2014 Here We Come!!

So in a weeks’ time today, Christmas Day will be over. The turkey will have been eaten (with plenty left over, I’m sure) and we’ll all be planning our diets as we’ve eaten too much.

But today also marks just under two weeks until the New Year.

2014 for the Cruise world will bring Oasis of the Seas over to Europe for the first time ever since the class of ship was built in 2009.  At around 220,000 gross tonnes, this is the biggest ship to ever come to Europe. When you consider she is about 2 times the size of the Ventura and about one and a half times the size of the Independence, I think this marks a moment in cruise history. Will you be part of it?

Norwegian Getaway, sister to the Norwegian Breakaway, will sail from Southampton.  She will do two 1 night cruises where you can get on board and explore what NCL have to offer.  This is a relatively new thing for the cruise lines as normally when ships are showcased in Southampton they are by invitation only. Are you due to be on board for the 14^th or the 15^th January?

One of the most exciting bits of news is the launch of the new Royal Caribbean Quantum Class of ships. Quantum of the Seas is slightly larger than the Freedom Class (which includes Independence) but significantly smaller than Oasis Class meaning the ships are able to call at more ports. Quantum of the Seas will be launched in late 2014.  She will also be showcased in Southampton before performing her first transatlantic cruise from Southampton to New York before being named later in the year. Are you taking part in the transatlantic cruise?

For 2014 there is also the arrival of the Costa Diadema for Costa Cruises due to launch in March and the Mein Schiff 3 for TUI Cruises in the Spring.

2015 is also looking to be an exciting year.

Compagnie Du Ponant are releasing a new Le Soleal Class of ship. Le Soleal which will be the sister to the new ship has proved extremely popular with the European and American  market. The French country house style and extensive wine lists along with an expedition style cruise are taking cruisers to the ends of the earth in style.

TUI Cruises are also releasing Mein Schiff 4 along with AIDA Cruises and the Aidaprima.

Viking Cruises are hitting the ocean cruise market with the launch of one of two brand new cruise ships. The Viking Star will be 47,000 gross tonnes and carry a total of only 944 passengers. The ships will be in keeping with the modern, luxurious design that Viking have managed to portray on the rivers of Europe and beyond.

Autumn will welcome a new Pinnacle class of ship for Holland America.  Currently she is unnamed but we do know that she will be 99,300 gross tonnes and carry 2,600 guests.

Norwegian Cruise Line has the addition of a brand new class of ship to rival the ships launched in 2014.  At a total gross tonnage of 163,000 and carrying 4,200 guests the ship will be called the Breakaway Escape and will be joined by her sister in 2017, the Norwegian Bliss.

P&O Britannia, the biggest ship ever built solely for the UK market, will be launched in spring 2015.  Britannia will be 141,000 gross tonnes and carry 3,611 passengers.

So it looks like we will see some rivalry in the market between two huge cruise companies.

Royal Caribbean released a press statement last month stating that when Anthem of the Seas is launched in Spring 2015 she will be sailing for Southampton.  This means that not only will Royal Caribbean be placing a brand new ship in Southampton but also the largest ship to ever be based out of Southampton.  She will have features on board which will make her the most modern ship to sail in Europe. Personally this is a great way for Royal Caribbean to show their appreciation to the UK market.  Anthem of the Seas will sail alongside Adventure of the Seas.

Of course with so much ship capacity coming to the UK, it means we’ll sadly lose Independence of the Seas which has been in Southampton since her launch in 2008.  2014 will be her last year with Southampton as her home port.  Personally for the difference in size I would have kept her and sent Adventure of the Seas out. What are your thoughts?

Lastly is the exciting news for Cunard. Unfortunately no new ships for Cunard, however 2015 will see 175 Years of Cunard. The Three Queens will meet in Liverpool in May, the spiritual home of Cunard where the three ships will assemble in front of the world famous Three Graces at the pier head before the ships begin to leave.  July 4^th will see the Queen Mary 2 return to Liverpool before recreating the first voyage of Cunard which will sail to Halifax, Nova Scotia and Boston on the east coast of the USA.

So as 2013 comes to an end we in the cruising world will welcome 2014 and what the year has to bring.