Top New Cruise Ships Launching in 2022

It’s time for the annual TalkingCruise guide to The Top New Cruise Ships in 2022. This year we’re highlighting our Top 10 picks of the latest and greatest.

 

The 2022 lineup of new ship builds will offer tons of variety in design, purpose and features and we’re certain you’ll find at least one that you can’t wait to board.

Delayed Cruise Ships from 2021

Valiant Lady

Virgin Voyages

Valiant Lady

Launching: March 2022
Ship Class: 2nd Lady Ship
Home-Port: Barcelona, Spain: Miami, Florida
Size: 110,000 Gross Tons
Guests/Crew: 2,770 Guests (double), 1,150 Crew

Valiant Lady, the second adult only ship from newcomer Virgin Voyages will be virtually identical to her sister Scarlet Lady. With her name derived from the Latin word for strong, just about anywhere you go onboard will scream Virgin style, with ultra-contemporary furnishings, one-of-kind amenities like a tattoo parlor and record shop and of course, Virgin red all over. Staterooms feature modern appointments, and the rock-star suites are over the top. While there will be an emphasis on healthy cruising, with complimentary fitness classes, you’ll still be able to indulge at the over 20 included dining venues. Speaking of inclusions, how about free gratuities, Wi-Fi, filtered water and sodas.

After sailing some introductory sailings in March & April, Valiant Lady’s inaugural season will feature 7 night Mediterranean itineraries departing from Barcelona, Spain, followed by a 14 night transatlantic voyage to Miami. From Port Miami, Valiant Lady will sail 5-8 night Caribbean itineraries though April 2023, each with a stop at Virgin Voyages’ exclusive Beach Club at Bimini.


Discovery Princess

Princess Cruises

Discovery Princess

Launching: March 2022
Ship Class: 6th Royal-Class Ship
Home-Port: Los Angeles, California; Seattle, Washington; Vancouver, Canada
Size: 141,000 Gross Tons
Guests/Crew: 3,660 Guests (double), 1,346 Crew

Discovery Princess will be Princess Cruises sixth Royal-Class ship, continuing the rapid growth plans from the last several years. Discovery Princess will feature the latest evolutions found on her most recent sister ships Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess. These include more hot tubs, a newly designed main pool deck, retreat pool and infinity WakeView aft pool. They’ll also be new kids and teens spaces and unparalleled luxury of two Sky Suites offering tons of space for up to 5 guests with two bedrooms and bathrooms and a massive 700 square foot balcony.

Discovery Princess will debut from Los Angeles, California sailing a series of Mexico, California Coast itineraries before transitioning to Alaska for the Summer months.


 

2022 Scheduled New Cruise Ships

Wonder of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International

Wonder of the Seas

Launching: March 2022
Ship Class: 5th Oasis-Class Ship
Home-Port: Port Everglades, Florida; Barcelona, Spain; Civitavecchia, Italy; Port Canaveral, Florida
Size: 236,857 Gross Tons
Guests/Crew: 5,734 Guests (double), 2,300 Crew

Following in the tradition of other Oasis-Class ships, Wonder of the Seas will take WOW to a new level. As the new holder of world’s largest cruise ship, Wonder of the Seas will share most of the main design elements, dining venues and activities of her sisters like Central Park and Boardwalk, AquaTheater, Ultimate Abyss and more, however, major changes have been made especially across the ship’s exterior decks.

The portside cantilevered whirlpool has morphed into a brand new watering hole called the Vue Bar. In place of a second FlowRider, a brand new underwater themed area called Wonder Playscape, will keep families occupied with slides, climbing walls, games and puzzles. The main pool deck has a whole new vibe with vibrant colors and large screen for poolside movies. An entire new neighborhood devoted to suite class will pamper guests like never before, with a plunge pool, bar and more.

Wonder of the Seas will depart on alternating 7 night Eastern & Western Caribbean itineraries in a short Caribbean season departing Port Everglades, Florida from March to April 2022, before repositioning to Europe. From April through November Wonder of the Seas will sail 7 night Mediterranean voyages departing Civitavecchia, Italy and Barcelona, Spain, followed by a transatlantic repositioning voyage to her new home at Port Canaveral, Florida.


