Carnival Corporation prepares to welcome four newbuilds in 2018

Carnival Corporation will launch four new cruise ships in 2018 across four of its global brands; Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Seabourn, and AIDA Cruises.

“On top of the three new ships we launched in 2017, we look forward to the delivery of four more spectacular ships that will help us continue providing extraordinary cruise vacations at an exceptional value for our guests,” said Roger Frizzell, chief communications officer for Carnival Corporation. “The new ships also demonstrate our long-term strategy to build highly efficient, innovative and state-of-the-art ships that offer our guests the latest in onboard features and amenities, while creating excitement in the marketplace that will continue to inspire more travellers to consider cruising as a vacation option.”

Carnival Corporation’s 2018 cruise ship additions are:

Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Horizon

Carnival Horizon will offer a number of innovations, including the first Dr. Seuss WaterWorks aqua park, a teppanyaki dining venue and Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse Brewhouse, a new restaurant that combines BBQ offerings with four specifically designed craft beers brewed onboard.

Guests can also enjoy a range of accommodations including spa cabins with privileges at the luxurious Cloud 9 Spa, spacious staterooms in Family Harbour, and tropical-inspired Havana staterooms and suites with daytime access to a Cuban-themed bar and pool.

The 133,500gt Carnival Horizon will debut with a 13-day Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona in April 2018. Carnival Horizon will then reposition to the US with a 14-day transatlantic crossing from Barcelona to New York on 9-23 May 2018, positioning the vessel for a summer schedule of four-day Bermuda and eight-day Caribbean departures.

Seabourn: Seabourn Ovation

Seabourn Ovation will carry 600 guests and offer amenities including a private veranda in each suite. Guests will also find a number of offerings and programmes, including ‘An Evening with Tim Rice,’ the new theatre-style experience created in association with Belinda King Creative Productions, and through the brand’s partnership with Sir Tim Rice, the English musical theatre lyricist of Broadway, West End and film.

Seabourn Ovation will embark on an 11-day inaugural voyage departing 5 May 2018, from Venice, Italy, to Barcelona. The ship will offer a variety of Baltic and Scandinavian cruises, which will include a three-day stay in St. Petersburg, Russia.

AIDA Cruises: AIDAnova

AIDAnova will be the first cruise ship fully powered by LNG and will be the first in the cruise industry to use LNG to generate 100% of its power both in port and on the open sea. The ship will also feature an onboard brewery with the first-ever beer garden, the beach club and Four Elements, complete with three water slides, in addition to a new escape room and 360-degree Theatrium and Studio X, a TV studio at sea.

Highlights include 20 different stateroom types, ranging from a two-deck penthouse suite to family and patio cabins to single options with a balcony. The ship will also feature the Body & Soul Spa, spanning two decks and offering over 80 treatments. For the first time, the ship has two private outdoor sun islands. Dining options will include five speciality restaurants, six à la carte restaurants, five buffet restaurants, 23 bars and the new Time Machine restaurant.

AIDAnova will offer seven-day trips around the Canary Islands. Prior to the Canary season, AIDAnova will make a stop in Hamburg before setting off towards Gran Canaria.

AIDAnova is expected to launch in December 2018.

Holland America Line: Nieuw Statendam

The ship will carry 2,666 guests and feature restaurants such as Sel de Mer, a French seafood brasserie, and Tamarind, an Asian fusion concept, in addition to the Grand Dutch Café with traditional Dutch treats and European beer.

Onboard entertainment will include the Music Walk area featuring all genres of music showcased in venues including Lincoln Centre Stage, Billboard Onboard and B.B. King’ Blues Club. The ship will also launch with the newly created Exploration Central’s hub located in the Crow’s Nest, now a comprehensive resource and engagement centre with interactive screens and a Virtual Bridge.

Nieuw Statendam will depart on her maiden voyage on a 14-day transatlantic crossing to Fort Lauderdale before spending the winter season on a cruising roundtrip from the South Florida port on seven-day Caribbean itineraries, with select three-, four- and ten-day options.

Nieuw Statendam is expected to launch in December 2018.