linda Garrison
The French small ship luxury line Compagnie du Ponant adds the 10,700-ton, 220-guest Le Boreal mega-yacht as the new flagship of its fleet in May 2010. Le Boreal was launched in October 2009, but not placed in service until this year.
Although the cruise line primarily markets to French-speaking travelers, the cruises are bilingual (French and English), and the full ship is sometimes chartered by Tauck and other tour companies for European cruises.
Le Boreal is the first of three identical yachts built for Compangnie du Ponant by Italian shipyard Fincantieri.
I sailed Le Boreal on a marvelous cruise itinerary from Boston to Montreal and loved the fascinating ports of call and the French ambiance on the ship.
Seabourn Sojourn - The Yachts of Seabourn
Seabourn Odyssey, sister ship to the Seabourn Sojourn (c) Linda Garrison
The Seabourn Sojourn is a sister ship to the Seabourn Odyssey. The 32,000-ton, 450-guest ship was christened in Greenwich on June 6. The new luxury ship will sail the British Isles and northern Europe in the summer of 2010, the Mediterranean in the fall, and reposition to the Caribbean in late October where she will remain the rest of 2010. In January 2011, the Seabourn Sojourn will have her first world cruise, a 99-day grand voyage from Los Angeles to Rome.
I loved everything about the Seabourn Odyssey, and believe the Seabourn Sojourn will continue this tradition of excellence in cruising.