Celebrity Beyond

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Beyond

Launching: April 2022
Ship Class: 3rd Edge-Class Ship
Home-Port: Barcelona, Spain; Southampton, England; Civitavecchia, Italy; Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Size: 140,000 Gross Tons
Guests/Crew: 3,260 Guests (double), 1,400 Crew

While much of Celebrity Beyond’s elements are familiar, there are many notable changes to several areas around this 3rd Edge-Class ship. In fact, the ship will be longer and teller than her sisters. Guests will appreciate the expanded Rooftop Garden, that now features cantilevered float pools. The all-new Moroccan inspired Sunset Bar with tiered seating and an aft location to really appreciate the views. The Retreat Sundeck, the exclusive resort-within-a-resort area for suite guests, has been expanded with two levels of luxurious bliss. There’s also the redesigned and more spacious Grand Atrium, new dining offerings and much more to explore.

Following her inaugural Mediterranean season commencing April 2022, Celebrity Beyond will reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in October 2022 and offer a series of 5 – 9 night Caribbean voyages through April 2023 then resume seasonal summer Mediterranean cruises.


Disney Wish

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Wish

Launching: June 2022
Ship Class: 1st Triton-Class Ship
Home-Port: Port Canaveral, Florida
Size: 144,000 Gross Tons
Guests/Crew: 4,000 Guests (double), 1,555 Crew

Disney Wish will usher in a whole new era of incredible onboard experiences as the first of three Triton-class vessels for Disney Cruise Line. From an all-new immersive water attraction, even more theming throughout the ship, including Star Wars, Marvel and other Disney exclusives, expanded dining and entertainment options, plus new stateroom and suite designs, including the line’s first Funnel Suite, Disney Wish is a dream come true.

Disney Wish will begin sailing from Port Canaveral in June 2022 with year-round alternating 3- and 4-night Bahamas itineraries each with a stop at Disney’s Castaway Cay, Bahamas.


Norwegian Prima

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Prima

Launching: August 2022
Ship Class: 1st Prima-Class Ship
Home-Port: Southampton, England; Port Canaveral, Florida
Size: 142,500 Gross Tons
Guests/Crew: 3,215 Guests (double), 1,390 Crew

As their first all-new ship design in almost a decade, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Prima, has familiar favorites and new experiences to explore. While smaller than the most recent Breakaway and Breakaway Plus ship classes, Prima class ships are all about the wide-open spaces. Ocean Boulevard, located on Deck 8, features the Oceanwalk glass bridge, swim to the horizon in one of two infinity pools and watch the world go by at Infinity Beach, warm up on cool nights with friends around the firepit at the Indulge Outdoor Lounge, go all-in on some amazing food options at the Indulge Food Hall or enjoy dining with a view from one of the Ocean Boulevard seaside restaurants. Get your speed on with the return of go-kart racing on a three-level track, head down 10 stories on The Drop, freefall dry slide or go head-to-head racing down to the bottom of The Rush.

Norwegian Prima will begin sailing in the Summer of 2022 with itineraries in Northern Europe, before repositioning to the United States with a series of debuts from New York City, Galveston, Texas and Miami, Florida before arriving at her winter home of Port Canaveral. In March 2023, she’ll transition back to New York, then onto Northern Europe for the Summer.


Resilient Lady

Virgin Voyages

Resilient Lady

Launching: August 2022
Ship Class: 3rd Lady Ship
Home-Port: Piraeus, Greece; San Juan, Puerto Rico
Size: 110,000 Gross Tons
Guests/Crew: 2,770 Guests (double), 1,150 Crew

Resilient Lady will be the third adult only ship from Virgin Voyages and share almost all features like her two sister ships with first-at-sea experiences including getting ink at the onboard tattoo parlor or spinning tunes like a pro at the record shop. All staterooms feature modern appointments, but the rock-star and mega-rock-star suites are way over the top and offer exclusive access to a private sundeck. There is an emphasis on healthy cruising onboard Virgin Voyages featuring complimentary fitness classes, but you’ll still be able to indulge at the over 20 included dining venues highlighted by seven unique full-service restaurants and The Galley foodhall with seemingly endless choices.

