Cruise Industry Updates

Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Princess

Holland America announced an ambitious renovation program beginning with the Holland America Oosterdam. The updates will include brand new Bridgeview Suites. These suites look out over the bow of the ship through a wall of windows. Another update is the brand new solo verandah cabins. The renovated Oosterdam will feature thirty new 200 square foot verandah cabins for solo travelers.

Over the past several years, Royal Caribbean has been “amplifying” their ships adding new dining venues, refreshed pool decks and solarium, and new staterooms. The ships on the schedule for this year are: Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas.

Norwegian just launched the new Norwegian Luna. Two more ships will be coming out in the Prima class. The NCL Aura launches in 2027 and an unnamed ship launches in 2028. A new class of ship will debut in 2030. It will be even bigger than the Prima class with 5,000 berths compared Aura’s 3,880 berths.

Princess also announced a new class of ships - the Voyager Class. The estimated launch is 2035. It will be even larger than the Sun Princess and Star Princess with 4,700 guests.

I wonder if we’ll reach a saturation point in the ports with all these large ships especially in the Caribbean.

I’d love to hear your additional thoughts in the comments.