Fourteen New Cruise Lines Entering Service

PhotoCred: Travel Market Report

If you’ve read our blogs (you have read our blogs…right?) you know we’ve talked about the number of new ships being built.  At last count, more than 120 new ships are scheduled to enter service in the next 10 years, and the number keeps growing.  It’s astonishing.

Equally astonishing is the fact that fourteen new cruise lines will enter the market in the next 2 years!  Some of these start-ups are iconic brands entering the cruise space and building new ships, but many are buying existing tonnage from established cruise lines that are unloading older ships and updating their fleet. This gives these start-ups a number of options to buy and refit ships to enter service.

Cruise Industry News reported on the companies planning to enter service, and you’ll no doubt recognize some names.

1. Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will start with 3 ultra-luxury yachts, with the first launching in early 2020.
2. Virgin Voyages will launch their first ship in early 2020.  The first ship, sailing from Miami on 4-5-night cruises, will be adults only and include all dining options in the ticket price.
3. Scenic, an Australian brand, will shift from river to ocean cruises with the Scenic Eclipse.  Billed as “the world’s first discovery yacht” they plan a global deployment which will include the arctic.  The Scenic Eclipse will have 10 dining options, and a number of toys including 2 helicopters and a submarine.
4. Mystic Cruises is also making a shift from river to ocean cruising.  Its first ship will be chartered to Nicko Cruises with two additional 200 guest ships to follow.
5. Zen Cruises will target the Indian source market.  The brand will be known as Jalesh Cruises, taking delivery of P&O’s Pacific Jewel, with the first cruise scheduled for April.
6. CTS (China Travel Service) will also acquire a ship from P&O.  Sailing as the Oriana until August, 2019, CTS plans to rename the ship the Piano Land and sail as early as October 2019.
7. Havila, a Norwegian company already well established in the ferry and offshore industry, is building 4 cruise ferries which will enter service in 2021.
8. Grupo Vidante, a luxury hotel brand in Mexico, purchased the Voyager after All-Leisure ceased operations. A refit has converted it into a luxury ship headed for the Mexican Riviera.

9. Scylla is a family owned Swiss company, which has acquired the Bremen from Hapag-Lloyd, taking delivery in May 2021.  Seasonal charters are planned.

10. Pampa Cruises is planning year-round cruises targeting the South American market.  Although they are still in the market for a ship, they have assembled a group of experienced cruise executives in South America.
11. Blue World Voyages touts “Active Lifestyle Cruising” and will focus on appealing to the active, healthy and fit demographic. In launching their wellness program this summer, an entire deck will be dedicated to sports, exercise and wellness, and will be outfitted with golf and soccer simulators, batting cages, a training center, yoga, spinning and TRX studios.  The ship will also include residences!
12. Storylines is also planning a residential cruise ship sailing worldwide.  Multiple ships are in their plans. The as-yet-unnamed ship is existing tonnage, and the refit plan includes cutting capacity by 25%.
13. Cruise Retirement is another start-up targeting the residential cruise ship concept.  The Enchanted Explorer will be refitted starting in March 2019 and operations are scheduled to begin in 2020.
14. Cartoon Network Wave announced in early 2018 that it will operate out of Singapore, promising a ship fully themed in popular cartoon characters.  Whether they will build a new ship or refit existing tonnage is unknown.

When it comes to this industry and its hardware, out with the old and in with the new is a win-win for everyone.

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