Resilient Lady’s inaugural season will feature 7 -9 night Mediterranean itineraries departing from Piraeus, Greece, followed by an 11 night transatlantic voyage from Lisbon, Portugal to San Juan, Puerto Rico. From San Juan, Resilient Lady will sail 7 night Southern Caribbean itineraries featuring five ports and just one day at sea through April 2023.


Carnival Celebration

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Celebration

Launching: November 2022
Ship Class: 2nd Excel-Class Ship
Home-Port: Miami, Florida
Size: 180,800 Gross Tons
Guests/Crew: 5,282 Guests (double), 1,745 Crew

After making a big splash with the debut of Mardi Gras, Carnival Cruise Line’s second Excel-class ship Carnival Celebration will keep the excitement going as one of the most-anticipated new cruise ships for 2022. Like her sister, Carnival Celebration will be the first cruise ship powered by liquified natural gas from PortMiami. Many of Mardi Gras’ amazing features and amenities will be onboard including Bolt roller coaster, massive WaterWorks, SportSquare with challenging ropes course, and exclusive Loft 19 for Excel level suite guests.

Carnival favorite food spots like BlueIguana Cantina, Guy’s Burger Joint, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse|Brewhouse, SeaFood Shack and more are back, joined by venues launched on Mardi Gras like Shaq’s Big Chicken, Street Eats and Chibang. Carnival Celebration will not be an exact copy, as new venues and tweaked experiences have been promised.

Following a 14-night Transatlantic journey from Southampton to Miami, Carnival Celebration will sail year-round from PortMiami, Florida, with 5-8 night Caribbean itineraries through at least April 2024.


MSC Seascape

MSC Cruises

MSC Seascape

Launching: December 2022
Ship Class: 2nd Seaside EVO-Class Ship
Home-Port: Naples, Italy; Messina, Sicily: Barcelona, Spain; Marseille, France; Miami, Florida
Size: 169,500 Gross Tons
Guests/Crew: 4,540 Guests (double), 1,648 Crew

MSC Seascape will be nearly identical to her sister MSC Seashore, representing an evolution of the popular Seaside class ships, and providing even more connections to the sea. The most popular guest spaces like the AquaPark and Waterfront have been reimagined to create all new experiences and there’s a host of new spots to explore and wider range of accommodations, including an expanded Yacht Club for the ultimate in luxury. The ship will also offer the latest proprietary MSC technologies including MSC for ME.

MSC Seascape will debut from PortMiami in December 2022, offering varying Caribbean itineraries for the winter 2022-2023 season.


MSC World Europa

MSC Cruises

MSC World Europa

Launching: December 2022
Ship Class: 1st World-Class Ship
Home-Port: Dubai, UAE; Genoa, Italy; Naples, Italy; Messina, Sicily: Barcelona, Spain; Marseille, France
Size: 205,000 Gross Tons
Guests/Crew: 5,079 Guests (double), 1,648 Crew

Fans of MSC Cruises have been waiting years for more details on the largest, most imaginative cruise ship ever to join the MSC Cruises fleet. While not taking away the title of world’s largest, MSC World Europa will be 205,000 gross tons, almost 1,100 feet long, with a maximum capacity of 6,700 guests, putting her well ahead of most of the largest cruise ships sailing today.

MSC has done some amazing things to utilize this massive size to the utmost, offering a wide variety of experiences, expanded and brand-new venues to appeal to everyone. Highlights include one of the longest dry slide at sea at a dizzying 11 decks high, 13 dining venues with retuning MSC favorites and new concepts, 19 different categories of accommodations, featuring the line’s first promenade view and infinite ocean view rooms plus expanded premium level Aurea and Yacht Club amenities.

Along with these amazing features, MSC World Europa will be the line’s first vessel to be powered by liquified natural gas.

MSC World Europa will begin sailing from the United Arab Emirates in December 2022, and in March 2023, she’ll reposition for the summer in the Mediterranean.


What an impressive lineup of new cruise ships in 2022. Which one is your favorite? Did you see any ship you are interested in sailing on? Let us know in the comments.

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