New ships for 2013

Do we really need more ship?? Well the world of cruises think we do and the next three ships that are to be launched in 2013 take you into then next generation.

The first ship to be launched is the Norwegian Breakway in April 2013.  Currently under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.  She will be 144,000 gross tons and will carry 4000 passengers. So how does this ship stand out from the rest, well it has to be the close connection to the sea.  The “Waterfront” along deck eight will have a number of restaurants “al fresco”, and a nightclub under the stars.  You will be able to stroll outside along the Waterfront and gaze at the horizon on the sea,  Some of the restaurants with Waterfront access include the “Moderno Churrascaria” Brazilian grill, Cagney’s Steakhousse and a new restaurant “Ocean Blu” which will be designed and operated under the guidance of celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian.  Now I have to say I have never heard of him before but apparantley he is recognised in the culinary world having already received a Michelin star for his New York based restaurants, one named “Town” and the other named “Country”.

After dining under the stars you can pay homage to another class of celestial bodies; rock stars.  The new ship has the Broaway hit “Rock of Ages” as its entertainment focal point inthe state of the art Breakaway Theatre.  You may notice the theme they are trying to acheive is New York City, and the plan is the make Breakaway “New York’s ship”.

Next to be launched is the Royal Princess scheduled for June 2013.  They are planning on keeping this ship in Europe offering Mediterranean cruises through October, where she will make her transatlantic crossing to Fort Lauderale, her American home port.  Currently under construction at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.  She will be 141,000 gross tons and will carry 3600 passengers.  This will be the largest Princess ship ever built.  There is also a sister ship planned although construction has not yet started.  Some of the new attractions on Royal Princess include cantilevered walkwats with glass floors on deck 16 where guests can stroll out over the side of the ship with a view of the Ocean over 100 fee below.  The ship will have 19 decks, with deck 17 being the uppermost full deck with the Sanctuary (adults only) area up front and the kids’ and teens’ special areas aft. Entertainment options include full-screen 3D movies, a “television studio” where Good Morning show will be video-taped daily in front of a live audience.

Finally Project Sunshine.  Royal Caribbean have at least two of these new ships on order, but they are not scheduled until late 2014 so there is very little information on this.  They will be 158,000 gross tons and will carry 4100 passengers, making them the biggest yet also the roomiest (on a passenger/space ratio basis) new ships on order from the mainstream cruise lines.  They will be under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.  It is believed the ships will have the features that have proven to be most popular on previous Royal Caribbean ships including specific alternative dining venues, ice rinks and the Royal Promenade with interior atriums.