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We describe 10 of the new ships below. Some are already plying the oceans; others are launching throughout 2022. A few are very high-end, including the first ship from the new Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, but many are more affordable — fun for a cruise with kids or a grownup getaway.
Before booking
Be sure to stay updated on the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance for cruising. Most cruise lines also are requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Note: The prices listed below are starting rates for one of each ship's less-expensive cruises, which tend to be to the Caribbean.
Nice for Grownups
Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Cruises
Maiden voyage: June 2021
On the 2,910-passenger Celebrity Apex, a cartoon chef and his family dance in 3D across your plate as you dine on filet mignon during a Le Petit Chef experience. At a new show, Rockumentary, you not only rock out to hits from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, but use the Celebrity app on your smartphone to choose the show’s ending. Debuted last summer in Europe, the Celebrity Apex, like its sister ship Celebrity Edge, targets couples seeking a stunning and cushy contemporary environment heavy on tech advances. In lieu of step-out balconies, “Infinite Veranda” staterooms become open-air spaces with the simple push of a button (that opens the upper half of a windowed wall). An open-air platform called the Magic Carpet rides a track up and down one side of the ship, serving on alternate levels as cocktail and dining venues, and a no-stress way to board tenders to head ashore — you simply walk off the platform’s dock onto the small boats. Even with kids welcome, a sense of romance prevails.
Insider tip: No matter where in the world you’re cruising, you won’t miss the big game at the Craft Social Bar. Along with big-screen TVs, it has more than 40 beers and ciders on the menu and upscale comfort foods, such as Kobe beef sliders and truffle fries.
What you’ll pay: From $1,648 per person (double occupancy) for a seven-night Norwegian Fjords cruise in June 2022 from Amsterdam.
Launching next: Sister ship Celebrity Beyond debuts this month. Onboard, dine at a globally focused restaurant created by world-renowned chef Daniel Boulud.
Virgin Voyages
Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages
Maiden voyage: October 2021
Hip, flashy and certainly innovative — think tattoo parlor and late-night pool parties — best describes the first ship in the new Virgin Voyages fleet, the 2,770-passenger Scarlet Lady. With only those 18 and older allowed onboard, adults-only gets interpreted in interesting ways, such as naughty signage. Cleverly designed standard cabins come with beds that turn into sofas by day, and those with balconies feature a swinging hammock chair. The ship shines most on the dining front, with top-flight restaurants (no extra fees involved) replacing the standard dining rooms on other ships. The most extravagant option: The Test Kitchen, with a five-course tasting menu featuring various palate pleasers (eggs and caviar served in a smoking orb, for example) that come with a detailed description of ingredients and how chefs created the dishes. Entertainment goes way beyond typical show productions, such as a loud video- and dance-driven dance party that keeps everyone on their feet.
Insider tip: Don’t miss the circus show Duel Reality, says Nirmal Saviermuttu, Virgin’s chief operations officer. “The audience is quite literally on the edge of their seats as our incredible cast members contort their bodies, slide down towering poles, and leap across the air on a seesaw.”
What you’ll pay: From $1,200 for two passengers for a four-night sailing from Miami to the Bahamas in June 2022.
Launching next: Sister ship Valiant Lady debuted in Europe in March and Resilient Lady debuts in Europe in August 2022.
Princess Cruises
Enchanted Princess, Princess Cruises
Maiden voyage: November 2021
